Did the Baltimore Ravens Win a Super Bowl?
Yes. The Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV on January 28, 2001, defeating the New York Giants 34-7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The team won again as the Baltimore Ravens organization; this was their second Super Bowl victory, the first having been won by the franchise in its previous incarnation as the Cleveland Browns in 1964 (before relocation).
The 2000 Season Championship Run
The Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV victory capped a dominant 2000 regular season in which Baltimore finished 12-4 and led the NFL in defense. The team allowed only 165 points that season, the fewest in the league. Linebacker Ray Lewis, safety Ed Reed, and defensive tackle Sam Adams formed the core of a unit that became the historical benchmark for defensive excellence in the modern era.
The Ravens' playoff path to the Super Bowl included a divisional-round victory over the Denver Broncos (19-10) and an AFC Championship Game win over the Oakland Raiders (16-3). The Giants had finished 12-4 in the NFC East and represented a formidable offensive opponent led by quarterback Kerry Collins and running back Tiki Barber, but Baltimore's defense overwhelmed them from the opening drive.
Offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden and running back Jamal Lewis powered a ground-based offense that complemented the defense. Quarterback Trent Dilfer managed the game effectively, throwing two touchdown passes in the Super Bowl. The Ravens' strategy of dominant defense, ball control, and field position rather than explosive passing plays defined their era.
Local Recognition and Stadium Context
The Ravens play their home games at M&T Bank Stadium on the Inner Harbor, which opened in 1998 and seats 71,008. The team has not returned to the Super Bowl since 2001, though they won an AFC North division title in 2011 and made the playoffs multiple times in the 2000s and 2010s. Fan attendance at M&T Bank Stadium remains high relative to NFL averages; the 2023 season saw average regular-season attendance near 70,000 per game.
The 2000 championship remains the franchise's defining accomplishment. Ray Lewis, the defensive leader, was named Super Bowl MVP. His postgame speech and leadership became central to Ravens mythology in Baltimore. Lewis played his entire 17-season career with the Ravens and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; his jersey is retired by the organization.
Why the Defense Was Historic
The 2000 Ravens defense ranked first in the NFL in points allowed (165), yards allowed (4,661), rushing yards allowed (1,457), and passing yards allowed (3,204). No team has matched this four-category dominance in a Super Bowl-winning season since then. The Ravens gave up fewer than 20 points in 12 of their 16 regular-season games.
This defensive scheme, coordinated by Marvin Lewis (now the former Cincinnati Bengals head coach), relied on aggressive blitzing, gap discipline, and elite athleticism at linebacker and safety. The Ravens drafted and developed players like Lewis, Reed, and Adams rather than acquiring them in free agency, establishing the franchise's identity for the next two decades.
Super Bowl Appearances Since 2001
The Ravens have played in one Super Bowl since their 2000 championship. Super Bowl XLVII, played on February 3, 2013, was held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in a game notable for a prolonged power outage in the stadium during the second half. Quarterback Joe Flacco won Super Bowl MVP honors after a strong postseason run, often called his "elite" playoff performance by fans and analysts.
That 2012 season followed a mid-year coaching change. Head coach John Harbaugh took over in the ninth game after Brian Billick was fired, and the team rallied to win the AFC North and the Super Bowl. Running back Ray Rice was a central figure in that playoff run, along with veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin and linebacker Terrell Suggs.
Current Franchise Status
The Ravens have not appeared in a Super Bowl since 2013, though they have maintained consistent playoff contention. Lamar Jackson became the starting quarterback in 2018 and won the NFL MVP award in 2019 at age 23, the youngest ever at that time. The Ravens finished 14-2 in 2019 but lost in the divisional playoff round to the Tennessee Titans.
Related Questions
How many Super Bowls have the Ravens played in total? The Ravens have appeared in two Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXXV (2001, which they won) and Super Bowl XLVII (2013, which they also won). They have never lost a Super Bowl.
Where can I watch Ravens games during the regular season? The Ravens play home games at M&T Bank Stadium, located at 1101 Russell Street on Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Regular-season tickets are sold through the team's official website and vary in price depending on opponent and seating location.
Who was the quarterback during the Ravens' first Super Bowl win? Trent Dilfer was the starting quarterback for the 2000 Ravens championship team, though Jamal Lewis and the defense were the primary drivers of that season's success.
