ExtremeRavens Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 The rain had already accumulated, so much so that it cascaded down stairwells and formed puddles on a 37-degree, soggy, downright miserable Saturday that called for couches and hot tea, not prolonged time outdoors. But there Carltrel Washington and his fiancée, Cherinna Hardeman, stood, in the upper deck of M&T Bank Stadium overlooking the soaked field more than an hour before the Ravens hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 6. For the Ravens, the game lacked meaning: They’d already sealed the No. 1 seed in the AFC and, with it, a first-round bye. There was nothing else for them to gain, nothing more to squeeze out of a dominant regular season. But still, Washington and Herdeman braved the sloppy conditions, eager for a glimpse. “I need to see everything. I ain’t trying to miss nothing,” Washington said. It’s been that kind of don’t-miss-a-moment stretch for Baltimore’s pro sports teams as the Orioles and Ravens’ success has snowballed over the past 12 months to reach a rare level. One year ago, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was hurt and his future with the team was cloudy. The Orioles had shown promise, but had still not made the playoffs in years. But that was then. Now, Baltimore pro sports are thriving. No city in America had two teams win as many MLB and NFL regular-season games as Baltimore’s 114 in 2023, and the city witnessed the Ravens and Orioles both win their division in the same year for the first time. What’s more, each team finished with the best record in their respective league (doing so in the toughest divisions, too), making Baltimore the first city to boast such a distinction since Dallas saw the NFL’s Cowboys and MLB’s Rangers have first-place campaigns in 2016. “I don’t remember the last time Baltimore has had both teams like this,” said fan Mike Harlan, of Ellicott City. “So it’s awesome.” For him, he’s been just as happy with some contracts the teams have recently signed as he has with their on-field success. The Ravens inked Jackson to a lucrative, five-year contract last year and the Orioles, last month, committed to at least 15 more seasons in Baltimore by agreeing to a lease with the state, which owns the pro stadiums. “I think that’s the best part about being a Baltimore fan. You got Lamar signed, you got the lease signed for Camden Yards,” he said. Kevin Richardson / Baltimore SunRavens quarterback Lamar Jackson talks with the media before throwing the ceremonial first pitch at an Orioles game in July 2019. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Next up for Baltimore would be playoff success, the almost singular mark of a memorable year. Regular season wins are worthless currency in the postseason — as the Orioles witnessed in a three-game sweep at the hands of the eventual champion Texas Rangers in October — and the Ravens will need to knock off the upstart Houston Texans on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium at 4:30 p.m. to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive. Jackson has remained laser-focused on such aspirations this year and linebacker Roquan Smith said the regular season is behind them. “This is a new year right here. Everybody is 0-0 going into each and every game,” he said. Postseason success has evaded Baltimore recently and not just dating back to last season, when the Jackson-less Ravens came up short in Cincinnati. The city has seen only one playoff victory by either of its pro teams (Ravens over Titans in 2021) since 2015. But the Ravens, who have looked to be the class of the NFL over the season’s second half, will seek to shake painful memories from 2019 by winning a playoff game Saturday. Then, next month, the young, talented Orioles will report to spring training with an eye on another playoff appearance. Patrick Queen, who wore an Orioles hoodie and a Ravens beanie in the locker room Thursday, said he often hears words of encouragement from fans in public — they’ll say “so proud of y’all,” or “good luck this week” to him — but in recent days there’s been “way more” support as Baltimore gears up for the postseason. Queen, however, is one of the reasons why it would behoove the Ravens to have a strong playoff run this year, not hope for one down the road. While the Orioles seem to be in the midst of a yearslong run of success because of their roster makeup, the Ravens could have a different look next season. Jackson’s future with the team is secure, but more than 20 players are set to become free agents after this season, including Queen, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Plus, several coaches and front office personnel, including both offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, are being wooed by rival franchises. But those are concerns for another day. For now, the Ravens can do something that neither Baltimore pro team has done since 2013 — win a home playoff game. View the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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