We are going to hear for the next 11 days how cool it is that the two head coaches in the Super Bowl are brothers.  It’s one of those human interest stories that, as Glenn Clark (Host of the Reality Check) says, is truly “American”.  Of course, this is really interesting and compelling but I’ll let someone else tell the Harbaugh brothers’ story.

What is more compelling to me is that these two brothers made two of the gutsiest moves in the entire regular season and ended up in the Super Bowl because of them.  I’m talking about John deciding to part ways Cam Cameron for Jim Caldwell as offensive coordinator with three weeks left in the season, with Jim Caldwell having no prior experience calling plays within games.  I’m also talking about Jim deciding to stick with Colin Kaepernick, after an Alex Smith concussion, while Kaepernick had no prior NFL starting experience.

These would come to be their defining moments.  They knew it at the time.  They stuck with their guts and look at where they are. 

John went with Jim Caldwell after almost two full seasons of fans clamoring for Cam Cameron’s head.  Even though the Ravens offense was in the top half of the league while Cameron was play caller, he still went to the chopping block.  Perhaps John knew that it was Cameron holding Joe Flacco back from being what he has shown in the playoffs.  Perhaps he was waiting for it to click with the two.  Nonetheless, it never did and John went with the unproven Caldwell.  Sure Caldwell had head coaching experience but calling plays in game is a totally different animal.  The future seemed bleak after the Ravens fell to the Broncos in their first game with Caldwell calling plays, putting up zero points in the first half.  However, an offensive epiphany in the Giants game showed a glimmer of hope for the playoffs after the team rested their starters in Cincinnati.

Jim went with Colin Kaepernick as starting quarterback after veteran Alex Smith went down with a concussion.  Even after Smith was able to return, Jim stuck with the unproven 2^nd year man (Kaepernick) over the guy who nearly brought them to the Super Bowl a year earlier (Smith).  Jim liked what Kaepernick brought to the table.  His dynamic playmaking ability, speed, and arm strength were all things Smith did not possess.  One thing Smith did have though was superb decision making ability.  Smith rarely turned the ball over.  This was something Jim did not know if Kaepernick was capable of.  No one did.  Kaepernick ended the season with ten touchdowns and three interceptions.  The gamble paid off.

Throughout the playoffs, the Ravens faced some of the best quarterbacks the league has to offer; the potential rookie of the year, the potential MVP, and a three time champion.  They would have to put up points.  They did, putting up thirty points per game on the way to the Super Bowl.  Jim Caldwell’s play calling and thus John Harbaugh’s decision have played a huge part in that.  Under Cam Cameron, the Ravens passed on sixty percent of their plays.  Under Caldwell they are passing only 52% of their plays.  They are getting the ball into the hands of their most dynamic player more.  That would be Ray Rice.  With that decrease in passing you would think that Joe Flacco’s numbers would be declining.  Actually, it’s quite the opposite.  Flacco’s numbers have gotten better.  He is the one who has led this team to the Super Bowl throwing for 8 touchdowns in three games and zero interceptions.  Caldwell isn’t calling for more passes, he is calling more efficient passes; utilizing the middle of the field, screen plays, more complex routes, and more unpredictability.

The same can be said for Jim Harbaugh and Colin Kaepernick.  Kaepernick’s skills have led to a myriad of new options for the 49ers; the most notable of these being the read option like that of Washington’s or Seattle’s.  Kaepernick usually has three options on such a play.  He can hand off to the running back, keep it for himself, or pass to a wide receiver.  My co-host on the Weekend Warriors, Jeff Kryglik, breaks down how to stop this here.  The lack of film on this new offense, as is the case for Jim Caldwell’s offense, has led to great success for the 49ers and obviously a Super Bowl berth.

The Ravens and the 49ers have had great success because teams have yet to “open the book” on their offenses…and obviously because they are talented.  Each team will have about a week and a half to figure each other out and that’s what it is going to come down to.  Who figures out how to stop the other team first?  This is going to be a high scoring game and it will be close.  What defense makes a play at the end?  What defense finally finds the key?

Owings Mills-It’s been a crazy 24 hours for the Baltimore Ravens, the media covering the team, and for the fans cheering on the team in Charm City.

Less than a day after coming back from a 13-7 halftime deficit to beat the New England Patriots in Foxboro to win the AFC Championship and earn a chance to win Super Bowl 47 in New Orleans on February 3rd, the Ravens were back at work Monday working as if they would be taking on the next opponent-in this case the San Francisco 49ers.

