Ravens-Dolphins Playoff Preview: An Improbable Reunion

Who would have thought when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13 back on Oct. 19 that these two teams would be meeting again in the playoffs?

First-year coaches Tony Sparano and John Harbaugh have done outstanding jobs with their respective teams as Sparano’s Dolphins (11-5) won nine of their last 10 and Harbaugh’s Ravens (11-5) nine of their last 11 to reach the postseason.

Miami possesses a dual threat in Ronnie Brown (916 yards) and Ricky Williams (659 yards) on the ground. They will attempt to run their famed Wildcat formation, but Baltimore’s second-ranked defense did an excellent job shutting it down in the first meeting, holding it to only four yards on five plays.

The Dolphins will depend on quarterback and Comeback Player of the Year-winner Chad Pennington to make plays with his arm against a banged-up secondary. Cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Fabian Washington are both listed as questionable but are expected to play.

The Baltimore secondary can be vulnerable to the deep ball, but Pennington is more of an intermediate passer. Receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. led Miami with 790 receiving yards and could test the Baltimore defensive backs though Ed Reed is always stalking in the defensive backfield. Baltimore's defense leads the league with 26 interceptions.

Ravens running back Willis McGahee will again be motivated returning to the city where he played his college ball. In one of his few big games of the year, McGahee rushed for 105 yards in their regular season meeting.

The Miami defense is 10th against the run, but the Ravens will try to grind it out with Le’Ron McClain and McGahee. Rookie Ray Rice has missed the past three games with a shin injury, so it is doubtful he’ll have much of an impact.

Quarterback Joe Flacco had a huge game against Jacksonville, throwing for 246 yards in the first half. The Dolphins’ 25th-ranked pass defense will need to be aware of the deep ball. Flacco has found a deep target in Mark Clayton as the two connected four times for 128 yards last week.

The Ravens’ mainstay at receiver is veteran Derrick Mason. He continues to battle a shoulder injury but posted 1,037 receiving yards this season. Flacco will look to Mason to move the chains consistently to keep the Miami offense off the field.

The Ravens will use an unbalanced line with two tackles on the same side to block Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter (17.5 sacks). The key to containing Porter is running plays directly at him to wear down the outside linebacker, slowing his motor on passing plays. Left tackle Jared Gaither has been outstanding but will face another test from Porter.

Miami’s amazing turnaround will come to an end on Sunday against Baltimore’s tough defense. The Wildcat did not confuse the Ravens in October when it was still a novelty, so it does not figure to fool them in January.

The Ravens have not only beaten the teams they were supposed to this season, but they’ve dominated them. Baltimore’s net points rating (points scored versus points allowed) is +141 while Miami’s stands at only +28.

Reed has been in the zone over the second half of the season, so look for him to bait Pennington into throwing a rare, but key, interception to set up a Baltimore score.

The Ravens will control the tempo of the game with their methodical running game and will mix in a few deep balls to Clayton as they move on to Tennessee in the Divisional Round next weekend

The prediction: Ravens, 24-13

Can the Ravens win their first playoff game since the 2001 season? Or will the Dolphins continue their Cinderella season by advancing to the Divisional Round? Leave your comments and predictions below.

Ravens Set Sights on Super Bowl

In some eyes, the Baltimore Ravens are a gambler playing with house money. They say Baltimore should be happy just getting to the playoffs.

Few expected them to be playing football in January after a disastrous 2007 season and the firing of Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick.

Most teams in this position would simply be happy to be where they are today and view the season as a rousing success, but the Ravens are going to let the house money ride and refuse to reflect on what they’ve already accomplished.

Entering the season with low expectations, especially with a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback, the Ravens (11-5) secured a wild-card berth in the AFC Playoffs and will meet the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Teams in this unlikely position often tend to take a modest approach, using tired clichés such as “we’re just happy to be here” or “we’re going to enjoy this.” However, humble has never been the Ravens’ style.

It was only eight years ago that then second-year coach Brian Billick addressed his players in the locker room after a victory over the San Diego Chargers to secure the first playoff berth in the franchise’s brief five-year history:

“Men, the time is here. It’s time to go to a Super Bowl.”

The brash remark turned heads considering the team lacked a big-name quarterback and seemingly came out of nowhere to grab a postseason spot, but Billick saw no reason to hide from the possibility.

