Your Favorite Seasons of Ravens Football

[GTRavens]

I may as well rank all of them from the time I was old enough to remember (1999, when I was 8)

 

1. 2000/2012 - It doesn't feel right to put one ahead of another. Both were special for completely different reasons, but special nonetheless.

 

3. 2006 - Felt like more of a team of destiny during the regular season than 2000 or 2012. That obviously made the fall harder, but man...that was some season. The frustrations of previous years (understated and a bit forgotten today) led to all of our little bits of promise over the years finally exploding into a dominant team. From start to finish, it was an incredible ride. Plus, being our very first playoff bye, that felt unique and special as well. Yet the playoff loss was crushing, because it seemed like our last chance to win it all (and it was...sort of).

 

4. 2011 - A bit of revisionist history here, because the 2012 run lessens the blow of the 2011 playoffs so much. This had a 2006 feel as well, because I really thought 2011 was their last chance to win the Super Bowl (and made me not want to pay attention to football throughout the entire offseason). Looking back on it now, I see it as a phenomenal season with some landmark victories and an obvious sense throughout the year that it was the most complete Ravens team ever.

 

5. 2008 - Like 2006, but even more surprising. They were a legitimate great team that came out of nowhere and did things every week we didn't think they could. So why aren't they higher? Because losing to the Steelers in the AFC championship to complete a 3-0 sweep on the way to winning the Super Bowl is pretty much the worst thing that can happen. It erases much of the good will behind a miraculous season, as much as I think a lot of fans don't want to admit that. And entering the week before the game knowing we were likely to lose, then doing just that, doesn't make things any easier.

 

6. 2003 - A really fun year because the defense returned to its dominant ways and the Ravens found so many strange ways to win. This was the one playoff loss that didn't sting a whole lot, because the team had performed so admirably in the first place. So why isn't this higher? Mostly because the team never seemed like a real threat for the Super Bowl, unlike the first five teams (well, except maybe 2012). That counts quite a bit for me.

 

7. 2010 - The playoffs were not as bad as 2008 simply because the Steelers didn't win it all. Still, this is lower because everyone was just...so darn cynical. You could go on a Ravens board in December of 2010 and think the team was on its way too going 4-12, not 12-4. Still, winning is never not fun - the playoff race was still fun even if Baltimore couldn't wrap up the division.

 

8. 2002 - A team that had nothing to lose and didn't lose, at least as often as anyone thought they would. One of those stress free seasons where any success is a bonus rather than a requirement, and the team gave us more scrap and excitement than we ever expected them to. It hurt when Cleveland knocked us out of the playoff hunt, but entering contention in the first place was incredible.

 

9. 2009 - So many frustrating losses - too many to count - but it didn't sting as much as it could have because a) we made the playoffs and b) we showed so much potential that we knew we were going to contend for years to come. Games like San Diego, the first Cleveland game, Chicago and New England showed that this team was capable of dominance, if perhaps not quite ready.

 

10. 2001 - This team might have had more warning signs than anyone wanted to believe even before Jamal's injury. Still, they were a good team that, as ugly as it was, played respectably enough to return to the playoffs the year after winning the Super Bowl. The wild card game against Miami is the most underrated in franchise history.

 

11. 2004 - This team dealt with expectations that no Kyle Boller-led team should have ever had. People were expecting them to take the leap, and that was never going to happen. While they started off relatively strong, the late season collapse and total offensive futility made the team hard to bear at times, even if they were still alright.

 

12. 1999 - Probably a bit lower because I was too young to understand what they were building towards, and their surge came late in the season after they were mostly out of the picture. The blowout of Tennessee in November was my first great Ravens memory; the choke against Buffalo in October was my first heartbreaking one.

 

13. 2005 - Doesn't get enough "credit" for being a disaster of a season because of the 2006 resurgence. Like 2004, but perhaps even worse, this team was expected to do big things while being led by Kyle Boller, which was never going to happen. Unlike 2004, ugly wins turned into ugly losses and the team was a wreck from the start. Still, they showed flashes of being much better - the defense held its own and the Ravens tended to give their toughest opponents (not named Cincinnati) some semblance of competition, especially against Pittsburgh. The kicked interception that gave us to OT win at home against the Steelers is one of the most underrated plays in our history.

