The strength of three: The 30 greatest trios in NFL history

If you ever find yourself scouring the stat sheets, and you ask yourself, “how in the world did Trent Dilfer win a Super Bowl?”, here’s your answer.

The 2000 Baltimore Ravens had the feeble duo of Tony Banks and Dilfer starting games at quarterback, and yet, they went 12-4 on the season. They were a defensive-minded team and they didn’t apologize. Instead, they imposed their will, behind the efforts of their defensive core.

With Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Rod Woodson locking offenses down on the second and third levels, and with veteran Rob Burnett mounting a career season on the edge, the Ravens bludgeoned opponents into submission. They allowed just 60.2 rushing yards per game and made opponents pay over the top with 23 team interceptions.

Overall, the Ravens forced 49 turnovers, the most in the NFL; whatever you wanted to accomplish against the Ravens defense, it couldn’t be done. And the Ravens made no exceptions for playoff teams.

In their Super Bowl run, the Ravens allowed a paltry 5.8 points per game. You read that right. Playoff opponents. Averaging 5.8 points a game. The Ravens played the cream of the crop in the post-season and they made them look like bottom feeders.

Ultimately, there were other contributors. Duane Starks had six interceptions that year and Chris McCalister got in on the action as well. Peter Boulware was a key starter, and on the defensive line, Sam Adams was an elite space eater. But the Ravens defense wouldn’t have been an all-time great unit without its core. Even today, they are the standard. They gave pain a color: purple.