OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The current members of the Baltimore Ravens defense speak in reverent tones about the play of the 2000 team, which set a record for fewest points allowed en route to winning the Super Bowl.
That unit set the standard for defense, yet the 2011 version is pretty impressive in its own right.
The Ravens forced a team-record seven turnovers in a season-opening win over Pittsburgh, limited St. Louis to a single touchdown and mercilessly hounded New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in a 34-17 win Sunday night.
Rex Ryan, who worked with the Baltimore defense from 1999-2008, says this team reminds him of the way the Ravens played defense in 2000 and 2006. The 2000 team allowed a record-low 165 points, and in 2006 the Ravens went 13-3 behind the league’s top-ranked defense.
The Ravens have a bye this week.
