Has Ray Lewis made a difference?
The Ravens LB has helped in run support, but not in pass coverage
The Baltimore Ravens lost four of their last five regular-season games, but they've turned things around in the playoffs with two wins in a row to reach the AFC Championship Game. That two-game win streak coincides with Ray Lewis' return to the Baltimore lineup, and considering that Baltimore started hot this season with Lewis on the field, one could assume the Ravens' fortunes hang simply on the presence (or absence) of their future Hall of Fame linebacker.
A closer look at the numbers shows Lewis makes a real impact on the Baltimore defense and that he has been one of the best players in the league this postseason. However, there is a hole in his game, and that weakness could cost the Ravens dearly against New England.
To read more about whether Ray Lewis has helped the Baltimore Ravens' defense, plus gain access to all of Insider's NFL content, you must be an ESPN Insider. Sign up today!
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- DE Freeney, Chargers agree to contract
- Mario Williams' ex alleges suicide-talk texts
- Source: Gronkowski may need back surgery
- Jets' Goodson arrested for drugs, weapons
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
SUPER BOWL XLVII COVERAGE

Road to Superdome | Super Bowl results NFL Stadium Guides | QBR ratings
Super Bowl Bowl topics
SUPER BOWL CENTRAL
RAVENS 34, 49ERS 31
- Fox: Flacco is right on the money
- Hensley: Ravens' pressure to sign Flacco
- Clayton: 10 things we learned
- Clayton: Early SB favorites for 2013
- Grades: Ravens | 49ers
- numberFire: 2013 Playoffs Predictor
- Tuley: Super Bowl value bets for 2014
- MacGregor: SB overtakes American culture
- Barnwell: Putting the Ravens' win in context
- Sando: Where 49ers, QBs fell short
- Stats & Info: Flacco's downfield dominance
- Chadiha: Ray Lewis' biggest contribution
- Garber: Best and worst moments
- Hensley: A magical ride for Ravens
- Graziano: Ravens defend final 5 yards
- Sando: 49ers should blame themselves
- Garber: Har-Bowl bittersweet for family
- Fagan: Ayanbadejo can't celebrate just yet
- Power outage delays game
- FBO: Why Baltimore can repeat

- Williamson: Can 49ers get back?

- History: Ravens | 49ers | Super Bowl
SUPER BOWL WEEK HIGHLIGHTS
- Garber: Doug Williams proud of his role
- Secrets of the Super Bowl Quarterbacks
- Merrill: Are you a Ray Lewis believer?
- Lost Heroes of the Super Bowl
- "Lost Heroes" photo gallery

SPORTSNATION
- Vote: SB reaction | Grades | Commercials
- Rank: Best SB | Last 10 champs | Catches
- Is SB MVP Joe Flacco elite?
- Reaction to power outage
2013 NFL DRAFT
EDITORS' PICKS

- A Healthy Tomorrow?
- The health of many key players looms large in 2013. Nation blog »

- Problem Solved
- The Chargers quickly turned to Dwight Freeney. Williamson »

- Tackling His Demons
- For Rolando McClain, retiring was a smart move. Chadiha »

- Bigger, Stronger ... Faster?
- DT Louis Nix III has a rare combo of size and speed. Index page »

- Remember Him?
- Expect big things from Cam Newton in 2013. Pat Yasinskas »
- Sprow: Count on a Chiefs rebound in 2013
- Bowen: Jets D can thrive without Revis
- Tuley: 10 best early value NFL bets
- Red Flags: NFC East | North | South
- Kiper: 2014 Big Board | Top TEs | OLBs | ILBs

