2004 Baltimore Ravens

As AFC North Division champs in 2003, the Baltimore Ravens showed that a franchise determined to win could do so in quick order. Their strong showing since the franchise moved from Cleveland has endeared the Ravens to the fans of Baltimore. With the Ravens looking good already in 2004, tickets to the team's games will be hard to come by, so get yours while you can and cheer on the Ravens.

Baltimore was home to the Baltimore Colts (now Indianapolis Colts) from 1953 through 1983. This franchise, one of the most respected in the entire NFL, was lured to Indianapolis by that city, which had built a domed stadium that was standing empty. The Irsay family, owners of the Colts, packed up the team's gear and moved it at night to Indianapolis. The city of Baltimore, stunned by the move, turned the tables by coaxing the Cleveland franchise to come to Baltimore.

The Ravens' franchise was founded after the 1995 NFL season, when Arthur B. Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns, moved his team to Baltimore and renamed it the Ravens. (In 1999 a new Browns franchise began play in Cleveland.) The Ravens are named after the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe, one of Baltimore's favorite sons.

Modell brought to Baltimore a roster of veteran stars, including quarterback Vinny Testaverde and running back Earnest Byner. He also hired former Baltimore Colts head coach Ted Marchibroda to lead the new Baltimore team.

Marchibroda had produced three consecutive Eastern Division titles for the Colts in the mid-1970s, but coaching the Ravens proved difficult. Despite fielding a potent offense, the franchise struggled defensively and finished at the bottom of the Central Division in 1996 and 1997. Testaverde left following the 1997 season and signed as a free agent with the New York Jets. After finishing the 1998 season with 6 wins and 10 losses, the Ravens hired Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick as head coach.

Through shrewd draft picks and free agent signings, the Ravens rebuilt their team around a standout defense. The team was led by linebacker Ray Lewis, who became one of the leading tacklers and top defenders in the NFL. The Ravens' defense gave up a record-low 165 points during the 2000 season, then allowed just 23 points in the postseason, including a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.