“We’re going to work,” Ravens center Matt Birk said in between meetings today. “With all the side stories- if you’re not playing in the game, you can enjoy all that. I think as players we’re just going to hunker down and focus in on the task at hand.”

“We’re going out there as a team trying to get where we’re at,” quarterback Joe Flacco said, who threw for three touchdowns in the Ravens’ 28-13 victory over last year’s AFC Champion Patriots. “We’ve got to win one more. ”

Despite the workmanlike attitude, Flacco however still says some of what happened Sunday night feels like a dream.

“I think we’re still on a little high from the game,” he said. “I don’t think anyone’s quite believed it yet.”

His companion on the offensive line agreed.

“I’m just kind of numb to the whole thing. Slowly it’s coming, but hopefully you realize and appreciate the moment,” Birk noted.

But Birk couldn’t say enough about all the hard work and persistence the Ravens have shown over the season  pay off for a chance at a Super Bowl title.

“It’s great. That’s your goal,” Birk noted.  “That’s your dream. That’s why you play…with the closeness of this team and how far we’ve come my last four years getting close and finally breaking through, it’s pretty special.”

Certainly for the 15-year veteran in Birk, he admitted that he wouldn’t be in this situation if he felt like didn’t have a shot at reaching the Super Bowl, which is the first appearance for the 36-year old center.

“At this stage in my career, losing takes a lot out of you. When I came back, I thought there was a legitimate chance that I felt like I could help the team.”

Meanwhile, Flacco, who is in his fifth year in his journey as an NFL quarterback, has hurdled Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, and now Tom Brady in the quest for his first Super Bowl.  It seemed as if overnight, he made himself one of the best quarterbacks in the league, put himself on the map as an elite quarterback in the NFL, and has been the topic of discussion across many football circles.

But what has Joe Flacco been asked the most since winning the AFC Championship?

Super Bowl Tickets.

“Tickets are going to be limited,” Flacco joked. “There’s been a lot of text messages, and everyone’s really excited about it.”

Flacco said the quicker he can put those distractions behind him, the better he’ll be going up against Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith, and the rest of the San Francisco defense.

“You have to get all the mayhem that goes with the game out of the way and take care of that first,” Flacco said, “so when you focus on the 49ers, they have your full attention.”

Bernard Pollard reacts to Tom Brady slide and kick

One day after calling Patriots QB Tom Brady’s leg kick into Ravens safety Ed Reed, “bull-crap”, fellow Ravens safety Bernard Pollard backtracked a little saying that the NFL needs to call flags “both ways.”

Right before the end of the first half Sunday night with the Patriots up 10-7 with 0:26 seconds left before the break, the Patriots were knocking on the Ravens door threatening to score.

Brady, flushed out of the pocket by Paul Kruger, scrambled down to the Ravens’ 7-yd line with Reed barreling down on him. Deciding to give himself up, he took a slide-but not before sticking his right leg up, hitting Reed in the groin and tripping him up.

No flag was called with the side judge standing right next to the play, but several Ravens defenders petitioned for Brady to be penalized. A fine could be coming.

Pollard told CSNNE and other outlets Sunday night, “You’ve got to keep those legs down. We all know and understand what’s going on there. As a quarterback, when you go to slide, we’re taught we can’t do anything. When you come sliding, and your leg is up in the air, trying t kick someone, that’s bull crap.”

Today, Pollard was a little bit more reserved, but kept the same message.

“He knew what he was doing,” Pollard said. “I’m the kind of player where it has to go both ways. Hopefully the NFL will do something about it. If not, that’s fine if they do. For me as a player with all the emotions on the field, we’re going to say and do things. But when it’s all said and done,  if you want the game clean and you want everything to be moving forward in the right direction, everyone needs to be penalized for their actions.”

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Courtesy: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

So everyone had time to digest just how great the Ravens victory in Mile High was on Saturday afternoon. Some dub it the “Mile High Miracle,” others claim it to be the greatest game in team history, possibly NFL history. There is no shame in being caught in the moment but now with some time passed, everything needs to be put in perspective.

