SB Nation has put out their NFL Power Rankings based on the aggregate opinions of all 32 of the network's NFL bloggers, including Baltimore Beatdown. They had each blogger rank the teams from 1-32 and then came up with an average position for each team. Despite not winning nor even reaching the Super Bowl, it still is no surprise that the Green Bay Packers took the top spot.
The Baltimore Ravens came in at #6, but while that seems a bit too low, it is the teamahead of them that has me scratching my head. Even though the Ravens defeated the Houston Texans twice last year, including the Divisional Round of the 2012 playoffs, the average opinion of the other 31 bloggers ended up with them claiming the #5 spot.
Here's what I said about the Ravens in my synopsis for the story.:
"The Baltimore Ravens head into the 2012 season knowing they were one Lee Evans dropped pass away from getting to the Super Bowl last year. However, for the second time in four seasons, the Ravens could not get it done in the AFC Championship Game. Head coach John Harbaugh, QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice have made the post season every year they've been together in Baltimore and 2012 figures to be the fifth year in row for them.
Despite the loss of OLB Terrell Suggs, this defense is deep enough to make up his stats, and while you cannot replace the reigning NFL DPoY, the offense has improved to the point that the defense no longer has to carry this team."
In the effort of full disclosure, I had the Ravens ranked #4, behind in order, the Packers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and just ahead of the San Francisco 49ers.