The Baltimore Ravens will be playing their 26th season in 2021. Over the course of 25 years, the team has been compiled with some incredible talent.
From multiple Super Bowl titles, playoff appearances, Pro Bowl players, and an NFL MVP, Baltimore knows how to win.
But which team is the best?
In a poll conducted on Twitter, 56.4 percent of fans who responded apparently believe the 2000 Super Bowl-winning team is the best in franchise history.
The Baltimore Ravens had some impressive teams over its 25-year history.
— Robert Sobus (@robert_sobus) May 29, 2021
When comparing teams across eras, biases will always come into play. Which will make any list subjective.
With that said, which Ravens squad should own the crown for best in franchise history?
Many Ravens fans believe the 2000 team was the best
It’s hard to argue with the fans on this one. Over 20 years later, this one sits fresh in minds of many.
In less than five seasons since their inception as an NFL franchise, the 2000 Ravens team hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl XXXV after they decimated the New York Giants 34-7.
The Ravens were led by linebacker Ray Lewis. Lewis was a powerhouse and helped make the defense one of the best the league has ever seen.
The 25-year old linebacker, in his fifth season, was already the leader of the team. Lewis was selected to a fourth straight Pro Bowl and became a First-Team All-Pro for the second consecutive season.
During his impressive run in 2000, Lewis started all 16 regular-season games, had 137 combined tackles, three sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
While Lewis’ regular-season numbers are impressive, one of his better plays came during the postseason in the AFC Divisional Round against the Tennessee Titans.
On a pass that was deflected off the shoulder of running back Eddie George, Lewis intercepted the pass and took it 50 yards to the end zone.
It was during the 2000 season that Baltimore also broke a defensive record that may never be duplicated again. The defense leaped over the 1986 Chicago Bears’ record for the fewest points allowed in a single season.
Chicago allowed 187 points on defense. Nearly 14 years later, the Ravens only allowed 165 points on defense.
Over 20 years later the record remains intact. With the NFL schedule increasing to 17 games, it will make it much more difficult for defenses to repeat that success.
While this team was voted the best by fans in franchise history, there were a few other good ones that made the list.
At No. 2, with 22.3 percent of the vote, was the 2019 team that had a franchise-best record at 14-2.
With 17 percent of the vote, at No. 3, was the 2012 Super Bowl-winning team led by future Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco who had one of the best quarterback performances throughout the postseason.
Coming in last at No. 4 was the 2006 team led by quarterback Steve McNair.