Baltimore Ravens  Odds, Lines & Betting

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Stadium :M&T Bank Stadium
Coach: Brian Billick
NFL Championships: Super Bowl XXXV (2000)

Ravens Team Info :The Baltimore Ravens franchise was born out of controversy in 1996, when owner Art Modell decided he wanted to move the franchise he owned, the Cleveland Browns, to Baltimore. Representatives from Cleveland and the NFL head office reached an agreement that team would move to Baltimore, but that the Browns’ name, colors, and franchise history would remain in Cleveland. This meant the team needed a new name, and a fan contest drawing 33,288 votes selected the name “Ravens”.

In the team’s inaugural season, quarterback Vinny Testaverde threw 33 touchdown passes, but the team still ended up 4-12. Things got better quickly for the Ravens when Brian Billick was hired as head coach in 1998. Seasoned veterans like Ron Woodson were paired with emerging talents like Peter Boulware and Ray Lewis to create an awesome defense. The Baltimore defense only surrendered 165 points and 970 yards rushing in the 2000 regular season paving the way to a decisive 34-7 Super Bowl XXXV victory against the Giants in 2000.

Last year’s success - a 13-3 season, an NFC North title that was supposed to have been handed to the rival Bengals and the winning ways of new warrior QB Steve McNair – rested almost entirely on the defense keeping the Ravens close enough in most games that one good drive, led by McNair, was all it took to win most games.

When the playoffs came and the Ravens had a home game hosting the eventual champion Colts, the weakness that was their anemic offense did not get that one, good scoring drive. The lack of a running game to back up McNair’s not-overly-stellar passing led to the Ravens scoring just six points, the waiving of long-time back Jamal Lewis, and the signing of Willis McGahee.

Apparently Ray Lewis, the leader of the terrorizing defense, looks as if he is in as good of shape as in his rookie season. If that is true, at age 32, Lewis might find himself on a very good team which, for the first time in his career, may have a balanced offense to complement the other side of the ball.

Official Team Stats: BaltimoreRavens.com

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