 

14. 2007 - Carrying high expectations that every single fan deep down knew we weren't going to reach, the Ravens teased us with a semi-decent start before crashing to the bottom. The worst part was that they couldn't even lose normally - every single game had to break our hearts in creative new ways. Whether it was being declared the winner of a game they los against Clevelandt, a horrifying meltdown in Pittsburgh, the "oops, Boller might come in!" game against Cincy, or showing up for one game all year against the Pats (and still losing...like that), this was the one season that was a weekly exercise in torture. Looking back...I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

I feel like the Ravens have had more combined triumph and heartache than any other team in the league since 1996. So many great playoff moments, so many horrible playoff moments. Still, it's safe to say that the former outweighs the latter.

[black blood purple passion]

2012 was my personal favourite (I've only followed the ravens for about 7 or 8 years), we were so dominant on defence, and deserved a superbowl so badly that season. This last season was frustrating at times especially with all the injuries and seemingly allowing 100 yards rushing every half to elite RB's. Pulling it all together at the end was amazing, and the teams we beat! WOW! I just loved the 2012 season so much, shutting the steelers down twice, blowing them out in the first game was hilarious, and that defence!

Cheers to the past, and heres to more winning seasons and defensive dominance for years to come!

[JohnnyBoy8102]

I may as well rank all of them from the time I was old enough to remember (1999, when I was 8)
 
1. 2000/2012 - It doesn't feel right to put one ahead of another. Both were special for completely different reasons, but special nonetheless.
 
3. 2006 - Felt like more of a team of destiny during the regular season than 2000 or 2012. That obviously made the fall harder, but man...that was some season. The frustrations of previous years (understated and a bit forgotten today) led to all of our little bits of promise over the years finally exploding into a dominant team. From start to finish, it was an incredible ride. Plus, being our very first playoff bye, that felt unique and special as well. Yet the playoff loss was crushing, because it seemed like our last chance to win it all (and it was...sort of).
 
4. 2011 - A bit of revisionist history here, because the 2012 run lessens the blow of the 2011 playoffs so much. This had a 2006 feel as well, because I really thought 2011 was their last chance to win the Super Bowl (and made me not want to pay attention to football throughout the entire offseason). Looking back on it now, I see it as a phenomenal season with some landmark victories and an obvious sense throughout the year that it was the most complete Ravens team ever.
 
5. 2008 - Like 2006, but even more surprising. They were a legitimate great team that came out of nowhere and did things every week we didn't think they could. So why aren't they higher? Because losing to the Steelers in the AFC championship to complete a 3-0 sweep on the way to winning the Super Bowl is pretty much the worst thing that can happen. It erases much of the good will behind a miraculous season, as much as I think a lot of fans don't want to admit that. And entering the week before the game knowing we were likely to lose, then doing just that, doesn't make things any easier.
 
6. 2003 - A really fun year because the defense returned to its dominant ways and the Ravens found so many strange ways to win. This was the one playoff loss that didn't sting a whole lot, because the team had performed so admirably in the first place. So why isn't this higher? Mostly because the team never seemed like a real threat for the Super Bowl, unlike the first five teams (well, except maybe 2012). That counts quite a bit for me.
 
7. 2010 - The playoffs were not as bad as 2008 simply because the Steelers didn't win it all. Still, this is lower because everyone was just...so darn cynical. You could go on a Ravens board in December of 2010 and think the team was on its way too going 4-12, not 12-4. Still, winning is never not fun - the playoff race was still fun even if Baltimore couldn't wrap up the division.
 
8. 2002 - A team that had nothing to lose and didn't lose, at least as often as anyone thought they would. One of those stress free seasons where any success is a bonus rather than a requirement, and the team gave us more scrap and excitement than we ever expected them to. It hurt when Cleveland knocked us out of the playoff hunt, but entering contention in the first place was incredible.
 
9. 2009 - So many frustrating losses - too many to count - but it didn't sting as much as it could have because a) we made the playoffs and b) we showed so much potential that we knew we were going to contend for years to come. Games like San Diego, the first Cleveland game, Chicago and New England showed that this team was capable of dominance, if perhaps not quite ready.
 
10. 2001 - This team might have had more warning signs than anyone wanted to believe even before Jamal's injury. Still, they were a good team that, as ugly as it was, played respectably enough to return to the playoffs the year after winning the Super Bowl. The wild card game against Miami is the most underrated in franchise history.
 