As far as the franchise goes, it actually ranks probably third in my opinion. Of course the Super Bowl comes in as No. 1, with No. 2 being the Divisional game, just a couple weeks before that, in 2001, in Tennessee. You cannot forget that the Titans were to the early Ravens as the Steelers are now; as they were the original rival, which, before the NFL realignment, was the true hated division foe. That Ravens team lost three straight to Tennessee before entering that game, while also beating the Super Bowl favorite on their very own title run.

That got me thinking of where this game actually stands among the all-time greats for the NFL fan (not part of Ravens Nation). Now it belongs in the conversation, but it probably was not even the best game of the weekend. An objective look ranks the “Miracle at Mile High” as No. 8 on my list based on excitement and entertainment vaule for all fans.

The seven games ahead are as follows:

Courtesy: Atlanta Journal Constitution

7. Seahawks at Falcons (1/13/13)
The first half was a no show from Seattle, being shut out, with key mistakes in the Red Zone that will cost them in the end. But Russell Wilson led the Seahawks to three 4th Quarter TD’s; erasing the 20 point deficit, with 31 seconds left. That proved to be too much time for Matt Ryan though, as he pushed the Falcons 41 yards (in 23 seconds) into field goal range. Pete Caroll attempted the “freeze the kicker” strategy, which Matt Bryant actually shanked the first attempt. On the second try, Bryant split the uprights with the game winning kick to give Matt Ryan, Mike Smith, Tony Gonzalez and many others their first postseason win.

Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN

6. Colts at Giants (12/28/58)
The 1958 NFL Championship was the first ever game to go into overtime, being dubbed “The Greatest Game Ever Played;” and at the time it was. Legends of the football history battled out at Yankee Stadium, including Hall of Famers, Johnny Unitas, Sam Huff, Raymond Barry, Lenny Moore, Frank Gifford and several more. Colts RB, Alan Amache scored on a one yard TD run to make Baltimore World Champions. It sparked the rise of football nationally, being broadcasted across the country by NBC. Without this game, who knows where the NFL would be.

Courtesy: USA Today

5. Packers at 49ers (1/3/99)
Though it was only a Wild Card game, the two teams were familiar opponents with a lot on the line. It was back and forth throughout, coming down to the last couple drives to determine a victor. Brett Favre connected with Antonio Freeman to take a 27-23 lead with less than a two minutes left. The following drive, Steve Young found J.J. Stokes, Marc Edwards and Jerry Rice with 20 seconds left; giving enough time for a couple shots to the end zone. After a near interception, 8 seconds remained, where Young found Terrell Owens, (before he dubbed himself T.O., who had a terrible game to that point with several dropped passes) in the end zone. Owens wept and San Francisco finished a miraculous comeback.

Courtesy: ESPN

4. 49ers vs. Bengals (1/22/89)
This was one of the closest Super Bowl’s in the history of the game, as a rematch of the big game seven years earlier. It was a tight defensive battle going into halftime tied 3-3; the first ever tie at the half in Super Bowl history. But after Boomer Esiason led the Bengals to a 16-13 lead with only 3:20 left, Joe Montana had enough time to show off his magic. It was said that Esiason was on the sideline set to do his “I’m going to Disney World” line, while Montana was driving the 49ers 92 yards and connecting with John Taylor in the end zone for the game winning TD, finishing Bill Walsh’s coaching career with his third ring.

Courtesy: USA Today

3. Bills at Titans (1/8/2000)
The “Music City Miracle” was the greatest finish to a game ever witnessed in NFL history. After the Titans took a 15-13 lead with just under two minutes, Doug Flutie drove the Bills into field goal range, as Steve Christie gave the Bills a 16-15 lead with only seconds left on the clock. That is where Frank Wychek returned the following kickoff (after a handoff by Lorenzo Neal), throwing across the field to Kevin Dyson, who went 75 yards to end the game 22-16. The controversial play will go in infamy, but that victory propelled the Titans to their first Super Bowl appearance.

Courtesy: Matt Freed/Pittsburgh Post Gazette

2. Cardinals vs. Steelers (2/1/09)
This will go down as the greatest Super Bowl since the inception of the championship game. The teams battled back and forth throughout, with the big stars shining including, James Harrison and Larry Fitzgerald coming up with big TD’s. But after Fitzgerald gave the Cardinals the comeback lead, 20-14, with 2:38 left in the game, Big Ben went to work. Roethlisberger drove the Steelers 78 yards, connecting with Santonio Holmes with one of the greatest pass/catch combinations in the back of the end zone.

