Ranking the NFL's Top Defenses in 2018 | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Football Outsiders DVOA: No. 6 overall (No. 10 vs. pass, No. 5 vs. run)

Interceptions and Forced Fumbles: No. 19 in interceptions (five), No. 25 in forced fumbles (four)         

Notable Injuries/Personnel Changes

Starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who was the team's first-round pick in 2017, has sat out the last two games (both losses) with a thigh injury. Starting corner Jimmy Smith was suspended for the first four contests for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Defensive coordinator Don Martindale is in his first season in the role after taking over for Dean Pees, who is the leader of the Tennessee Titans defense.

Martindale has only been an NFL defensive coordinator once before (a forgettable 2010 season with the Denver Broncos when they allowed the most points per game in football), but he's received much praise for his work this year, and veteran safety Eric Weddle gave his coordinator credit for being "a step ahead" of the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial 26-14 road win.

Team Offense

The Ravens only have two defensive performances to regret (a 34-23 loss to the Bengals and a 36-21 defeat against the Panthers). However, the Ravens also committed three turnovers in each game, which presented the opposition with some shorter fields. The defense didn't play well either time, but the offensive performance didn't help.

The Ravens offense is productive enough to give its defense some rest (Baltimore is sixth in time of possession).

Yes, the Ravens just disappointed in the aforementioned loss to Carolina sans Humphrey, but the key is to look at the overall season. In that case, we see some excellent performances, including a 21-0 victory at the Titans where they sacked quarterback Marcus Mariota 11 times (the team leads the league with 27 overall).

Baltimore has held five of its eight opponents to 14 or fewer points, but one of its best defensive days may have come against the New Orleans Saints in a 24-23 loss. New Orleans has one of the league's best offenses, but Baltimore held the Saints to seven points through three-plus quarters. New Orleans broke through with 17 in the fourth, although the Saints had 50.9 fewer yards than their season average on the day.

Baltimore can hang with any offense, and when Humphrey returns, the unit should only get stronger.