2008 Baltimore Ravens season The 2008 Baltimore Ravens season was the 13th season for the team in the NFL . Despite having one of the toughest schedules in the NFL , the Ravens completed a major turnaround from the 2007 season , finishing the season with an 11 – 5 record and a playoff berth . They defeated the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round of the playoffs , and then in the divisional round they defeated the Tennessee Titans , who had compiled the best record in the AFC over the regular season . However , in the AFC championship game , the Ravens ' season came to an end as they were defeated by eventual Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers . Offseason . Coaching staff . Head Coach . On December 31 , 2007 , Brian Billick was fired after coaching the team to a 5 – 11 record , finishing last overall in the AFC North Division . Three weeks later , on January 18 , 2008 , John Harbaugh was hired to replace Brian Billick as the third head coach in the franchise ' s young history . Harbaugh was the defensive secondary coach for the Philadelphia Eagles , coaching such players as Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard and free safety Brian Dawkins . As the Baltimore Ravens Head Coach , he is scheduled to serve in that capacity until at least the end of the 2011 season , after signing a four year contract with the team . Coordinators . After not having a true offensive coordinator during the 2007 season ( Billick had assumed those duties early in the 2006 season after firing Jim Fassel ( although Rick Neuheisel had been listed on the coaching staff in that capacity ) , ) addressing this position was as much of a priority for new Head Coach John Harbaugh as it was for owner Steve Bisciotti to find a new Head Coach for his team , at the time . Recently dismissed as head coach from the Miami Dolphins , Malcolm ' Cam ' Cameron was highly sought after for his offensive expertise from his time in San Diego with the Chargers . After some deliberation amongst offers he received from around the league , Cameron chose to come to the Ravens , and John Harbaugh announced him as the offensive coordinator on January 23 , 2008 . Rex Ryan was ' released from duty ' as the team ' s defensive coordinator , but was still under contract to the Ravens as a defensive coordinator in name for one more year , should new Head Coach John Harbaugh decide to hire him onto his staff , thus making him ineligible to accept the same position with any other NFL football team . Ryan , at the time was applying for a head coaching position himself , but got no offers for any of the four head coaching vacancies in Atlanta , his own team in Baltimore , Miami , or in Washington . On January 28 , 2008 , Ryan was re - hired as the Ravens ' Defensive Coordinator and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator after rumors of potential Redskins Head Coach Jim Zorn circulated that he wanted Ryan to coach the Redskins as its defensive coordinator . Personnel . Offseason / Free agency . During the 2008 Free Agency period , the Ravens acquired linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo from the Chicago Bears and cornerback Frank Walker from the Green Bay Packers . Both were added to the Ravens roster primarily for their special teams ability , but also to fulfill a pressing need for depth at two positions which were diminished by injuries as the 2007 season wore on . On February 28 , 2008 , center Mike Flynn was released after failing his annual physical . Flynn was one of the few players remaining from the team ' s Super Bowl championship season in 2000 . After suffering multiple injuries and having to be placed on injured reserve during the 2007 season , veteran quarterback Steve McNair announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 combined seasons with the Ravens and Titans on April 17 , 2008 . After being voted to 11 Pro Bowls in 12 seasons , ( but only playing in 10 due to a hyperextended big toe ) veteran left tackle and the first ever draft selection by the newly created Baltimore Ravens franchise in 1996 , Jonathan Ogden announced his retirement on June 12 , 2008 . 2008 NFL Draft . The Baltimore Ravens had nine selections going into in the 2008 NFL Draft , including four compensatory selections . The Ravens traded the eighth overall pick to the Jaguars for Jacksonville ' s first - round choice ( 26th overall ) as well as two third - round selections ( 71st and 89th ) and a fourth - round ( 125th ) pick . The Ravens then traded the 26th overall pick as well as their third - round ( 89th ) and sixth - round ( 173 ) picks to Houston for its first - round ( 18th ) pick . The Ravens traded their 38th overall pick to the Seattle Seahawks for their second - round pick and gained another selection in the third - round , which were at 55 and 86 , respectively . The Ravens then traded their second fourth - round pick ( 125th overall ) to the Oakland Raiders for cornerback Fabian Washington . Schedule . Strength of schedule . The Ravens , in addition to facing its AFC North counterparts , faced opponents from the AFC South Division and the NFC East Division . They also faced the Oakland Raiders from the AFC West Division and the Miami Dolphins from the AFC East Division based on the 2002 – 2009 NFL scheduling formula because of their fourth place finish in the AFC North Division . The Ravens and Minnesota Vikings had the fourth toughest strength of schedule in the NFL based on its aforementioned opponents ' win to loss ratio from the 2007 season , with its opponents winning 55 . 