The National Football League returns to Baltimore today when the Ravens play the Steelers at Memorial Stadium.
That might sound weird considering that the Ravens already are well into their second season here, and that almost 23 months have passed since Art Modell first announced his controversial move from Cleveland.
OK, so the NFL actually returned quite awhile ago -- but that was in body only, not in spirit.
The real essence of the pro game was missing last season during a glazed-over honeymoon in which a roster of transplanted Clevelanders struggled to a 4-12 finish and fans were happy just to have a team again after 12 years of silent Sundays.
Today's game marks another new beginning of sorts with the return, at last, of many of the elements that the fans most missed between the departure of the Colts and arrival of the Ravens.
It's the first big home game for the Ravens -- the first big game, period -- coming after a successful September topped off by a road trip in which they won two of three games.
Big things are at stake in the AFC Central standings, where the Ravens are in second place, a half-game ahead of the Steelers.
And the Steelers, the class of the division for much of the '90s, will bring thousands of fans from home to jack up the emotional pitch inside the stadium.
Big game, big crowd, big opponent, big stakes -- pro football is, indeed, back at last.
"This is a pivotal game," Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda said. "During the course of the season, you're going to run into three or four pivotal games. This is another one. It's a big ballgame, extremely important."
To top it all off, the Ravens have a shot at winning.
The Steelers are favored, no surprise given their accomplishments in recent seasons, but today's matchups favor the Ravens in many ways.
A big win in a big game -- now that would really mark the return of the NFL.
It could happen, for several reasons.
The Steelers' pass defense is among the worst in the league, meaning the pass-happy Ravens should be able to move the ball and score.
Stopping the run is what the Steelers' defense does best, but how much is that going to matter against a Ravens offense that treats the running game as little more than an accessory?
Bam Morris' return is supposed to matter, but the Ravens' real advantage today lies in the matchup between their receivers, Michael Jackson and Derrick Alexander, and the Steelers vulnerable cornerbacks, Donnell Woolford and Randy Fuller.