Courtesy: NY Times

1. Oilers at Bills (1/3/93)
The game is dubbed “The Comeback,” as the Bills amassed the greatest deficit to lead them to their third straight Super Bowl. The Oilers came out with a 35-3 lead early into the third quarter, and staring down a Bills team without their star QB, Jim Kelly, who left the game earlier with strained knee ligaments. That’s when Frank Reich put Buffalo on his shoulders, scoring 35 unanswered points to take the lead with 3 minutes left in the 4th Quarter. Warren Moon then drove Houston into field goal range, as the Oilers kicked their way into overtime, keeping their hopes alive. But after a Moon interception on the first drive of overtime, the Bills finished “The Comeback,” with a Steve Christie field goal. All this was done with a backup QB at the helm for Buffalo, making it the greatest game in NFL history.

So even though here in Baltimore, the Denver beat down was phenomenal, we have to respect the long history of the game; I have it coming in as the fifth best non-championship and second best Divisional Round game. Embrace the instant classic we all witnessed on Saturday, as the most exciting game any Ravens fan ever witnessed.

Ah, the trash talk begins.  Quite frankly, it wouldn’t really be an important playoff game if we went the whole week without any.  It gets kind of old to hear teams that have faced off in such important and closely played games over the years (like the Patriots and Ravens have), heap praise and respect on one another.

So when I saw Brendon Ayanbadejo drop the hammer on the Patriots via Twitter last night as they dropped the hammer on the Texans, I wasn’t concerned at all.  In fact, I thought it was great.

For those who haven’t seen the tweets, you can read them here.

Call me crazy but why (if you aren’t a Patriots fan or player) are you upset by this?

People forget sometimes that football players are people too.  They watch the games just like you and I and are probably more qualified to speak on them considering they have played the game their entire lives.

Maybe the “hurry snap offense” is a gimmick.  Brendon makes a good point that the game is “predicated on mano y mano”.  So maybe snapping the ball before the other team is set is a little bush league or cheap.  In my opinion it’s cheap, but so are a lot of things done by offenses in the game of football.  So it’s no surprise that these words are coming from a defensive player. 

However, Brendon was expressing his opinion.  A little trash talk never hurt anyone.  The “shut up and play” argument is way too antiquated to use now in the days of social media; where direct access to a players stream of conscience is a mere thumb click away on your iPhone.

It seems this happens all the time, people freaking out over what an athlete said about another team on Twitter.  You are kidding me if you think that this “hurts” the Ravens chances of winning.  Neither team is going to change the way they practice and prepare this week based on a few tweets from a back up linebacker.  Tom Brady isn’t going to getting extra, amped to go play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and Bill Belichick isn’t going to study anymore film than he already planned.  He has spies to do that for him.

The notion that the Ravens poked the sleeping bear is laughable. 

Don’t even get me started on the mainstream media.  It seems as if there is a conscientious decision amongst the national guys not to talk badly about the “holy” New England Patriots, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.  Brendon didn’t say anything untrue when referencing “Spygate” or their 17-1 season.  The Patriots cheated and lost in the Super Bowl after the news came out.  This is a fact.  So many people forget about this because no one wants to talk about how those Super Bowls they won may be tainted or how they haven’t won another since then.

News flash.  It happened.  It’s OK to criticize the golden boys of the NFL. Here is a good one: Bill Belichick was and would never have been anything without Tom Brady.  See how easy that is.  Here is another one: The Patriots are one of the luckiest franchises in recent history.  Try it. It feels good.  It’s just an opinion.  You won’t hurt their feelings.  Oh, and let’s not forget about this.

My point is, Brendon Ayanbadejo didn’t do anything wrong.  He was expressing his opinion through a tool that is directly used for that purpose.  Don’t like it? Don’t follow him (But if you don’t like athletes expressing their opinions, I would suggest you get off social media entirely. It’s not the place for people like you).

Anytime someone criticizes the Patriots is fine by me.  It’s refreshing…because no one seems to have the stones to do it.

Good on you, Brendon.  But now you have to back it up.

Every columnist has done it at one point or another.  I’m talking about the timeless “trash talk” piece of course.  You know, the one where they talk bad about the opposing team coming in to town and talk up their own team.  It’s actually a decent strategy.  It gets the people who read the newspaper fired up so they share it with their friends and gets the opposing team’s fans to read it and freak out about it.  Kind of like Skip Bayless does every day.

