With the Baltimore Ravens’ season quickly approaching (well, sort of), it’s time to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the best victories in the team’s history.
Undoubtedly, these wins brought elation to those that backed the Ravens in the sports betting world, and we hope there’s plenty more to come this year. Let’s take a look at the top five defining wins for this illustrious franchise.
Retail sports betting is available at five Maryland casinos while the state continues to wait for mobile betting apps.
5. First Game In Franchise History
When: Sept. 1, 1996
Final score: Ravens 19, Raiders 14
The Ravens’ first game was played before over 64,000 fans at Memorial Stadium — the largest-ever crowd at a Baltimore sporting event.
After a 12-year hiatus, football was officially back in Baltimore, and Vinny Testaverde was at the helm. Testaverde scored the game’s first TD on a nine-yard scramble, and the Ravens went on to win 19-14.
The game was salted away after rookie linebacker Ray Lewis stripped the ball from the Raiders in the end zone. It was an early defining moment for the most iconic player in Ravens’ history.
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4. 2013 AFC Championship Game
When: Jan. 20, 2013
Final score: Ravens 28, Patriots 13
Anytime you beat Tom Brady in an AFC Championship game, it’s worth mentioning, but this one had a deeper meaning.
The Ravens were seeking revenge after suffering a heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots the year before in the AFC Championship after Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds left that would have tied the game.
They avenged that loss in 2013 by dominating the Pats for most of the game and playing lights out in the second half.
Two Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin touchdowns were all that was needed in the final two quarters as the Ravens D shut out New England.
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3. Super Bowl XXXV
When: Jan. 28, 2001
Final score: Ravens 34, Giants 7
Though this game was a rout, it deserves a spot on the list because not only was it the first Super Bowl win for the Ravens, but it also featured a Ray Lewis-led defense that was arguably the greatest of all time.
I mean, even Trent Dilfer could have quarterbacked this team to a championship. Oh wait, he did.
The stellar Baltimore D forced five turnovers and did not allow an offensive point. After a kickoff return by the Giants made the game 17-7, Jermaine Lewis followed suit with an 84-yard TD return of his own.
It was the first time in Super Bowl history with back-to-back touchdown returns, and the Ravens never looked back after that.
2. Super Bowl XLVII
When: Feb. 3, 2013
Final score: Ravens 34, 49ers 31
Say what you will about Joe Flacco, but the man came through in a contract year to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory and earn himself a colossal payday.
Flacco came out slinging in Super Bowl XLVll and threw three touchdown passes in the first half in what looked like a cakewalk.
However, after a shocking lighting malfunction in which the game was delayed for over half an hour in the second half, the Ravens’ momentum was halted, and the 49ers stormed back to score three touchdowns in just over 12 minutes to cut the lead to five points.
Then with under two minutes to play and a fourth and goal, 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick heaved a prayer that sailed over Michael Crabtree’s arms to seal the victory for Baltimore.
1. 2013 AFC Divisional Playoff
When: Jan. 12, 2013
Final score: Ravens 38, Broncos 35
If you didn’t believe in destiny, then you probably started to after watching the divisional playoff game in 2013 between the Ravens and Denver Broncos.
In what turned into a magical postseason run with a Super Bowl-winning crescendo, the game at Mile High Stadium is the one that set the tone.
The Ravens were heavy underdogs against a Broncos team led by Peyton Manning in his prime. Who could forget Joe Flacco’s 70-yard bomb to Jacoby Jones to tie the game with 31 seconds left to send the game to overtime?
A game chock-full of monster plays was finally capped off with a legendary 47-yard field goal in double overtime by the greatest kicker of all-time — Justin Tucker.
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
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