Based in Baltimore, Maryland and belonging to the NFL’s AFC (American Football Conference), the Baltimore Ravens are a professional American gridiron football team. Having played their first game in 1996, they are a relatively young franchise. Nevertheless, in 2001 and 2013, they won Super Bowl titles.
Art Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns, in 1996 moved his team to Baltimore after reaching a deal with the city. The Browns’ colors, history, and name remained in Cleveland for a team yet to be developed, so Modell's new team would be named the Ravens. They would be an expansion team.
Reportedly, an Edgar Allen Poe poem is responsible for the Ravens’ moniker. One of the most dominant NFL players, linebacker Ray Lewis, was the franchise’s first draft selection. Known for their ferocious defense, Lewis played a big part in forging the reputation of the team.
A Breakthrough
Before the year 2000, a winning record escaped the Ravens for four years. But in 2000, during the regular season, the team won 12 games. The AFC playoffs were swept with the team allowing fewer than six points per postseason game. In Super Bowl XXXV, the New York Giants were easily defeated by the Ravens. Cornerback Rod Woodson, tight end Shannon Sharpe, and offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden joined Lewis as major contributors to the win.
For the next 10 years, qualifying for six playoffs, the Ravens remained competitive.
The Pats and the Ravens
The Raven's advanced to an AFC championship game in 2011 but lost to the New England Patriots in a close game. The very next season, in an AFC title game rematch, the Ravens defeated the Patriots. What followed was a second Super Bowl being claimed by the Baltimore franchise – this time against the San Francisco 49ers.
Unfortunately, with a sad 8 – 8 season, their playoff appearance streak ended in 2013. They were eliminated in the Divisional round the following year after having upset the Steelers in playoff game number one.
Injuries beset the team in 2015 with marginal improvement following for the next couple of years. They suffered a stunning playoff defeat in the 2019 season, despite having made a good showing to get to the playoffs.
Best Baltimore Ravens Players
Consisting of three special-teams players, nine offensive players, and 13 defensive players, these are thought to be the best Baltimore Ravens players of all time:
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