2000 Baltimore Ravens
This is the team that gets thrown into the discussion most often when we start talking about Broncos’ comparisons; they’ve got the elite defense, a questionable quarterback position and a lot of wins.
And honestly, it makes a good deal of sense. The only caveat, though, is that that Baltimore Ravens defense was probably a good deal better than this Broncos defense. Just check out the numbers, with Denver’s 2015 stats adjusted to 16 games:
’00 Ravens: Total Points: 165 (1st); Total Yards: 3,967 (2nd); Turnovers: 49 (1st)
’15 Broncos: Total Points: 280 (2nd); Total Yards: 4,555 (1st); Turnovers: 31 (3rd)
Clearly, there’s a reason why we often talk about the ’00 Ravens in the same breadth as the ’85 Bears. Still, that doesn’t mean this Broncos defense is anything but great; at their best, I’d put them right up there with anybody.
Honestly, part of the difference probably is the result of the somewhat frightening fact that this Broncos offense has been more harmful than the infamous Trent Dilfer-led Ravens offense. While Dilfer was acting as the ultimate game manager, protecting the ball and handing off to Jamal Lewis, the Broncos quarterbacks have been gifting the ball to opposing offenses in fantastic field position all season long.
Through 13 games, even with one of the best ball-hawking defenses in the NFL, the Broncos only have a +2 turnover differential, whereas the Ravens finished at an absurd +23.
But those Ravens are the blueprint; they’ve proven that you can win a championship with an average offense and an elite defense. Now, the Broncos just have to follow their lead.