1 % of their scheduled games in 2007 . The only three teams with tougher strength of schedules are the Jacksonville Jaguars ( 3rd ) with a 55 . 9 % opponents ' winning percentage , the Indianapolis Colts ( 2nd ) with a 59 . 4 % opponents ' winning percentage , and the Pittsburgh Steelers have the toughest strength of schedule in the 2008 season with an opponents ' winning percentage of 59 . 8 % . Broadcast changes . The first and last pre - season games will be simulcast on television and radio , a first in the NFL . The Ravens ' games will be broadcast on WBAL - TV 11 , WBAL - AM Radio ( 1090 ) , and WIYY - FM Radio ( 97 . 9 ) . The radio broadcast team of Gerry Sandusky , Stan White , and former Ravens defensive tackle Rob Burnett will voice the televised pre - season games . The second and third games will be broadcast on WMAR Channel 2 due to NBCs Olympic Coverage . Regular season . < nowiki > * < / nowiki > Highlighted weeks are subject to rescheduling to Sunday Night Football on NBC . < nowiki > * * < / nowiki > Postponed from September 14 to November 9 . Standings . Week 1 : vs . Cincinnati Bengals . The Ravens began their 2008 campaign at home against their AFC North foe , the Cincinnati Bengals . In the first quarter , Baltimore opened the scoring with WR Mark Clayton scoring on a 42 - yard TD run from a double - reverse play . In the second quarter , the Ravens increased their advantage with Matt Stover kicking a 21 - yard field goal . The Bengals responded with Shayne Graham kicking a 43 - yard field goal to end the first half . In the third quarter , Baltimore responded with rookie QB Joe Flacco scoring on a 38 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , Cincinnati tried to rally as CB Johnathan Joseph returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown . Ultimately , the Ravens defense stopped a potential Bengals scoring drive on fourth down late in the fourth quarter and won the game . With the win , the Ravens began their season at 1 – 0 . Joe Flacco in his rookie debut , completed 15 of 29 passes for 129 yards ( along with a touchdown run ) . Week 2 : Bye week . The Houston Texans – Baltimore Ravens game was postponed from September 14 to November 9 due to structural damage to Reliant Stadium caused by Hurricane Ike . Week 3 : vs . Cleveland Browns . Coming off an unexpected bye week , the Ravens looked to improve their division standing in the AFC North , playing host to the 0 – 2 Cleveland Browns . Joe Flacco threw his first career interception in the first quarter , which was scoreless for both teams . The Browns , however , capitalized on the turnover by driving 52 yards for a touchdown , finishing the drive with Derek Anderson completing a 19 yard pass to Jerome Harrison . Baltimore would respond with Willis McGahee scoring on a 5 yard touchdown run , his first of the season . The Browns closed out the first half with a Phil Dawson Field goal to make the score 10 – 7 , Browns , at the half . Strong Safety Dawan Landry suffered a mild spinal injury and was taken to the hospital , where X - rays were negative for damage . In the second half , Baltimore won the turnover battle and their defense proved to be the deciding factor in this contest . After Ray Lewis delivered a big hit on Browns ' Tight End Kellen Winslow while deflecting a pass , Chris McAlister intercepted the tipped ball and returned the interception to the Browns 10 yard line . Four plays later , Fullback Le ' Ron McClain would score on a 1 yard run . On the next possession , Ed Reed intercepted a Derek Anderson pass intended for Tight End Steve Heiden and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown . After forcing another 3 - and - out , Baltimore would capitalize on a Browns personal foul from the 50 yard line , driving 35 yards for a touchdown , finishing the drive with a 1 yard run from Le ' Ron McClain . The Browns tried to rally late in the game , but Samari Rolle intercepted Derek Anderson with less than two minutes to play , ensuring no chance of a comeback . With the win , and the Pittsburgh Steelers losing 15 – 6 to the Philadelphia Eagles , the Ravens not only improve to 2 – 0 ; they now lead the AFC North after 3 weeks . Week 4 : at Pittsburgh Steelers . Coming off their home win over the Browns , the Ravens flew to Heinz Field for their first road game of the year , as they played a Week 4 MNF duel with the throwback - clad Pittsburgh Steelers . In the first quarter , Baltimore trailed early as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed got a 49 - yard field goal . The Ravens responded with kicker Matt Stover getting a 33 - yard field goal . Baltimore gained the lead in the second quarter as Stover kicked a 20 - yard field goal , while rookie QB Joe Flacco