He wanted his players to have no other vision in mind but winning a championship. Riding the coattails of a record-breaking defense, Billick’s statement proved prophetic as the Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XXXV seven weeks later.

Fast-forward to the present. Coach John Harbaugh has reined in a veteran locker room that was seemingly out of control and re-energized the Ravens into believing they are an elite team again.

Harbaugh may not be as gaudy or outspoken as Billick, but it’s clear the Ravens have set their sights much higher than simply making the playoffs.

One only has to look at the present NFL to see how quickly things can change. For every story like this year’s Ravens or Dolphins, there are stories of disappointing teams failing to meet high expectations. There’s no assurance that this opportunity will be present next year or even the year after.

Simply remember the 2007 Ravens. Following a 13-3 campaign in 2006, the Ravens entered the year poised for another run at the Super Bowl. However, injuries and a crumbling relationship between Billick and the team’s veterans led to a disastrous 5-11 season.

The Ravens cannot take anything for granted when change is so abundant throughout the league. Regardless of what happens on Sunday, or even possibly over the next few weeks, the team’s makeup will undoubtedly change following the season.

Though Baltimore is projected to have as much as $20 million in salary cap room this offseason, key veterans Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Bart Scott, Jason Brown, Matt Stover, Corey Ivy, Jim Leonhard, and Lorenzo Neal are unrestricted free agents. General manager Ozzie Newsome will look to re-sign as many of these veterans as possible, but no one’s return is guaranteed once players hit the free-agent market.

In addition to the impending number of free agents, the Ravens are a veteran-laden team in several areas. Though many are excited about rookie quarterback Joe Flacco and the improving offense, the second-ranked defense is still the main channel of Baltimore’s success.

The problem is defensive leaders Lewis, Ed Reed, Trevor Pryce, and Samari Rolle are all age 30 or older. Don’t ask any of these players if they’re “just happy to be here.” For these veterans, this playoff run could be their last shot at Super Bowl glory.

Another factor creating a strong sense of urgency is the status of highly respected defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. After narrowly missing out on the head coaching jobs in Atlanta last year and in San Diego the year before, this could be the year that Ryan finally joins the head coaching fraternity of the NFL. Teams already expressing interest include the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, and Detroit Lions.

Ryan is greatly admired by his players, so what better way to send him off to a head-coaching gig than with a Super Bowl title? If Lewis and the defense have anything to say about it, teams interested in meeting with Ryan will have to wait a few more weeks.

Perhaps the biggest reason why the Ravens are setting their sights on making it to Super Bowl is their belief that they can beat anyone in the league.

Despite owning a 0-4 record against Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Indianapolis, the three teams considered to be the favorites in the AFC, the Ravens lost their two games to Pittsburgh by a combined seven points and one to Tennessee by three.

The Ravens would probably like to avoid a rematch with Indianapolis after losing 31-3 to the Colts back in October. Then again, the Ravens believe they have improved greatly since October, and a possible rematch with Indianapolis would not take place until the AFC Championship.

Though the Ravens might lack the outspoken bravado they held under Billick, make no mistake, Harbaugh has his players believing they’re ready to take the next step. Even the mood after clinching a wild-card berth last Sunday was more business-like and less euphoric than the typical Cinderella team to make the playoffs.

The Ravens do not intend to finish their season with anything less than a championship. The first test will be a tough Miami team that also never figured to be in this position after their misfortune in 2007.

“We have an opportunity to prove we’re the best team in the NFL,” Harbaugh said, following Baltimore’s 27-7 victory over Jacksonville last Sunday. “That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

The Ravens might be playing with house money, but they hope to ride their good fortune all the way to Tampa Bay and Super Bowl XLIII. They will not expect anything less.

Jaguars-Ravens: Baltimore Hoping to Fly into Playoffs

With a trip to the playoffs at stake, the Baltimore Ravens hope to insert a new chapter in the city's storied football history when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The day marks the 50th anniversary of the “Greatest Game Ever Played,” a 23-17 overtime victory for the Baltimore Colts in the 1958 NFL Championship Game.

While many former Colts will be in attendance for a halftime ceremony honoring the 1958 team, the Ravens are focused on creating history of their own.

Following a 5-11 season in 2007, new coach John Harbaugh has led the Ravens to a 10-5 record, needing only a win over the Jaguars to capture the last wild-card spot in the AFC Playoffs.

On the opposing side, the Jaguars are playing out the string with a disappointing 5-10 record after high expectations entering the 2008 campaign.