So when I heard that Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post wrote this piece, I didn’t think much of it.  I’m sure he is a good writer and a smart guy.  He is a columnist for prominent newspaper after all.  But I thought to myself, why don’t I write one of these pieces and, unlike most of them, actually back it up.

Here it goes.

After mocking our city and our sadness at the retiring of the only middle linebacker this franchise has ever known he proceeds to mock Ray himself. Saying, “But, like Lewis, their very passionate but washed-up warrior, the Ravens now seem better at striking a pose than striking fear in the hearts of a foe.” Washed up you say? Mr. Kiszla, you obviously haven’t done your homework. Ray was leading the team in tackles prior to his triceps injury and had 13 tackles on Sunday against the Colts. Hardly seems washed up to me.

He then picks on Ray for dropping a would be interception last Sunday as the reason why he is washed up and why it’s so remarkable to watch Peyton Manning do what he does.  This, to me, doesn’t make much sense because I’m pretty sure one mistake doesn’t make you terrible.  And I’m definitely sure Peyton Manning has thrown more than a few important interceptions in his career.  Here’s one I’m sure one of his teammates will remember.

He does however give Ray his due, calling him the greatest linebacker of his generation.  However he mentions Peyton Manning as being the greatest quarterback of his generation. I’m sorry, that title belongs to Tom Brady.  And it isn’t even debate, stats, rings, head to head matchups.  These all favor Brady in one way or another.  But you have a right to an opinion.  A stupid one at that

Kiszla, like most people previewing Saturday’s game, points to the score of the previous meeting as to why the Ravens have no shot in this one.  Need I remind you that the Ravens held Peyton Manning in check for that game (he posted some of his lowest numbers all year) and had Joe Flacco not thrown an interception before halftime, that game would have been completely different.  If the Ravens grab a touchdown there, it’s a three point game with all the momentum in the Ravens favor.  Instead, the pick six demoralizes the team and Denver goes on to an easy victory.  How easily you forget this, Mr. Kiszla.

He goes on to talk about how they shut down Anquan Boldin but these few lines really baffled me:

             “I asked: “Were you hoping for a rematch, because the Broncos shut

              you down?”

              Boldin replied: “Just because we lost to them.”

              Wow. Kind of crabby, don’t you think?

              Guess it makes sense. Baltimore is known for crabs.”

Either this guy doesn’t know what crabby means or he was just looking to rile some folks up. Probably both. 

I hope Mr. Kiszla realizes that you shouldn’t write a story about matchup without even attempting to back up. But hey, it’s all in good fun.  Don’t get too mad when Ravens come to town and rain on your parade though.

P.S. By the way we are known for crabs.  And they are damn good.

Ray Lewis danced on the final play of the game, and then made his final lap around M&T Bank Stadium Sunday. The emotion from the players, the organization and the entire crowd was at an all-time high, only amassed by the Super Bowl victory in 2001. It was a nice way to send off the greatest player in franchise history; but was it too much.

After the game, the Ravens celebrated more than winning the division, more than beating the Steelers, more than making it to the AFC Championship game. The fans witnessed the emotional high of a championship team; yet that was only the Wild Card round. There was a reoccurring theme, specifically from Ray, in the post-game interviews, which the word “finish” came up all too often. This season is not finished; that part of the vocabulary should have been an afterthought.  Did this team win its Super Bowl already?  The reaction by their team leader will lead you to believe so.

Now, heading to Denver, to take on the arch nemesis, Peyton Manning, Baltimore must prepare for a not only one of the best offenses, but elite defenses in the league. Can this team get up again, after exhausting their entire emotional core last Sunday? Coming off a short week and playing in high altitudes puts this team in a disadvantage already. Looking at the Broncos roster and performance four weeks ago in Baltimore, this game seems unlikely for victory. But putting yourselves into an emotional loss may be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Though it is a nice story and probably the right thing to do for the fans of Baltimore, Ray Lewis’ retirement announcement may have doomed the fate for the Ravens. It gave an edge to the team in a matchup against a former Defensive Coordinator and recent cancer survivor. But what do they do now? Can this team live up to the hype of that victory against the former Baltimore franchise?

Maybe the Ravens can continue the ride, but it already has taken a lot out of them and will take a lot more to surpass Manning, followed by Brady at home or a Texans team that worked them before the bye week.

