The Baltimore Ravens. Photo credit: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Only starting in 1996, the Baltimore Ravens haven’t had a long history to lean on. But it’s usually not about when or where you start, it’s what you do with the opportunity that matters the most. In just 29 years, the Ravens have achieved quite a number of things, including winning two Super Bowls. They’ve recorded historic defenses, fielded some of the best players in NFL history, and have risen to become one of the most successful teams in the league.
In this article, we’ll journey through the Ravens’ incredible story and their consistent drive for glory.
Football Returns to Baltimore
When the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis in 1984, the city was left without a franchise. Several attempts to bring a franchise to Baltimore proved to be a total waste of time. But in 1996, Art Modell relocated the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore, giving birth to the team now called the Baltimore Ravens. However, part of the agreement included leaving the Browns’ history in Cleveland.
Selecting a name was no small task, as it involved a fan contest that drew 33,288 voters. But the nickname “Ravens” won against other names, including Marauders, Bombers, and Americans. The Ravens called Memorial Stadium home in their first two seasons before moving to the M&T Bank Stadium, where they have played to date.
The Ravens started the building process immediately by identifying talents Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis, who were both selected in the first round of the 1996 draft. The two went on to spend the rest of their pro football years in Baltimore, becoming team legends and Pro Football Hall of Famers. In 1999, Brian Billick was installed as head coach and it was just the perfect next piece of the puzzle for the team.
Best Defense in History?
By 2000, the team had shaped up pretty nicely. While the offense wasn’t the most eye-catching in the league, the defense more than made up for the lapses. In that season, the Ravens’ defense made history as they allowed only 165 points, shattering the 1986 Chicago Bears’ record of 187 points in a 16-game season. The Ravens’ 2000 defense is still considered one of the greatest in NFL History.
Aside from Lewis, other key players on that defensive roster who left an indelible mark were Sam Adams and Rod Woodson. Moving into the playoffs after a wonderful 12-4 season, the Ravens faced the Denver Broncos, who were simply no match for them. In the divisional playoffs, a Lewis interception played a major role in the Ravens’ 24-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans. They went on to book a spot in Super Bowl XXXV after easing past the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship.
In Super Bowl XXXV, the Ravens made the New York Giants look anything but giant, suffocating their offense and holding them to just 152 total yards. The Giants failed to score an offensive touchdown, joining the rare group of teams shut down so completely in a Super Bowl. The Ravens finished the game with a wide margin of 34-7 to lift their first Vince Lombardi Trophy.
All in on a Rookie Gamble
Steve Bisciotti bought over the Ravens in 2004 and continued the progressive work. Quite notably, the Ravens have always had exceptional leadership, and that has played a major role in their continued success year-in-year-out. Their recruitment strategy is one of the most commendable in the league, and it goes beyond just players down to even the non-footballing departments of the franchise.
Their excellent recruitment was on show when they acquired Joe Flacco from the 2008 draft and hired a rookie head coach, John Harbaugh. At first, it didn’t seem like the smartest decision—after all, they were entrusting a team that had just stumbled to a 5-11 record the previous season to a pair of rookies. But the rewards were instant as the team posted an 11-5 regular season and glided their way to the AFC Championship before falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers—their bitter rivals.
Blackout Bowl
Four years later, the Ravens finally broke through their playoff hurdles, punching their ticket to Super Bowl XLVII. Their journey included a thrilling, double-overtime battle against the Broncos. It took a “Mile High Miracle” to salvage the game. With seconds left, Flacco launched a 70-yard touchdown stunner to send the game to overtime. The Ravens also had to pull off a comeback in the AFC Championship to secure a win. Super Bowl XLVII came with incredible drama. It was nicknamed “Blackout Bowl” as play had to be suspended for 34 minutes due to a power outage.
Before the outage though, the Ravens had built a 28-6 lead. After the blackout, the San Francisco 49ers came out fired up, scoring 17 unanswered points in the third quarter and pressing for more. But yet another moment of defensive brilliance from the Ravens shut them down, forcing a turnover on downs. Reaping the rewards of their relentless effort, the Ravens won their second Super Bowl. Flacco’s 22 completions on 33 attempts for 287 yards earned him Super Bowl MVP. Terrell Suggs and ball-hawking safety Ed Reed also played critical roles in making sure the Ravens held firm when it mattered most.
Still Flying High
Even when the Ravens are not lifting Super Bowls or winning Conference Championships, they always find a way to stay relevant. In 2018, the Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson, one of the best quarterbacks in recent history. He won the NFL MVP in 2019, becoming only the second player after Tom Brady in 2010 to win it unanimously.
Jackson and the rest of the players on the roster have gelled perfectly to produce a team that has constantly made the playoffs since 2018. The Ravens have always given fans a thousand and one reasons to cheer, scream, and keep coming back. No surprise—they’ve sold out every home game since day one.
Team Achievements
| Titles | Number of Times Won |
| Super Bowl | 2 |
| Conference Championship | 2 |
| Division Championship | 8 |
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