Ebony Bird
FanSided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Jan 22, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) exchanges words with Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the third quarter in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE
Jan 22, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) exchanges words with Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the third quarter in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE /

4. 2011 : 12-4 record, reached AFC Championship Game

The 2011 season was the year that the Ravens had finally put it all together. They finally won the AFC North and swept the division, along with having the league’s third ranked defense. This was a fun season to watch, since Ray Rice had his best season and the Ravens had just drafted Torrey Smith, leading to a lot of big plays. Terrell Suggs also ended up winning Defensive Player of the Year, accumulating 14 sacks and forcing a ridiculous seven forced fumbles.

More from Ravens All-Time Lists

The regular season kicked off with the Ravens’ avenging their 2010 Divisional Playoff loss to the Steelers, by absolutely demolishing them 35-7. This win was one of the most meaningful regular season wins in Ravens’ history, with Joe Flacco slicing up Pittsburgh’s secondary and the defense harassing Roethlisberger all day long.

The rest of the regular season went well, however the Ravens’ tendency to play down to bad teams reared its ugly head, with the worst loss to an absolutely horrid Jacksonville team. However, the Ravens beat many of the best teams in the league, and ended up getting a Bye Week as the #2 overall seed in the AFC Playoffs.

The Ravens had their first home playoff game in the John Harbaugh era, and beat the Houston Texans in a close 20-13 win. With Matt Schaub injured, the Ravens took advantage of T.J Yates, forcing four turnovers, including a game sealing interception by Ed Reed.

The Ravens traveled to the despised New England Patriots for the chance to go to the Super Bowl. This was the most heartbreaking game in Ravens’ history. Joe Flacco outplayed Tom Brady all day and the defense played extremely well. The Ravens had not one, but two separate chances to win this game late in the fourth quarter. Lee Evans dropped a perfect pass in the end zone and Billy Cundiff missed a 32 yard (THIRTY TWO) field goal to tie the game in the final seconds, and the Ravens ended up losing 23-20.

Despite the gut-wrenching loss to end the season, 2011 was a greatly successful year. The rebound year proved to be a big one.

Next: The Ravens Best Regular Season Record

Home/Ravens All-Time Lists