5 Numbers Ray Lewis Must Reach for Baltimore Ravens to Win Super Bowl in 2012

Plagued with offseason free agency losses, contract holdouts and injuries, the Baltimore Ravens are limping into the 2012 OTAs. 

As the heart and soul of the team, Ray Lewis will now be depended on and looked to more than ever. Without last season's Defensive MVP Terrell Suggs on the other side, opposing teams can now focus on and double-team Lewis, which could limit his productivity.

Even with his increasing age, the emotional leader of the team in purple and black must have decent numbers in order for the Ravens to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy.

90 Tackles

The Baltimore Ravens' defense always thrives off of a two-punch linebacker system. Last year, teams never knew whether to double Lewis or Suggs. Most chose Lewis, which freed up Suggs and led to his Defensive MVP award.

Now, without his partner on the other side, teams will focus that much more on Lewis. The 13-time Pro Bowler is used to this role, so he will be expecting one of the new guys to take advantage.

That being said, Lewis cannot completely disappear. He will have all new starters at linebacker with him, and while sacrificing himself to free up his teammates, he must also show guidance in tackling.

He does not have to equal his 95 tackles from a year ago, but he will have to get awfully close if the Ravens want to remain as one of the top defenses in the league.

5 Sacks

Replacing Suggs' 14 sacks will be a difficult task. Rookie Courtney Upshaw and fourth-year man Paul Kruger will be called on to fill the spot.

However, this also adds pressure to the defensive captain, Ray Lewis. He has been dropping into pass coverage more often, which explains his low sack totals. Without the "sack master" Suggs, though, Lewis will be rushing the quarterback more. 

With his veteran skills and wisdom, Lewis can allude any roadblock. He only recorded two sacks last season, and his career high is only five. He will certainly need to equal or better this number to maintain the Ravens' dominant pass rush.

5 Forced Turnovers

The Baltimore middle linebacker only had two forced fumbles but had one interception during the 2011 season.

He always seems to have a nose for the football. He may not produce many turnovers, but when he does, they always occur in critical moments.

With key losses of major contributors on the defensive side, Lewis will have to do a little more to compensate until the new, young talent emerges.

He may be older and a few steps slower, but running backs should still keep their heads on a swivel and two hands tight on the ball when this Raven is lurking around.

8 Pass Deflections

Ray Lewis arguably has the best vision of any middle linebacker in the league. He can stare down any quarterback and know exactly where he is going to throw the ball.

He had one of the highest pass deflection totals last season with seven. Without some of his former long-armed teammates around him, he will need to cover even more ground with his broad wingspan.

Lewis is certainly capable of doing this and should definitely surpass this total.

The Ravens' emotional leader will use his shifty eyes to guide his team and help it firmly stand its ground.

14 Games Played

Ray Lewis missed five games last season with a turf toe injury. Even though the Ravens did well with their team leader on the sideline, he had help on the field that will not be there this year.

With the likes of Suggs and Johnson gone and Ed Reed's contemplation with retirement, if Lewis were to go down, the defense has very little veteran leadership to turn to. Younger players such as McClain and Webb would be forced to step up.

Lewis is getting older, so he is more prone to injury, but the savvy vet is always in optimal shape. The more No. 52 is on the field and staring down quarterbacks' eyes, the tougher the Baltimore defense will be to move against.