As Ray Lewis stepped to the podium at approximately 12pm on January 2, 2013, he spoke in front of a crowded media area and current teammates, alike, to hear the news that he will retire after this season. In that moment everyone realized this is the end for a Baltimore Icon and an NFL legend.

But that is not what defines Ray Lewis; he is the embodiment of the 21st century professional athlete.

Ray Lewis was a highly touted prospect as a youngster.

It all started at the “U”, NFL University (Miami), surrounded by a group of future NFL draft picks; Lewis was mentored by Warren Sapp, a future Hall of Famer in his own right. He was the starting Middle Linebacker for one of the most prestigious “football factory” schools, which led to becoming a first round pick by a new franchise (well an old franchise looking at a new identity).

Ray Lewis was dominating on the field.

Lewis will be remembered as the greatest Middle Linebacker of all time. Though many will argue otherwise (Dick Butkus, Mike Singeltary, Ray Nitschke, Jack Lambert), no other player at the position has been as highly decorated (12 Pro Bowls, 7x All-Pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl MVP). It is also noted that he did that while the NFL evolved its rules to accommodate an offensive game.

Ray Lewis had issues off the field.

Lewis endured personal success since day one with the Ravens and the team knew they had something special. But then there was the Super Bowl in 1999, where outside an Atlanta night club, a man was murdered and Lewis had some level of involvement. I am not going to speculate on what actually happened (I have my personal opinion but that really does not matter) but his reputation took a hit. Lewis went to court on perjury charges, for lying about his whereabouts during the incident, missing a good portion of the following offseason. If this was today, Lewis would probably have served a yearlong suspension; imagine the 2000 season without Ray at the helm.

No athlete at the time was more frowned upon in the sports world and for just cause at the time. A man lost his life and that could have been avoided if Lewis took the mature actions to prevent it from happening. Hanging around with his “boys” almost cost him his career; a topic all too familiar with many athletes today.

Ray Lewis used on field performance to jump start his redemption.

Look at the 2000 offseason and Lewis is the talk of the sports; for all the wrong reasons. Was he the proper person to be the face of Art Modell’s franchise? Veteran players, like Shannon Sharpe, Rod Woodson and Rob Burnett, stood by Ray and built him back up as the leader of the team. Then they started to play on the field, and his impact was greater than any defensive player has ever been displayed in the history of the sport. The Ravens won games without scoring touchdowns, as the defense carried the team for long stretches of the season. That 2000 team will always be remembered as the greatest defense of all time (at least here in Baltimore).

Ray led that roster of men to a Super Bowl victory and paraded through Baltimore. And in that moment, he had his redemption; a symbol of how sports are reflected upon in this country. Objective followers went from calling him “murderer” to “hero;” which shows this country’s love for a winner.

Ray Lewis became a charitable figure in the community.

He went on to continue building good will in Baltimore, turning around the focus of his life. Ray looked to develop programs to help those in need, contribute to charities and represent himself as a humbled man. He became much holier in his speech, respecting God and his blessings on earth. Lewis’ efforts not only in Baltimore but in the entire state of Maryland, as well as his home in Florida, have been recognized with great appreciation.

Ray Lewis became recognizable by all sports fans.

After continued success on the field, Lewis became the spokesperson for Old Spice, with some of the most entertaining commercials by an athlete, EVER. He continued the success in the national media, being nominated by ESPN (in an article) as the player to most likely to thrive in any era of football. He recently took on the Madden 2013 commercials with funnyman Paul Rudd, and they seem to be his last shining moment as a star.

Ray Lewis became the adamant professional.

Everyone knows of Lewis’ leadership skills and heard the pregame speeches, but it is more than that to be a real professional. The common theme by anyone interviewed after his announcement, was their thoughts on his dedication to the game. He used his mental skills, in the film room and in preparation, to remain a top his game even as the year’s passed and he became an old man in NFL terms.

But he also passed that knowledge along as an older brother and friend to many that have graced the Ravens locker room. He currently has placed his locker next to Ray Rice, and their relationship is well publicized but there have been many others under his tutelage. Ed Reed, Jamal Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Bart Scott can attest their success to the help of Ray. This attribute sets himself apart from the likes of a Mike Vick or Plaxico Burress; as a true professional, he remained among the upper echelon of the sport.

