If the Ravens need more motivation than last season's playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts, all they have to do is listen to the national buzz.
During the show First Take on ESPN last week, co-host Skip Bayless was raving about how the New England Patriots will run away with the AFC when someone argued that the Ravens could challenge them.
"Steve McNair vs. Tom Brady. ... Are you kidding me?" Bayless said with a laugh. "It's not even close."
The Ravens are far from being a punch line in the NFL, but it seems few national media consider them serious threats to the Patriots, Colts and San Diego Chargers.
Instead of forming a "Fab Four" in the AFC, the Ravens have simply become the drab fourth team, flying under the national radar because they play a less-than-enticing style of football and they flopped in prime-time games last season.
Sports Illustrated doesn't even have the Ravens repeating as AFC North champions. The magazine predicts the Cincinnati Bengals will win it.
NBC analysts Cris Collinsworth and Jerome Bettis agreed that the Ravens will finish second in the division, but they think it's the Pittsburgh Steelers who will capture the AFC North.
In fact, only one national publication (Lindy's) predicted the Ravens would reach the Super Bowl.
Brian Billick is more than happy to propagate the national perception, knowing this disrespect will only fire up his team.
Said the Ravens coach: "San Diego is the most talented team in the league, hands down. Indianapolis is the reigning Super Bowl champ. And New England has already made their reservation for [the Super Bowl in] Arizona. So I understand people's perspective. We have to earn the respect around the league that maybe - just maybe - we belong with that group."
The Patriots dominated the headlines this offseason when they signed linebacker Adalius Thomas and receiver Donte' Stallworth and then traded for receiver Randy Moss.
The Colts lost five starters from their Super Bowl championship team, but they still have Peyton Manning and one of the NFL's most dangerous offenses.
The Chargers changed coaches, hiring Norv Turner to replace Marty Schottenheimer, but return 11 Pro Bowl players.
So, have the Ravens really lost that much ground in the AFC race this year?
