NFL

Eleven years after the Colts moved to Indianapolis, Baltimore once again was granted with an NFL team.The name “Ravens” was inspired by famous poet and Baltimore native Edgar Allen Poe after his “The Raven” poem. The Ravens first game took place on September 1, 1996 as they defeated the Oakland Raiders 19-14. In the Ravens inaugural season produced a 4-12 record last in the then AFC Central.The Baltimore Raven would continue to improve faster then most people had anticipated. In only four season the Ravens improved every year making their way to Super Bowl XXXV as a wild card team needing to win every playoff game on the road. Brian Bellick took over the ravens head coaching position in 1999 and would take the raven to the next level in a very short time. The Ravens built there 2000 team on solid defense, allowing the fewest amount of points in the history of the NFL and became one of the all-time great defensive teams dominating the New York Giants 35-7. Leading the way on the Ravens rock solid defense was Ray Lewis who earned Super Bowl XXXV Most Valuable Player. Lewis, who is currently on the Ravens, will surely represent the Baltimore Ravens when he is inducted in the Football Hall of Fame when he retires. Other notable defenders who contributed to the 2000 Ravens defense was Tony Siragusa, James Trapp, Rod Woodson, and Sam Adams.

Not only was a great defense apart of their winning but a solid running game which included Jamal Lewis. Lewis’s impact was felt in his rookie season when he rushed for over a 1,000 yards. In 2003, Lewis nearly set the all-time rushing record for a season with 2,066 yards, which is held by Eric Dickerson with 2,105 yards in 1984.

During the Ravens very brief history they have three AFC Central/North Division titles in 2000, 2003, 2006 and one Super Bowl victory. Since their Super Bowl win the Ravens have only made the playoffs three times with disappointing playoff loses which include a Ravens team who went 13-3 in 2006.

The Ravens play in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals which is a winnable division. The Ravens have a history of a productive defense but a lack luster offense which has been their problem since there inception.