Who Has The Better Defense, Ravens Or Texans?

[Militant X 1]

NFL Network's text poll question was....

Who has the better defense:
Houston Texans or Baltimore Ravens?

The answers were:

Texans..............[b]18%[/b]

Ravens.............[b]82%[/b]

who do you think has the better D?

~Mili

[Bltravens]

Until the Texans do it for an entire decade, in a big game, I'll lean on the proven defense. Battle tested.

Ravens.

[1/28/01]

Statistically, they are pretty split this year. One gives up less yards, while the other gives up less points. But as far as instilling fear in an offense and its QB, that HAS to be the Ravens.

[Alexir]

Rank out of 32
Yards a game Houston 2 Baltimore 3
Pass yards a game Houston 4 Baltimore 5
Run Yards a game Houston 4 Baltimore 2
Points Allowed a game Houston 4 Baltimore 3
Sacks Houston 6 Baltimore 3 (tie)
Passes Defended Houston 4 Baltimore 1
Interceptions Houston 13 (tie) Baltimore 17 (tie)
Force Fumbles Houston 12 (tie) Baltimore 3
First Downs Allowed Houston 5 Baltimore 4
3rd down convertion % Houston 14 Baltimore 2

[i82much]

Is there some kind of adjusted statistic that takes into account the offenses they faced?

[PuRock]

Push

Now on with the 20 pages of banter!!

[sflegend89]

I never define a "#1 defense" purely on stats. Stats seem like an objective way to evaluate a defense, but the reality is that couldn't be farther than the truth. Scheme, schedule, game pace, strategy, clock management, ect. All have a huge effect on stats. I try to watch as many NFL games as possible and decide a #1 D more based off what I've seen, I take some stats into consideration but they just complement my opinion. A team putting up a couple TD's in garbage time while they're down 30 can really throw off stat lines for a defense. Think about that last second TD against the Colts this year that meant absolutely nothing cuz we just wanted to end the game and it didn't even matter if they scored, it was just about getting off the field with no injuries at that point. Football is filled with so many situations like this (garbage time TD's being the biggest offender) that make judging purely off stats just stupid imo.

I honestly 100% believe we have the best defense in the league right now. Not by a large margin but they've more than made their case.

[Fricknmaniac]

Well, according to the Football Outsides and their Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) measurements, which "breaks down every single NFL play and compares a team's performance to a league baseline based on situation in order to determine value over average," the Ravens have the #1 defense and the Texans have the #8 defense in the league. So I can feel that I can safely say that the Ravens have the better defense and not automatically be labeled as being biased.

[url="http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/teameff"]http://footballoutsi...m/stats/teameff[/url]
By that same token, the Ravens special teams is ranked 30th while the Texans is ranked 12th.

[SuRihtanil]

They're about even this year on paper, but of course I would take the Ravens they have proven players. I am sure our D will shine on sunday, and this question will be answered.

[funky141]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1326426678' post='945417']
Until the Texans do it for an entire decade, in a big game, I'll lean on the proven defense. Battle tested.

Ravens.
[/quote]
doesn't matter what they did for entire decade, it matters what they do Sunday.....

[good_n_purple]

[quote name='Fricknmaniac' timestamp='1326430636' post='945455']
Well, according to the Football Outsides and their Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) measurements, which "breaks down every single NFL play and compares a team's performance to a league baseline based on situation in order to determine value over average," the Ravens have the #1 defense and the Texans have the #8 defense in the league. So I can feel that I can safely say that the Ravens have the better defense and not automatically be labeled as being biased.

[url="http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/teameff"]http://footballoutsi...m/stats/teameff[/url]
By that same token, the Ravens special teams is ranked 30th while the Texans is ranked 12th.
[/quote]
Thanks for posting the site Frickin! Comprehensively evaluates the stats without bias. Ravens are indisputably the top D!