completed his first career touchdown pass as he hooked up with TE Daniel Wilcox from 4 yards out . In the third quarter , Pittsburgh took the lead with QB Ben Roethlisberger completing a 38 - yard TD pass to WR Santonio Holmes , along with LB James Harrison forcing a fumble from Flacco with LB LaMarr Woodley returning the fumble 7 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , the Steelers increased their lead with Reed getting a 19 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Ravens tied the game with RB Le ' Ron McClain getting a 2 - yard TD run . However , despite winning the coin toss in overtime , Baltimore was unable to gain ground . In the end , Pittsburgh sealed Baltimore ' s fate as Reed nailed the game - winning 46 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Ravens fell to 2 – 1 . Week 5 : vs . Tennessee Titans . Hoping to rebound from their tough divisional road loss to the Steelers , the Ravens went home for a Week 5 defensive duel with the Tennessee Titans . Baltimore scored in the first quarter on a 38 - yard field goal by kicker Matt Stover . In the second quarter , the Titans tied the game as kicker Rob Bironas made a 35 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Ravens reclaimed the lead on a 1 - yard TD run by RB Le ' Ron McClain . However , in the fourth quarter , Tennessee pulled away with Bironas nailing a 26 - yard field goal and QB Kerry Collins completing an 11 - yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler . With the loss , Baltimore fell to 2 – 2 . Week 6 : at Indianapolis Colts . Trying to snap a two - game losing streak , the Ravens flew to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Week 6 duel with the Indianapolis Colts . In the first quarter , Baltimore trailed early as Colt QB Peyton Manning completed a 67 - yard TD pass to WR Marvin Harrison and a 22 - yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne , along with kicker Adam Vinatieri getting a 37 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the Ravens continued to struggle as Manning completed a 5 - yard TD pass to Harrison . In the third quarter , Indianapolis pulled away as RB Dominic Rhodes got a 1 - yard TD run . Baltimore would get its only score as kicker Matt Stover got a 37 - yard field goal . With their third - straight loss , the Ravens fell to 2 – 3 . Week 7 : at Miami Dolphins . Trying to snap a three - game losing streak , the Ravens flew to Dolphin Stadium for a Week 7 duel with the Miami Dolphins . In the first quarter , Baltimore trailed early as Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter got a 21 - yard field goal . The Ravens would respond with kicker Matt Stover getting a 47 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Baltimore took the lead as LB Terrell Suggs returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown . Miami would answer with Carpenter making a 26 - yard field goal , yet the Ravens replied with rookie QB Joe Flacco completing an 11 - yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason . In the third quarter , Baltimore increased its lead with Stover nailing a 28 - yard field goal . The Dolphins tried to rally as QB Chad Pennington completed a 7 - yard TD pass to WR Davone Bess . Fortunately for the Ravens , in the fourth quarter , the Ravens scored on a 5 - yard TD run by RB Willis McGahee . With the win , Baltimore improved to 3 – 3 . Week 8 : vs . Oakland Raiders . Coming off their road win over the Dolphins , the Ravens went home for a Week 8 duel with the Oakland Raiders . In the first quarter , Baltimore rookie LB Jameel McClain sacked Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell in his own endzone for a safety . In the second quarter , the Ravens increased their lead with a 1 - yard TD run by RB Willis McGahee , a 70 - yard TD pass to WR Demetrius Williams by rookie QB Joe Flacco , and a 38 - yard field goal by kicker Matt Stover . In the third quarter , Oakland responded with a 22 - yard field goal by kicker Sebastian Janikowski , yet Baltimore answered with Stover 30 - yard field goal . The Raiders tried to rally as Russell completed a 2 - yard TD pass to RB Justin Griffith . In the fourth quarter , the Ravens extended their lead on a Flacco 12 - yard TD run . With the win , Baltimore improved to 4 – 3 . Week 9 : at Cleveland Browns . Coming off their home win over the Raiders , the Ravens traveled to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a Week 9 AFC North rematch with the Cleveland Browns . In the first quarter , Baltimore ' s first drive ended with a 41 - yard field goal by kicker Matt Stover , while rookie QB Joe Flacco completed a 47 - yard TD pass to WR Mark Clayton . The Browns immediately responded with WR Joshua Cribbs returning a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown . In the second quarter , Cleveland tied the game with a 23 - yard field goal by kicker Phil Dawson . The Ravens answered with Stover making a 32 - yard field goal , yet the Browns closed out the half with Dawson making a 54 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Cleveland took the lead as QB Derek Anderson completed a 28 - yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and a 7 - yard TD pass to RB Jason Wright . Baltimore closed out the quarter with a 1 - yard TD run by FB Le ' Ron McClain . In the fourth quarter , the Ravens rallied with Flacco completing a 28 - yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason , Stover nailing a 22 - yard field goal , and LB Terrell Suggs returning an interception 42 yards for a touchdown . With the season - sweep , Baltimore improved to 5 – 3 . Week 10 : at Houston Texans . Coming off their season - sweep over the Browns , the Ravens flew to Reliant Stadium for a Week 10 duel with the Houston Texans . Both Baltimore and Houston were originally scheduled to play each other during Week 2 of the 2008 NFL season , but the game was rescheduled to Week 10 due to structural damage to Reliant Stadium , which was caused by Hurricane Ike . Week 10 was originally set to be the team ' s bye week . This contest would be the eighth of a record fifteen consecutive games for the Ravens . In the first quarter , Baltimore took flight as rookie QB Joe Flacco completed a 43 - yard TD pass to WR Yamon Figurs . In the second quarter , the Texans responded with a 23 - yard field goal by kicker Kris Brown . The Ravens would punt on the ensuing drive , pinning the Texans at their 3 - yard line . On the next play , Texans OT Duane Brown committed a holding penalty while in his own endzone , giving the Ravens a safety . Baltimore would increase their lead as rookie kicker Steven Hauschka got a 54 - yard field goal . The Texans would close out the half as Brown nailed a 48 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Ravens increased their lead as RB Willis McGahee got a 1 - yard TD run . Houston would answer as QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 60 - yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter . In the fourth quarter , Baltimore steamrolled their way to victory with Flacco completing a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Todd Heap ( with a 2 - point conversion pass to WR Derrick Mason ) , QB Troy Smith completing a 14 - yard TD pass to Heap , and McGahee rushing four yards for a TD . With the win , the Ravens improved to 6 – 3 . Week 11 : at New York Giants . Coming off their road win over the Texans , the Ravens flew to Giants Stadium for a Week 11 interconference duel with the defending Super Bowl champions , the New York Giants . In the first quarter , Baltimore trailed early as Giants RB Brandon Jacobs got back - to - back 1 - yard TD runs ( with a failed PAT on the latter ) . In the second quarter , the Ravens continued to struggle as QB Eli Manning completed a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Darcy Johnson . Baltimore closed out the half with kicker Matt Stover getting a 38 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Ravens tried to rally as rookie QB Joe Flacco completed a 10 - yard TD pass to FB Le ' Ron McClain . However , New York answered with CB Aaron Ross returning an interception 50 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , the Giants closed out the game as kicker Lawrence Tynes nailed a 19 - yard field goal . With the loss , Baltimore fell to 6 – 4 . The Ravens ' top - ranked rushing defense gave up 207 yards , which is the most since October 1997 against the Pittsburgh Steelers . Week 12 : vs . Philadelphia Eagles . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Giants , the Ravens went home for a Week 12 interconference duel with the Philadelphia Eagles . Baltimore scored the first points of the game late in the second half with a 44 - yard field goal by kicker Matt Stover , while rookie QB Joe Flacco and TE Daniel Wilcox connected on a 1 - yard TD pass , set up by an interception by safety Ed Reed . The Eagles would close out the half with safety Quintin Demps returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown . In the third quarter , the Ravens answered with rookie LB Jameel McClain blocking a punt that resulted in a safety . In the fourth quarter , Baltimore scored additional unanswered points as Stover nailed a 42 - yard field goal , Flacco completed a 53 - yard TD pass to WR Mark Clayton , Reed set an NFL record with a 108 - yard interception return for a touchdown , and FB Le ' Ron McClain scored on a 1 - yard TD run . With the win , the Ravens improved to 7 – 4 . Week 13 : at Cincinnati Bengals . Coming off their home win over the Eagles , the Ravens flew to Paul Brown Stadium for a Week 13 AFC North rematch with the Cincinnati Bengals . In the first quarter , Baltimore scored first with a 27 - yard field goal by kicker Matt Stover . In the second quarter , the Ravens increased their lead as Stover made a 21 - yard field goal , while rookie QB Joe Flacco completed a 4 - yard TD pass to TE Todd Heap . The Bengals would close out the half as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 21 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Baltimore pulled away as WR Mark Clayton ( on a trick play ) threw a 32 - yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason and caught a 70 - yard TD pass from Flacco . In the fourth quarter , the Ravens sealed the victory as safety Jim Leonhard returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown . With the win , not only did Baltimore improve to 8 – 4 , but they swept the season series from Cincinnati for the first time since 2002 . Week 14 : vs . Washington Redskins . The Ravens wore their alternate uniforms in the game , hosting cross - conference rivals The Washington Redskins at M & T Bank Stadium . The Ravens scored early following an Ed Reed interception that set up a short touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to Le ' Ron McClain . With just under ten minutes to go , Washington ran Clinton Portis up the middle for a first down , but Portis fumbled . Raven Ed Reed recovered the ball and advanced it for a touchdown ; the Redskins unsuccessfully challenged , contending Portis was down by contact . Those would be the only points on the board for either team in the first half . In the second half , a long Ravens drive beginning at just under eleven minutes to go in the third quarter set up a 32 - yard Matt Stover field goal . The Redskins answered with a drive starting late in the third quarter and ending in the early fourth quarter that set up a 43 - yard Shaun Suisham field goal . Receiving the kickoff , Baltimore ran just two plays before surrendering the ball to Washington on a Willis McGahee fumble that led to a short drive capped by a touchdown pass from Jason Campbell to Antwaan Randle El . Another kickoff led to a very long Baltimore drive that consumed most of the remaining time . Ten of twelve plays were runs by Le ' Ron McClain . A 28 - yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason capped this drive . With three and a half minutes left , the Redskins next drive ended in an Ed Reed interception that enabled Baltimore to burn most of the remaining time . The Redskins took possession for their final series with 0 : 16 remaining but could not score . With the win , Baltimore improved to 9 – 4 . Week 15 : vs . Pittsburgh Steelers . Coming off their win over the Redskins , the Ravens stayed at home for a crucial Week 15 AFC North rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers with the division title on the line . After a scoreless first quarter , Baltimore scored in the second quarter with a 28 - yard field goal by kicker Matt Stover . The Steelers would respond with a 31 - yard field goal from kicker Jeff Reed , yet the Ravens gained the halftime lead as Stover kicked a 26 - yard field goal . Baltimore would increase their lead in the third quarter as Stover made a 28 - yard field goal . However , in the fourth quarter , Pittsburgh would win the game as Reed nailed a 30 - yard field goal , followed by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completing a 4 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes . With the loss , the Ravens fell to 9 – 5 . Week 16 : at Dallas Cowboys . Hoping to rebound from an upsetting home loss to the Steelers , the Ravens flew to Texas Stadium for a Week 16 interconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys . Baltimore would trail early in the first quarter as Cowboys running back Tashard Choice got a 2 - yard touchdown run . The Ravens would respond with a 26 - yard field goal from kicker Matt Stover . In the second quarter , Baltimore would take the lead as Stover made a 29 - yard and a 37 - yard field goal . The Ravens would then use the third quarter to add onto their lead as rookie quarterback Joe Flacco completed a 13 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Derrick Mason . In the fourth quarter , Dallas would answer with kicker Nick Folk getting a 35 - yard field goal , yet Baltimore equally answered with Stover ' s 35 - yard field goal . The Cowboys would try to rally as quarterback Tony Romo completed a 7 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Terrell Owens , yet the Ravens immediately responded with running back Willis McGahee scoring on a 77 - yard touchdown run . Dallas tried to come back as Romo completed a 21 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Jason Witten , yet Baltimore closed out the game with fullback Le ' Ron McClain rushing for an 82 - yard touchdown ( the longest TD run by a Cowboys opponent in Texas Stadium ) . With the win , the Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive at 10 – 5 . Week 17 : vs . Jacksonville Jaguars . With the New England Patriots leading the Buffalo Bills 13 – 0 late in the fourth quarter of their game , the Ravens knew at kick - off that the only sure way to secure the final AFC play - off berth would be to beat the Jaguars . The Ravens tallied 3 points on an opening drive that featured a 48 - yard pass completion from Joe Flacco to Mark Clayton . With 55 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter , the Jaguars answered with a David Garrard pass to Alvin Pearman for 23 - yard touchdown . The Ravens running game dominated the second quarter with Le ' Ron McClain scoring two touchdowns and Willis McGahee adding a third . The Ravens defense , featuring a Ray Lewis fumble recovery and an Ed Reed interception , shutout the Jaguars the rest of the game with Matt Stover adding a second - half field goal . With the win , the Ravens completed the regular season at 11 – 5 and secured the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC . They will travel to Miami , Florida to play the AFC East Division Champion Miami Dolphins . Playoffs . Schedule . AFC Wild Card Round : at Miami Dolphins . Entering the postseason as the AFC ' s sixth seed , the Ravens began their playoff run at Dolphin Stadium in the AFC Wild Card round against the # 3 Miami Dolphins , a rematch of their game played during Week 7 of the 2008 season . Baltimore trailed early in the first quarter as Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter hit a 19 - yard field goal . The Ravens responded with 2 : 52 left in the first quarter when Matt Stover drove a ball through the uprights from 23 - yards . In the second quarter , Baltimore took the lead when safety Ed Reed intercepted a Chad Pennington pass and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown . Stover nailed a 31 - yard field goal after quarterback Joe Flacco hit Derrick Mason with a 31 yard bomb . In the third quarter , the Ravens increased their lead as running back Le ' Ron McClain got an 8 - yard touchdown run . Miami tried to rally in the fourth quarter as quarterback Chad Pennington completed a 2 - yard touchdown pass to running back Ronnie Brown ( Extra point no good ) . With 4 : 00 left , the Ravens shut the door when Flacco scooted 5 yards on a quarterback draw for a touchdown . With the win , the Ravens improved their overall record to 12 – 5 and traveled to Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round of the play - offs . Baltimore ' s defense forced 5 turnovers from a Dolphins squad that only committed 13 turnovers throughout the entire regular season . AFC Divisional Round : at Tennessee Titans . Coming off their wild card road win over the Dolphins , the Ravens flew to LP Field for their AFC Divisional showdown with the top - seeded Tennessee Titans , in an attempt to avenge their Week 5 loss . The Titans struck first with 4 : 45 remaining in the 1st quarter , with running back Chris Johnson capping off a 65 - yard drive with an 8 - yard touchdown run . The Ravens responded with an 80 - yard drive , ending with a 48 - yard touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to wide receiver Derrick Mason . Both teams ' defense dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarters with neither team scoring . Early in the 4th quarter , Baltimore kicker Matt Stover got a 21 - yard field goal , which gave the Ravens a 3 - point lead . Tennessee would try to respond , by going 10 plays and using up 5 minutes of clock to drive down inside the Ravens 10 yard line , but Collin ' s pass to Crumpler was fumbled and recovered by Ravens ' cornerback Fabian Washington at the Ravens ' 1 . Unable to move the ball , the Ravens punted the ball back to the Titans . From the Ravens 42 , Tennessee drove down inside the 10 yard line again , but settled for a 27 - yard field goal from kicker Rob Bironas to tie the game at 10 – 10 . With 4 : 17 left in the game , the Ravens started a drive from their own 26 - yard line . On a crucial 3rd and 2 , Flacco completed a 23 - yard pass to tight end Todd Heap . The drive ended with Stover kicking a 43 - yard field goal to give the Ravens the lead with : 57 remaining in the game . The Ravens ' defense then held , preserving the victory . With the win , not only did Baltimore improve their overall record to 13 – 5 , but they also advanced to the AFC Championship Game against their AFC North Rival , the Pittsburgh Steelers . Joe Flacco became the first quarterback in NFL history to win two playoff games in his rookie year . AFC Championship Round : at Pittsburgh Steelers . Coming off their road win over the top - seeded Titans , the Ravens flew to Heinz Field for the AFC Championship Game against their hated divisional rival , the # 2 Pittsburgh Steelers ( in Round 3 of their 2008 series ) . Baltimore would trail early in the first quarter as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed kicked a 34 - yard and a 42 - yard field goal . Pittsburgh would add onto their lead in the second quarter as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 65 - yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes . The Ravens would close out the half as running back Willis McGahee scored a touchdown on a 3 - yard run . In the third quarter , the Steelers would respond to Baltimore ' s score with Reed nailing a 46 - yard field goal . The Ravens would creep closer as McGahee rushed for a 1 - yard touchdown . However , in the fourth quarter , Pittsburgh pulled away as safety Troy Polamalu returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown . Baltimore tried to mount a comeback , but the Steelers ' defense was too much to overcome . With the loss , the Ravens ' season ended with an overall record of 13 – 6 . McGahee , near the end of the fourth quarter , was in a vicious collision with Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark . He was conscious , yet had to be carted off the field , due to some neck pains . On January 19 , 2009 , the Ravens released news that McGahee is expected to make a full recovery .