Baltimore Ravens: Is Ray Lewis' Dynasty Talk Dooming the Team Again?

(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

After three weeks of the 2008 season, the Baltimore Ravens sat atop of the AFC North with a 2-0 record. Led by rookie coach John Harbaugh and rookie quarter back Joe Flacco, the Ravens looked like a team on the rise.

In Week Four, the Ravens traveled to Pittsburgh to play the 2-1 Steelers. Prior to the game, Ray Lewis was heard saying that the Ravens were going to be a Dynasty.

In that Week Four game, the Ravens fell to the Steelers. They also fell to those same Steelers two more times, including in the AFC Championship game.

Dynasty?

There have been a few Dynasty in the NFL, but not many. Normally, only one team per decade gets that honor.

Green Bay Packers had it in the '60s, winning the first two Super Bowls.

The Steelers had it in the '70s, winning four Super Bowls in six years.

San Francisco won four in the '80s, while the Cowboys won three in the '90s.

So far this century, the New England Patriots won three, and for those that don't want to give the "Team of the Decade" title to the Pats (because of spygate), the Steelers sit with two Lombardis this decade to take the title.

Two weeks ago, prior to their game against the New England Patriots, the Ravens again were talking about becoming a Dynasty. Again it was Ray Lewis, and John Harbaugh tried to explain it as, that is what they WANT to become.

The NFL is not about wanting. There is not a team in the NFL that does not come to training camp WANTING to win the Super Bowl. There is not a team in the NFL that does not WANT to be a Dynasty. It is a matter of making it happen.

Since the Dynasty talk resurfaced, the Ravens have lost two straight games, to the New England Patriots (whom Baltimore may be competing for a Wild Card spot against), and the Cincinnati Bengals (whom the Ravens could be competing against for both the AFC North crown or a Wild Card playoff spot).

With the offseason loss of Rex Ryan, who left to coach the Jets, the Ravens' defense has taken a step back. The Ravens are ranked 10th in total defense, allowing 76 yards rushing (fourth), and 253 yards passing (25th).

Those are not the kind of stats that you will find from a Dynasty.

I can understand the excitement that Ravens fans are going through. They finally have a man under center that actually understands how to win games. Unfortunately, it may be too late for this Ravens team to translate that into a Dynasty.

The defense just does not compare to the 2000 Ravens defense that led that team to the Ravens only Super Bowl Championship. As a matter of fact, it is not even close.

I understand that "talk" is a big part of the game. But, come on now, to talk about being a Dynasty before you even win ONE championship is just insane. Enough already. Win one before you say how great you are.

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