Ravens Are Best Team In NFL (per Football Outsiders)

[gabefergy]

Football Outsiders has the Ravens as the best team in the NFL right now, and frankly its hard to disagree with their analysis. For those of you who are unfamiliar with how FBO works, they essentially break down every play of every game and compare the outcome to the expected league average outcome.

Essentially, we are rated as the best team right because our defense is far and away the best defense in the league. It is probably somewhat skewed due to the number of defensive TDs we have scored, but that shouldnt take away from what we have accomplished. Our offense is much less impressive, essentially performing at league average.

Another thing to mention is this site does take strength of schedule into account, so GB is ranked 3rd because they have mostly just beat up on bad teams. It's not a perfect system, especially this early in the season because the amount of data is still only 5 or 6 games. It does however give an interesting perpsective.

[url="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2011/week-6-dvoa-ratings"]http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2011/week-6-dvoa-ratings[/url]

[Jamal]

Pretty hard to really claim any teams better than GB right now.

[baadbobby]

If we were to play the Packers right now, we would likely lose. If we go all the way to Indy, we beat the Packers or whoever else shows up.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1318982597' post='827910']
Pretty hard to really claim any teams better than GB right now.
[/quote]
Well, like I said. SOS is taken into account. Other than NO in week 1, the Pack doesnt really have a strong win. Their defense has also been average so far. We have quality wins over Pitt, NYJ, and Houston.

[codizzle]

Right now id say gb then us but i honestly believe by the ens of the year we'll be a better team

[gabefergy]

[quote name='baadbobby' timestamp='1318982864' post='827919']
If we were to play the Packers right now, we would likely lose. If we go all the way to Indy, we beat the Packers or whoever else shows up.
[/quote]
I'm not sure if we would be able to beat the Packers right now either, but it would be a great match-up. They have a great offense, but it is fairly 1 dimensional. I think we could beat them if we control the clock and win the turnover battle. Aaron Rodgers is incredible, but he doesnt play defense.

[Jamal]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1318982943' post='827922']
Well, like I said. SOS is taken into account. Other than NO in week 1, the Pack doesnt really have a strong win. Their defense has also been average so far. We have quality wins over Pitt, NYJ, and Houston.
[/quote]
Yes, but we lost to an inferior Titans team at the end of the day.

GB has yet to lose period.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1318983406' post='827930']
Yes, but we lost to an inferior Titans team at the end of the day.

GB has yet to lose period.
[/quote]
Well this site doesnt rank based on W/L. It is based solely on team efficiency.

[MagicianCamille]

I agree with those saying until proven otherwise, GB is the best team right now.

[The Raven]

Ummm... its too early to really talk about best teams. For example, didn't Denver go 6-0 in 2009 and finish 7-9? Just an example.

But, I think on a good day, we are the best OVERALL team in the NFL. GB's defense has looked mediocre compared to the domination it was last year. Our defense has shut down just about everyone and everything. Our offense is incosistent, but I feel like we can move the ball at will when we need to. I'm not scared of any team this year, not even Green Bay.

[1/28/01]

Pretty cool little breakdown, but I cant let it carry too much weight in my mind when they have the Jets at #4!

[hawkprey]

The Packers are the consensus best, but it's nice that someone actually bothers to take strength of schedule into account. The Ravens are 5-1 after the [b]tough [/b]part of the schedule, and Green bay hasn't beaten anyone with a winning record except New Orleans. And they barely came out with the win in that one. Green Bay, New England, New York (Jets), San Francisco, and Buffalo are all good, but they all have glaring weaknesses.

[baadbobby]

A far as strength of schedule, if I'm reading it right, they have San Fran listed at 32, meaning the easiest schedule possible, correct? San Fran still needs to play the Giants, Steelers and Ravens.

[Guest caraven]

I think I see an easy chance for us to get to Indy this year.The only team standing in our way is New England.I think we can beat NE especially if we get that home field advantage thru the playoffs.Green Bay is another story though theyre probably the hottest team bar-none.

[SideStep77]

Once everyone gets healthy we could definitely give GB a run for their money. Right now however they are first, and we are second.

