Over the course of 20 games, the Ravens played every down with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Their arrogance belied the inferiority complex that permeated the locker room. Every week was a battle to silence the critics. Every penalty was another subject to dissect under the narrow microscope of the public eye. Every tackle was criticized for its raw violence. Every pass was dismissed as another mistake waiting to happen. The nation was on pins and needles, waiting for the Ravens to fail.
And yet, with every small failure, came a larger victory for the purple-and-black.
THE FORMULA
The Ravens were anything but perfect. Baltimore's inconsistency on offense was well-documented, having scored no offensive touchdowns for five consecutive weeks. Ironically, head coach Brian Billick was hired for his offensive expertise in Minnesota, having helmed the Vikings' record-setting unit in 1998.Based on their inability to reach the endzone, the Ravens would need to steal touchdowns in order to steal victories. Defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis' unit set single-season NFL records for fewest points and rushing yards allowed, and was one of the league leaders in takeaways.
In an offensive-minded league, the Ravens played a brand of football that was against the grain, emphasizing physicality over finesse.
THE LEADER
In spite of their physical and mental toughness, there were trials that tested the team's will -- none greater than that of their emotional leader, Ray Lewis.Lewis entered the season having faced double-murder charges stemming from a January 2000 stabbing at a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. After lengthy proceedings that painted him a criminal in the court of public opinion, Lewis reached a plea bargain that reduced the charges to obstruction of justice.
Despite being absolved of all direct involvement, No. 52 was still Public Enemy No. 1 outside of Baltimore. In stadiums across the nation, Ray Lewis was the leader of a band of thugs.
The team rallied around its fallen leader as he delivered a dominant campaign, garnering AP Defensive Player of the Year honors as his teammates pounded opponents into submission.
THE JOURNEY
With such an unorthodox approach to the game, no one expected the Ravens to bully their way into the Super Bowl. Yet, with 7 consecutive victories after a 5-4 start to finish 12-4 in the regular season, Baltimore found a way to secure the fourth seed in the AFC, and refused to look back.An AFC Wildcard victory at home over the Denver Broncos sent the Ravens on the road to face the Tennessee Titans the following weekend. Earlier in the year, Baltimore was the first team to defeat the AFC Central champions in their new stadium, adding another layer of drama to an already-intense rivalry. Appropriately, the man most reviled in Tennessee would have the last laugh. With a late interception return for a TD that sealed the game, Ray Lewis silenced the Nashville crowd. The collective gasp of the entire nation would extend the following week, as the Ravens handily defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship to advance to Super Bowl XXXV.
The Baltimore Ravens were on a collision course with the top-seeded New York Giants, continuing the immortal battle between the Unstoppable Force and the Immovable Object. The Ravens' offensive ineptitude and perceived arrogance made them supreme underdogs entering the game.
However, as they had done all season, the Ravens persevered against all odds.
THE TRIUMPH
Despite their lack of production on offense, the Ravens delivered the opening salvo with a TD strike from QB Trent Dilfer to WR Brandon Stokley. With an early 10-0 lead headed into halftime, Ray Lewis would ensure that the Ravens never lost their lead.The Giants were rendered ineffective on both sides of the ball, with their lone TD delivered by WR Ron Dixon on a kickoff return immediately matched by Baltimore WR Jermaine Lewis on the ensuing kickoff. The series of events, sparked by Ravens CB Duane Starks' 49-yard INT return for a TD, marked the first time that three consecutive TD returns were recorded in NFL history.
By the final whistle, the Ravens had thoroughly dismantled the Giants and permanently etched their way into the history books. With a defense that was historic in its own right, their emotional leader would again have the last laugh. With the Lombardi Trophy hoisted high above his head, Ray Lewis bulldozed his way into NFL history, becoming only the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP award -- and the first on the game-winning team.
The final tally read 34-7, but the ultimate victory for the Baltimore Ravens was not reflected on the scoreboard.
Rather, the only number that mattered was one: One Super Bowl ring. One dominant defense. One team left standing. One city of Baltimore.
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