So in the end, Ray Lewis has embodied what the 21st century athlete has become. You cannot tell his true legacy without mentioning the bad with the good. Whether you are a Ravens fan, if you follow sports, you have routed for the Ray Lewis story; because in the end he IS sports in this day of age.

The Baltimore Ravens have made the playoffs for five straight seasons which in today’s NFL, seems impossible. For this playoff run, the Ravens will face the Colts in what will most likely be Ray Lewis’s last home game. In the previous four playoff runs, they have never lost the first game.

It is truly difficult to imagine the Ravens losing to Andrew Luck and the Colts. Even though the Colts are a good team, their magical run could come to an end in Baltimore.

If the Ravens win, it will be because of their run game. Last week against Cincinnati, they almost reached one hundred rushing yards by the first quarter! The Colts dont have nearly the presence inside as the Bengals do and we know Ray Rice will be motivated to run hard for Ray Lewis.

The only way the Ravens lose this game is if Joe Flacco turns the ball over multiple times. But Joe has been great at home and had one of the best games of his career against the Giants.

If the Ravens want to make the Super Bowl, they will have to face a gauntlet of elite offenses (remind you of the 2000 Super Bowl run?) led by Andrew Luck, Matt Schaub, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning. The Ravens have faced three of those teams this season and are 1-2 against them with the two losses coming against the Broncos and Texans, both of which beat the Ravens by a significant margin.

I am going to predict a Ravens victory. The Ravens are a better team and have a lot to play for. Dont forget, Ed Reed’s future uncertain as well. Ray Rice will have two hundred plus all-purpose yards and several touchdowns.

The Ravens schedule in 2012 has been among the toughest.  The Rams tied the Ravens with the fourth strongest schedule and the Browns, Broncos, and Giants were the only teams with stronger schedules.

The Bengals will line up against the Ravens with a lot to prove.  They have vastly improved after a three and five start and the defense has led the charge.

The Ravens’ offensive line played very well last week against the Giants but the Bengals have pass rushing threats at the defensive tackle position where as the Giants do not.  Therefore, look out for the matchup between Marshal Yanda and Atkins, it will be a great one to watch!

If the Ravens beat the Bengals, they would need help from the Dolphins who would have to beat the Patriots in Fox Borough for the Ravens to claim the third seed in the AFC.  Unfortunately, this wont happen so the Ravens will most likely host Andrew Luck and Chick Pagano in the wild card round.  Many are predicting a Ravens victory but the Colts are a very good team.  The Ravens would have to lean on the run game seeing as the Colts rank 30th against the run.

If the Ravens beat the Colts and the Patriots beat the Bengals (which is likely), the Ravens would have to travel to Houston to play the Texans who have only beaten the Ravens once in their history which was earlier this season.  The Ravens season might just end there and if they get past the Texans, the Ravens would host  a rematch of the AFC Championship game from last season.

The Patriots and Texans are arguably the best two teams in the NFL.  The Ravens would have to beat both of them to reach the Super Bowl.  But with Ray Lewis coming back for the playoffs and the defense getting healthier, anything is possible.

The loss to the Steelers was devastating as a fan, watching a team blow a 10 point lead for the first time since 2004. Losing the first home game in 16 attempts simply sucks and add on the first loss to their heated rivals for the first time in two plus years, and the world has fallen in Baltimore. But in the end, that loss could benefit the Ravens in the long run.

This team now has a sense of urgency that they have avoided basically all season by pulling out close win after close win. The Bengals are one of the hottest teams in the league, while the Steelers have pushed their names back into the playoff picture. Not to mention the massive show down on the 16th at M&T versus the Raven killer, Peyton Manning. That game will ultimately decide the teams’ playoff fate; whether they get home field advantage and/or a first round bye.

The last several Super Bowl Champions did not march into January as the top seed or the favorite, but their perseverance throughout the winter, allowed them to prepare for the fight that is the NFL Playoffs. Battle-tested teams seem to gain the edge in January, when every game is tight and the stakes are winning or go home.

The Ravens cannot afford to take a hit to their record versus the Redskins, because that pushes Cincinnati in striking distance of the division, with a game the final week of the season. It is funny to say that at 9-3, they cannot be comfortable but with a tough road ahead, Harbaugh must keep the Ravens composed.

The sense of urgency needs to bleed through Owings Mills at this point, as each loss makes the road to the Super Bowl that much harder for a team that has not played well on the road. Each win only brings on the next tough opponent and important game for seeding in January.