The Ravens' defense didn't just force five turnovers in a 27-9 playoff win over the Miami Dolphins.
This ball-hawking group is also forcing the issue of where does it rank among the other great Ravens defenses.
The 2000 defense will go down as perhaps the best in NFL history because it set records and carried a team to a Super Bowl.
The 2008 defense isn't yet in that class, but it has separated itself with the ability to create turnovers and convert them into touchdowns.
So, where does this defense stand at this point?
"It's hard to say," said defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who was the defensive line coach in 2000. "Just wait until after the Super Bowl happens, then you can put us in historical perspective. Right now, we just know we're playing like Baltimore Ravens."
The defenses have their differences. The 2000 one worked out of a 4-3 alignment (four defensive linemen and three linebackers), and this year's defense is primarily a 3-4. This season's defense generates most of its pass rush from blitzes, and the 2000 one relied mostly on its front four.
If the 2008 defense has the edge over the Super Bowl one, it's because it makes interceptions and scores off them.
In 2000, the defense picked the ball off 23 times but scored only one touchdown in the regular season. Of course, that defense did run back two interceptions for touchdowns in the postseason.
But this season's defense has been doing that all season. The Ravens led the NFL with 26 interceptions in the regular season and scored six defensive touchdowns (five off interceptions and one off a fumble).
In Sunday's wild-card win at Miami, safety Ed Reed returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown.
"When they have an opportunity in front of them, they take advantage of it," tight end Todd Heap said of the defense. "There's a lot of individual talent on the defensive side of the ball, but they play as a team."
JANISON HENSLEY'S SKINNY
DE --Trevor Pryce vs. Rob Burnett
Both have a sagelike influence in the locker room. Burnett's crushing blow of Bengals quarterback Akili Smith still causes chills. Pryce, though, is an athletic freak and commands more attention from offenses.
Edge: Pryce (2008).
DT -- Haloti Ngata vs. Sam Adams
Ngata has more of an upside and has been more dependable. Adams was extremely temperamental (his teammates called him "Sybil" because of his mood swings). But during the 2000 season, Adams was the most disruptive inside force in football. Edge: Adams (2000).
