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Move over Rams, Ravens are the NFL's most complete team

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Joe Flacco is on pace to throw for 5,000 yards. The defense has yet to given up a touchdown in the second half. And Justin Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history.

The best team in the NFL right now? The consensus is the Los Angeles Rams, who sit atop most power rankings.

But the most complete team in the NFL? That title currently goes to the Baltimore Ravens, and the numbers back this up.

The Ravens are the only team to rank in the top 10 in offense, defense and special teams efficiency, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

"The most balanced teams in this league usually have more success and have a chance to win late in the season, so that's where we're trying to be," safety Eric Weddle said.

The undefeated Chiefs (4-0) have a superstar quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, but Kansas City's defense ranks last in the NFL.

The Jaguars (3-1) have the NFL's top-ranked defense, but Jacksonville's offense is averaging 22 points (22nd in the league) and could struggle to hit that mark without injured running back Leonard Fournette.

The undefeated Rams (4-0) rank in the top 10 in offense and defense, but they're having troubles replacing injured kicker Greg Zuerlein, and their defensive ranking seems inflated. Los Angeles' yards per play allowed is 22nd in the NFL.

The Ravens (3-1), meanwhile, are clicking in all phases. Baltimore ranks No. 10 in offense because Flacco is healthier than he has been in three years and he has trust in his new targets (John Brown, Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead). The offense has scored at least 20 points in 13 straight games (dating to last season), which is the longest streak in the NFL.

The Ravens rank No. 2 in defense with much of the credit going to the playcalling of first-year coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale. The defense has shut out teams in 10 of 16 quarters this season.

And Tucker has made 28 of his past 29 field goals (96.5 percent), with his only miss resulting from a blocked kick.

Baltimore should be even better going forward. Jimmy Smith, the team's top cornerback, is back from a four-game suspension, and tight end Hayden Hurst, the Ravens' top draft pick this year, is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday after being sidelined because of a stress fracture in his foot.

"The pieces are in place where we can be really good," Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda said. "But that doesn't mean anything right now. You still have to go out and produce. We are doing a lot of good things in all three phases. That's a really good deal. We're all excited about it."

The Ravens' early success has been a surprise nationally. The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the season as the overwhelming favorite to win the AFC North, and Baltimore was considered a team that could challenge for a playoff spot.

In the ESPN Power Rankings, the Ravens were No. 21 in the preseason. Now, they're No. 7.

The only two teams to rank in the top five in points scored and points allowed are the Ravens and the Rams. Baltimore has had a tougher schedule. The Ravens' first four opponents have a combined 7-8-1 record. Los Angeles' opponents are 4-11-1.

"You want to be a balanced team," coach John Harbaugh said. "You want to be strong in every area. That's something we're building towards right now."

The Ravens have their obvious weak spots. The running game has sputtered all season, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. The pass rush was nonexistent against Andy Dalton and Ben Roethlisberger. The return game has been underwhelming, and Baltimore is already on its second returner.

But the Ravens have had few teams as well-rounded as this one in their 23-year history, even in their Super Bowl seasons. In 2000, the Ravens had a historically strong defense and a touchdown-challenged offense. In 2012, Flacco got on a hot streak in the postseason and the defense finished No. 17 in the league.

"We've had a lot of good teams in here. We've had a lot of teams that have sustained good years through 16 games-plus," Flacco said. "It's tough to compare a team that's only been going at it for four weeks and talk us up more than we should. It's early in the year. We're playing well, but we're still making mistakes. We have potential to be a good football team."