Ravens' D will work double-time to win

I'm tired of all the crap the Ravens are getting. As the playoffs continue, more and more people are paying attention to their performance, and more and more people are scoffing at it. "They have a great defense, but it's been getting lucky. They can't rely on just defense and special teams. Their pass protection isn't good enough to contain the Giant's passing attack. With Trent Dilfer at QB, they can't go all the way," seems to be the conventional wisdom.

First, let's talk about Dilfer. As many have said already, Dilfer is doing his job simply by not messing up. If he does not turn the ball over, the Ravens will win. If Tiny Tim were playing quarterback for the Ravens and did not turn the ball over, the Ravens would win. In three playoff games, Dilfer has completed nine, five, and nine passes, respectively. Each total is more than enough, given the Raven defense. The defense will consistently win the field-position battle, driving the Giant offense further and further back. With Jermaine Lewis returning the inevitable punts, the offense will have field position starting in Giants territory. With a minimum of 20 yards gained on each offensive drive, Pro-Bowler Matt Stover can easily make a few field goals.

While field goals were enough for two wins at the start of Baltimore's Tony Banks-led, five-game touchdown drought, they might not finish the job in Tampa. Some people might think I'm a moron for thinking that this Super Bowl can be won on field goals alone. Well, I'm not. In the past three playoff games, the Ravens faced two of the top AFC offenses in Denver and Oakland, and they gave up three points to each. The Giants' offense is ranked 13th in the NFC. So why is the Giant passing game such a threat? I don't care if they put up 41 against Minnesota's weak secondary. The Ravens' Rod Woodson and Chris McCalister do not just block passes and get interceptions; each consistently levels the receiver just at the moment when the ball is within reach.

Also, this team's defense doubles as its offense. Ray Lewis is the true quarterback, not Dilfer. I get excited when the Ravens lose the coin toss. Not only do I get to see the most amazing unit playing in the NFL this year, but with the defense on the field, the Ravens actually have a better chance of scoring. Non-Raven fans think a defense is doing its job if it keeps the other team from scoring. The Ravens surpass this expectation averaging nearly two interceptions a game (1.8). They return many for great field position (if not for touchdowns), essentially doing all the work for the offense. By forcing punts from kickers backed up into their own endzone, the amazing special teams unit has more and more offensive opportunities (if they're not returning field goal blocks for touchdowns).

I was born in 1981. I did not see the Steel Curtain play in Pittsburgh, so I can't compare them directly to this Ravens team. All I know is that it's hard for any team ever to be better than the nearly perfect Raven defense. This defense does not back up and contain, it pushes the offense back and takes away. The Ravens have given up an average of just over five points per game throughout the playoffs. New York will be no exception. With Stover's consistency, the explosiveness of the special teams, and the total domination of the defense, Baltimore will take Superbowl XXXV, 13-10.

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