[PurpleCorsair]

[quote name='caraven' timestamp='1318987328' post='827971']
I think I see an easy chance for us to get to Indy this year.The only team standing in our way is New England.I think we can beat NE especially if we get that home field advantage thru the playoffs.Green Bay is another story though theyre probably the hottest team bar-none.
[/quote]

The problem with that is NE is currently the #1 seed in the AFC, and we're #2. And lets not get ahead of ourselves, we still have to go to Cincy, Pitt and Cleveland, face the surprisingly 5-1 49ers, and deal with the Chargers.

[lowrider]

I'm perfectly ok with NE and Green Bey being ahead of us. Much more pressure at number 1 than at number 3. And the Ravens do have somethings they do need to workout, but I think with Grubbs and Jimmy Smith coming back that the Ravens will become even better

[organizedchaos007]

Well I have to agree with most people above that GB is the best team at the moment. They are dangerous no doubt about that, their offense is ridiculous... however, once we get carr, and jimmy back, this will be the absolutely DEEPEST CB crew we have ever had or prob ever will have in baltimore. Gorrer is playing lights out, webb is a BEAST in his 3rd year, and williams has totally stepped his game up. If we meet GB in the superbowl, this year more than any I think we can actually match up with their WR. Packers defense however.. gives up alot of yards collectively, and against the pass, they are pretty good against the run and hold oponents to 19 points (5th best in the league)...

[i][b][size=5][font=georgia, serif]offense[/font][/size][/b][/i] ~~~ as far as yards are concerned (14th overal, 13th passing, 12th rushing), we average 29.6 points per game (5th best in the league).[list]
[*]we have been playing without Grubbs who will definitely be an upgrade over Andre at the LG spot.. this will be huge for us when we get him back.
[*]we also have been without Evans.. and Torrey has totally stepped up. Once Evans is back, it opens up ALOT for us.. we can move Boldin to the slot in 3wr sets and have Torrey and Evans stretch the field on the outside. We havent had a deep threat in YEARS... hopefully in acouple weeks we will get Evans back and have 2. That will greatly influence the pass game... as well as the run
[*]Our offense is only gonna get better as the year goes on with the Wr's getting healthy, and the Oline getting continuity once Grubbs is back. Honestly, our offense has played well "overall" even without these key players.
[/list]
[font=georgia, serif][size=5][b][i]defense[size=4]~~~ [/size][/i][/b][size=4]wow, lemme start out by saying.. our depth is RIDICULOUS this year everywhere you look. [/size][/size][/font][list]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]we are 1st in points allowed (14.2)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]3rd in total yards (286.2)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]7th against the pass (209.7)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]3rd against the run (76.6)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]we will have carr and smith back soon.. (will be interesting to see who grabs the nickel spot, or if one of these 2 will take williams or webbs spot. Regardless when we get them back, we can match up with anyone.. including GB[/size][/size][/font]
[/list]
[font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]***prob the biggest thing we all need to consider is, we went through a pretty tough part of the schedule already (sure we had a let down against TEN), but ... we played PIT, HOU, NYJ[/size][/size][/font][list]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]our LOWEST margin of victory in our 4 wins... 15 points (PIT= 28 points, STL= 30 points, NYJ=17 points, HOU=15 points)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]we have allowed 71 points this year, lowest in the league (yes we had a bye, but we play JAC next... how many points you think they will score, I say 3 tops... )[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]we have the best margin of victory in the entire NFL 148 points scored to 71 points allowed (and this was the hardest part of the schedule)[/size][/size][/font]
[/list]
[font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]*** on a side note PIT, CIN, BAL have the top 3 defense in the league respectively.. and the browns areant to far behind [/size][/size][/font]

[BenDufusberger]

Here's how we look in some of the power rankings so far ( per csn.com ) :


[b]ESPN:[/b] 3, up two spots from last week. “The Harbaughs -- John and Jim -- are 9-2 this season.”

[b]Peter King, Sports Illustrated:[/b] 3, down one spot from last week. “Should be 6-1 entering Week 9 showdown at Pittsburgh, with Jacksonville and Arizona on the slate the next two weeks.”

[b]Pro Football Talk:[/b] 2, up four spots from last week. “They might be the only team that can beat the Pats in the playoffs and that can stay within 20 of the Packers in the Super Bowl.”

