The 2017 season saw the Ravens defense rank 6th in points allowed per game, 12th in Yards allowed per game, and 11th in Sacks per game. All in all, it was a successful season for them, although (not to break anybody’s hearts) the defense did essentially cost them a playoff spot on the last defensive snap of the season. The year that saw the defense be the strength of the team, ended in the worst way imaginable.
Outside of the heart breaking 4th & 12 play against Cincinnati, the Ravens defense played well throughout the 2017 season, despite losing CB Jimmy Smith for the last 4 weeks of the season.