When is the last time the Ravens went to a Super Bowl? History of Baltimore's big game appearances

2024-01-27
7 min read
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The MVP chants for Lamar Jackson aren't going anywhere.

The top-seeded Ravens aren't flapping around this playoff season. They dominated in their divisional-round win over the Texans but now face a much tougher opponent with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line in the Chiefs.

Getting past the defending champions is no easy feat, but with a little bit of luck (and Johnny) on its side, Baltimore has a chance at making Super Bowl history.

MORE: John Harbaugh's dance moves light up Ravens locker room after divisional round win

Take a look back at the Ravens' Super Bowl successes.

Ravens Super Bowl history

When was the last time the Ravens went to a Super Bowl?

The Ravens are the second-newest NFL franchise, so their history of Super Bowl success in their relatively brief existence is impressive.

Added to the league in 1996, the Ravens made it to the big game just four seasons later. They finished the 2000 regular season at 12-4, earning a wild-card berth for their first ever playoff appearance. They dominated every postseason game, beating the Broncos, Titans and Raiders to reach the Super Bowl.

Baltimore beat the Giants, 34-7, in the championship game to claim its first Lombardi Trophy, becoming the quickest expansion team to win it. Defense was the name of the game for the Ravens, who allowed just one touchdown on 152 yards of offense.

Ray Lewis was named Super Bowl MVP, and deservingly so. The franchise's second-ever draft pick, the linebacker stayed with the team through its second Super Bowl before retiring. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Baltimore made it back to the Super Bowl in the 2012 season. After a 10-6 regular season, the Ravens faced the Colts, Broncos and Patriots en route to the championship game.

MORE: Revisiting the Ravens vs. 49ers 'Harbaugh Bowl' of 2013

In the Super Bowl, head coach John Harbaugh faced his brother Jim Harbaugh in the game that became known as the "Harbaugh Bowl." The Ravens handed the 49ers their first championship game loss, and their 34-31 victory wasn't as close as the score suggests. While San Francisco tried to mount a second-half comeback, the 49ers could not erase the 15-point deficit. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco earned MVP honors for the win. 

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Despite successful seasons since then, the Ravens have yet to make it back to an AFC championship game — until this year.

Here's a look at their previous Super Bowl results.

Game Date Opponent Result MVP
Super Bowl 35 Jan. 28, 2001 Giants Ravens 34, Giants 7 Ray Lewis
Super Bowl 47 Feb. 3, 2013 49ers Ravens 34, 49ers 31 Joe Flacco

How many Super Bowls have the Ravens won?

The Ravens are a perfect 2-0 in their Super Bowl appearances. They're far from the most successful franchise, as the Steelers and Patriots are tied with six Super Bowl wins apiece, but they've done well given their brief history as a franchise.

Take a look at the franchises to which Baltimore compares in terms of Super Bowl victories.

Team Wins Most recent win
Chiefs 3 2023
Broncos 3 2016
Commanders 3 1992
Raiders 3 1984
Colts 2 2007
Rams 2 2022
Dolphins 2 1974
Buccaneers 2 2021

Most Super Bowl appearances

Among teams with two Super Bowl appearances, the Ravens stack up well. The Buccaneers are the only other team who also are a perfect 2-0 through two appearances.

If the Ravens reach the Super Bowl for a third time, they will join the Seahawks (1-2) and the Bengals (0-3) at that milestone, and they'll be guaranteed to have the best record in the group.

Team Appearances Record Most recent appearance
Panthers 2 0-2 2016
Falcons 2 0-2 2017
Bears 2 1-1 2007
Buccaneers 2 2-0 2021
Saints 1 1-0 2010
Cardinals 1 0-1 2009
Titans 1 0-1 2000
Chargers 1 0-1 1995
Jets 1 1-0 1969

Longest Super Bowl appearance drought

The Ravens' 2013 Super Bowl appearance puts them in better position than 22 other NFL teams, who all have had longer Super Bowl appearance droughts.

Among teams who have been to a Super Bowl, the Jets and the Vikings have the longest active droughts.

Team Date Result
Jets Jan. 12, 1969 Jets 16, Colts 7
Vikings Jan. 9, 1977 Raiders 32, Vikings 14
Dolphins Jan. 20, 1985 49ers 38, Dolphins 16
Commanders Jan. 26, 1992 Commanders 37, Bills 24
Cowboys Jan. 28, 1996 Cowboys 27, Steelers 17

Several other franchises, whether a year older (Jaguars) or 50 years older (Browns) than the Ravens, haven't even made it that far.

Team Year founded Best Super Bowl-era playoff finish
Lions 1930 Conference championship (1992)
Browns 1946 Conference championship (1990)
Jaguars 1995 Conference championship (2018)
Texans 2002 Divisional round (5 seasons)

Super Bowl rematches

If the Ravens advance to the Super Bowl, they'll face the winner of the NFC championship game between the No. 3 seed Lions and No. 1 seed 49ers.

If the Lions win, they'll advance to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. But if the 49ers win, they'll set up a rematch with the Ravens, who beat them for the 2013 title. Will the logo conspiracy come true?

MORE: Why 2024 Super Bowl logo colors predict a 49ers-Ravens rematch

Whether the 2024 Super Bowl is the first of its kind or a rematch, it will be one to remember. In the meantime, take a look back at the most common championship matchups in NFL history. The Steelers and Cowboys lead the race, with Pittsburgh at a 2-1 advantage.

Teams Matchups
Steelers vs. Cowboys 3
Dolphins vs. Redskins 2
49ers vs. Bengals 2
Cowboys vs. Bills 2
Patriots vs. Eagles 2
Patriots vs. Giants 2
Patriots vs. Rams 2