The 2022 Baltimore Ravens need some form of a jolt after losing two of their last three games. Perhaps the current team could look to the 2012 Super Bowl winners for motivation.
John Harbaugh doesn’t plan to use it as any form of inspiration though.
“It’s not something I do,” Harbaugh said.” I’ve heard Josh [Bynes] talk about that; Anthony Levine Sr., Sam Koch – some of the guys that were here – [Justin] Tucker. They mention those kinds of things to the guys every now and then. I don’t usually talk about that kind of thing, unless it’s a specific story. But it’s true of any season, really. We’re capable of achieving everything. OK, let’s go to work.”
That Ravens team wasn’t the best in the league from start to finish, but they were on their A-game when it mattered the most. The 2012 Ravens will be honored on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium when the Cleveland Browns come to town for a Week 7 matchup.
The Ravens failed to improve on their 12–4 record from 2011, but still managed to clinch the AFC North division title in Week 16 and finish the regular season with a 10–6 record. They made it to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis led the team on a magical ride to the Super Bowl. Lewis was the last remaining member of the original Ravens roster from 1996 and the 2000 Super Bowl championship team. He announced just after the regular season finale before the playoffs that he would be retiring after the conclusion of the season. Knowing it would be Lewis’ last ride, the Ravens wanted to go out on top.
Joe Flacco’s near perfect postseason play placed the table for Baltimore. Flacco connected with Jacoby Jones on an improbable deep ball for a 70-yard score to tie things up with the Denver Broncos in the divisional round. Flacco was 18-34 for 331 yards and three touchdowns, passer rating of 116.2 in the 38-35 win.
Next week against the New England Patriots saw Flacco throw three more touchdown passes in their 28-13 win to advance to the Super Bowl.
Flacco completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards which was enough to beat the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 34-31 to win the Super Bowl. It was Flacco’s third straight game with three touchdown passes leading to the Super Bowl MVP award.
Flacco is still playing in the NFL ten years later, so he won’t be on hand with members of the 2012 team, but it will be cool to go back down memory lane with whatever players the Ravens do have on hand to celebrate.