[good_n_purple]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1326456691' post='945564']
doesn't matter what they did for entire decade, it matters what they do Sunday.....
[/quote]
Should be lock for the Ravens then![img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/minioiseau1.gif[/img]

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

Statistically there's not much difference between the defenses but I will say that when our D is ON like week one or week 4 or thanksgiving, they can win games single-handedly.

[MsMarvel73]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1326426992' post='945422']
Rank out of 32
Yards a game Houston 2 Baltimore 3
Pass yards a game Houston 4 Baltimore 5
Run Yards a game Houston 4 Baltimore 2
Points Allowed a game Houston 4 Baltimore 3
Sacks Houston 6 Baltimore 3 (tie)
Passes Defended Houston 4 Baltimore 1
Interceptions Houston 13 (tie) Baltimore 17 (tie)
Force Fumbles Houston 12 (tie) Baltimore 3
First Downs Allowed Houston 5 Baltimore 4
3rd down convertion % Houston 14 Baltimore 2
[/quote]

For the Texans D to be that consistent and good without Mario Williams is impressive, imo.

still think our D is better though.

[poedacrow]

[quote name='Fricknmaniac' timestamp='1326430636' post='945455']
Well, according to the Football Outsides and their Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) measurements, which "breaks down every single NFL play and compares a team's performance to a league baseline based on situation in order to determine value over average," the Ravens have the #1 defense and the Texans have the #8 defense in the league. So I can feel that I can safely say that the Ravens have the better defense and not automatically be labeled as being biased.

[url="http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/teameff"]http://footballoutsi...m/stats/teameff[/url]
By that same token, the Ravens special teams is ranked 30th while the Texans is ranked 12th.
[/quote]

Nice link. Stats can be misleading but that's about as comprehensive an analysis of team rankings as I've ever seen. My gut tells me the Ravens have the better D and your link confirms it. 30th ranked special teams[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/huh.png[/img] did make my jaw hit the floor; that's a bit worrisome.

[Raven Hammer]

A case can be made for both. I would hate to live on the difference. As a Ravens fan i know our D is head and shouders above the rest. However as a complete team the Ravens have no competition. From top to bottom Off and Def we can match up with anyone. I think that the best way to end this debat is one word "Team" No Contest!

[Alexir]

[quote name='PARavensgirl' timestamp='1326460952' post='945579']

For the Texans D to be that consistent and good without Mario Williams is impressive, imo.

still think our D is better though.
[/quote]
I agree, that defense really stepped up. I think we are both about even.

[CapoRocky]

The Texans have built up a very good defense by having losing records and getting high draft picks. The Ravens have been a top defense since 1996. The addition of Joseph this year has helped their secondary. They have always had good offensive and defensive lines. We are pretty much even in most departments. We dominate them in the QB department. That will be the deciding factor in Sunday's game. Happy Purple Friday!!!

[callahan09]

The two factors I like to consider most when evaluating a defense are: Opponent QB Rating, and Yards Per Carry for the rush defense.

Rushing Defense, Yards Per Carry:
Ravens: #2 (3.5 ... only .03 higher than #1 49ers, but we had to defend against 60+ more carries as well!)
Texans: #4 (4.1 ... around the same number of carries that the Ravens had to defend against)

Passing Defense, Opponent QB Rating:
Ravens: #1 (68.8)
Texans: #2 (69.0)

I conclude that the Ravens D is better.

[hawkprey]

Even if Houston's stats crushed the Ravens', people would still vote for ours because we have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Fair or not, that's how most people who don't know these teams are going to vote (and did).

[PuRock]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1326474203' post='945804']
Even if Houston's stats crushed the Ravens', people would still vote for ours because we have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Fair or not,[b] that's how most people who don't know these teams are going to vote (and did).[/b]
[/quote]

Just like how Micheal Oher is the best Tackle in the league.

[Grid]

If I absolutely had to choose id probably say that you guys have the better defense. But it is so close that I really dont think it matters. If it comes down to a defensive battle, I think both defenses are capable of winning the game for their team.