11. 2004 - This team dealt with expectations that no Kyle Boller-led team should have ever had. People were expecting them to take the leap, and that was never going to happen. While they started off relatively strong, the late season collapse and total offensive futility made the team hard to bear at times, even if they were still alright.
 
12. 1999 - Probably a bit lower because I was too young to understand what they were building towards, and their surge came late in the season after they were mostly out of the picture. The blowout of Tennessee in November was my first great Ravens memory; the choke against Buffalo in October was my first heartbreaking one.
 
13. 2005 - Doesn't get enough "credit" for being a disaster of a season because of the 2006 resurgence. Like 2004, but perhaps even worse, this team was expected to do big things while being led by Kyle Boller, which was never going to happen. Unlike 2004, ugly wins turned into ugly losses and the team was a wreck from the start. Still, they showed flashes of being much better - the defense held its own and the Ravens tended to give their toughest opponents (not named Cincinnati) some semblance of competition, especially against Pittsburgh. The kicked interception that gave us to OT win at home against the Steelers is one of the most underrated plays in our history.
 
14. 2007 - Carrying high expectations that every single fan deep down knew we weren't going to reach, the Ravens teased us with a semi-decent start before crashing to the bottom. The worst part was that they couldn't even lose normally - every single game had to break our hearts in creative new ways. Whether it was being declared the winner of a game they los against Clevelandt, a horrifying meltdown in Pittsburgh, the "oops, Boller might come in!" game against Cincy, or showing up for one game all year against the Pats (and still losing...like that), this was the one season that was a weekly exercise in torture. Looking back...I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
I feel like the Ravens have had more combined triumph and heartache than any other team in the league since 1996. So many great playoff moments, so many horrible playoff moments. Still, it's safe to say that the former outweighs the latter.

Great post man. Brought up a lot of memories.

[harfordravenfan]

Thanks! Lol

I also feel the 2000 defense is being underestimated. It was all time greatness. The goal was a shut out. In the modern era of football that is an insane idea. Don't underestinate the magnitude of this unit. To compare that bucs d to this one is a serious joke. That is not in the same library. There will never be as dominant a defense as this one ever imo.

 

No doubt!! It was insane to watch each game & wondering if the opposing team will be able to get within field goal range. The only sad part was we had to wonder if our offense could move the ball at all. Usually their job was to just not turn the ball over, would love to know how our 2000 team's defense ranked in points scored historically? So many times it was a pick six or strip/sack/TD

[RavensFan34950]

I became a fan of the Ravens during the 2000 Superbowl game. It was the first game i ever watch and that defense was awesome to see. Now for my favorite seasons?

 

(1). A tie between the 2012 and 2008 season. We won the Superbowl in 2012 so that's obvious, but in 2008 no one expected us to do anything that year. (Who's Joe Flacco? Why didn't you guy's sign Rex Ryan as head coach? Ray Lewis is old.) Heard that all year. Plus that was the height of the Ravens Steelers rivalry. In that season I think that was our 3rd best defense in franchise history behind 2000 and 2006. They carried a rookie QB and Coach that year.

 

(2). 2000 season. Have the 2000 Ravens post season games on DVD. Man was our defense dominate that year. But became a fan on team during the Superbowl, not the season.

 

(3). 2006 season. Awesome defense. Beating down Big Ben and the Steelers that year didn't hurt either.

 

(Honorable mentions). 2011 season. Would have been a favorite if Wide Left Cunduff didn't screw up. Never been so devastated after a loss in my life. Didn't even watch the Superbowl.

[RavensFan34950]

I may as well rank all of them from the time I was old enough to remember (1999, when I was 8)

 

1. 2000/2012 - It doesn't feel right to put one ahead of another. Both were special for completely different reasons, but special nonetheless.

 

3. 2006 - Felt like more of a team of destiny during the regular season than 2000 or 2012. That obviously made the fall harder, but man...that was some season. The frustrations of previous years (understated and a bit forgotten today) led to all of our little bits of promise over the years finally exploding into a dominant team. From start to finish, it was an incredible ride. Plus, being our very first playoff bye, that felt unique and special as well. Yet the playoff loss was crushing, because it seemed like our last chance to win it all (and it was...sort of).