[b]Pro Football Weekly:[/b] 3, up two spots from last week. “Should be even better when secondary gets fully healthy.”

[b]USA Today:[/b] 2, up two spots from last week. “Top-ranked defense grounded Arian Foster, Texans.”

[PurpleReign92]

[quote name='baadbobby' timestamp='1318982864' post='827919']
If we were to play the Packers right now, we would likely lose. If we go all the way to Indy, we beat the Packers or whoever else shows up.
[/quote]
I think if the Packs play flawless every Sunday then they might be able to beat us. If they play bad a game or 2 we can exploit them by our film study team can determine there weakness and use it to our advantage...

[Thepurplehaze]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1318988477' post='827983']
Well I have to agree with most people above that GB is the best team at the moment. They are dangerous no doubt about that, their offense is ridiculous... however, once we get carr, and jimmy back, this will be the absolutely DEEPEST CB crew we have ever had or prob ever will have in baltimore. Gorrer is playing lights out, webb is a BEAST in his 3rd year, and williams has totally stepped his game up. If we meet GB in the superbowl, this year more than any I think we can actually match up with their WR. Packers defense however.. gives up alot of yards collectively, and against the pass, they are pretty good against the run and hold oponents to 19 points (5th best in the league)...

[i][b][size=5][font=georgia, serif]offense[/font][/size][/b][/i] ~~~ as far as yards are concerned (14th overal, 13th passing, 12th rushing), we average 29.6 points per game (5th best in the league).[list]
[*]we have been playing without Grubbs who will definitely be an upgrade over Andre at the LG spot.. this will be huge for us when we get him back.
[*]we also have been without Evans.. and Torrey has totally stepped up. Once Evans is back, it opens up ALOT for us.. we can move Boldin to the slot in 3wr sets and have Torrey and Evans stretch the field on the outside. We havent had a deep threat in YEARS... hopefully in acouple weeks we will get Evans back and have 2. That will greatly influence the pass game... as well as the run
[*]Our offense is only gonna get better as the year goes on with the Wr's getting healthy, and the Oline getting continuity once Grubbs is back. Honestly, our offense has played well "overall" even without these key players.
[/list]
[font=georgia, serif][size=5][b][i]defense[size=4]~~~ [/size][/i][/b][size=4]wow, lemme start out by saying.. our depth is RIDICULOUS this year everywhere you look. [/size][/size][/font][list]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]we are 1st in points allowed (14.2)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]3rd in total yards (286.2)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]7th against the pass (209.7)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]3rd against the run (76.6)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]we will have carr and smith back soon.. (will be interesting to see who grabs the nickel spot, or if one of these 2 will take williams or webbs spot. Regardless when we get them back, we can match up with anyone.. including GB[/size][/size][/font]
[/list]
[font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]***prob the biggest thing we all need to consider is, we went through a pretty tough part of the schedule already (sure we had a let down against TEN), but ... we played PIT, HOU, NYJ[/size][/size][/font][list]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]our LOWEST margin of victory in our 4 wins... 15 points (PIT= 28 points, STL= 30 points, NYJ=17 points, HOU=15 points)[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]we have allowed 71 points this year, lowest in the league (yes we had a bye, but we play JAC next... how many points you think they will score, I say 3 tops... )[/size][/size][/font]
[*][font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]we have the best margin of victory in the entire NFL 148 points scored to 71 points allowed (and this was the hardest part of the schedule)[/size][/size][/font]
[/list]
[font=georgia, serif][size=5][size=4]*** on a side note PIT, CIN, BAL have the top 3 defense in the league respectively.. ae browns areant to far behind [/size][/size][/font]

[/quote]
Good analysis.
I agree mostly with the fact that we've had a tougher schedule than GB thus far.. although our 3 toughest games (Pitt, Jets and Houston) were all at home.Our only formidable away game we laid an egg. I think the true identity of this team will be revealed the consecutive weeks of @Pitt followed by the loooonnng trip to Seattle.

