Kevin Eck

Why Ravens Are the NFL's Most Entertaining Team

The Ravens aren't just one of the winningest teams in the NFL, they're also the most fun to watch.

That's the opinion ofUSA Todays Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, who put the Ravens at No. 1 in his rankings of all 32 from most to least entertaining based on top talent, propensity for big plays, and unique schematic elements that add a level of distinction.

"On its face, stability might not seem like the most enthralling trait for a team to boast. For the Ravens, however, continuity could mean the start of something special," Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. "An offense that by many measures was the NFL's most prolific and explosive attack returns all but one of its starters. The formidable defense also returns the overwhelming bulk of its core, while also adding Jaire Alexander to a secondary that will gladly welcome another starting-caliber cornerback.

"Lamar Jackson one of the elite few players who keeps fans on their toes on any given snap continues to reach new heights after nearly earning his third career NFL MVP in seven seasons, and Derrick Henry hasn't shown any signs of slowing down from his torrid pace. With some good fortune in staying healthy, Baltimore could see things click in a way that will set it apart from much of the rest of the league."

Isaiah Likely Discusses What Ravens Need to Do to Get to Super Bowl

Tight end Isaiah Likely was asked what the Ravens need to do to get over the Super Bowl hump, and he said they just need to remember who they are once the playoffs begin.

"I feel like everybody, when you restart your season and want to get into the postseason, it is really just going back to the principles that got you there,"Likely told Fox News Digitals Scott Thompsonat Tight End University in Nashville, Tenn. "That's taking every game one step at a time, and remembering why you're there, who you are in those moments.

"I feel like we get a little jittery because we want it so bad. Everybody wants to win the Super Bowl so bad. Really just make a standpoint of they're going to have to play us on our terms, and that's what I feel like is going to be the big mantra right here. Never get away from our game plan. Never get away from our standpoint."

Likely also talked about his experience at Tight End University, a gathering of NFL tight ends hosted by Travis Kelce, Greg Olsen, and George Kittle.

"It's just a blessing that the vets around the league, old or new, really come back to show love and appreciation to tight ends playing now," Likely said. "Whether you have a vet on your team or vet in the league, I mean, this is probably the biggest turnout since I have been here with all the tight ends. After games, before games, pre-games, usually tight ends around the league talk a little bit, but this is really where you get to pick the vets' brains."

Ravens Defense Ranked Among Top Three by ESPN Pundits

The Ravens had the stingiest defense in the league in the second half of last season, and ESPN's Domonique Foxworth and Mina Kimes see the unit being elite in 2025.

Ranking their top 10 defenses, Foxworth placed the Ravens at No. 2, and Kimes had them at No. 3.

"I feel much better about this defense this year versus last year," Foxworth said on "The Mina Kimes Show." "I think another year for Zach Orr is better, because he was a first-year coordinator last year. While he was getting support from people around him, I think that's going to improve quite a bit. This team became really good [last season] because their secondary got really good. Their secondary got better, assuming [cornerback] Jaire Alexander can stay healthy and [first-round safety] Malaki Starks is as good as we think he is."

Kimes, who also praised the secondary for its talent and versatility, said the Ravens also do a good job of getting after the passer.

"The Ravens were third in both sack and pressure rate, but 29th in ESPN's pass-rush win. That is a great way of illustrating how effective their simulated pressures are," Kimes said. "Some of that has to do with style they're less of an attacking defense, so that can affect pass-rush win, but the way they get pressure is very schemed up. That raises the question of if this is sustainable. I would argue that they've been doing it now for so long that it is."

The only defense Foxworth ranked ahead of the Ravens was the Philadelphia Eagles. Kimes had the Denver Broncos at No. 1, followed by the Houston Texans.

On a side note, ESPN's Marcus Spears also showed love to the Ravens defense, which he ranked as the third-most-improved defense heading into the season.

"Maybe they should have been higher, because they added Jaire Alexander to this secondary," Spears said. "Malaki Starks, draftee from Georgia, they love him. Mike Green, big-time pass rusher as well as them having a dominant defensive tackle in Nnamdi Madubuike. The Ravens improved tremendously."

Where Does Ray Lewis Rank Among the Greatest Players of All Time?

CBS Sports Bryan DeArdotook on the daunting task of ranking the top 25 players in NFL history. Former Ravens great Ray Lewis landed at No. 14.

"A throwback player, Lewis' intensity and mastery of his position led the Ravens to two Super Bowl titles," DeArdo wrote. "He was the best player on the Ravens' historically great 2000 defense. In 17 seasons, Lewis racked up over 2,000 tackles, 31 interceptions, 41.5 sacks, 19 forced fumbles and 20 fumble recoveries."

Lewis was the third-highest-ranked linebacker, behind Lawrence Taylor (No. 7) and Dick Butkus (No. 12).

Quarterback Tom Brady was No. 1 overall. Legendary Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas was No. 13.

NBA superstar Kevin Durant ranked Lewis as the best linebacker of all time.

Quick Hits

Yesterday's Most Read:Late for Work: Diontae Johnson Reveals Why He Refused to Enter Ravens Game Last Year

• Former Ravens guard Marshal Yanda was No. 3 onNFL.coms rankingsof the top offensive line draft values of the millennium.