Earlier in the week, vice president of player personnel James "Shack" Harris resigned, adding further uncertainty to the organization’s tumultuous season. The news of Harris’ departure supplements the impending change within the organization.

Notable veterans such as middle linebacker Mike Peterson and tackle Khalif Barnes are unlikely to return to the team that advanced to the AFC Divisional Round only a year ago.

Complementing the off-the-field distractions is the failure of the Jaguars’ offense. Quarterback David Garrard has turned the ball over more frequently than he did last season, and the running game ranks 18th in the league, numbers that do not bode well for any visitor coming to play the Ravens’ second-ranked defense.

The Baltimore defense is +9 in turnover difference, good for third in the NFL. Look for the Ravens defense to pressure Garrard into making mistakes with safety Ed Reed looming in the secondary.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is expected to play, but he will have a difficult time gaining consistent yardage on the ground against the Ravens’ front seven.

Despite this, defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will need to be aware of Jones-Drew’s receiving prowess, as he leads all running backs with 61 catches and 555 receiving yards.

The Ravens’ 21st-ranked offense will face more of a challenge from the Jacksonville defense, 12th overall.

The rushing attack received a boost last week with long touchdown runs by Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain in the final minutes of their win over Dallas.

The Ravens can be a scary team in January if McGahee can regain some of last year’s form. Last week’s game was a good sign.

Rookie Ray Rice hopes to return to the field after missing the last two games with a shin injury. The Ravens would like to have Rice on the field to get back into rhythm in hopes of a playoff run.

Rice provides more of a receiving threat out of the backfield than either McClain or McGahee.

The Jacksonville defense is vulnerable in the secondary, giving up 25 touchdown passes this season, so expect quarterback Joe Flacco to test the Jaguars with the deep ball.

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron would like to see Flacco follow up his solid performance against Dallas with strong production in the regular season finale. Flacco has not thrown for multiple touchdowns in a game since Week 13.

Wide receiver Derrick Mason continues to battle the effects of an injured shoulder expects to play on Sunday. Mason has been the team’s most valuable player on offense, aiding in the rapid development of Flacco.

Outlook

All signs in this one point to a Ravens’ blowout in the regular season finale.

The crowd will be in full-fledged playoff mode with an extra boost from the halftime celebration of the 1958 champion Colts.

The Ravens have everything to play for in this one while the Jaguars are thinking about how to spend their upcoming vacation time.

The Ravens will go up early thanks to the legs of Le’Ron McClain and some big gains through the air. When they do, the Jaguars will begin going through the motions, leading to the Ravens taking ultimate control.

Perhaps the Jaguars’ best chance in this one would be for the Buffalo Bills to upset the New England Patriots in the early game, which would clinch the last playoff spot for the Ravens prior to Sunday's kickoff.

Harbaugh might be more inclined to rest veterans such as Mason and Ray Lewis if the team’s playoff ticket is already punched, but even that might not be enough for the Jaguars to win in Baltimore.

The prediction: Ravens 27-10

Can the Ravens secure the last wild-card spot in the AFC? Or will the Jaguars play spoiler to close out their disappointing season? Leave your comments and predictions below.

The Night Before Festivus: Baltimore-Style

This is a poem adapted from The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clark Moore. In the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl run of 2000, guard Edwin Mulitalo coined the phrase "Festivus" in referring to the playoffs, a term taken from the popular television sitcom Seinfeld.

The Night Before Festivus

'Twas the night before Festivus, when all through Charm City
Ravens fans were stirring and even felt giddy.
The jerseys were hung by the chimney with flare,
In hopes that Joe Flacco soon would be there.

The fans were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of the playoffs danced in their heads.
And when we awoke and December 28 was the date,
We just settled down for a winter's tailgate,
When out in the end zone there arose such a clatter,
The opponent looked over to see what was the matter.

In a huddle of players that looked like a flash,
The Ravens looked ready for a hard-hitting clash.
The season had boiled down to one single game
as the players were looking for more than just fame,

And what to my wondering eyes looked intense,
For it was Ray Lewis…and the Baltimore defense.

A terrifying unit, so lively and quick,
They’ll hit you, they’ll haunt you, or even grab the pick.
More rapid than wolves these hunters they came,

And Ray whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"T-Sizzle! now, JJ! now, Bannan, Haloti!
On, Trevor! on Leonhard! on, Reed and Samari!
To the top of the mountain! to the top of the hill!
Knock them out! Get the ball! Now in for the kill!"

