Baltimore Ravens: Best of the 2010s, Part I

What Baltimore Ravens team of the 2010s was the best?

Using the software at whatifsports.com, this hypothetical question can be answered.

Methodology:

The 10 teams have been ranked top to bottom based on wins during their season. Tiebreakers are determined by how far each team made it in the playoffs. The 2019 Ravens are the top seed followed by 2011, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2017, 2016/2013, and 2015. The 2016 and 2013 Ravens won eight games each, but they will play in the first round, so seeding is irrelevant.

In the first round, the top six seeds have byes. The seven seed and 10 seed will square off in one matchup, and the eight and nine seeds will play in the other. The winners of the matchups will play the second and top seeds respectively, and the bracket will proceed as usual.

Opening Round:

2015 Ravens (5-11) versus 2017 Ravens (9-7)

The 2015 Ravens drew first blood with a three-play, 84-yard drive capped off with a Buck Allen touchdown run. 2017 Baltimore answered with an 11-play, 72-yard drive of their own with a Joe Flacco to Alex Collins touchdown pass. The teams traded punts on the next eight drives before 2015 Justin Tucker hit a field goal off the upright with 48 seconds left in the first half. 2017 Baltimore’s Hail Mary attempts failed in the dying seconds, and the teams went into the half tied at seven.

The punting fiesta continued as the first three drives of the second half ended in punts. 2015 Steve Smith stole the show on the next drive, catching three passes for 55 yards and an eventual touchdown to put the 2015 Ravens up 14-7. The 2017 Ravens worked back down the field to tie the game with a Flacco to Nick Boyle touchdown pass. 2015 Smith continued his tour of demolishing his teammates, hauling two more passes on the next drive for 53 yards. Kyle Juszczyk capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown catch. The 2017 Ravens were forced to settle for a field goal with 3:58 left in the fourth quarter, but Tucker converted the 51-yarder.

The 2015 Ravens answered with critical conversions on a second-and-13 and a third-and-11, gaining 30 yards on both plays. After a 27-yard field goal, the 2017 Ravens 12 seconds and no timeouts to go 79 yards. 2017 Chris Moore gained 40 yards, but time expired.

2015 Steve Smith and Elvis Dumervil split MVP honors. Smith had 138 yards and a touchdown, and Dumervil had three sacks.

2015 Ravens win 24-17.

2013 Ravens (8-8) versus 2016 Ravens (8-8)

The 2016 Ravens got off to a hot start with a five-play touchdown drive, punctuated by a 21-yard touchdown by Breshad Perriman. The 2013 Ravens were forced to punt before a hilarious turn of events. 2016 Joe Flacco threw an interception to 2013 Lardarius Webb. On the next play, 2013 Flacco threw an interception to 2016 Webb. After a punt, 2013 Flacco threw another red-zone pick to 2016 Webb. After more punts, 2016 Flacco threw a pick to 2013 Terrell Suggs. Three punts and eight minutes later, 2016 Flacco lofted a pass to Steve Smith who managed to score a 79-yard touchdown with nine seconds left in the half. The Ravens led 14-0 at the half.

After a 2013 Baltimore punt, 2016 Flacco hit Mike Wallace on a screen, and he took it the distance for a 75-yard touchdown. Down 21, 2013 Flacco hit Marlon Brown for a touchdown. 2016 Baltimore missed a field goal before 2013 Baltimore failed on a fourth down. After a 2016 punt, 2013 Flacco threw a third interception to 2016 Webb. The 2016 Ravens punted again, and the 2013 Ravens’ last hope was dashed as another fourth down failed.

2016 Lardarius Webb was MVP of the game with his three interceptions.

2016 Ravens win 21-7.

Stay tuned for Part II, the quarterfinals of the tournament to see which of the Baltimore Ravens units will advance.

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