NFL Playoffs: Are Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens the Super Bowl Favorites?

Ray Lewis has been wearing his Super Bowl ring this week for a couple of reasons, but primarily to remind him of the work it took him and the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl a decade ago.

The Ravens will now play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round, and it will be the third time the AFC North rivals will play this season.

The Baltimore Ravens beat the Kansas City Chiefs this afternoon, dominating the Chiefs in every facet of the game, and look as good as any team remaining in the NFL playoffs.

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed led an experienced, battle-tested defense to a resounding performance, forcing five Kansas City turnovers, including three Matt Cassel interceptions.

The Ravens defense was able to get pressure on Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, and when he completed passes, the Ravens defenders made the Chiefs receivers pay, sometimes causing a fumble.

Lewis had another great playoff game, forcing a fumble, making four tackles and sacking Cassel once. The Ravens defense was strong as usual, but the play of the offense was equally as impressive.

Joe Flacco had an amazing game, passing for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Flacco was confident in the pocket, and picked apart the Chiefs defense throwing to seven different receivers.

Among Flacco's top targets Sunday was tight end Todd Heap. Heap has been a very good tight end for several years, but he lacks the respect and recognition of other notable tight ends such as Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates.

Heap caught 10 passes for 108 yards, leading the team with both. Receiver Anquan Boldin clinched the game for the Ravens with his late, third-quarter touchdown catch. 

The Ravens defense is so good that if they score 30 points like they did today, they will be very tough to beat. 

Flacco is an underrated quarterback, and with all the good receivers he has at his disposal, it's not surprising when Baltimore scores points in bunches.

Running back Ray Rice is also an elite player, and is a great receiving back. He caught five passes today, and is always a threat to go the distance on any play.

The key for the Ravens is health. They have some important players back from injury, and if they remain healthy, the Super Bowl is a legitimate possibility.

Against the Steelers next week, the Ravens must play with the same fire and determination they showed today.

There is little doubt they will be as inspired as they were today, because the Steelers are their arch rivals, and Pittsburgh knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs in the 2008 AFC Championship Game.

The Ravens have a very balanced offense, and one of the best defenses ever. A win in Pittsburgh next Sunday could set up a rematch of last year's wild-card matchup vs. the New England Patriots.

Only this season, the potential matchup with the Patriots would be for the right to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XXXXV.