Ravens defense better than expected

The concern about Baltimore's defensive decline has not panned out, writes The Athletic’s Mike Sando in his column looking back at preseason issues for all 32 teams:

“Baltimore’s defense has been effective without former mainstays C.J. Mosley and Terrell Suggs. Acquiring cornerback Marcus Peters during the season helped, but preseason worries were overblown. Baltimore ranks fourth in points allowed and sixth in defensive expected points added, according to the EPA model Dean Oliver developed for TruMedia Networks. The Ravens’ offense has something to do with that, scoring points on the ground and through the air so frequently that the defense can more readily play its aggressive style against opponents who are forced to play from behind.”

Full article: The Athletic