 

4. 2011 - A bit of revisionist history here, because the 2012 run lessens the blow of the 2011 playoffs so much. This had a 2006 feel as well, because I really thought 2011 was their last chance to win the Super Bowl (and made me not want to pay attention to football throughout the entire offseason). Looking back on it now, I see it as a phenomenal season with some landmark victories and an obvious sense throughout the year that it was the most complete Ravens team ever.

 

5. 2008 - Like 2006, but even more surprising. They were a legitimate great team that came out of nowhere and did things every week we didn't think they could. So why aren't they higher? Because losing to the Steelers in the AFC championship to complete a 3-0 sweep on the way to winning the Super Bowl is pretty much the worst thing that can happen. It erases much of the good will behind a miraculous season, as much as I think a lot of fans don't want to admit that. And entering the week before the game knowing we were likely to lose, then doing just that, doesn't make things any easier.

 

6. 2003 - A really fun year because the defense returned to its dominant ways and the Ravens found so many strange ways to win. This was the one playoff loss that didn't sting a whole lot, because the team had performed so admirably in the first place. So why isn't this higher? Mostly because the team never seemed like a real threat for the Super Bowl, unlike the first five teams (well, except maybe 2012). That counts quite a bit for me.

 

7. 2010 - The playoffs were not as bad as 2008 simply because the Steelers didn't win it all. Still, this is lower because everyone was just...so darn cynical. You could go on a Ravens board in December of 2010 and think the team was on its way too going 4-12, not 12-4. Still, winning is never not fun - the playoff race was still fun even if Baltimore couldn't wrap up the division.

 

8. 2002 - A team that had nothing to lose and didn't lose, at least as often as anyone thought they would. One of those stress free seasons where any success is a bonus rather than a requirement, and the team gave us more scrap and excitement than we ever expected them to. It hurt when Cleveland knocked us out of the playoff hunt, but entering contention in the first place was incredible.

 

9. 2009 - So many frustrating losses - too many to count - but it didn't sting as much as it could have because a) we made the playoffs and B) we showed so much potential that we knew we were going to contend for years to come. Games like San Diego, the first Cleveland game, Chicago and New England showed that this team was capable of dominance, if perhaps not quite ready.

 

10. 2001 - This team might have had more warning signs than anyone wanted to believe even before Jamal's injury. Still, they were a good team that, as ugly as it was, played respectably enough to return to the playoffs the year after winning the Super Bowl. The wild card game against Miami is the most underrated in franchise history.

 

11. 2004 - This team dealt with expectations that no Kyle Boller-led team should have ever had. People were expecting them to take the leap, and that was never going to happen. While they started off relatively strong, the late season collapse and total offensive futility made the team hard to bear at times, even if they were still alright.

 

12. 1999 - Probably a bit lower because I was too young to understand what they were building towards, and their surge came late in the season after they were mostly out of the picture. The blowout of Tennessee in November was my first great Ravens memory; the choke against Buffalo in October was my first heartbreaking one.

 

13. 2005 - Doesn't get enough "credit" for being a disaster of a season because of the 2006 resurgence. Like 2004, but perhaps even worse, this team was expected to do big things while being led by Kyle Boller, which was never going to happen. Unlike 2004, ugly wins turned into ugly losses and the team was a wreck from the start. Still, they showed flashes of being much better - the defense held its own and the Ravens tended to give their toughest opponents (not named Cincinnati) some semblance of competition, especially against Pittsburgh. The kicked interception that gave us to OT win at home against the Steelers is one of the most underrated plays in our history.

 

14. 2007 - Carrying high expectations that every single fan deep down knew we weren't going to reach, the Ravens teased us with a semi-decent start before crashing to the bottom. The worst part was that they couldn't even lose normally - every single game had to break our hearts in creative new ways. Whether it was being declared the winner of a game they los against Clevelandt, a horrifying meltdown in Pittsburgh, the "oops, Boller might come in!" game against Cincy, or showing up for one game all year against the Pats (and still losing...like that), this was the one season that was a weekly exercise in torture. Looking back...I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

I feel like the Ravens have had more combined triumph and heartache than any other team in the league since 1996. So many great playoff moments, so many horrible playoff moments. Still, it's safe to say that the former outweighs the latter.

