How the Ravens’ historic defense fueled their first Super Bowl win

Editor’s note: The next installment in ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, “Bullies of Baltimore,” is set to debut Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET. The film will be made available on ESPN+ immediately after its premiere. This piece originally ran in 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the Ravens’ first Super Bowl title. Since the piece originally ran, former Ravens defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, who was a leader of the Super Bowl team, died at the age of 55.

BALTIMORE — Jan. 28, 2001, will forever represent coronation day for the Baltimore Ravens’ defense.

In the minds of Ravens players, their 34-7 triumph over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV crowned the 2000 squad as the greatest single-season defense in NFL history.

On this 20-year anniversary, this Baltimore defense continues to stand out from the rest in every way — in records, in the postseason, and as the players proudly extoll, in attitude.

Known then as the transplanted franchise from Cleveland, the Ravens had never produced a winning season or clinched a playoff bid in their first four seasons. In 2000, Baltimore’s identity was forged by 11 bullies on defense who weren’t just bent on shutting out teams. They wanted to punish you with every drive-you-in-the-turf sack and swarming gang tackle behind the line of scrimmage.

Their NFL records for fewest points (165) and rushing yards (970) in a 16-game season have never been threatened. The one offensive touchdown allowed is the fewest ever in four postseason games. The swagger exuded by the Ravens caused jaws to drop at a record rate as well, though the NFL doesn’t exactly keep track of that.

The Ravens trash-talked running backs and even an opposing owner. They…