Lloyd Fox., Baltimore Sun photoAfter years of having a less-than-ideal group of wide receivers, it's finally clicked for the Ravens. Torrey Smith is the speed demon. Anquan Boldin is the tough guy. And Jacoby Jones is the secret weapon.
Photo illustration, photos by Gene Sweeney Jr., The Baltimore Sun, and US PresswireJohn Harbaugh is handsome. Jim Harbaugh looks like his evil twin.
KRTWhen the Ravens fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron with three weeks left in the regular season, it seemed like a desperate move. Former quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell proved the Ravens made the right call. In the second half of the Ravens-Broncos game, Caldwell kept calling run, run, pass. It was a repetitive formula, but it largely worked: Ray Rice churned out 2 and 3 yards a carry, until he broke off a big run in the third quarter, leading to a touchdown. Meanwhile, the defense got a few extra minutes to catch its breath. There were times last Saturday when the Broncos seemed like they were playing "don't blow it" football, but the Ravens offense stayed aggressive the whole game.
Getty ImagesWhat, you think the Ravens will lose just because we're saying they'll win the Super Bowl? Don't even.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoThis hasn't been the best season for the defensive genius. He's been quiet the past few games, and definitely starting to show his age. But we're betting Ed Reed has a few big plays left in him, especially against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Jerry Jackson, Baltimore Sun photoJust like those old black-and-white billboards that used to be scattered around the city, the Ravens believe.
ReutersPlaying against the Houston Texans last Sunday, the star Patriots tight end re-injured his left forearm, and will reportedly miss the rest of the playoffs. It's a bad break for the Patriots: Gronk caught 11 touchdowns this season -- the most among Patriots receivers -- despite being out for five games. The Pats will have to re-adjust their offensive plan less than a week before the AFC Championship.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoThe Ravens defense was a shade of its former self this season when stopping the run -- they ranked 20th, allowing an average of 122.8 rushing yards per game. But last Saturday, they stopped the run when they needed to, allowing Flacco to get the ball again and make that incredible pass to Jacoby Jones.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoAs tough as the 49ers looked against Green Bay, they don't pose nearly the same threat as the Patriots. The Atlanta Falcons squeaked by the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, giving quarterback Matt Ryan his first playoff victory in five years. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the real threat. Beat them, and the road to a Super Bowl victory gets a lot smoother.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun photoJoe Flacco trimmed his eyebrows for this.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun photoFinally out of John Harbaugh's doghouse, Bryant McKinnie has been lining up at left tackle, shifting Michael Oher to right tackle. It's a winning formula: The pocket protection is noticeably better, giving Flacco a few crucial extra seconds to throw (and Torrey Smith some more time to hustle downfield).
Getty ImagesHave you seen that big brace Ray Lewis is wearing on his right arm these days? It's not really a brace -- that's just what they want you to think. The truth is, Lewis had his right arm amputated and replaced with a bionic limb (part human flesh, part machine). He only dropped that interception against the Colts because the limb was still getting calibrated. Just like the Six Million Dollar Man, Lewis is better, stronger and faster than he was before. Or, at least his right arm is. And this weekend, that might make all the difference.
ReutersBringing the pain.
US PresswireBecause Tom Brady's cry face is a national treasure.
US PresswireRepresent.
Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun photoBefore the Broncos game, almost all the major sportscasters thought Peyton Manning would destroy the Ravens. To hear them talk, the game was over before it started, and Ray Lewis' career would end in Denver. Even when the Ravens won, ESPN couldn't admit it: Their headline was "Broncos choke in historic fashion." No love for Baltimore. That's OK -- the Ravens love proving them wrong.
ReutersLosing Lardarius Webb for the season was a big hit, and running back Bernard Pierce is feeling some pain, but the Ravens have been fairly lucky in terms of injuries. Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis are back, and defensive lineman Haloti Ngata is getting healthier.
Getty ImagesWe collectively are craving Ravens shots that taste like expired Dimetapp and the team doesn't want to be the one to deprive us of this.
