Baltimore Ravens: 5 Questions Worth Asking

Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) is congratulated by linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

4. Is the defense on its way back to being a dominant unit?

Although the Baltimore secondary took its lumps in 2014, there were a lot of good things that happened on this side of the ball.

The Ravens ranked eighth in the league in fewest yards allowed and only three teams in the NFL were harder to run against. Led by the potent outside linebacking trio of Elvis Dumervil (17.0), Terrell Suggs (12.0) and quality reserve Pernell McPhee (7.5), only the Buffalo Bills (54) totaled more sacks than Baltimore (49). Add in solid performances by inside linebackers Daryl Smith and rookie C.J. Mosley and defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ unit surrendered only 30 touchdowns.

Of course, 22 of those 30 scores came through the air as Lardarius Webb wasn’t quite up to form after an injury-plagued 2013 and Jimmy Smith was lost after eight games. Former first-round safety Matt Elam suffered through a disappointing year as well.

Still, that front-seven that includes Haloti Ngata, promising Timmy Jernigan and unsung nose tackle Brandon Williams makes this a very dangerous unit once Ozzie Newsome gets the defensive backfield figured out.

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