Editing Ray Lewis (section)

=== 2000: Record-setting defense, Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl XXXV MVP ===

In 2000, Lewis led a defense which many call the greatest in NFL history for a single season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byrne |first=Kerry |date=June 26, 2008 |title=The greatest defenses of the Super Bowl Era |url=http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/the-greatest-defenses-the-super-bowl-era/5039/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203085642/http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/the-greatest-defenses-the-super-bowl-era/5039/ |archive-date=February 3, 2013 |publisher=ColdHardFootballFacts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The List: Best NFL defense of all-time |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/bestNFLdefense.html |access-date=October 8, 2022 |website=ESPN Page 2 |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315203319/https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/bestNFLdefense.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2009 |title=A Statistical Analysis on the Greatest Defenses in NFL History |url=http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2009/3/10/775679/a-statistical-analysis-on |access-date=October 8, 2022 |website=SB Nation: Behind the Steel Curtain |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818164216/https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2009/3/10/775679/a-statistical-analysis-on |url-status=live }}</ref> In week 2 of the regular season against the [[2000 Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars]], Lewis led the team in tackles with 11 tackles in the 39–36 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens – September 10th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200009100rav.htm |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914192242/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200009100rav.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In week 3 against the [[2000 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]], Lewis had 11 tackles in the 19–6 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins – September 17th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200009170mia.htm |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115041636/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200009170mia.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In week 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he finished 13 tackles and a fumble recovery in the 15–10 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars – October 8th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200010080jax.htm |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115043555/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200010080jax.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In week 13 against the [[2000 Cleveland Browns|Cleveland Browns]], Lewis had five tackles and two sacks in the 44–7 blowout win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – November 26th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200011260rav.htm |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513192413/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200011260rav.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Lewis finished the regular season with a franchise leading 137 tackles, as well as two interceptions, six pass deflections, and three fumble recoveries. The team set a 16-game single-season record for fewest points allowed (165) and fewest rushing yards allowed (970).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Brian |date=January 21, 2001 |title=QUOTH THE RAVENS: NEVER SCORE: RECORD-SETTING DEFENSE REFUSES TO GIVE AN INCH |url=https://nypost.com/2001/01/21/quoth-the-ravens-never-score-record-setting-defense-refuses-to-give-an-inch/ |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=New York Post |language=en |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227060239/https://nypost.com/2001/01/21/quoth-the-ravens-never-score-record-setting-defense-refuses-to-give-an-inch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The team recorded four shutouts, one shy of the single-season record. The unit finished first league-wide in six key defensive categories. Including the postseason, and excluding three combined touchdowns that were given up by the Ravens offense and special teams, Baltimore's defense allowed only 184 points in 20 games. After the regular season, he earned a unanimous All-Pro selection, and was once again named to start in the Pro Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXXV – Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants – January 28th, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101280nyg.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226013523/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101280nyg.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Winners |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/super-bowl-mvp-award.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803110815/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/super-bowl-mvp-award.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/allpro.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929190822/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/allpro.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/probowl.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925224442/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/probowl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2000–01 NFL playoffs#AFC: Baltimore Ravens 21, Denver Broncos 3|Wild Card Round]] against the [[2000 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]], Lewis had seven tackles and an interception in the 21–3 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens – December 31st, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200012310rav.htm |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513192410/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200012310rav.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2000–01 NFL playoffs#AFC: Baltimore Ravens 24, Tennessee Titans 10|Divisional Round]] against the [[2000 Tennessee Titans|Tennessee Titans]], Lewis had 12 combined tackles and an interception returned 50 yards for the clinching touchdown in the 24–10 win.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Nathan |date=January 8, 2021 |title=Best moments in Ravens vs. Titans history: Ray Lewis' pick-six, Eddie George's revenge and midfield confrontations |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2021/01/08/best-moments-in-ravens-vs-titans-history-ray-lewis-pick-six-eddie-georges-revenge-and-midfield-confrontations/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans – January 7th, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101070oti.htm |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514024516/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101070oti.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2000–01 NFL playoffs#AFC: Baltimore Ravens 16, Oakland Raiders 3|AFC Championship]] against the [[2000 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]], he had seven combined tackles and a fumble recovery in the 16–3 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship – Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders – January 14th, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101140rai.htm |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=October 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010114023/http://pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101140rai.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Lewis was named NFL Defensive Player of The Year for the 2000 season.<ref name="pro-football-reference.com">{{Cite web |title=AP Defensive Player of the Year Winners |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-defensive-player-of-the-year.htm |access-date=October 8, 2022 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713200031/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-defensive-player-of-the-year.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Ravens became only the second team to ever record a defensive shutout in a Super Bowl, as they dominated the [[2000 New York Giants|New York Giants]] 34–7 to win the franchise's first ever Super Bowl championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XXXV – Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants – January 28th, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101280nyg.htm |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514201821/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200101280nyg.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Lewis's five combined tackles and four passes defended earned him Super Bowl XXXV MVP honors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl MVPs – Super Bowl History |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/superbowl/history/mvps |access-date=October 8, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=October 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006154948/http://www.espn.com/nfl/superbowl/history/mvps |url-status=live }}</ref> He also added 31 tackles, two [[interception]]s, 9 pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and a touchdown in the four-game playoff run.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Defense |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/defense.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224193312/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/defense.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ray Lewis 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LewiRa00.htm |access-date=February 26, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321111142/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LewiRa00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>