KRTThe Ravens have stubbornly stuck by the run, recognizing that ground-and-pound is essential to winning in the post-season. Vonta Leach is one of the last fullbacks in the NFL -- a position that's going extinct in an era of pass-happy football. At 6 feet, 260 pounds, he's a beast, known for throwing vicious blocks and even catching the occasional short pass. Third-and-goal with one yard to go? Send in Leach.
Getty ImagesTerrell Suggs is desperately banking on a Super Bowl ring for his new bride.
Christopher T. Assaf, Baltimore Sun photoOne of our friends just got a kitten that she named Ray Lewis. It's beating the crap out of her other cat.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoSince becoming coach, John Harbaugh has beefed up the Ravens' offense, some would argue at the expense of the defense. Halfway through this season, it really showed: The once-celebrated Ravens D was getting run all over. Then they started to step up, thanks in no small part to defensive coordinator Dean Pees. Terrell Suggs came back, followed a few weeks later by Ray Lewis. They've come alive in the post-season. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck didn't know what hit him, and Peyton Manning was picked off twice. Next up: Tom Brady.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoFor years, people have been debating over whether Joe Flacco is an "elite" quarterback. That officially doesn't matter anymore. Peyton Manning was an elite quarterback, and the Ravens beat him. Only one more star quarterback stands between the Ravens and the Super Bowl, and Paul Kruger and Ray Lewis don't care how "elite" he is.
US PresswireLove him or hate him, Ayanbadejo likes to speak his mind, whether it's about gay marriage or an enemy team. Sunday night, he was talking smack on the Patriots on Twitter (though he later apologized). Football would be a lot less fun without the drama, for that, Brendon, we thank you.
US PresswireWhat a season this guy's had. Released by the Texans after some dropped balls, Jones was snapped up by the Ravens, and broke off a punt and two kickoff returns for touchdowns. But that's nothing compared to the 70-yard game-saving catch he had last Saturday against the Broncos -- a play that we'll tell our kids and grandkids about.
Getty ImagesWith Jimmy Smith getting hernia surgery and Lardarius Webb out for the season, Corey Graham has been playing more -- and capitalizing on it. He had two interceptions in the regular season, and two crucial picks in the Broncos game -- one returned for a touchdown.
US PresswireWith both a kickoff and punt returned for touchdowns last weekend, the Ravens almost beat themselves on special teams -- just like they beat themselves against the Patriots in last year's playoffs. Though they dropped 14 quick points to the Broncos, the Ravens didn't let it get them down. They overcame.
Jed Kirschbaum, Baltimore Sun photoThe NFL jersey industry would rise up against us if we lose. And you don't mess with the NFL jersey industry.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun photoWe've been here before. In 2009, the Ravens beat the Patriots 33-14. Last year, the Patriots just barely won, thanks to a dropped pass and a missed field goal. No matter what the media says, the Ravens can beat the Patriots. This is the Ravens' chance, and karma's a b----.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun photoJacoby Jones has better dance moves than Beyonce.
US PresswireIf the Ravens can win at mile high, with a wind chill of -2 degrees, they can win in Foxborough, Mass.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoSince coming back from a torn Achilles, Terrell Suggs hasn't been the pass rush threat he was last year. But linebacker Paul Kruger has stepped up in the past several weeks. He had 9 sacks in the regular season, and already has 2.5 in the post-season. Against the Colts, he was Andrew Luck's worst nightmare. Suddenly, Kruger had a new nickname.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun photo4th and 29? No problem. What can't he do?
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun photoJoe Flacco and John Harbaugh are the only rookie coach-and-quarterback team to win at least one playoff game in each of their first five seasons. They've been contenders since the start. Keep swinging, and sooner or later, you're going to hit a home run.
