Baltimore Ravens: All Time Top 5 Ravens Games

Jan 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jerseys of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (not pictured) at the Super Bowl XLVII Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3) Divisional Playoffs Sunday, January 7, 2001

I can still remember that infamous clip of Brian Billick’s speech to the team after the game. “I’ve got a copy of the recent Sports Illustrated. It says ‘the Tennessee Titans are the best team in football.’ Maybe they are… but not today.”

The Baltimore Ravens compiled a respectable 12-4 record in 2000 but unfortunately were one game behind Tennessee. So, the Ebony Birds had to get to the Super Bowl through road games clashing with the Titans in the divisional round.

Before the game Ray Lewis said to Titan running back Eddie George, “One of us is gonna make the game-winning play,” a prophecy he fulfilled late in the fourth quarter.

The game started out looking grim as George scored a touchdown on Tennessee’s first drive. Then Trent Dilfer was nearly taken out of the game by a bone crushing sack in the second quarter. The game stayed even with neither team giving an inch.

A break for Baltimore came from their special teams as a blocked Tennessee field goal resulted in a return for a touchdown.

Down 17-10 late in the fourth quarter with the entire field to travel, Tennessee made one last attempt to tie the game. Then Ray Lewis happened. On third and seven, Lewis intercepted a pass intended for Eddie, returning it for a touchdown and closing the door on the Titans’ chances as he predicted.

It was the Tennessee Titans first loss at home and a stunned, silent crowd said it all. That game was exceptionally important in Baltimore’s history for what it showed the world. In 2000, Ray Lewis was the single best player in the NFL, and the Ravens’ defense was carving out their permanent place in the record books.