BALTIMORE -- When Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III looks at the tape, he will see a Baltimore Ravens defense that was always a step ahead of the Buffalo Bills.

In their season-opening 13-7 victory over Buffalo on Sunday, the Ravens put together the NFL's most dominating performance in Week 1 by simplifying their defense and confusing the Bills with unexpected wrinkles. The result: Baltimore held Buffalo to 160 total yards.

The Ravens were the only defense not allow its opponent to reach double digits. Who scored the fewest points after the Bills? That was the Browns, who play host to the Ravens on Sunday.

"Today was a glimpse of what we can become," Ravens safety Eric Weddle said. "And that gives our defense some confidence for the future.”

Many of the Ravens acknowledge that this is just the first step. But it was an authoritative first step.

DOMINATING DEFENSE Here are the top defensive efforts in Week 1 (through Sunday's games) Defense Yards allowed Points allowed Ravens 160 7 Texans 258 14 Eagles 288 10 Jaguars 294 27 Titans 301 25

This is the fewest yards allowed by the Ravens since 2011. It's the fewest points given up by Baltimore in an opener since 2011. It marked the first time the Ravens didn't allow a first down in the fourth quarter since 2011.

What's so significant about 2011? It's the last time the Ravens finished in the top five in both yards and points allowed.

"In this league, it’s momentum, and at this level we’ve got to roll with that," said cornerback Shareece Wright, who finished with 11 tackles, including three behind the line of scrimmage. "We’ve got to continue to get better. We’ve got a lot of things to work on. But starting off that fast and that hot, it’s what we wanted."

LeSean McCoy and the Bills struggled to gain traction, or yards, against the Ravens' defense. AP Photo/Nick Wass

Cornerback Jimmy Smith said the Ravens played fast because defensive coordinator Dean Pees streamlined the scheme. Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back LeSean McCoy both acknowledged the Ravens surprised them by how unpredictable they were on third down (Bills failed to convert on 10 of 13).

The Ravens were all over the Bills' double moves, and Taylor attempted only five passes of more than 10 yards downfield. Baltimore smothered Buffalo's attempts to run off the edges, and held last year's top rushing team to 65 yards (85 fewer than the Bills' average in 2015).

"I think that's a pretty darn good defense over there," Bills coach Rex Ryan said.

Baltimore's defense has made a habit of taking control of games when facing Ryan, who was with the Ravens' organization for 10 years (1999-2008) and is known for establishing the tradition of strong defenses along with Ray Lewis.

In four meetings, the Ravens are 4-0 against Ryan's teams, limiting them to an average of 176.5 yards. The number of points allowed by Baltimore against Ryan are: 9, 17, 3 and 7.

It was as if the Ravens were looking to validate themselves to Ryan and former Ravens great Ed Reed, who is now an assistant coach for the Bills.

"We're trying to get this thing back to where it's supposed to be," defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan said.

The Ravens shut out the Bills for the final 33 minutes. Baltimore didn't give up a first down in the last 21 minutes.

For a defense that couldn't hold onto six fourth-quarter leads last season, closing Sunday's game in this fashion was the best way to open the season for Baltimore.

“Man, it was scripted just how you envisioned it as a defensive player," Weddle said.