Getty ImagesHe rarely smiles or looks like he's having fun. He scowls and whines like a middle schooler when he gets sacked. Tom Brady is like Johnny from "The Karate Kid," and Bill Belichick is his evil mentor, John Kreese. They must be stopped, in the name of all that is good.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun photoFor most of the regular season, the Ravens have made good use of tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta -- but especially Pitta. He's had seven touchdowns, tying the team record held by Todd Heap. Pitta also has 61 receptions for 669 yards. Expect these numbers to rise this weekend.
Getty ImagesThis season has had some crazy ups and downs, but through it all, Joe Flacco has kept a level head, like he always does. Every time we walk into Mother's Grille, we half expect him to be there, at the bar, wearing a jacket and hat with the brim pulled low over his head. He's the kind of guy you could sit down and have a beer with -- the guy who blends right into the crowd. And then throws three epic touchdown passes the next day in Denver.
Baltimore Sun Media Group photoIf we lose, everyone's dog would start looking foolish wearing a Ravens bandanna.
US PresswireThis is what really wins games, and the Ravens have it, perhaps more than any other team in the playoffs right now. The air is electric in Baltimore these days, and the Ravens are ready to capitalize on it.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoRemember when Terrell Suggs grazed Brady's knee, and Brady begged the refs for a flag -- and got one? Or the time Suggs sacked Brady and forced a fumble, which the Ravens recovered for a touchdown? There is no love lost between these two.
Getty ImagesA month ago, people wondered if the Ravens should re-sign Flacco at all. After those lightning bolts Flacco hurled at Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones last Saturday, the question is, how much should we pay the man?
Gene Sweeney Jr. Baltimore Sun photoThe last time the Ravens faced the Patriots, former Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field goal. That moment may have been the beginning of the end of his professional career. Bringing on 23-year-old rookie Justin Tucker to replace Cundiff was a risky move, but it paid off: He's 32 for 35 this season, including the playoffs, with a long of 56 yards. He's no Matt "Automatic" Stover, but with Tucker, we feel much better about our chances this season.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoThere's no one star on the Ravens team right now. When the Ravens win, they win as a team.
Christopher T. Assaf, Baltimore Sun photoSpeaking of Flacco, there's no fu manchu this year. Which, if you think about it, was pretty stupid.
Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun photoThis is it -- the man who played middle linebacker perhaps better than anyone else is retiring. There's only one way to send him off -- with a Super Bowl win.
Getty ImagesGod already gave Boston its due by having Ben Affleck win the Golden Globe for best director.
Getty ImagesCoach Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers looked pretty hot against Green Bay last weekend. They've got the mojo to beat the Falcons, and if the Ravens beat the Patriots, the Harbaugh brothers will go head-to-head again, this time in the Super Bowl. Family drama!
Getty ImagesSuddenly, even Maryland Institute College of Art students are catching Ravens fever. And since people in Baltimore are inherently nicer than people in Boston, all the goodwill could give the Ravens an edge.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photoBecause if Haloti Ngata gets that excited about chicken in his Royal Farms commercial, imagine his motivation to win the Super Bowl.
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun photo
Lloyd Fox., Baltimore Sun photo
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After years of having a less-than-ideal group of wide receivers, it's finally clicked for the Ravens. Torrey Smith is the speed demon. Anquan Boldin is the tough guy. And Jacoby Jones is the secret weapon.
ExpandBy Jill Rosen
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Just when you thought everyone and their dog had done all possible parodies of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” … here’s another one, leading up to this weekend’s Ravens/Patriots AFC championship game. The fans who wrote and perform it call it “Bring on Brady.”
On YouTube, it’s already been making the rounds.
In a way that only a true Baltimore fan could understand, the performance is rather earnest.
It goes a little something like this:
“Defense is holdin, Torrey, Jones and Boldin, Justin Tucker’s goin I know where we’re going baby.”
And the chorus:
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“Everyone else might think we’re crazy, but we’re the Ravens, so bring on Brady.”
Love the fur hat fellows in the background, too.
It’s the work of Matt Robins of Salisbury, his wife Sarah Robins singing and his dad Stan Robins on guitar.
@BaltInsider on Twitter