'The Best Front Seven!' Ravens vs. Chiefs: Baltimore D Anchoring Super Bowl Run
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is en route to an MVP season, and he deserves a lot of credit for getting the team to the AFC Championship. In addition to Jackson, however, the Ravens defense is also worthy of flowers.
The Ravens defense surrendered just one drive with points in Saturday's 34-10 win against the Houston Texans. The one touchdown came on a punt return from Steven Sims late in the second quarter.
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The defense, especially the front seven, has been key towards the team's overall success this season.
"I think we have the best front seven in football," linebacker Roquan Smith said. "Starting with our four up front and then the best two combo in the league, me and Patrick Queen in the middle."
Smith recorded seven tackles in Saturday's win after putting 158 in the box score throughout the season. If he didn't sit out of the team's regular season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, there's a good chance he would have had a new career-high for a season.
While the Ravens failed to generate any sacks, the defense pressured C.J. Stroud into five quarterback hits and 14 incompletions, stalling any progress the Texans offense could make.
If the Ravens are going to win the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl, Smith and the front seven will have to play how they have all season long.
The Ravens will play next week in the AFC Championship at 3 p.m. ET.
