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No, I won't make you read to the end of this article for the exact meaning of the title. No, it's not short for "overachieving Ravens". Yes, it is short for "overrated Ravens".

Two weeks ago, one fan this writer recently came in contact with, Kevin Samuells, totally unbiased as his opinions relate to the Ravens in particular, was quoted as saying, "that's the most overrated 4-0 team I've ever seen."

Every year since they won the Super Bowl with their vaunted defense in 2000, the Ravens have been picked as major contenders to get back to the dance. In 2001, the "Elvis Grbac" year, the Ravens posted their best effort since, still resulting in a convincing 27-10 playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round. With only two post-season appearances since said Super Bowl, one ponders how and why they're considered perennial contenders?

Last year, we heard the same, only in earnest. Local writer Tim Campion was among the very first to disclaim himself from the set of those singing the Ravens would again make a run. He continued to discount Kyle Boller as "never will succeed". Upon the season's onset, Mr. Campion slotted the Ravens at 8-8. He overshot. The Ravens never saw even a mediocre eight wins, coming in at 6-10.

Coming off such a bolsterous season, head coach Brian Billick (once prominently nicknamed "Bitter BeerFace"---sorry I just had to throw that in!) realized that loyalty to Boller would doom him to an equal fate. So he fetched Tennessee outcast Steve "Air" McNair.

Ray Ray Lewis said, "this is the very best fit for this job on this team at this time. I asked him, how many points could he get us every game. He told me between twenty-one and twenty-four. I said, Man. If you give us (the defense) that many points & I don't think we can lose."

Well, they can. And they have. And they should have lost more. And still will. They opened by beating the now 1-4 Buccanneers. Followed by a win over the league's worst team in the Oakland Raiders. A week later, the Browns showed why they can never win. Nursing a 14-12 lead with a 2nd and goal from the Baltimore four-yard-line with only 4:02 left, Charlie Frye was intercepted, eliminating a possibility at a game-clinching touchdown or a field goal forcing a needed touchdown for the Ravens' ensuing drive. Instead, the Ravens make their way to a 52-yard game winning field goal from Matt Stover. In what should have been a third consecutive essential "bye" week, the Ravens failed to impress.

After their best effort of the season, another comeback win, this time over a (finally) good team in San Diego, the Ravens happened upon two of last year's playoff teams. At Denver, they could muster only three points in a loss. And this week they were edged out by the Carolina Panthers. 4-0 against non-playoff teams and 0-2 versus playoff-caliber teams.

Their next game, following their "real" bye, they face the resurgent New Orleans Saints. And still must face division rivals Cincinnati and Pittsburgh twice each.

No, I cannot tell you with total certainty who will win the Super Bowl this year. But I can tell you with total certainty who will not win the Super Bowl this year. That team is the Baltimore "overrated" Ravens.

Roper