The Ravens proved once again Sunday that their best offense is a good defense.
When safety Ed Reed jumped in front of Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson’s pass and ran 32 yards for a touchdown, it marked the 35th time a Ravens’ defender has registered a defensive touchdown. The franchise has also scored at least one defensive touchdown in each season since arriving in Baltimore in 1996.
With the Ravens beating the Browns, 28-10, the team is 29-5 when the defense reaches the endzone. Also since 2003, the Ravens’ defense has scored 22 touchdowns, second only to the Minnesota Vikings. In those games, Baltimore is 18-3.
“When they start forcing turnovers and getting all the momentum, it’s over,” said Browns running back Jamal Lewis, who spent seven seasons with the Ravens. “Once they get that momentum, they start coming with their exotic blitzes and creating more pressure. That’s how they win. That’s why you can’t let things go their way.”
Reed said being prepared is the key to making game-changing plays, like his 35th career interception and ninth career touchdown that he came up with in Sunday’s win.
“We know what this job consists of,” Reed said. “We know how to help each other, and [defensive coordinator] Rex [Ryan] knows how to help us. We know Father Time doesn’t stop, and we know as some time, at some point, we’re not going to be able to play this game. So right now, we just enjoy it.”
The Ravens enter Monday night’s AFC North showdown against the Steelers in Pittsburgh in familiar territory. The team has the top-ranked defense in the NFL, allowing just 161.5 total yards a game while playing the Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals, two teams expected to play well on offense this season. Also, those wins help the Ravens erase memories of last season, when they went 1-5 within the division.
“All wins feel good, especially inside the division,” Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “You want to send a message within your division, especially when you’re playing at home. Now, we get another chance to go and do it against Pittsburgh on Monday night.”
Ravens defenders credit their strong start to being fairly healthy, despite the absence of nose tackle Kelly Gregg for at least another week with a knee injury. In addition, McAlister said having an offense that stays on the field for extended time allows the defense to stay fresh and be better prepared to make big plays. Against the Browns, the Ravens had three interceptions and five sacks.
The Ravens lead the NFL in time of possession, holding the ball an average of 37:02 a game. Against the Browns, the Ravens held the ball for nearly 38 minutes, including more than nine minutes straight in the fourth quarter.
“I’ll tell you what, we sit that long and nobody has a chance,” McAlister said.
NFL finds no evidence of wrongdoing by Browns
The NFL found no evidence that Cleveland Browns defensive players intentionally gouged the eyes of Ravens running back Willis McGahee during the Ravens’ 28-10 win last Sunday.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh sent tapes to the league’s office in New York earlier this week asking for a review of two separate incidents. However, he refused to publicly name any players he suspected of wrongdoing.
“I don’t think we should say,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to comment on it, but you can see it on the tape.”
McGahee’s right eyelid swelled up so much that Harbaugh questioned whether he would be able to play Monday at the Steelers in Pittsburgh. But, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said there was no evidence to support the Ravens’ claims that the Browns tried to injure McGahee, who was limited in practice on Thursday.
On a 7-yard carry to Cleveland’s 1-yard line in the third quarter, McGahee came up bleeding after a tackle by Browns linebacker Andra Davis, who appeared to get his hand caught inside McGahee’s visored helmet while being blocked to the ground by Ravens tackle Jared Gaither.
McGahee got up and immediately headed to the sideline with blood dripping down his face. The Browns were caught off-guard by the Ravens’ inquiry.
“I have no knowledge of that,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “I hadn’t heard anything.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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