Baltimore Ravens: The Best NFL Franchise in the Last 5 Years

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Because most NFL polling only compile rankings based on 10 year standards, it is difficult to access where the 'new' franchise potential leader trends are. As a result, I've broken it down to three of the most critical historical categories in determining a football dynasty:

• Super Bowl Championship*
• Winning Percentages
• Sales/Value/Popularity

*Since championships are the most standardized indicator of a dynasty, all teams in this poll have had Super Bowl appearances and/or wins in the last 6 years.

 

Based on these indicators, the Baltimore Ravens have the best argument 'forevermore' going down in NFL history as the strongest team franchise from 2008-2014.

__________________________________________________________________________

Super Bowl Appearances 2008-2014

XLVIII Feb. 2, 2014 MetLife Stadium (Meadow Lands, NJ)

Seattle Seahawks 43, Denver Broncos 8

XLVII Feb. 3, 2013 Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)

Baltimore Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31 - 1st Total Postseason Winning %

XLVI Feb. 5, 2012 Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)

New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17

XLV Feb. 6, 2011 Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)

Green Bay Packers 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 25

XLIV Feb. 7, 2010 Sun Life Stadium (Miami)

New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17

XLIII Feb. 1, 2009 Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)

Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23

__________________________________________________________________________

                                    2013   2012    2011    2010    2009    2008

Baltimore Ravens        8-8      10-6     12-4     12-4     9-7      11-5     total wins 62

New York Giants          7-9      9-7       9-7       10-6     8-8      12-4     total wins 51

Green Bay Packers     8-7-1  11-5      15-1     10-6    11-5      6-10    total wins 61

New Orleans Saints 11-5     7-9       13-3     11-5     13-3     8-8      total wins 63

Pittsburgh Steelers     8-8       8-8       12-4     12-4     9-7      12-4     total wins 61
Seattle Seahawks       13-3     11-5      7-9      7-9       5-11     4-12    total wins 40

__________________________________________________________________________

                                       Merch Sales             Forbes Value          Player Jersey Popularity

Pittsburgh Steelers            1st                              14th                          16th

Baltimore Ravens           2nd                            9th                            3rd

New York Giants                6th                              4th                             8th-9th

Green Bay Packers           7th                              12th                           7th

New Orleans Saints           17th                            23rd                          16th

Seattle Seahawks              4th                             15th                           2nd

 

Opinions may vary and questions may linger, but history won't deny that we were here. Why don't more journalist report on what could be the birth of a dynasty? Embrace Positive Debate.

“Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.”

Songwriters: LENNON, JOHN WINSTON / MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Was looking around and found this. I wish there was more.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/21799293/ravens-lock-down-plan-players-notably-a-qb-for-next-dynasty

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

The ravens are definitely the most successful team over the past 5 years and the thought of us being a dynasty is what makes this season hurt so much.We're an Anquan Boldin away from being that team we were in the playoffs.

[beanfigger]

The ravens are definitely the most successful team over the past 5 years and the thought of us being a dynasty is what makes this season hurt so much.We're an Anquan Boldin away from being that team we were in the playoffs.

Hopefully, we're just a Dennis Pitta away from that, and we won't be for long.

[flynismo]

I'm shocked we rank second in merchandise sales considering the size of our market and fan base. Way to go everyone!

[FlocksGottaFeed]

The ravens are definitely the most successful team over the past 5 years and the thought of us being a dynasty is what makes this season hurt so much.We're an Anquan Boldin away from being that team we were in the playoffs.

I'm missing Anquan too, but there's a lot of reasons to believe in the direction we're heading. We're younger and faster all around. Once this group starts to gel (and they will) watchout.

 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

I'm shocked we rank second in merchandise sales considering the size of our market and fan base. Way to go everyone!

I was shocked, too, But I get it. I gotta' have about 23 tees, 12 hoodies and 12 jerseys right, now. I'm about to get a Marlon Brown to add to the collection, soon.

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Hopefully, we're just a Dennis Pitta away from that, and we won't be for long.

Agreed. Pitta bringing some serious inspiration back with him. Players love him. Reminds me of last year's late season inspiration.

[flaccopoe]

The merchandise sales is particularly impressive, seeing as BAL has the smallest fan base (GB has almost a century's worth of legacy fans; Jacksonville alone has almost a million people and football is sacred in FL).  Go Ravens! 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

I'm missing Anquan too, but there's a lot of reasons to believe in the direction we're heading. We're younger and faster all around. Once this group starts to gel (and they will) watchout.

 

Note: The refs pictured should all be put on waivers. Won't be needing them.

[mdrsharon]

Of course!

I live in California - there is no Raven merch to be had out here.

That's why I buy like crazy when back in B-town.

 

Love my Ravens!!

All the way - repeat.

[ravens533]

When a Pats fan says he is worried about us making the playoffs, then you know your team has truly made it to the big time. We are a force now and into the future. Go Ravens!!

[gabefergy]

Of course!

I live in California - there is no Raven merch to be had out here.

That's why I buy like crazy when back in B-town.

 

Love my Ravens!!

All the way - repeat.

Same here, or I get my parents to send me stuff haha

[flynismo]

I was shocked, too, But I get it. I gotta' have about 23 tees, 12 hoodies and 12 jerseys right, now. I'm about to get a Marlon Brown to add to the collection, soon.

And this is why we sell so much merchandise lol...I thought I was bad; I have something like 16 jerseys and a couple hoodies. You make me look a little less obsessive haha

[FlocksGottaFeed]

And this is why we sell so much merchandise lol...I thought I was bad; I have something like 16 jerseys and a couple hoodies. You make me look a little less obsessive haha

Naw. You probably got me on quality. I'm strictly bargain basement.

