Can the defense do it against versus the Rams?
The defense looked very good in Thursdays 48-17 rout of Jacksonville. But the big question now is how good they really are at this point. This week's game against the Rams, the final pre-season test, should give us an idea.
The Rams also are not nearly the Lions or Falcons, but the defense played much better than in the first two weeks, especially because the players were kind of looking at this like what they called a dress rehearsal for the season opener with the Bengals in two weeks.
Were putting it all together now, cornerback Lardarius Webb said after the Detroit game. Were coming in, and were just taking our time with it, and weve been more focused right now and knowing whats going on. I can see where were going, where were headed.

The defense certainly looked good in that game. They did what the Ravens do best swarming to the ball, creating problems and even rushing the quarterback better than the first two games, when they hardly got into the backfield.
They'll want to do more of the same against the Rams, who have a number of good young players on offense under new coach Jeff Fisher.
Ive seen where we came from and where were going to be at by the first game, Webb said. The guys came outwith confidence through the roof, and they played like it. Im a young guy, but I like what I see with where were at right now.
But the defense certainly looked more like the Ravens of old. Dont be lulled to sleep and think the defense is ready to carry the team to the Super Bowl just because the Ravens shut down the Jaguars.
The good news is that they did a lot of things better. Now, can they do it again this week against the Rams? Thats the next question.
I loved it, said Haloti Ngata after the Jacksonville game. The guys were flying around to the ball. They were playing Ravens defense.