Reaching the .500 mark has been a pinnacle as well as a pitfall for the Ravens this season.
The NFL's most inexperienced team has climbed to this point twice before, only to fall short in Indianapolis and fall apart against Pittsburgh.
In today's intriguing matchup with the New Orleans Saints, the Ravens (6-6) encounter the same scenario at Ravens Stadium with different stakes involved. This time, the break-even mark has likely become the breaking point of their season.
A Ravens victory would give them a winning record for the first time this season and, more importantly, validate them as legitimate playoff contenders with three games remaining. A loss would all but eliminate them from the race.
"We're in the mindset that this is a playoff game," Ravens left guard Edwin Mulitalo said.
But the Ravens have consistently flopped at crunch time this season, failing each time to get over that .500 hump.
In Week 6, the 2-2 Ravens were edged by the Colts, 22-20, when a late pass-interference penalty on Gary Baxter set up the game-winning field goal. In Week 8, the 3-3 Ravens were routed by the Steelers, 31-18, in a game decided by halftime.
Now, in Week 14, the Ravens have evened their record for the third time but understand there will be no more reprieves.
The Ravens are 1 1/2 games behind the AFC North-leading Steelers, who finish the season with three of their final four games at home and just one contest against a team with a winning record.
As far as the wild card is concerned, the Ravens are a game behind the Tennessee Titans (7-5) for the last spot in a wide-open conference race, but they probably need to win out to have a realistic shot at a third straight trip to the playoffs.
"The thing is to show what we're all about and see if we can step up to the challenge when everything is laid on the line," Ravens inside linebacker Bernardo Harris said. "When the pressure is put on you and you're at home, can you step up to the plate and play that caliber of the game?"
The Ravens, though, are wary of getting too psyched for this game.
They are 2-5 against teams with winning records this season, and the three most lopsided defeats - to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Steelers and Miami Dolphins - occurred when the Ravens weren't mentally ready to play.
"I think we'll be able to take the Saints as long as we go out there, be physical and keep the hype out of it," Ravens running back Jamal Lewis said.
Being mentally prepared has been the biggest vice of the Saints this season.
A game back of the NFC South lead, New Orleans (8-4) has beaten the Steelers, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Buccaneers (twice). The problem has come against the lesser opponents, losing at the Detroit Lions and at home against the Cleveland Browns.
"I think at times we play down to the level of the competition," Saints running back Deuce McAllister said. "When it's a big game and there's a lot of hype pumped around the game, I think everybody comes to play. But the other times, guys don't come prepared to play and come out flat. We let a couple of games get away we should have won."
To hand the Saints another upset, the Ravens need to control the trenches offensively and limit the big plays allowed defensively.
There's little mystery to the Ravens' game plan, with Lewis carrying the load the past two weeks. During the past five quarters, Lewis has gained 186 yards rushing while the rest of the team has produced 140 yards of total offense.
To keep up that pace, Lewis will need the interior of his line to move the Saints' beefy defensive tackles, 330-pound Grady Jackson and 310-pound Norman Hand. Outside of that duo, the Saints have struggled in run defense, mainly due to an inconsistent linebacking corps.
"People keep telling me that Grady is big and Hand is big," the 340-pound Mulitalo said. "But I'm big, too. It's going to be a good, old heavyweight bout."
Ravens quarterback Jeff Blake squares off against a former team for the second straight week, but the 11-year veteran has more pressing concerns.
He has passed for only 109 and 115 yards in the past two games - both Ravens victories - and has one of the NFL's lowest quarterback ratings (70.4). Despite his struggles, Ravens coach Brian Billick gave him a vote of confidence early last week, naming Blake the starter for the rest of the season.
"I can't put my finger on it," Blake said. "I've been on teams where I've thrown three or four touchdowns and lose every week. Now, it's the opposite. So, I'm not trying to explain it."
The Ravens offense has scored just two touchdowns in 30 possessions and has produced just one drive of more than 64 yards in the past three games. In fact, the defense and special teams have combined for more touchdowns (three) than the offense (two) during the two-game winning streak, returning two blocked punts and one interception for scores.
"Right now, we need [the help]," tight end Todd Heap said. "We've been a little inconsistent offensively."
Injuries - not production - has the Saints offense limping recently. McAllister (sprained right ankle) and quarterback Aaron Brooks (bruised right biceps) are both questionable, but they are expected to play. With them in the lineup, the Ravens have to figure out a way to keep the league's third-highest-scoring team in check.
New Orleans, which averages 28.7 points a game, can strike quickly. Brooks has 38 passes covering 20 yards or more, although he can be forced into making careless mistakes when pressured.
"They can be explosive," defensive end Adalius Thomas said. "So, everyone has to remain disciplined."
Any lapses made today could mean the end of the game and perhaps the end of the season.
"A win gives you the possibilities of being a playoff team. Enough said," Billick said. "I don't know if a loss would eliminate that, but it would certainly make it prohibitive."
Ravens today
Matchup:Ravens (6-6) vs. New Orleans Saints (8-4)
Site:Ravens Stadium
Time:4:05 p.m.
TV/Radio:Ch. 45/WJFK (1300 AM), WQSR (102.7 FM)
Line:Saints by 2 1/2
SunSpot:For more coverage, visit sunspot.net/ravens
Inside
Scouting report,rosters, statistics and more.[Page 14d]