Also in 2007 don't forget losing to the previously winless Dolphins. Me being a ravens fan living in Florida. Never been so embarrassed. My friends let me have it.

[Tiz]

Outside of the Super Bowls 2006 week 1 vs Tampa stands out because the opening drive was a methodical 80 yrd drive with McNair
Next one was joe's first start when he caught a pass from Troy smith

Both of those were nice to see after Kyle boller was our starting qb.

Oh and I believe also in 2006 kelly Gregg tracking down Vick on the sideline

[GTRavens]

Also in 2007 don't forget losing to the previously winless Dolphins. Me being a ravens fan living in Florida. Never been so embarrassed. My friends let me have it.

Yep, that one too. I'll just chalk that oversight up to having erased it from my memory, ha.

[Nightman]

Choosing between the 2000 and 2012 seasons are the best one is like choosing between the two children you have.  Actually I would go with the 2000 season, because it was the first time the Ravens went to the playoffs.  I would say this one is more 1-A.  The game against Denver in the divisional playoff has to be the greatest game in team history. The best season that we did not go to the Super Bowl would probably be last year, if we only had Jacoby and Tucker in 2011 we might have had a shot at beating the Giants in SB 46.

[Bltravens]

I may as well rank all of them from the time I was old enough to remember (1999, when I was 8)
 
1. 2000/2012 - It doesn't feel right to put one ahead of another. Both were special for completely different reasons, but special nonetheless.
 
3. 2006 - Felt like more of a team of destiny during the regular season than 2000 or 2012. That obviously made the fall harder, but man...that was some season. The frustrations of previous years (understated and a bit forgotten today) led to all of our little bits of promise over the years finally exploding into a dominant team. From start to finish, it was an incredible ride. Plus, being our very first playoff bye, that felt unique and special as well. Yet the playoff loss was crushing, because it seemed like our last chance to win it all (and it was...sort of).
 
4. 2011 - A bit of revisionist history here, because the 2012 run lessens the blow of the 2011 playoffs so much. This had a 2006 feel as well, because I really thought 2011 was their last chance to win the Super Bowl (and made me not want to pay attention to football throughout the entire offseason). Looking back on it now, I see it as a phenomenal season with some landmark victories and an obvious sense throughout the year that it was the most complete Ravens team ever.
 
5. 2008 - Like 2006, but even more surprising. They were a legitimate great team that came out of nowhere and did things every week we didn't think they could. So why aren't they higher? Because losing to the Steelers in the AFC championship to complete a 3-0 sweep on the way to winning the Super Bowl is pretty much the worst thing that can happen. It erases much of the good will behind a miraculous season, as much as I think a lot of fans don't want to admit that. And entering the week before the game knowing we were likely to lose, then doing just that, doesn't make things any easier.
 
6. 2003 - A really fun year because the defense returned to its dominant ways and the Ravens found so many strange ways to win. This was the one playoff loss that didn't sting a whole lot, because the team had performed so admirably in the first place. So why isn't this higher? Mostly because the team never seemed like a real threat for the Super Bowl, unlike the first five teams (well, except maybe 2012). That counts quite a bit for me.
 
7. 2010 - The playoffs were not as bad as 2008 simply because the Steelers didn't win it all. Still, this is lower because everyone was just...so darn cynical. You could go on a Ravens board in December of 2010 and think the team was on its way too going 4-12, not 12-4. Still, winning is never not fun - the playoff race was still fun even if Baltimore couldn't wrap up the division.
 
8. 2002 - A team that had nothing to lose and didn't lose, at least as often as anyone thought they would. One of those stress free seasons where any success is a bonus rather than a requirement, and the team gave us more scrap and excitement than we ever expected them to. It hurt when Cleveland knocked us out of the playoff hunt, but entering contention in the first place was incredible.
 
9. 2009 - So many frustrating losses - too many to count - but it didn't sting as much as it could have because a) we made the playoffs and b) we showed so much potential that we knew we were going to contend for years to come. Games like San Diego, the first Cleveland game, Chicago and New England showed that this team was capable of dominance, if perhaps not quite ready.
 
10. 2001 - This team might have had more warning signs than anyone wanted to believe even before Jamal's injury. Still, they were a good team that, as ugly as it was, played respectably enough to return to the playoffs the year after winning the Super Bowl. The wild card game against Miami is the most underrated in franchise history.
 