Besides.. this is a team game. The strength of your defense is affected by the strength of your opponent's offense. If you have the slightly better defense and we have the slightly better offense, then they cancel each other out and we end up on an even playing field.

All in all I think its safe to say that defensively, both teams are elite.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1326456691' post='945564']
doesn't matter what they did for entire decade, it matters what they do Sunday.....
[/quote]
Yes, hence why in a big game I am leaning on the defense thats been there before in tight games.

When the teams defenses are basically identical numbers wise, Im going to take the veteran proven defense everytime....

[Militant X 1]

the Ravens defense will set the tone of this game!

~Mili

[The Raven]

We're better. Texans are a good defense, but look at their division. The AFC South? come on now.

[doc108]

[quote name='Raven Hammer' timestamp='1326464518' post='945603']
A case can be made for both. I would hate to live on the difference. As a Ravens fan i know our D is head and shouders above the rest. However as a complete team the Ravens have no competition. From top to bottom Off and Def we can match up with anyone. I think that the best way to end this debat is one word "Team" No Contest!
[/quote]

Sorry I would have to disagree with this. When we have Schaub, Foster, and Andre in plus our defense the Texans have the most complete AFC team. Not best offense and not best defense. I'll put it like this. The Pats best offense in AFC has almost no defense. And you the Ravens have the best D but your offense isn't as good as ours. We have a better O-line, Running back, Andre is better the Anquan, our Te's are pretty solid and I would take Schaub over Flacoo any day.

[chesapeakeaviator]

[quote name='doc108' timestamp='1326591600' post='947509']

Sorry I would have to disagree with this. When we have Schaub, Foster, and Andre in plus our defense the Texans have the most complete AFC team. Not best offense and not best defense. I'll put it like this. The Pats best offense in AFC has almost no defense. And you the Ravens have the best D but your offense isn't as good as ours. We have a better O-line, Running back, Andre is better the Anquan, our Te's are pretty solid and I would take Schaub over Flacoo any day.
[/quote]

Then why did we beat you by 15 points? You can deny that game all you want, but we both had one major key injury, we both played tough, and in the end, we pulled away comfortably. I totally agree with you being a good team, agree with you asserting that you certainly have some players that give you a chance to win [i]this[/i] game that so few in the country are giving you a chance to win, but [i]we[/i] would love to see that you acknowledge that the distinction of who is the better overall team was challenged on the field three months ago, and there was a clear winner. Until you beat us, you can't expect any rational Raven fan to accept that you're the better overall team.

As long as we have that established, we're cool, bro

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1326459866' post='945577']
Statistically there's not much difference between the defenses but I will say that when our D is ON like[b] week one [/b]or week 4 or thanksgiving, they can win games single-handedly.
[/quote]

If that week 1 offense ever showed up again, the defense wouldn't have to win games single-handedly.

[flynismo]

[quote name='doc108' timestamp='1326591600' post='947509']

Sorry I would have to disagree with this. When we have Schaub, Foster, and Andre in plus our defense the Texans have the most complete AFC team. Not best offense and not best defense. I'll put it like this. The Pats best offense in AFC has almost no defense. And you the Ravens have the best D but your offense isn't as good as ours. We have a better O-line, Running back, Andre is better the Anquan, our Te's are pretty solid and I would take Schaub over Flacoo any day.
[/quote]

All very debateable. But regardless, games are played on the field, doesn't matter how good or complete you think you are on paper.
BTW, when Schaub shows that he can beat an elite defense with any sort of regularity, then maybe we can talk about him being better than Flacco. Flacco can do more than bully the bottomfeeders and mid-level defenses...I cant say the same about Schaub.

We'll have this debate resolved once again tomorrow.

[HaX]

something about an offense driven by a rookie QB that relies on running the ball a good portion of the time doesn't scream better than the ravens offense
good luck running it on the ravens defense friend