Season Recap - 2010 Baltimore Ravens

Final Record: 12-4 (1-1)

Finished: 2^nd Place in the AFC North; Lost in the Divisional Round

2011 Draft Position: 26^th

Preseason Ranking:   7
Preseason Letter of Misfortune (by Scottie V):

Let me be as transparent as possible here: I don’t like the Baltimore Ravens… Nay, I can’t stand the Baltimore Ravens. (For the record, I also don’t like using the word “transparent”, but I guess it applies here). As a lifelong Steeler fan, the Ravens are the Biff to my McFly, the Nellie Olsen to my Laura Ingalls, the Screech to my Lisa Turtle. And they are jerks. Oh, and Ray Lewis is crazy. I know it, you know it, and the media knows it. They are just afraid that he might kill them if they say anything about it.

All right, now that I’ve got that out of the way, I can get on to the business of meaningless prognostication. The last couple years, the Ravens front office has quietly (or maybe I just haven’t been paying attention?) been building a pretty solid football team that might be geared for another run at a title. You’ve brought in talent (Boldin and Stallworth) at the wide receiver position to provide some additional targets for Joe Flacco and picking up Ken Hamlin should bolster the secondary. The former additions should make this the season that determines whether mighty Joe Flacco is the real deal or if he’s just another Joey-come-lately quarterback being built up into something he is not. If nothing else, the name “Joe Flacco” should give him an opportunity to crack the infomercial or mobster line of work, if quarterbacking does not pan out.

In my eyes, the best addition the Ravens have recently made is hiring John Harbaugh as coach. I say this because Brian Billick was a tool and because John Harbaugh is a Harbaugh. Much of my aforementioned disdain for the Ravens is because of Billick. He exudes smarm in a way that only Pau Gasol has been able to top. Congrats to Pau. Not only that, but with John Harbaugh, you get two Harbaughs for the price of one when his “Captain Comeback” brother, Jim Harbaugh, ends his collegiate football season come December, just in time for a potential playoff run. And what, my friends, is better than one Harbaugh on the sidelines?

Now, down to the nitty gritty of making a prediction. I am quite analytical and am able to separate emotion when it comes to this kind of stuff. I have a gift. This is easy:

1) The Ravens are not the Steelers

2) The previously noted additions in the offseason will not be enough to offset the horribly misguided addition of a former Oregon Duck (Ed Dickson), while subtracting a former Oregon State Beaver (Dwan Edwards). That was the proverbial “kiss of death.”

Therefore, the Ravens will finish 2nd in the AFC North.

Week 1: Defeated the New York Jets, 10-9

Ranked – 3

All about the D. Even Flacco saves the game after a bad interception with a great tackle to keep the Jets defense from scoring.

Week 2: Lost at Cincinnati Bengals, 15-10

Ranked – 14

Stop squawking about the refs, Lewis. They didn't cost you the game. Four interceptions by your quarterback did.

Week 3: Defeated the Cleveland Browns, 24-17

Ranked – 7

The defense is showing signs of aging. At least the offense can score points as long as Flacco makes good decisions and doesn't turn the ball over too many times. But what happened to the running game? You haven't forgotten about Rice have you?

Week 4: Defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 17-14

Ranked – 5

With or without Roethlisberger in the lineup, a win over Pittsburgh is always noteworthy and worth a bump in the rankings.

Week 5: Defeated the Denver Broncos, 31-17

Ranked – 2

The offense still misfires at times and the defense has lost half a step, but three straight conference victories have the Ravens confidently moving in the right direction.

Week 6: Lost at New England Patriots, 23-20

Ranked – 3

Barely losing to New England on the road barely hurts the potential of the Ravens.

Week 7: Defeated the Buffalo Bills, 37-34

Ranked – 3

The Ravens dodged a bullet at home, but when the defense falters it's good to see the offense can pick up the slack.

Week 8: BYE WEEK

Ranked – 3

Sometimes all you have to do to move into first place is sit idle and watch your division rival stumble.

Week 9: Defeated the Miami Dolphins, 26-10

Ranked – 3

A solid win at home over a strong defensive team allows Baltimore to control their own destiny. With a victory over Pittsburgh already in the bank, the Ravens are destined for the playoffs.

Week 10: Lost at Atlanta Falcons, 26-21

Ranked – 9

There is no shame in losing to the Falcons on the road on a short week, but I would be concerned if the defense, the foundation of this franchise, doesn't start slowing down opponents soon.

Week 11: Defeated the Carolina Panthers, 37-13

Ranked – 8

Now that the Ravens have finished their second bye week of the season, the division will be won or lost two weeks from now when the Steelers come to town. If they can survive a scare from those upstart Buccaneers this week, Baltimore will be in business.

Week 12: Defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 17-10

Ranked – 6

The Bucs are a paper powerhouse. The Ravens will have to play far better if they are going to wrest control of the AFC North from Pittsburgh's hands.

Week 13: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 13-10

Ranked – 8 (ROCKY WEEK!)

Reporter: Ray, What's your prediction for the game against Houston? 

            Ray Lewis: My prediction? 

            Reporter: Yes, your prediction. 

            Ray Lewis: Pain!

Week 14: Defeated the Houston Texans, 34-28

Ranked – 7

Great defenses don't give up 21-point leads in the second half, but good football teams still manage to win those games.

Week 15: Defeated the New Orleans Saints, 30-24

Ranked – 6

A big win for a team with an aging defense. Two games against the doormats of their division should propel Baltimore into the playoffs, and possibly even a division title.

Week 16: Defeated the Cleveland Browns, 20-10

Ranked – 5

The Ravens can still take the division if Pittsburgh stumbles against Cleveland as long as they can get by Cincinnati.

Week 17: Defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 13-7

Ranked – 4

A Wild Card powerhouse worthy of a division title. They'll give a young Kansas City team all they can handle and more.

Wild Card Game: Defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-7

Ranked – 4

The Ravens may very well be the best team in the AFC, but playing one extra game and the wear-and-tear on their aging defense are two factors that could cut their playoff run short.

Divisional Game: Lost at Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-24

Final Rank - 6

Tomorrow, the 2010 Atlanta Falcons…