Not since the 1970s and the days of the ``Orange Crush'' has Denver been defined by its defence, so safety John Lynch delivered a simple message to Broncos defenders this week: If you want to be the best, beat the best.
Or at least outshine the best.
The unbeaten Baltimore Ravens (4-0) visit Invesco Field on Monday night sporting a rejuvenated offence and their customary dominant defence, which the Denver Broncos (2-1) acknowledge is their best barometer.
``They won the Super Bowl strictly on defence, they've been the team everybody's been looking to when they look at being a great, aggressive defence,'' Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams said. ``Even last year, when they had that terrible record (6-10), they were still one of the top defences in the league. They didn't have the wins to show it.
``We're trying to be a defence like that.''
Enter Lynch, the savvy veteran who anchored Tampa Bay's dominating defence for so many seasons.
``We're trying to be recognized as one of the best defences in the league,'' Lynch said. ``What I tell the guys is, `Here's your opportunity. If you want to be known as one of the best, play better than the best.'''
The Broncos' off-season emphasis on red-zone defence has paid big dividends already. They've allowed just one touchdown in nine trips inside the 20-yard line.
Baltimore is up next, having allowed one TD in seven trips.
That's about the only area where the Broncos outrank the Ravens, who are No. 1 in the NFL in total defence, allowing just 68 yards on the ground and only 156 through the air, numbers that compare favourably to their Super Bowl season in 2000.
``When we talked about the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, we talked about their defence and how good they were when they won the Super Bowl. This defence after a quarter of the season almost beats them in every statistical area,'' Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. ``They have been playing some great defence and that is talking about points, turnovers, rushing defence, passing defence and they are playing extremely well.''
So, what does Shanahan think of his own defence so far? He's not as quick to judge his own guys.
``Well, we'll find out at the end of the season,'' Shanahan said. ``Right now we've been playing extremely well, we haven't given up a lot of points, but the proof is what you do over the length of the season.''
Baltimore's body of work dates several seasons.
``I think every year you go out and prove yourself,'' Shanahan said. ``Baltimore, the year they won the Super Bowl, they had some unbelievable statistics over the whole season. They dominated every playoff game, and that just doesn't happen very often. And to have a defence that is better statistically than that team that won the Super Bowl, is really impressive.''
Defences usually only study offences, but the Ravens have captured everybody's attention.
``Everyone knows that they're great,'' Lynch said. ``Last year they didn't have Ed Reed and Ray Lewis and they still were a top-five defence. So, over a long period of time, just like we were in Tampa, they're kind of the standard-bearer for defence.
``And yeah, it's a great challenge for us. Yes, that's what we're talking about here: Let's win the battle of the defences. That's the way you become recognized.''
One area the Broncos need to make a big improvement is in takeaways.
The Ravens are an NFL-best plus-8 in turnover margin thanks to eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries. The Broncos are tied for 26th at minus-4 along with some bad company: Oakland, Arizona and Detroit.
``I think we feel pretty good about ourselves,'' Lynch said. ``We've always said around here that we're worried about wins No. 1, but I think what correlates to that is we have to be a scoring defence, and we've got to get turnovers.
``That's where Baltimore's been great. They win when they create turnovers. We've got to turn that up.''
