The Baltimore Ravens have played host to some of the best players in the AFC during their three-decade franchise history, building the foundation of teams that won two Super Bowls and came close multiple times. Hall of Famers and all-time great seasons have manifested in Baltimore.
In the course of Ravens history, a handful of records have emerged that seem likely to stand the test of time. There are others, however, that will not be touched, barring an incredible confluence of football fate and God-level luck. In other words, they’re not being broken anytime soon.
While there are a few Ravens records that would take some incredible efforts to overtake, these five records all stand out as achievements that appear to be almost impossible to top. The holders of these records can rest easy knowing it will be some time before their marks are challenged.
Top 5 unbreakable records in Baltimore Ravens franchise history
5. Wins by a head coach (John Harbaugh, 160)
Harbaugh is poised to add a few more victories to his franchise-best mark in the next few seasons. After the firing of Bill Belichick, only three active coaches (Mike Tomlin, Mike McCarthy, Andy Reid) have more wins than Harbaugh does. Harbaugh trails only Tomlin in terms of longest current tenure, as he is beginning his 17th season in Baltimore.
Harbaugh only has two losing seasons to his name, and the Ravens are poised to be one of the best teams in the league for the next few years. Coaching one team for 17 years is almost impossible on its own, but coaching it and essentially going 10-7 16 times in a row to match the wins number is equally difficult.
4. Sacks (Terrell Suggs, 132.5)
While Suggs never led the league in sacks, it was his consistency that helped him set all sorts of records in his 16-year Ravens career. Suggs, who was the team’s premier pass rusher for a decade, hit double digits in sacks seven times despite almost missing two entire seasons due to injuries.
A Ravens team that has historically churned pass rushers in and out might find it difficult to hold on to someone long enough to see them break the record. Playing for more than a decade and being as fearsome for opposing linemen as Suggs is a task too great for most linemen.
3. Interceptions (Ed Reed, 61)
Consider that a player trying to break Reed’s record would need to intercept four passes per season for 15 years, and they would still be two picks shy of making good on their goal. Reed is one of the best safeties in league history and is without question the best who began their career after 1990.
Not only did Reed possess some of the best ball skills in the game, but the recent improvements in NFL passing offenses make it less likely for defensive backs to pile up gaudy interception numbers. Reed’s status as the greatest defensive back in team history is based on his turnovers created, and no one is sniffing this one anytime soon.
2. Solo and total tackles (Ray Lewis, 1,568 and 2,059)
While tackles did not become an official stat until 1994, that left more than enough time for Lewis to set records. Lewis is considered by many to be the greatest linebacker in NFL history, and his tackling ability is the main reason he is regarded as one of the best of the best across the annals of this game.
The 12-time Pro Bowler and 10-time All-Pro has over 200 more solo tackles than second-place London Fletcher (1,384 and third-place Derrick Brooks (1,300) on the all-time list. Lewis’ career tackles mark clears Fletcher and is 200 more than Junior Seau’s mark (1,847). Lewis did all of that damage with one team.
Simply put, this one is never going to be broken.
1. Points per game allowed in a season (2000 Ravens, 10.3 PPG)
In the modern pass-happy NFL, any team that allows fewer than 20 points per game is considered solid defensive play, the Ravens’ record for fewest points per game allowed in a season (as well as the now officially unbreakable fewest points allowed in a 16-game season) will never be topped.
After allowing 55 points in two games against the Jaguars and Dolphins, Baltimore locked in and went on a historic defensive run. In the 2000 season, Baltimore shut their opponents out four times, allowed 10 or fewer points 12 times, and let up just two performances of 20 or more points.
The Ravens conceded just 23 points in their four-game postseason run, six of which came on a kickoff return that was immediately nullified by Jermaine Lewis’ score seconds later. Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer have Super Bowl rings, and this defense is the main reason why,
While the 1976 Steelers, 1977 Falcons, and 1985 Bears all have claims to the title of “Best Defense Ever”, the 2000 Ravens are right up there with them. No unit in the last 30 years has come close to this team, and it seems unlikely that anyone will match this run of dominance ever again.