2008 Baltimore Ravens: How Far Can They Go in the Playoffs?

Thus far it’s been a glorious year for the Ravens.  Sporting a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback, it’s safe to say that not many Ravens fans expected a 10-win season while headed into the final week of the regular season looking to secure a playoff berth…at least not many outside of the Ravens' organization!

I certainly don’t want to disturb the karma of “the next game up” concept preached by John Harbaugh, because the Ravens still have to come out a winner vs. the Jaguars in Week 17 to secure their playoff hopes…

…but assuming they do, how far can the Ravens go into the playoffs?

Let’s revisit some key match-ups the Ravens have faced during the regular season…

Ravens vs. Steelers, Weeks 4 (20-23 OT) and 15 (9-13), L x 2:  “Dominated” might be too strong a word for these defensive battles, but for the first three quarters, the Ravens statistically beat the Steelers in both of these games.  However in the end, the Steelers came up with a game-winning drive to seal the deal, again, for both games.

Titans @ Ravens, Week 5 (13-10), L:  This game eerily resembled both match-ups with the Steelers…strong defense and low-scoring offense for both teams.  Like the Steelers games, the Titans came up with a game-winning drive at the end.

Ravens @ Dolphins, Week 7, (27-13), W:  Coming off a three-game losing streak, this game could easily be highlighted as the turnaround game for the Ravens’ season.  As usual, the Ravens-D was dominant, but the offense came into their own scoring two TD's, one in the air and one on the ground. 

Of course, Terrell Suggs’ pick-6 in the second quarter helped to “light a fire” under the team and get things going.  This match-up is particularly important because in all likelihood there will be another Ravens @ Dolphins match-up in the wild-card round of the playoffs!

Raiders @ Ravens, Week 8, (29-10), W:  The Ravens' victory over the lowly Raiders in week 8 might not seem too important, but this is the game that cranked up the Baltimore fans' enthusiasm for the Ravens’ offense. 

In this game, Cam Cameron opened up the “wildcat” play book to make Joe Flacco a receiver of a 43-yard toss from the No. 2 QB Troy Smith.

Again, this may not seem important, but it is likely the Ravens were just as enthusiastic about the play-calling in this game as the fans were.  After 10 years of the most predictable play-calling “ever”, what a breath of fresh air!

Ravens @ Browns, Week 9, (37-27), W:  At this point of the season, the lowly Browns weren’t so lowly and attempting a comeback from a disappointing 0-3 start.  In week 9, the Browns were winners of three of their last four games…one of which being a 35-14 stomping of the now No. 1-seeded NFC East Champion (& ’07 Superbowl Champion) NY Giants. 

Although the Ravens routed the Browns easily in week 3, this game is where the Ravens learned how the come from behind win.  Down 27-13 late in the third quarter, the Ravens scored 24 unanswered points to sweep the Browns in ‘08. 

Since their defeat to the Ravens, the Browns have lost seven of their last eight games.  Coincidence?...maybe?

Eagles @ Ravens, Week 12, (7-36), W: The Ravens D was so dominant in this game that Andy Reid decided to bench his franchise QB Donovan McNabb in the second half. 

Also, Ed Reed came away with two interceptions of which one went back for a touchdown while setting a record for the longest pick-six in NFL

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