And then, the offense, led by a menacing line,
Came onto the field and was ready to fly.
A three-headed monster was at running back,
led by McClain, a big rumbling mack.
And Mason the veteran, with his shoulder so sore,
Kept reining in passes, one, two, three, more!

And finally, a sight so perfect, so new;
a quarterback to be proud of, a little like Johnny U.
Joe Flacco was ready to take the city by storm,
his cannon for an arm much better than norm,
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And led them downfield, the fans going berserk.

The Ravens were ready to give such a gift
to the fans of Baltimore who needed the lift.
Coach Harbaugh exclaimed, while his team looked so sleek,

"Happy Festivus to all, and we’ll see you next week."

Ravens-Cowboys Preview

The stars and pageantry will be on full display as the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys add a final chapter to the storied history of Texas Stadium on Saturday night.

As if appearances from legendary stars such as Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith, and Troy Aikman weren't enough, the two teams actually playing will be fighting for their respective playoff lives.

The 9-5 Ravens are currently the sixth seed in the AFC, but the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins currently hold the same 9-5 record. A loss would put the Ravens in the unenviable position of needing help in Week 17 to advance to the postseason.

The Cowboys (9-5) are currently the fifth seed in the NFC and need a win to remain in position for a playoff spot.

The Ravens will try to bounce back from an excruciating 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh after the Steelers scored a controversial go-ahead touchdown with 43 seconds to play. Unlike past Baltimore teams, these Ravens were very quiet in their comments regarding the officiating last Sunday, a reflection of coach John Harbaugh's message of discipline and focusing on the things they can control.

Dallas is riding high after an impressive 20-8 win over the New York Giants in which they held the second-ranked rushing offense to a meager 72 yards on the ground. Even the disgruntled Terrell Owens appears to be content for now.

The Cowboys' high-powered offense will be challenged by the Ravens' second-ranked defense that has the uncanny ability to confuse, and often times intimidate, the opponent.

Running back Marion Barber is a game-time decision with a lingering toe injury, but the Cowboys figure to struggle in the running game regardless of Barber's availability. Baltimore has the third-ranked run defense in the league.

The Cowboys will need quarterback Tony Romo's injured back to hold up against a tough defense. Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will throw various blitzes and stunts against Romo in hopes of confusing the quarterback in his first encounter with the Baltimore defense. Romo is prone to making mistakes when a defense can keep him in the pocket while applying pressure.

A major factor will be the status of Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington who is questionable with a thigh injury. Washinton is expected to play but has admitted concern with how long his thigh will hold up on Saturday night.

His fourth-quarter exit from last week's loss was evident on Pittsburgh's final 92-yard drive for the game-winning score. Frank Walker took his place in the lineup, forcing Ryan to use a more conservative approach as Ben Roethlisberger picked the secondary apart en route to a touchdown.

If Washington cannot go, the Ravens will need to be creative in finding an answer in the secondary for Owens. Walker nor veteran Samari Rolle have the athleticism to cover the explosive playmaker.

The Ravens will have to keep a close eye on tight end Jason Witten. He will provide a matchup problem if the Ravens are unable to get to Romo quickly enough with their blitzing schemes.

After enjoying great success in the second half of the season, quarterback Joe Flacco has struggled in his past two games, throwing for a combined 249 yards and three interceptions against Washington and Pittsburgh.

The Ravens' offensive line will need to protect Flacco from Defensive Player of the Year candidate DeMarcus Ware. Though tackles Jared Gaither and Willie Anderson have played extremely well and possess great size, Ware's 19 sacks are more than enough to concern offensive coordinator Cam Cameron a great deal.

If the Cowboys are able to pressure the rookie quarterback consistently, Flacco will likely make mistakes, potentially turning the Texas Stadium finale into a laugher.

The return of running back Ray Rice will provide a lift as he provides a receiving threat out of the backfield in addition to the bruising running style of Le'Ron McClain. Former starter Willis McGahee has become a virtual non-factor in the running game.

The Ravens will try to control the clock with their running game, but the Cowboys' seventh-ranked run defense has shut down the running game of the Steelers and Giants in their last two games. If the Ravens cannot run the ball effectively, it will force Flacco to throw with Ware and company bearing down on him, something the Ravens do not want to do.