[Ravensstrike4424]

[quote name='baadbobby' timestamp='1318982864' post='827919']
If we were to play the Packers right now, we would likely lose. If we go all the way to Indy, we beat the Packers or whoever else shows up.
[/quote]

and your a raven fan,pathetic

[hawkprey]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1318988477' post='827983']
Well I have to agree with most people above that GB is the best team at the moment. They are dangerous no doubt about that, their offense is ridiculous... however, once we get carr, and jimmy back, this will be the absolutely DEEPEST CB crew we have ever had or prob ever will have in baltimore. Gorrer is playing lights out, webb is a BEAST in his 3rd year, and williams has totally stepped his game up. If we meet GB in the superbowl, this year more than any I think we can actually match up with their WR. Packers defense however.. gives up alot of yards collectively, and against the pass, they are pretty good against the run and hold oponents to 19 points (5th best in the league)...
[/quote]
Good stuff. If you're keeping track, might I add that the Ravens have something like a 56-10 first quarter scoring differential (not the actual numbers, but somewhere around there) and have only given up.... 6 points in the 4th quarter. Of all games combined. It's crazy how good Gorrer has played, and how Webb has played now that he doesn't have to chase receivers for 9 second plays. We just played a game with two practice squad corners and dominated.

Also nice of you to note how beastly the AFCN defenses are. I mean they're almost the top 4.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1318982943' post='827922']
Well, like I said. SOS is taken into account. Other than NO in week 1, the Pack doesnt really have a strong win. Their defense has also been average so far. We have quality wins over Pitt, NYJ, and Houston.
[/quote]
I'd say winning at Solider Field is pretty quality.

[TreTheRaven]

[quote name='baadbobby' timestamp='1318982864' post='827919']
[b]If we were to play the Packers right now, we would likely lose[/b]. If we go all the way to Indy, we beat the Packers or whoever else shows up.
[/quote]

Disagree. This defense feasts off of weak offensive lines like the Packers. Examples: Pittsburgh & New York Jets game. I think the Ravens defense would annihilate Rodgers & company right now. As far as which offense shows up for the Ravens, hard to say.

[Crabcakes&Football]

Right now the Packers are the best team in the NFL. They have not lost this year and have won 12 straight, and until they lose no matter how close their wins are they can't be denied that top spot. Nobody is playing better than Aaron Rodgers right now, he may be the best QB in the game even better than Tom Brady. That said, they are not unbeatable, no team in any sport is. The scary thing about the Ravens is we are this good right now and we have so much we will improve on.

[The King]

Looking around the AFC I can't see any team I think is better than the Ravens. Let's take a look at some other AFC contenders to see how the Ravens stack up.

The Patriots are good, and with the improvement of their defense against the Cowboys along with their ruthlessly efficient offense they are, as always, a danger to go deep in the playoffs. But Garrett called a fairly conservative game plan to minimize a disastrous play by Romo and didn't exploit the Patriots secondary as much as he could have, and the offense struggled against the creative looks that Rob Ryan threw out. Ryan might be the best D-coordinator in the league right now (he gives Lebeau a run for his money), but he's also working with a less talented defense than the Ravens. The Cowboys defense has a great DT and one of the league's best pass rushers, which is a build somewhat similar to the Ravens, but lack the LB and S play overall that the Ravens have. If they can stop the Patriots than the Ravens D should be able to.

The Chargers have a 4-1 record and seem to be on track to, if not win their division, at least get a wild card spot in the playoffs. However, they haven't really won decisively and seem to have trouble putting away teams that they should have pretty significantly outgunned. It's difficult to gauge exactly how good they are, but their match ups against the Packers and Raiders this month should give us some idea of whether they are a contender or a pretender.

The Steelers seem to have recovered somewhat from the first game of the season when we trampled them. Bringing in Max Starks seems to have solidified their offensive line a bit, and the loss of Harrison has not hurt their pass rush. On the contrary, they're pass rush has been showing more teeth than before and they are on the rise. However, they're schedule has hardly been a murderer's row. They had a good win over the Titans, but struggled with the Colts and Jaguars, and lost to the Texans.With the injuries they've been accumulating and the age of their defense it's simply difficult to buy into, especially when you remember the manhandling they received from the Ravens in Week One. This is a better team than that one, or the Ravens are even better than we think,

The Bills can score a lot of different ways with a lot of different players. However, they cannot stop opposing offenses unless that offense happens to belong to the Kansas City Chiefs. Against a strong defensive team like the Ravens they would have trouble making the game a shootout, and a blowout might be more likely. The Giants showed that they cannot stop the run, and Ray Rice could exploit that.

