2011 NFL Predictions: Baltimore Ravens Defense Will Be Ferocious As Ever

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed Return Together as the Heart and Soul of the Ravens Defense

As of late, much of the football attention has gone to the Ravens offense with the additions of WR Lee Evans and RB Ricky Williams.

Not to mention, prior to acquiring Evans, Baltimore released TE Todd Heap and WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Derrick Mason.

Well, defensively, there haven't been many changes, if any, as Ray Lewis along with Ed Reed remain the standard.

And just because Lewis is 36 years old doesn't mean he's lost a step. He's still arguably the best middle-linebacker in pro football and has a lot of talent around him for the Ravens to dominate once again.

A big part of why Baltimore allowed 225 yards passing per game (ranking them No. 21 is the NFL) was safety Ed Reed missing six games after having hip surgery.

And yet he still compiled eight picks in 10 games.

Also, Reed will only be turning 33 next month, and for those that don't know, Brian Dawkins will be 38 in October.

So it's safe to say that Reed has at least three years left to give.

Plus, he's the next-oldest on the team to Ray Lewis, so the youth is there across the board.

For one, to improve the pass defense, in comes rookie Jimmy Smith from Colorado, who, although he's has been criticized for his attitude, still brings some solid talent to the table.

Additionally, CB Domonique Foxworth is only 28, safety Tom Zbikowski is 26 and hybrid athlete Bernard Pollard is 26.

Within the front seven, there's Haloti Ngata (27), Terence Cody (23), Terrell Suggs (28) and Cory Redding (30).

It's no surprise the Ravens were ranked No. 5 in rush defense in 2011, allowing only 94 yards per game.

As you can see, youth is a key factor in surviving a season, but having the nucleus of veteran leadership in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will hold everything together.

The 3-4 defense in Baltimore will be a solid front once again and the secondary is much improved—plus, they'll have Ed Reed to start the season.

Favoring them is also the luxury of a rather weak schedule.

The AFC North plays the NFC West, and we all know that is the NFL's worst division.

Also, they must compete against the entire AFC South, which really only has the Indianapolis Colts as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Add in their own division and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only threat to Baltimore's road to another NFL championship.

The defense will be ferocious as ever. The question is, for how much longer?