The Ravens are a tough team to figure out. They're loaded with talent at almost every position but went into Miami and were flat, losing 19-6.

        They have four Pro Bowlers on defense yet have a poor pass defense statistically. Are the cornerbacks weak?

        What's clear is this is a team on the way up.

        Baltimore is off to a 2-1 start, and owner/CEO Art Modell says this is the most talented team he has had in 40 years in the NFL.

        The team has found its niche and personality in Baltimore. And expectations are high. Anything less than the playoffs is a failure.

Thumbs up
        • Rush defense. The front seven is as good as any in the NFL. The Ravens have allowed 60.7 yards rushing a game, second-lowest in the league.

        • Running game. The Ravens are ranked seventh with 115.7 yards a game. Rookie Jamal Lewis will get the start and has a 5.2-yard average. Bengals killer Priest Holmes, who has had 456 yards and three touchdowns in five games against Cincinnati, will see plenty of action.

        • Linebackers. Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper have 64 tackles and two sacks in three games and run the field like no other corps of linebackers in the league.

Thumbs down
        • Pass defense. The Ravens are 26th in the league, allowing 240 yards a game. True, a lot of that real estate was the 291 yards on 15 catches covered by Jacksonville's Jimmy Smith in Week 2.

        • Field position. Baltimore has allowed opponents, on average, to start drives on their 29.5-yard line, fourth-worst in the AFC.

        • Consistency. They shut out Pittsburgh. They give up 36 points at home to Jacksonville but win. They lose 19-6 at Miami. Which Ravens, especially on offense, will show up from week to week?

Jury's out
        • Quarterback Tony Banks. His numbers are OK. He has thrown six touchdown passes and three interceptions. Questions persist on whether he can lead a team to the playoffs, in spite of his 8-5 record as a starter in the last 13 games.

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