It was only nine months ago when the Ravens delivered the most embarrassing playoff loss of the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick era.
Recent history says "the revenge factor" won't have much effect in Sunday' game in Foxborough, Mass. Over the past five seasons, teams that have lost in the playoffs are 14-13 in the rematch the following season.
That trend has remained the same this season. The Minnesota Vikings lost the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 season opener after losing to them in the NFC championship game. Then, the Arizona Cardinals got back at the Saints last Sunday after falling to them in the playoffs last season.
The Ravens' locker room is split on whether the Patriots will use the 33-14 postseason rout as motivation.
"Anytime you play a playoff game at home and you lose, that's going to leave a sour taste in your mouth," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "I'm sure when they saw us on their schedule, they saw red, and they're going to come at us. But we expect nothing less, especially from the New England Patriots. So we definitely look forward to that opportunity. If there's going to be a fight at one o'clock, we'll see them there."
Many of the Patriots won't be seeking revenge because they weren't a part of that ambush, when the Ravens jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Patriots currently have 32 players who were on their 53-man playoff roster. That means there has been a 40 percent turnover. In fact, New England will start 13 players who weren't in the starting lineup in that postseason game.
The Ravens, meanwhile, will line up 16 of the same starters from that Patriots game.
"Every year is a new year, every game is a new game," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "I don't think they're going back that far to think about it that much. I just think the bottom line for them is to try to get a win, just like us."
The Ravens are in agreement that their postseason win will have one effect.
"They're not going to overlook us," coach John Harbaugh said. "It would be great if somebody would. We'd appreciate that, but that doesn't happen very often."