The Raiders are a fast young team that just invested in a player against whom the Ravens have struggled, Carson Palmer, while also having one of the most dangerous front fours in the NFL and a young star at the ILB spot with Rolando McClain. However, their offensive bread and butter is the rushing attack, and the Ravens have successfully stopped some of the league's best runningbacks this season. Darren McFadden is his own kind of runner, with home run speed and a downhill style that makes him tough to stop with arm tackles. However, the Ravens have done a great job this season at controlling the edges and forcing RBs inside to Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis, two guys who do not arm tackle (although Ngata's arms each weigh about as much as most NFL players).

The Bengals and Titans can be lumped into one similar boat, though they play in somewhat different ways. Both are teams that have surprised analysts with their overachieving contender status. Though the Ravens dropped one to the Titans in Week Two (a week after which I stayed mainly away from these boards to avoid a pretty large plate of crow) they have since lost Kenny Britt and the Ravens have developed a bit more defensively to deal with quick release offenses, and the offensive line has solidified greatly with Gurode instead of Levoir. By the time we would play the Titans again Grubbs would probably have returned to even further strengthen the line. The Bengals have given the Ravens a lot of trouble, but the Ravens' defense has a way of bringing out the rookie in young QBs like Andy Dalton. Though not a threat to be underestimated, and definitely a team I could see stealing one game from the Ravens with a tight win in a sloppy game by Baltimore, I don't think they are a better team.

Ultimately, the Ravens will be defined this season by their defensive prowess. Not because the offense is no good, because the offense is actually excellent this year, but because defenses across the league seem to be falling apart. And also because this defense is just that good. That is what sets them above the crowd of contenders in the AFC, and I think puts them on a level occupied almost solely by them and Green Bay.

[Radinho84]

i would like to see our second game against the steelers before talking about a superbowl meeting with the pack. our offensive line really struggled since the steelers game and i doubt that we can old them like we did week one again. they allways find a way to score and those redzone efficiency of our team is really concerning. we have to get a lot better to win against teams like gb or the patriots. i mean all the teams we played are more known for their defenses than for their scoring abbility.

i don´t whant to take away anything from our defense- they are at its best right now. i just think one has to wait until week 17 to talk about a superbowl appearence. like someone mentioned before: you can start 7-0 and end up 7-9...

[Twistidfunk]

very cool way to look at rankings...especially since we are number one.

I just listened to Mike and Mike in the morning on the way to work and Greenie was gushing over the Ravens "Nasty" D and how no one seems to be talking about them. They asked Gruden what he thought and he said best team in the AFC by far right now.

As for me, I would have to rank GB ahead of us because they are 6-0. I don't expect them to be there all season though. Bit surprising to me how easy of a schedule they have had up to this point. So much for strength of schedule for the Superbowl winners I guess. That goes for Steelers also.

We have two 'should be' wins coming up and we have a lot to be excited about bec uase by the time Pittsburgh rolls around we should have our complete team on offense on the field as well as our depth on defense. Good things coming everyone!

To comment on the Packers, I think we could beat 'em. Aaron Rodgers is playing well but he isn't infallible. I think our D could frustrate him enough to make some mistakes. Still an early season and with some more games and tape on the Pack Offense I think teams will start to adjust. With mostly sloppy defense this early in the season I expect it to ramp up in the coming weeks....Pretty scary considering we are playing so well on D right now too.

Defense wins championships and we got a great one with an explosive offense. It may not be consistent but they make their plays

[chesapeakeaviator]

I think rankings like TFO's are important because they offer a closer look at what's actually happening on the field. Statistical analysis CANNOT be overlooked. And statistically, we are dominating because our O is productive (regardless of the haters, we're in the top half) and our D--especially in the fourth quarter--is like a nuclear warhead right now.

I'm not going to put us ahead of the Packers, but I'm also going to say that I would not trade squads with ANY team in the NFL right now (although if Mr. Rodgers would like to don a purple and black jersey, I'm not going to stop him... just sayin'...)