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The 5 Greatest Seasons In Baltimore Ravens History

By Hassan Zakai

Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) stands in the huddle in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) stands in the huddle in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) speaks with head coach John Harbaugh during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints in a preseason NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) speaks with head coach John Harbaugh during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints in a preseason NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

5. 2008 : 11-5 record, reached AFC Championship game

The arrival of John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco signaled a new era for the Baltimore Ravens. They turned the organization completely around, and it showed, with the Ravens winning 11 games after winning just 5 games in 2007.

Many don’t remember, but Joe Flacco wasn’t supposed to start right away for the team. Kyle Boller ended up getting injured and Troy Smith, the former Heisman winner, ended up getting severely ill before the season started. Flacco took the reins and never looked back.

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With Rex Ryan’s aggressive second ranked defense and a strong running attack, the Ravens’ game plans wore opposing teams down. They finished the regular season winning 11 games and received the AFC’s wild card spot as the #6 seed.

The Ravens visited the Dolphins in their first playoff game, forcing five turnovers (Miami had only committed 13 all season) and winning convincingly 27-9.

They next played the #1 seeded Titans in the AFC Divisional Round, whom they lost to in week 5. It was a grinding game, with Flacco’s long touchdown to Derrick Mason and his game sealing strike to Todd Heap as the main difference makers. Matt Stover eventually kicked the game winning field goal, beating the Titans 13-10.

The hated Pittsburgh Steelers were on the schedule next, standing in the Ravens’ path to a Super Bowl. The Ravens played well, but the Steelers’ #1 ranked defense and home field advantage turned the game in their favor. Troy Polamalu eventually returned an interception to the house, and the Steelers won 23-16.

The Ravens weren’t expected to even make it into the playoffs, let alone take the eventual Super Bowl Champions to the brink in the playoffs. This first playoff run was just the start of many successful seasons following.

Next: So Close, And Yet So Far

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