No defense, no matter how good, can prevent all big plays (at least in the NFL). The 2000 Ravens gave up 33, 20+ yard passes and nine that were 40 or longer. They also allowed (only!) three runs of 20 yards or more and no runs of 40 or more. You find the same thing if you look at other elite defenses from the past 20 years in the NFL. They still give up the occasional big play. Some times the defense can do everything right and the opposing offense just makes a great play, but more often than not, when a big play happens, someone on the defense made a mistake.
Film study: What went wrong on the big plays the Broncos have allowed?