11. 2004 - This team dealt with expectations that no Kyle Boller-led team should have ever had. People were expecting them to take the leap, and that was never going to happen. While they started off relatively strong, the late season collapse and total offensive futility made the team hard to bear at times, even if they were still alright.
 
12. 1999 - Probably a bit lower because I was too young to understand what they were building towards, and their surge came late in the season after they were mostly out of the picture. The blowout of Tennessee in November was my first great Ravens memory; the choke against Buffalo in October was my first heartbreaking one.
 
13. 2005 - Doesn't get enough "credit" for being a disaster of a season because of the 2006 resurgence. Like 2004, but perhaps even worse, this team was expected to do big things while being led by Kyle Boller, which was never going to happen. Unlike 2004, ugly wins turned into ugly losses and the team was a wreck from the start. Still, they showed flashes of being much better - the defense held its own and the Ravens tended to give their toughest opponents (not named Cincinnati) some semblance of competition, especially against Pittsburgh. The kicked interception that gave us to OT win at home against the Steelers is one of the most underrated plays in our history.
 
14. 2007 - Carrying high expectations that every single fan deep down knew we weren't going to reach, the Ravens teased us with a semi-decent start before crashing to the bottom. The worst part was that they couldn't even lose normally - every single game had to break our hearts in creative new ways. Whether it was being declared the winner of a game they los against Clevelandt, a horrifying meltdown in Pittsburgh, the "oops, Boller might come in!" game against Cincy, or showing up for one game all year against the Pats (and still losing...like that), this was the one season that was a weekly exercise in torture. Looking back...I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
I feel like the Ravens have had more combined triumph and heartache than any other team in the league since 1996. So many great playoff moments, so many horrible playoff moments. Still, it's safe to say that the former outweighs the latter.

Great post, like someone else said, so many memories. I, personally, really enjoyed the 2008 season, the next year is when I decided to come aboard here. The whole season was pure underdog and the Titans divisional game was pure, unadulterated old school, smash mouth football, in the rain to boot. When Stover kicked that 40 yarder, or whatever it was, I quite nearly wanted to just sit in the middle of my living room and let a few tears go down my face. That game was pure emotion, I remember we were playing Marquis Douglas at DE and we had to switch to a 43 front because Suggs blew out his shoulder just before half. Leonard's forced fumble on our own 5, Heap in is glory catching a pass over the middle from Flacco and getting annihilated, his helmet popped off, and holding on like he always did.

We always talk how Mason deserved a ring, man if there's any Raven I could go back in time and sign him to the roster before our last Super Bowl, to be a 4th TE or w/e, it's friggin Todd Heap. Guy left half his career on the turf of MT at the hands of Boller and continued to do it.

Loved that 2008 team.

[PuRock]

Great post, like someone else said, so many memories. I, personally, really enjoyed the 2008 season, the next year is when I decided to come aboard here. The whole season was pure underdog and the Titans divisional game was pure, unadulterated old school, smash mouth football, in the rain to boot. When Stover kicked that 40 yarder, or whatever it was, I quite nearly wanted to just sit in the middle of my living room and let a few tears go down my face. That game was pure emotion, I remember we were playing Marquis Douglas at DE and we had to switch to a 43 front because Suggs blew out his shoulder just before half. Leonard's forced fumble on our own 5, Heap in is glory catching a pass over the middle from Flacco and getting annihilated, his helmet popped off, and holding on like he always did.

We always talk how Mason deserved a ring, man if there's any Raven I could go back in time and sign him to the roster before our last Super Bowl, to be a 4th TE or w/e, it's friggin Todd Heap. Guy left half his career on the turf of MT at the hands of Boller and continued to do it.

Loved that 2008 team.

 

That 2008 team was special.  It had it holes (like Frank Walker) and we weren't supposed to go that far.  It was a great turnaround from the 2007 year and we had a stellar draft. 

 

The 2008 team was a lot like the 2012 team in terms of the playoffs.  We weren't given much of a chance and kept finding ways to win.  Let's not forget that our bye week was moved to week 2 and our players were playing on fumes.  

 

That was also the year I won the post from the pressbox contest on this message board and got to rub elbows with Dick Cass, Ozzie, John Clayton.  Fun Ravens year in general for me.  