[Tank 92]

The ravens are definitely the most successful team over the past 5 years and the thought of us being a dynasty is what makes this season hurt so much.We're an Anquan Boldin away from being that team we were in the playoffs.

 

 

It may end up hurting, but losing Boldin won't be the reason. If we don't get where we need to go you can blame poor O line play and a feeble run game.  You never know........ maybe we get straight.

[Jokerraven]

It was nice to read a positive post. thanks op ! I  buy allot when we won the superbowl i had to have one of everything I saw.I wonder if raven fans are so loyal because they know what it is like to lose a team .Or could it be ya'll are just   a bunch of homers like myself . 

 

Having read this I can't fathom why Joe is called mediocre makes absolutely no sense to me .

 

Bold prediction: we win out make it to the playoffs and repeat . Go Ravens 

[JO_75]

It may end up hurting, but losing Boldin won't be the reason. If we don't get where we need to go you can blame poor O line play and a feeble run game.  You never know........ maybe we get straight.

 

Remember the Colts from 2006? Everyone said they wouldn't go far because they couldn't stop the run and if you had a running game, you could beat them? Then the playoffs came and all of a sudden nobody could run on them and they were able to stop the run. 

 

Maybe we can take a page from that playbook. Struggle to have a passing game and run game due to bad o-line in regular season. Pitta returns, O-line looking better and better each week, and then all of a sudden we have an offense again and are able to make another run. 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Remember the Colts from 2006? Everyone said they wouldn't go far because they couldn't stop the run and if you had a running game, you could beat them? Then the playoffs came and all of a sudden nobody could run on them and they were able to stop the run. 

 

Maybe we can take a page from that playbook. Struggle to have a passing game and run game due to bad o-line in regular season. Pitta returns, O-line looking better and better each week, and then all of a sudden we have an offense again and are able to make another run. 

Absolutely!

[Bltravens]

And this is why we sell so much merchandise lol...I thought I was bad; I have something like 16 jerseys and a couple hoodies. You make me look a little less obsessive haha

I was going to reply to your earlier line being surprised over the merchandise sale by pointing every week on here someone starts a thread about what jersey to buy next but I see you've already been 1 upped lol.

Im in Canada and I have 9 myself.  Then add in bunnyhugs (ya I dropped that gem on you guys), tshirts, America's Game(s) etc.  The merchandise purchasing is just excessive already lol.

[77rus]

Me too!

I was so mad when we won the SB and there wasn't a thing ravens sold. Where as year before there was Giants stuff everywhere. Although that might have something to do with me living in 9ers territory  So I had my dad send me bunch of stuff and when I was back in Bmore for packers game I went a little crazy on shopping  oh and crab cakes...there is nothing like MD crab cakes

[Tank 92]

Just wondering......why don't some people buy Ravens stuff online?

[Moderator 3]

Just wondering......why don't some people buy Ravens stuff online?

I do. I have several favorite sites and some of the local Baltimore stores sell online. Also, keep in mind that our very own site has an extensive online store. Just click "Store" at the top of the page.

[poescrows]

I was shocked, too, But I get it. I gotta' have about 23 tees, 12 hoodies and 12 jerseys right, now. I'm about to get a Marlon Brown to add to the collection, soon.

I have tons of jerseys too. Every once in a while, I'll wear my Jermain Lewis or Ogden one I still have hanging in the "Purple Room", as wifey and I call it.

[poescrows]

Me too!

I was so mad when we won the SB and there wasn't a thing ravens sold. Where as year before there was Giants stuff everywhere. Although that might have something to do with me living in 9ers territory So I had my dad send me bunch of stuff and when I was back in Bmore for packers game I went a little crazy on shopping oh and crab cakes...there is nothing like MD crab cakes

Wife and I were on Cozumel Island, Mexico for the SB last year (we have a small place down there). They have a native bird there that looks like a small Raven, but with very long tail feathers. Not surprisingly alot of the locals, that are into US football, are Raven fans (like to think we also had an impact, we've been decorating the local bars with Raven stuff for years now) When we went back down there in Oct this year, we took 20 Ravens SB tees and gave them out to our favorite bartenders, dive crews, etc. You'da thought we were giving out diamonds, they went crazy over them........"Raven Army goin' strong in Cozumel, Sir!"

[poescrows]

Just wondering......why don't some people buy Ravens stuff online?

Also, check Modells AFTER the season is over. They put almost all the NFL stuff on 50% off. We've done very well there over the years.

[Tank 92]

Also, check Modells AFTER the season is over. They put almost all the NFL stuff on 50% off. We've done very well there over the years.

 

 

I do 99% of my shopping online. The Ravens store also has some decent deals post season.

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Another Best Franchise/Dynasty Consideration:

Ravens seem to rank as one the most prolific NFL draft classes between 2008-2013:

The 2008 Ravens Draft Class:

The Ravens deserve more than honorable mention for the 2008 draft: Joe Flacco QB, Ray Rice RB, Tavares Gooden LB (49ers 2012), Tom Zbikowski S (Bears 2013), Oniel Cousins G (Browns 2012), Haruki Nakamura S (Panthers 2012).

[77rus]

That's awesome!

Way to go...and go RAVENS!!

[FlocksGottaFeed]

I was shocked, too, But I get it. I gotta' have about 23 tees, 12 hoodies and 12 jerseys right, now. I'm about to get a Marlon Brown to add to the collection, soon.

The Marlon Brown will make my Christmas!!!