1. Will the Ravens' run defense continue to falter?

( Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun / December 16, 2012 )

Cleat marks, bruises, embarrassment and a bit of whiplash from getting stiff-armed in the face.

That's what the Ravens' formerly stingy defense has been subjected to over the past three weeks.

Is Sunday the day when they draw a line in the dirt, say "enough is enough" and make a stand?

The Ravens have surrendered 622 rushing yards over the past three game -- 214 yards to the Kansas City Chiefs, a franchise-record 227 rushing yards to the Dallas Cowboys and 181 yards to the Houston Texans -- and they're ranked 30th in the league in run defense.

The Ravens have already allowed 1,000 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, giving up an average of four yards per carry, and they are on pace to allow 2,285 rushing yards this season. That would shatter the previous worst franchise mark of 1,920 rushing yards allowed in 1996, the Ravens' inaugural season and Ray Lewis' rookie campaign.

Poor tackling, a defensive line that gets shoved back into the linebackers, a young linebacker corps and a secondary that hasn't thrived in run support have all played a part in the regression of the run defense.

Because major changes in personnel aren't realistic during the season and there's only so much defensive coordinator Dean Pees can do to mask the deficiencies through scheme adjustments, there's essentially just one potential solution: The defense will have to start playing much better immediately, starting with Sunday's game against Browns star rookie running back Trent Richardson.