While researching this topic, one thing jumped out at me. Our Ravens still don't have a nickname. Some of the games greatest defenses also had some of the greatest nicknames. The Steel Curtain, The Purple People Eaters, The Doomsday Defense. I recall the Colts during the 70's being referred to as the Sack Pack but it's hard to imagine even the most avid of football fans outside of the Land of Pleasant Living remembering that nickname.

Yesterday, in the spirit of Chad Johnson?s self imposed nickname "7 Eleven" (because he's always open), one of our readers suggested that the Ravens Defense be called The Blue Law because they shut down on Sunday. Something to kick around the next time you are sharing a cold one with a friend.

Perhaps never before or since has a defense been asked to carry a team to a World Championship more so than the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense. The 1976 Steelers and the 1985 Bears were aided by the 5th and 2nd ranking scoring offenses in the league. The Ravens offense in 2000 ranked 14th in points scored. This defense willed its way to the title by holding opponents to fewer than 11 points per game. Led by Defensive Player of The Year and Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, the Ravens set NFL records for fewest points allowed (165) and fewest yards rushing allowed (970) in a 16-game schedule. During the regular season, the Ravens shut out four teams. Even more impressively in the playoffs, they allowed a total of only 23 points in four games, including their 34-7 victory over the Giants in the Super Bowl. ESPN's John Clayton eloquently stated that, "The Ravens have that rare ability to reach into the chest of an opposing offense, remove its heart, squeeze it and return it to victims like a deflated football."

Buddy Ryan and The Chicago Bears introduced to the NFL, the "46" Defense. This defense was characterized by controlled recklessness and dozens of blitz packages that would wreak havoc on opposing offenses, particularly those that consistently ran standard offensive formations. This D was anchored by middle linebacker and current Ravens LB coach, Mike Singletary with assistance from tackles William "Refrigerator" Perry and Dan Hampton, outside linebackers Otis Wilson and Wilbur Marshall, and DE Richard Dent. It got its name from the Bears strong safety Doug Plank who wore #46 and made all of the defensive calls for the unit. Da Bears went 15-1 in 1985, holding seven opponents to fewer than 10 points. More impressively, they shut out the Giants 21-0 in the Conference Playoff and then won the NFC championship by blanking the Rams 24-0. In the Super Bowl, they held the Pats to a total of 7 yards rushing in route to a dominating 46-10 win.

4. 1990 New York Giants

Despite an extremely difficult regular schedule in 1990 during which they played against 7 playoff teams, the Giants allowed only 13.2 points a game. Led by Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, New York's defense rolled through the playoffs, holding the Bears to just three points in the divisional playoff game. Then they allowed a tough 49ers offense just two field goals and one TD, and set up the game-winning score by forcing a fumble with Leonard Marshall's blind side bone crunching hit on Joe Montana to win the NFC title 15-13. In Super Bowl XXV, the Giant defense held its own against the Bills' no-huddle offense, and New York won 20-19. Besides the perennial Pro Bowler Taylor, this defense also included Pro Bowlers Pepper Johnson, Reyna Thompson and Erik Howard.

The Dallas defensive lineup that year was called the Doomsday Defense because of the way it overwhelmed Dallas' opponents. Outstanding players included linebackers Chuck Howley and Lee Roy Jordan, end and Hall of Famer Bob Lilly (one of the all-time greatest defensive linemen) and safety Mel Renfro (another Hall of Famer and 10-time Pro Bowler.) The franchise won its first Super Bowl that year, besting the Miami Dolphins 24-3. You may recall that the Cowboys lost Super V the previous year to the Baltimore Colts 16-13. Interestingly, that was the only Super Bowl in which the MVP was a member of the losing team -- Chuck Howley.