The Ravens have certainly seen their share of hard times over the past month. If anybody knows it as well as the players and coaches, it’s the fans. While the first three games of the season provided limitless imagination, countless possible opportunities, and bragging rights big enough to expand through Pittsburgh, the most recent three opponents have been perfect in their combined effort to bring everything back within perspective. Nothing was more aggravating than watching the Ravens make a valiant comeback against old man Favre, only to see the game slip away with a last second field goal stray a bit too far left.

What’s done is done, but it’s hard not to ignore the view, three quarters of the way down the division and an upcoming schedule that could be argued as one of the hardest in the NFL. They will face their second undefeated opponent in as many contests (quite the contrast to the Redskins’ scheduling luck for the first six weeks of the season) as a showdown against Denver looms on the horizon. A game against the Broncos brings a stellar defense, but, more importantly, an outstanding offensive line that the Ravens’ defense must figure out in order to put pressure on Kyle Orton. Denver is no slouch, regardless of how under-the-radar their success has come; Baltimore’s effort cannot mimic what it has been recently if they want a chance to end next week’s game with a victory.

The bye week was more than inviting, mainly because of a glaring problem the team has discovered about itself. Last year, some believe the Ravens saw their season end in the AFC Championship game because the team had not been given a legitimate mid-season break, due to a hurricane that caused their bye to fall during week two of the season. While that excuse is neither here nor there, this season has no excuse; The team has an opportunity to fix the problem that has extinguished all positive expectations that grew and spread like a wildfire during the first three weeks of the season.

Before the season began, no one saw defensive problems leaving the team vulnerable. The Ravens’ secondary has become a huge thorn in the side of the organization. As Ravens’ fans have learned over the years, a competent defense is a necessity when a team wants to be competitive. Look to the Indianapolis Colts as a prime example. For years, Payton Manning has led an offense that is matched by few others in history, yet, the only championship they have to show for it is during the season that the Colts also had an effective defense. In New Orleans, Drew Brees has consistently put up huge offensive numbers; This season, the Saints remain undefeated because they have a defense that contains the opponent and gives the offense even more room to maneuver.

The Ravens' defense, including Domonique Foxworth, has struggled horribly this season.

Baltimore has been waiting patiently for an offense that can easily post 30 points a game. Quarterback after quarterback has come and gone, but until Joe Flacco arrived, the Ravens’ offense has disappointed. Now, the tides seemed to have turned. While the Ravens’ offense ranks in the top 5 in the NFL, the defense continues to try to jam the square peg into the circular hole. Three weeks of continuous failure to execute has led fans to voice their displeasure, as well as their opinions about what the team should do.

The trade deadline has come and gone. While the NFL has never been known for a league that is accompanied by blockbuster deadline deals, the Ravens seemed to have fit the bill as a team to have taken that chance in order to fix an obvious problem. With decent trade bait to offer, including Troy Smith, Antwan Barnes, Demetrius Williams, and draft picks, the Ravens could have pursued a veteran cornerback to support Fabian Washington and Domonique Foxworth. Chris Carr has been nothing but a disappointment, and Frank Walker shouldn’t have a spot on the roster. There is no point in waiting for the draft next April because success should be coming now. The games against Kansas City, San Diego, Cleveland, and even Minnesota, showed that this team is still a contender in the AFC, and putting it off another year is suicide considering the rising age of the defensive (and emotional) leaders on the team.

This week, the defense faces several challenges. Covering Brandon Marshall is one thing, mainly because he provides one of the most threatening deep options in the league; However, pressuring Orton will be tough as well. The Denver O-line has proven that it can withstand a pass rush. With time, Orton can make things happen, and the Broncos can put up points. With the Ravens’ defense limping into the game on Sunday, it’s hard to think that Denver doesn’t see a wounded animal, waiting to be picked apart. The biggest challenge is for the Ravens’ defense to prove to Josh McDaniels that the Baltimore defense is still the unmovable force that has become such a point of pride for players and fans alike.

Without change at the trade deadline, and few options via free agency, the Ravens may begin to experiment with their younger cornerbacks if the starters don’t begin to step up. It’s hard to get upset about this fact considering the Ravens’ depth has never been disconcerning. Greg Mattison is banking on something working out soon, mainly because the expectations of his unit are high, and his grace period is quickly running out. While it may seem soon to speak of replacing him now, check the scenarios; A late season Bengals collapse could leave Marvin Lewis searching for a job. Jack Del Rio’s Jaguars are struggling, and his job as head coach could also be in jeopardy. Other options, not involving coaches with a connection to the franchise, are out there as well, leaving Mattison looking in his rear view mirror just as much as he is looking forward for answers to fix the problems his defensive unit is facing. While he finds himself carefully balancing the present with the future, Mattison needs to remember that the rest of the season is an open palette, free for him to use as he pleases. Let’s just hope that he can see what needs to be done, and go on to paint a masterpiece.