It's only four games into the 2008 season, and the Ravens are at the crossroads.
They are an average team on the brink of becoming good or on the verge of possibly collapsing. We'll know more in the coming weeks when the Ravens play five of six games on the road.
"We have to learn how to take that next step against a good team and win a tight football game at the end," rookie quarterback Joe Flacco said after the team's 13-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
We already know the Ravens can play with any team in the AFC. In the past two weeks, they have outplayed the Pittsburgh Steelers and the unbeaten Titans only to lose in the final minutes of each game.
Overall, the Ravens have played better than anyone expected, especially with two rookies in Flacco and coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens (2-2) are still in the hunt for the AFC North title, but when you lose the way they have the past two games, it can take a lot out of a team.
"We play these games and feel like we leave it all on the field," defensive tackle Justin Bannan said. "We're just not getting it done, and certain things are happening. But no excuses. We've just got to come out and do better."
We'll certainly get more of a glimpse into Harbaugh's coaching style. It's easy to coach when you're winning, because everybody wants to jump onboard. But it's a lot more difficult when the losing starts.
That's when the whining starts and fingers are pointed. That's when players complain about the practices and meetings being too long. Players find injuries instead of wanting to get back onto the field.
A year ago, this team, with a fragile psyche and surly veterans, fell apart when things got tough. All these lessons Harbaugh has been teaching the Ravens about the team concept are about to be tested.
"We are .500, and this isn't going to break us," outside linebacker-defensive end Terrell Suggs said. "We are a very strong team, and we are just going to continue to play football. We got a whole season ahead of us."
After the past two losses, it will be interesting to see whether Harbaugh changes his offensive and defensive styles. The Ravens' approach on offense in the first four games has been understandable and effective.
They have been conservative because of Flacco, and they don't have a deep threat. They wanted to establish a strong work ethic, and there is no better way than playing smash-mouth football.
