"Ravens are Super contenders"

A year ago I picked the Baltimore Ravens to go to the Super Bowl. I didn't bet money or anything, but I told all my boys, "The Ravens, watch out for them come January."

Um, I won't go into all the jibing I received throughout the season as the Ravens absolutely stunk, finishing 6-10. One of the reasons I had picked them was their "stellar defense," led by Ray Lewis, the most intimidating player in the league, and Ed Reed, possibly the league's best safety.

But Baltimore gave up 299 points, the most in three years. That's nearly 19 points a game. And that's definitely not Baltimore football.

I think that D struggled because Baltimore's offense wasn't giving it any reason to be auspicious. Quarterback Kyle Boller continued to struggle, Jamaal Lewis wasn't his old self and Baltimore had no legitimate receiving threats besides tight end Todd Heap. Baltimore scored just 265 points (16.5 ppg).

I'm not gonna throw cliches at you, but it can't be denied that a good offense makes life much easier for a team's defense. Even if the offense drives 40 yards only to turn the ball over or miss a field goal, it's giving the defensive players time to rest. This was not the case last year, as 3-and-outs in Baltimore were as common as crushing hits by Ray Lewis usually are.

It was not a pretty situation in Baltimore - which, remember - is just six years removed from a Super Bowl victory. That team was led by a stingy defense and a quarterback who did just enough but didn't try to do too much: Trent Dilfer.

It became obvious last season that Baltimore was going to need more than a Trent Dilfer - and conspicuously an upgrade from Boller - at QB to contend for a Super Bowl again.

And then Steve McNair fell into the Ravens' lap.

After a dispute with the Titans, McNair signed with Baltimore. McNair has meshed really well with Derrick Mason, who was McNair's teammate in Tennessee for eight years, and McNair has also found a favorite target in second-year-man Mark Clayton out of Oklahoma.

Also, Jamaal Lewis is regaining his form. While I don't always agree with Tony Siragusa, I couldn't argue with the sideline reporter when he told the Fox audience watching yesterday's Baltimore-Atlanta game that Lewis looked better than he had in a long time.

Helped by Lewis' three touchdowns, the Ravens easily defeated Atlanta 24-10 to improve to 8-2. They hold a commanding three-game lead over the Bengals in the AFC Central Division.

And they're one of the true Super Bowl contenders out there. They have the formula for success.

Great defense; good running game; veteran quarterback; receivers who can make plays.

It's amazing how things can change in just a year, isn't it? Maybe that's why Lions fans return to Ford Field every September hoping for a miracle from their moribund team.

But this Baltimore team wasn't lacking in talent last season. It just didn't have the mentality to go out and win football games. The offense's struggles wore on the defense, which didn't have the fire it usually has.

Yesterday the Ravens were without Ray Lewis, who was relegated to a cheerleader on the sideline. Yet that defense didn't need a pep talk from its leader. It harassed Michael Vick all game, sacking him five times and allowing just 127 passing yards.

Even in the final few minutes, with Baltimore comfortably ahead 24-10, Lee Suggs dragged Vick down from behind, adding an exclamation point to the Ravens victory.

Nobody picked this team to go to the Super Bowl before the season, not even me. Some forecasted the playoffs, others didn't. The expectations in Baltimore were higher than those for the town's other professional team, MLB's Orioles, but not by much.

Well, expectations have been raised. By a lot.

And with good reason. With Indianapolis' loss to Dallas yesterday, Baltimore (along with San Diego) is just a game back of the Colts in the AFC.

And last year's vacation from good football in Baltimore is history.