[Raven07]

2000- First season I remember and our 1st Superbowl... "Ray Lewis he was a human vacuum that year"

2003-Jamal Lewis 2000 yard season!

2006-13-3!  first time ever

2008-Joe Flacco and Ray Rice Introduced! AFC Championship beginning.

2012- 2nd Super Bowl! Ray Lewis retirement party. last superbowl my cousin is alive to see, Joe Flacco MVP!

[Tiz]

2000- First season I remember and our 1st Superbowl... "Ray Lewis he was a human vacuum that year"
2003-Jamal Lewis 2000 yard season!
2006-13-3!  first time ever
2008-Joe Flacco and Ray Rice Introduced! AFC Championship beginning.
2012- 2nd Super Bowl! Ray Lewis retirement party. last superbowl my cousin is alive to see, Joe Flacco MVP!

Sorry about your cousin...

[5aiah]

2000-First year I really watched football in detail(knowing all the positions and rules) after watching it casually as a kid. Was still young so the Mystical feeling of the defense really captivated me. This season was also kind of a shock play style wise after having watched Favre and the Packers mostly up until then. We actually won games without scoring offensive TDs and it really turned me into the Defensive guy I am today.

2012- A textbook example of a football fairy tale. Hollywood couldn't have done it better.

2003- Jamal was making history and I remember everyone tuning in every week to see him go after 2000 yards after that huge game in Cleveland.

2008- Just one of my favorite teams, including my favorite RB in the league Willis Mcgahee(He led NFL in TDs for a while),a brand spanking new QB who can launch it 74 yards, a young RB who is a home run hitter running and passing, and the defense was still in its prime albeit the end. Just a fun season regardless of postseason.

[SuRihtanil]

2000 - Defense

 

2008 - I thought we were superbowl bound but crushed by steelers in the AFC Championship game.  I was crushed...

 

2010 - I thought for sure we were going to win superbowl, I was utterly crushed this year as well.  Still was a good season.

 

I can't say 2012 regular season my on my top list.  I didn't think we had a shot at winning the superbowl and I was still feeling all the playoff losses and wasn't to hyped.

[Cville-Raven]

I can't say 2012 regular season my on my top list.  I didn't think we had a shot at winning the superbowl and I was still feeling all the playoff losses and wasn't to hyped.

What? We proved everyone wrong. How could you not be hyped about that. 

[GTRavens]

Great post, like someone else said, so many memories. I, personally, really enjoyed the 2008 season, the next year is when I decided to come aboard here. The whole season was pure underdog and the Titans divisional game was pure, unadulterated old school, smash mouth football, in the rain to boot. When Stover kicked that 40 yarder, or whatever it was, I quite nearly wanted to just sit in the middle of my living room and let a few tears go down my face. That game was pure emotion, I remember we were playing Marquis Douglas at DE and we had to switch to a 43 front because Suggs blew out his shoulder just before half. Leonard's forced fumble on our own 5, Heap in is glory catching a pass over the middle from Flacco and getting annihilated, his helmet popped off, and holding on like he always did.

We always talk how Mason deserved a ring, man if there's any Raven I could go back in time and sign him to the roster before our last Super Bowl, to be a 4th TE or w/e, it's friggin Todd Heap. Guy left half his career on the turf of MT at the hands of Boller and continued to do it.

Loved that 2008 team.

That Titans game is my personal favorite from a non-Super Bowl year (with the 2011 35-7 opener against Pittsburgh not far behind). It was one of those games that was simultaneously a huge upset and a completely expected outcome. You knew the Ravens would give 110%, you knew they always had some bizarre mojo working for them against the Titans, and you knew from the start that this game was going to be strange.

 

The Stover kick in particular was fascinating because the moment he booted it, it looked like the worst kick of his career. The angle from watching it on CBS made it look like the kick was going to fall short of the end zone, let alone the goal post. But then it just kept sailing...and sailing...and sailing until somehow, some way, it sailed through.

 

That was when I knew this new era of Ravens football was going to be special. The resiliency they showed throughout that game (or luck, depending on which side of the coin you're on) was inspiring, to say the least. And it's safe to say that plenty of Ravens playoff games since have followed the same pattern.

[Sami84]

2006. I expected a sack from the D nearly every possession :D