Outlook

Both teams desperately need a win to keep their playoff destinies in their own hands.

The Cowboys figure to come out strong with the excitement and hoopla with the closing of Texas Stadium. The Ravens will need to ride the early wave of emotion and prevent Dallas from jumping ahead in the early stages.

Harbaugh's Ravens are too tough, both physically and mentally, to be overwhelmed by the emotions of the Texas Stadium finale, but they are catching the Cowboys at the wrong time.

The Baltimore defense will do an admirable job against the Cowboys' high-octane offense, but the offense will have trouble generating much of anything against the Cowboys' red-hot defense. Flacco will see better days, but he's not ready to steal a win against a defense as hot as this one.

The prediction: Cowboys 20-13

Can the Ravens keep their playoff destiny in their own hands? Or will the Cowboys put the Ravens' postseason hopes on life support? Leave your comments and predictions below.

Redskins-Ravens Preview

It's difficult to believe this will be Washington's first trip to Baltimore to play the Ravens. This game has been circled on many Baltimore fans' calendars since Art Modell announced he was moving his franchise to Baltimore for the 1996 season.

The rivalry between the teams only exists for the fans of Washington and Baltimore, but this will create an electric atmosphere in Baltimore for Sunday Night Football.

The 8-4 Ravens and 7-5 Redskins appear to be heading in opposite directions. The Ravens, winners of 6 of their 7 games, remain one game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North with a big division battle between the two looming next week.

The Redskins have lost three of their last four games, though the three losses came against three top teams in the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys.

The Redskins have the league's sixth-ranked defense and have an extremely tough secondary. When former Pro Bowl selections DeAngelo Hall and Shawn Springs are your third and fourth cornerbacks, it says something.

The Redskins struggle to get consistent pressure on the quarterback, however, as the trade for defensive end Jason Taylor (one sack) has not brought the impact pass rusher that coach Jim Zorn hoped it would.

Joe Flacco continues to improve each week and has really become a quarterback for opposing defenses to be aware of. Over the past seven games, he has thrown 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions. If the Redskins' defensive line cannot pressure the rookie, he will make some plays with his arm.

The Redskins are tough against the run, ranked seventh overall, but the Ravens' third-ranked rushing attack averages 143.8 yards per game. Look for the Ravens to control the pace of the game, using any of the three-headed attack of Le'Ron McClain, Ray Rice, and Willis McGahee. It will be interesting to see if McGahee will find his way out of coach John Harbaugh's doghouse and back onto the field this week.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis is second in the league in rushing but is slowed by several injuries. Don't expect him to get any healthier against the Ravens' third-ranked run defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in two seasons.

Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has thrown only four interceptions all season, but he seems to lack that big-game confidence to lead a team down the stretch into the playoffs. He has all of the tools to succeed, but the question marks remain until he can beat a tough defense.

He'll get his chance Sunday night against the league's second-ranked defense, but he won't be up to the challenge.

The Ravens' offense will not be able to produce as much this week against a strong defense as they have over the past two weeks, but it will be more than what Portis and the Redskins can muster against the tough Baltimore defense.

The prediction: Ravens 17-10

Baltimore Ravens: Serious Contenders or Happy to be in Hunt?

Despite a convincing 34-3 road victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens continue to face the same skepticism.

When will Baltimore beat a good team? My high school team could have beaten the Bengals!

And yes, while the miserable Bengals are already looking ahead to next year’s draft (not to mention whether Marvin Lewis will be retained as head coach), it’s unjust to completely dismiss a Baltimore offense that totaled 451 yards in Sunday’s win, its highest total since 2001.

Remember, we’re talking about the Baltimore Ravens here. Despite winning Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001, the Ravens’ offense has been putrid for the past decade, wasting one of the better defenses of the past 25 years.

If the Ravens had even an average offense over the past eight years, another Super Bowl or two would have been very possible.

With that in mind, let’s acknowledge a Ravens’ offense that has averaged 30.6 points per game over the last seven weeks. Even more remarkable has been the fact that rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has led the unit, throwing 12 touchdowns with only nine interceptions.

Rookie quarterbacks are not supposed to succeed in the NFL, but don’t tell that to Flacco or Atlanta’s Matt Ryan who have their teams in the playoff race.

That’s fine, but Baltimore was crushed by Indianapolis and the New York Giants!

