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          NFL Nation

          Will Elvis Dumervil finish as NFL's sacks leader?

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterNov 17, 2014, 02:00 PM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          Elvis Dumervil is on pace to finish the season with 17 sacks, which would surpass Peter Boulware's franchise record of 15 (set in 2001).

          Dumervil could also accomplish something no other Baltimore Ravens player has achieved -- lead the NFL in sacks.

          Through 11 weeks, Dumervil is tied for second in the NFL with 10.5 sacks. He trails Kansas City's Justin Houston by 1.5 sacks.

          This wouldn't be Dumervil's first sack title. He topped the league with 17 sacks with the Broncos in 2009.

          Based on the quarterbacks ahead, it could be difficult for Dumervil keep up his current pace. Only two of the Ravens' final six opposing quarterbacks rank in the top half of the league in being sacked (Miami's Ryan Tannehill is No. 5 and Jacksonville's Blake Bortles is No. 8). New Orleans' Drew Brees and Cleveland's Brian Hoyer are among the toughest quarterbacks to sack this season.

          Dumervil has been quite an addition for the Ravens the past two seasons. He has produced 20 sacks in 25 games, including seven in his past five games. Only three players (Robert Quinn, Mario Williams and Houston) have had more sacks than Dumervil since the start of the 2013 season.

          “I think I’m being utilized correct here," Dumervil said. "Coverage has been great, and obviously when you’re playing opposite a guy like Terrell Suggs, it really helps.”

          What separates Dumervil from the other sack leaders is that he isn't on the field as much, which could be a positive and a negative. He's the only player among the top 10 in sacks who has played less than 450 snaps (Dumervil has 357 snaps). Dumervil splits snaps with Courtney Upshaw, who is better against the run. So, Dumervil doesn't have as many opportunities as the other pass rushers, but he's also fresher than them when he's going after the quarterback.

          Dumervil is averaging one sack every 34 snaps. In comparison, Houston is recording a sack once every 50.5 snaps.