2000 Ravens vs 2012 Ravens

I played the game three more times and the 2012 team won on a last minute TD from Flacco to Boldin

I'm betting Rice didn't rush for over 100 yds.

I'll take the 2000 team.  Too much defense.

As far as the 2000 offense; I think the 2012 defense could handle them.  Everyone but the Giants (and Jacksonville) did!

Listen, I'm both nostaligic over the 2000 team and still riding the wave of the 2012 team (and still emminently diapponted on the 2006 team).

However, this to me seems a no contest that the 2012 Ravens win.  It's not like Flacco couldnlt move the ball and score on the best defenses today especially with Caldwell there.  Let's not forget that the 2012 Ravens was coached more intelligently and matches up better against the old Ravens.  I don't think that Jamal Lewis with his Noth-South ruinning style runs all over our D in it's play-off form.  In fact, I think that an old Ray Lewis can stuff him IF he can make it past Ngata, McPhee, Tyson, Kemo, Ellerbe, and Pollard (Cody not so much) playing as they did in the play-offs.  There was no guile on that offense.  Even if Jamal did what Gore did in the SB, the lack of passing makes it easy to stack the box and keep him out of the endzone.  Then the pass rush of Suggs and Kruger on Odgen and Mulitalo would've been epic going 50/50.   

The 2012 offense is as good as any the 2000 team ever faced.  They weren't unbeatable even then.  

I see this game still as being close, but we're talking an ALl-Ravens Bowl.  The 2012 Ravens just had one of the best post seasons on record.   

The 2006 team adds a nice wrinkle to this measure because it was the best offense the Ravens ever had to that point with a top 5 defense.  The fact that they faded in the play-offs should really tell us how they rank here - 3rd - and maybe even less if you count all the other teams durinng the Flacco era. 

The 2012 offense is as good as any the 2000 team ever faced.  They weren't unbeatable even then.

I strongly disagree about the 2000 team (especially losing to the 2012 team). 

Once 2000 inserted Trent Dilfer, and after his first start which was a 6-9 loss to the Steelers, the Ravens flat out did not lose.  That was 11 straight wins.  You don't just roll off 11 wins in your sleep.  You've got to be a dominant team to do that.  In 2006 when they had their best ever record, they managed to put 5 wins in a row together.  In 2012, the best they could do was 4 straight wins before a loss.

Also once Dilfer was in and that winning streak started against the Bengals, the Ravens scored an average of 26 points a game while giving up an average of 8(!!!) points a game.

No possible way any other Ravens historical team would be favored against that 2000 squad.

I don't think that Jamal Lewis with his Noth-South ruinning style runs all over our D in it's play-off form. In fact, I think that an old Ray Lewis can stuff him IF he can make it past Ngata, McPhee, Tyson, Kemo, Ellerbe, and Pollard (Cody not so much) playing as they did in the play-offs

You serious?  Frank Gore ran all over the 2012 playoff defense.  2000 Jamal Lewis would dismantle it completely.  Vick Ballard averaged over 4 ypc, Steven Ridley and Ronnie Hillman both came up just shy of 4ypc.  2000 Jamal was stronger/more powerful than all the backs named and was as fast or faster than each also.  He doesn't go for anything less than 4.5 ypc behind that o-line unless they stack the box with 9 men.  Stacking the box hurts though because nobody on the 2012 defense is guarding Shannon Sharpe

Then the pass rush of Suggs and Kruger on Odgen and Mulitalo would've been epic going 50/50.

Come on Faulk.  2012 Suggs would get completely, and embarrassingly dominated by a 2000 Jon Ogden.  You wouldn't even remember Suggs was playing except to say "wow, I forgot Suggs was playing".  Kruger might occasionally beat Edwin though in the passing game. 

The comes apoint when a defense can only do so much.  They weren't infallable back then, but they were a dominant, no debate there.  It becomes an exercise in the irrestitable force and immovable object.  During these play-offs this Ravens team had a dominant offense and defense.  The 2000 Ravens can only boast that on one side of the ball.  A balance team can beat one that's stacked on ones side of the ball.

You serious?  Frank Gore ran all over the 2012 playoff defense.  2000 Jamal Lewis would dismantle it completely.  Vick Ballard averaged over 4 ypc, Steven Ridley and Ronnie Hillman both came up just shy of 4ypc.  2000 Jamal was stronger/more powerful than all the backs named and was as fast or faster than each also.

Are we talking about season average or the play-off team?  You have to admit that when all our pieces were healthy that that defense was difficult.  I can;t get the exact stats rersight now, but the 2012 defense was tops int he redzone and one of the best in turnovers.  I like Jamal Lewis as much as the next Ravens fan, but let's be honest...we're not talking Adrian Peterson here.  He was stoppable.  He also had a touch of the "itis"...fumblistis that is.  6 that season but I don't recall what he did in th play-offs.  

They weren't surprising anyone.  As much of a beast as Jamal was, running in straight lines is relatively easy to defense even with an Old RayRay in the middle.  As well coached as this 2012 team is they would edge out the old Ravens imo.

Are we talking about season average or the play-off team?

Those yards per carry numbers are what those RBs did the Baltimore in the playoffs specifically.  I didn't bother to include Gore's numbers because we all say him run all over the defense.

As much of a beast as Jamal was, running in straight lines is relatively easy to defense even with an Old RayRay in the middle

Disagree.  Again, see Gore example.  All he did was run straight up the middle.  But we're all allowed to have different opinions

I do agree the 2012 team had the better coaches overall

They weren't surprising anyone.  As much of a beast as Jamal was, running in straight lines is relatively easy to defense even with an Old RayRay in the middle. 

The 2000 team also had Priest Holmes.  The defense for the 2000 team would hold the 2012 version to about 9 points.  The defense was sick.  Can you imagine Siragusa landing on Flacco? 

Can you imagine Siragusa landing on Flacco?

You think he's make it past McKinnie and K.O circa the play-offs?  Let's not forget that Flacco also showed vastly iomproves pocket awareness in the play-offs too.  Goose was good, but this defense held Vince Wilfork at bay.