There’s no disputing this. The Ravens have lost six straight games to Indianapolis and have yet to find an answer for the Colts’ high-powered offense. However, the defense was missing cornerback Samari Rolle and was playing with an injured Chris McAlister, who has since been placed on injured reserve.

Rolle has since returned and the emergence of Fabian Washington at the other corner has helped to solidify the secondary. Does this mean the Ravens would definitely beat the Colts in a rematch? Of course not, but keep in mind that Flacco was only making his second career road start at the time.

The Giants thoroughly demolished the Ravens, rushing for more yards against a Ravens’ defense than any team since 1997. Baltimore was playing its third straight road game. And, oh yeah, the Giants are the best team in the NFL. Anyone that expected the Ravens to win this game was being unrealistic.

The Ravens’ two other losses came against Pittsburgh and Tennessee, considered by many as the class of the AFC. Baltimore lost by a total of six points, holding second half leads in both contests.

Both of these games took place early in the season when the offense was still finding its way with a rookie under center. Flacco has grown leaps and bounds since early October.

While the Ravens narrowly came up short against the top two teams in the AFC, does this mean they don’t deserve to be mentioned as a contender?

The numbers suggest they do.

While critics regularly mention the Ravens have only beaten two teams with a current winning record (Miami and Philadelphia), the other top teams in the AFC aren’t exactly beating the 1972 Dolphins every week.

The 11-1 Titans have beaten three teams that currently have a winning record (Minnesota, Baltimore, and Indianapolis).

And while the 9-3 Steelers are coming off an impressive victory over the New England Patriots, the only other teams they had beaten with a current winning record are Baltimore and Washington.

The other top AFC competitors, the New York Jets and the Colts, have each beaten four teams with current winning records.

What can we conclude by these findings? The “haven’t beaten anyone good” argument being used against Baltimore is not as convincing when you see how few “good” teams the other top teams in the conference have beaten.

Every team plays its share of strong and weak teams in the NFL. While strength of schedule can vary, the discrepancy between teams is rarely eye-opening like it can be in college football.

The Ravens’ schedule has been favorable to say the least, but it cannot be held against them.

In addition to looking at the schedule of opponents itself, another helpful statistic to gauge how “good” a winning team really is is total net points, comparing the number of points a team scores to the points it allows. This statistic can often expose the pretenders that are barely squeaking by poor teams and being blown out by superior teams as well as the teams with very poor defenses.

For example, the Indianapolis Colts are at +7 for net points, supporting what many have said about the Colts’ offense struggling to produce as many points as they have in past seasons. While the Colts haven’t been blown out, a 10-6 win over the Cleveland Browns isn’t exactly inspiring. Many critics believe this will doom the Colts in the playoffs.

The 7-5 Denver Broncos lead the AFC West but stand at -27, a result of having one of the worst defenses in the NFL, a reality that will likely cost the Broncos in January.

The top teams for net points in the league are not surprisingly the Giants (+146) and the Titans (+129), but who comes next? The Ravens at +102, three points better than the Steelers.

Does this mean the Ravens are the third best team in the league and are better than the Steelers? As with any stat, it is only one piece of the puzzle to consider, but it suggests the Ravens are a better team than many are giving them credit for.

What we can conclude by the Ravens’ favorable net points difference is not only are the Ravens beating the teams they’re supposed to beat, but they’re also dominating them. This is what great teams do.

The Ravens are doing exactly what needs to be done to compete for a playoff spot in the NFL: beat the teams you’re supposed to beat and hold your own against tougher opponents.

The Ravens have not lost a game to a team with a losing record, something they always seemed to do once or twice a year in the past, sometimes even costing them a playoff spot as it did in 2004.

The question of how serious a contender the Ravens can be remains unanswered, but the last four weeks will provide a clearer picture.

Starting with Sunday night’s game against the Washington Redskins in Baltimore, the Ravens will play three straight teams with winning records before finishing the regular season against Jacksonville.

If the Ravens can win two of three against Washington, Pittsburgh, and Dallas, they will be guaranteed a Wild Card spot with a win over the Jaguars at home on December 28.

Even a 2-2 record would give the Ravens a 10-6 mark and a likely playoff spot, but they would still be haunted by the same doubts of not being able to beat quality opponents.

The Ravens are beginning to show many signs of a great team. Just ask the battered Texans or the aching Bengals. Now, they’ll have to prove it to the NFL’s elite.