Stephen A. Smith on Ravens defense: 'They have shamed the legacy of the Baltimore Ravens'
Entering Week 5, the Baltimore Ravens defense has allowed a league-high 1,261 passing yards at a league-most 315.3 yards per game clip. Their ability to stop the run thus far this fall has been more middle-of-the-pack, but they're still third worst in the NFL in total yards allowed (1,700) and yards allowed per game (425.0).
Thanks in large part to the MVP-like play from quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens have an even 2-2 record going into their big AFC North showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on "Sunday Night Football."
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said Thursday morning on "First Take" that he sees the Bengals capturing the division and Baltimore can only blame their defense if they fall short of their goals this season.
The Ravens secondary has suffered a couple of key injuries in the early going. Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller -- who joined the team in the offseason -- went on injured reserve following Week 1 due to a torn ACL. Two-time First Team All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters missed Week 1 as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered last September, but has returned for the past three games.
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