After watching the Ravens secondary get lit up following a brief three game “mirage’ – (during which they were vastly overrated) I think the trademark Denny Green saying comes to mind : “They are who we thought they were!”
The expectations in Baltimore have been raised over the years since the Ravens won a Super Bowl based on their “D” in 2000. That is not the way the NFL operates anymore; it’s all about the offense. That is what makes the Ravens defensive effort of late so troubling. And the numbers are not misleading, especially as the game enters its “critical stage.”
In The fourth quarter alone, the Ravens defense has already allowed more points through nine games this season (66) than they gave up all of last season combined (62)…
Now that could be a result of many issues such as lack of talent (see secondary), players being out of shape, or Gregg Mattison’s scheme (including a weak 3 man pass rush).
The Ravens are on pace to give up 117.3 points in the fourth quarter this season, which would be the most since the 1996 defense allowed 130 points in the fourth quarter….AND THAT WAS THEIR 1ST YEA HERE IN BALTIMORE.
Over their past four games, the Ravens have allowed three game-tying or winning drives in the final two minutes of regulation……WHICH IS TROUBLING TO SAY THE LEAST, for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.
There are still “playmakers” on this defense, but not as many as have come through Baltimore throughout the past decade. And there is NOBODY on this team is feared besides Ed Reed. With some big name QB’s about to face this unit, the secondary is clearly a red flag that needs to be corrected somehow, someway.
At least the Ravens will gear up for their stretch drive at M&T Bank Stadium, where the Ravens are undefeated this season.
