super bowl

Vicki Antal, of Bel Air, watched the Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game intently Saturday night, with the thought in the back of her mind that, if the Ravens lost, she might not hear the end of it the next day from her friends who are Steelers fans.

As he does each week, Baltimore Sun reporter Childs Walker shares his five biggest takeaways from the Ravens' 30-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC wild-card round at Heinz Field on Saturday.

Who really thought the Ravens would put together the kind of complete game that has so eluded them during the final weeks of the regular season?

The Ravens held on to their Super Bowl hopes even as they endured the disgrace of Ray Rice's assault charge, the suspension of Haloti Ngata and dozens of injuries large and small.

After dealing with issues off the field and with injuries, the Baltimore Ravens are back in the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.

This should come as a surprise to no one, but if the Ravens are still standing after Saturday night's playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, it will be because Joe Flacco is still one of the best clutch quarterbacks in the NFL.

Baltimore Ravens fans prepare for team to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL playoffs

Although the New York Jets and Chicago Bears have both requested permission to interview Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta, sources said he's not expected to pursue those job vacancies.

To a core group of Ravens, it's almost expected that they'll play two or three playoff games every year. But as they prepare to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night in the AFC wild-card round at Heinz Field, other veterans joining them this postseason haven't been so fortunate.

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers readers' questions about the Ravens' game plan in the regular-season finale, Haloti Ngata's return, the team's recent slow starts and more.

The New York Jets have put in a formal request to interview highly regarded Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta for their general manager vacancy, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

The only thing that matters to the Ravens (10-6) is that they'll get another opportunity to overcome their struggles Saturday night, when they face the third-seeded and AFC North champion Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) at Heinz Field in the AFC wild-card round.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is aware that his photo is in the Detrot Free Press next to a headline that noted all signs point toward Jim Harbaugh heading to the University of Michigan.

As he does each week, Childs Walker shares his five biggest takeaways from the Ravens' 20-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

Needing a win and a San Diego Chargers loss, the Baltimore Ravens almost waited too long to put away the Cleveland Browns.

Maybe Sunday's fourth quarter means quarterback Joe Flacco is ready to get on a roll like he did when the Ravens won the Super Bowl.

After loss to Houston Texans, the Baltimore Ravens now need some help to the make the playoffs.

Insurance and real estate firms are scrambling to prepare for the expiration of a federal terrorism insurance program at the end of the month that supporters say is critical for construction projects and large buildings, such as utilities and sports stadiums.

Ravens special-teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg didn¿t hold back Wednesday afternoon, making an impassioned argument that punter Sam Koch should have been named to the Pro Bowl.

After the Bengals' victory over the Denver Broncos last night, the Ravens can only make the playoffs with a victory over the Cleveland Browns and a San Diego Chargers' loss or tie.

A steadying influence with impeccable credentials, Ravens coordinator Gary Kubiak has guided the offense to a major improvement.

Ravens' playoff chances above 80 percent, according to projection systems

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers readers' questions about the Ravens' win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the performance on special teams and more.

Many of us who love sports (and I'll assume if you reading this you have more than a passing interest) came to our passion because of the nurturing interest of a parent, sibling, relative, friend or coach.

Predicting who will be the stars of the game when the Ravens host the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers readers' questions about the Ravens' loss to the San Diego Chargers, their struggles in the red zone and more.

The Ravens could still make the playoffs and play well despite the league's second-worst pass defense.

The Carolina Panthers have promoted former Dunbar standout outside linebacker Horace Miller to their active roster from the practice squad.

Even the most loyal fans have to see that the Ravens are still an average football team in a league filled with mediocrity.

The defense, the backbone of the franchise for more than a decade, is a shell of its former self this season.

Philip Rivers of the Chargers and Joe Flacco of the Ravens have second- and third-longest consecutive game streaks

Ray Rice's seven-year association with Baltimore won't really be over until another team signs him, but arbitrator Barbara S. Jones reinstated Rice on Friday after he missed 12 weeks of the 2014 season. Rice was suspended indefinitely by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Sept. 15.

Steve Smith's 14th NFL season has been eye-opening for the 35-year-old, given that the Panthers organization was all he had ever known. But each game seems to bring Smith flashbacks to an earlier phase of his career, and that's the case again as the Ravens (7-4) prepare to face the Chargers (7-4) on Sunday in a key game at M&T Bank Stadium.

With six winnable games remaining after bye week, Baltimore Ravens have control of their playoff destiny.

Kiero Small has three NFL starts under his belt as he joins the Baltimore Ravens as a practice squad fullback.

Former Cleveland Browns starting fullback Kiero Small is joining the Ravens' practice squad, sources close to the former Cardinal Gibbons standout said Thursday.

Every team in the AFC North is two games above .500, leading some pundits to suggest that it's the best division in football. But the NFC West is still better.

The Cleveland Browns cut former Cardinal Gibbons and Arkansas fullback Kiero Small and re-signed former starting fullback Ray Agnew.

For many players, who were sent home Monday afternoon by John Harbaugh with orders not to return until next Monday, this week's break is uncharted territory. And the Ravens are happy to navigate it.

Dalton's latest setback came Thursday night, when he went 10-for-33 for 86 yards, three interceptions and a passer rating of 2.0 in a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns

As Michael Oher returns with Titans, the Ravens' decision to let him walk and go with Rick Wagner appears to have paid off

Admittedly, it was tough to watch the Ravens get undressed on national television Sunday night, but that ugly loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers -- much of it self-administered -- was not a symptom of some irreparable flaw in the team or the organization.

If you are to believe the words of Ravens players this past week, avenging a rare home loss to the Bengals seven weeks ago is the furthest thing from their minds. Yet, no Ravens player made even the slightest effort to diminish the magnitude of Sunday afternoon's game against the Bengals.

Heading into Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens have emerged as the top-ranked red-zone defense in the NFL, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on just 36.4 percent (8 of 22) of their possessions inside the Ravens' 20-yard line.

The Cleveland Browns cut fullback Ray Agnew and replaced him with a Cardinal Gibbons graduate, the team announced.

Childs Walker shares his biggest takeaways from the Ravens' 27-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.