Ravens Report Card

Best win >> At Tennessee, 13-10, in AFC Divisional Round

Worst loss >> At Indianapolis, 31-3

Best accomplishment >> The Ravens’ postseason wins over Tennessee and Miami were their first playoff victories in seven years.

QUARTERBACKS

Joe Flacco broke the mold of what is expected of a rookie quarterback, as he became the first to win two playoff games in his first season. He completed 257-of-428 passes for 2,971 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He threw just five interceptions in his last 11 games. Backup Troy Smith was serviceable. Grade >> C+

RUNNING BACKS

Fullback Le’Ron McClain earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl by rushing for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to being named All-Pro. Willis McGahee battled through injuries and finished with 671 yards and seven touchdowns. Rookie Ray Rice rushed for just 454 yards, but led the team by averaging 4.2 yards per carry. The Ravens did not have a 1,000-yard rusher, but ranked fourth in rushing with an average of 148.5 yards per game. Grade >> B

RECEIVERS

Derrick Mason is 35, but he still is one of the NFL’s best receivers. He led the Ravens with 80 catches for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns. Mark Clayton showed flashes of being a deep threat, but was inconsistent. He had 41 catches for 695 yards and three touchdowns, but averaged 17 yards a catch. Tight end Todd Heap was utilized more as a blocker, but played in every game and had 35 catches for 403 yards and three touchdowns. Grade >> C

OFFENSIVE LINE

Center Jason Brown established himself as the leader of the unit, which allowed 33 sacks this season after giving up 39 last year. Left tackle Jared Gaither still has a lot to learn, but filled in admirably in place of retired future Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden. A season-ending right knee injury halted right guard Marshal Yanda’s progress, but Chris Chester held his own. The signing of 13-year veteran Willie Anderson provided a calming influence on what started the season as the NFL’s youngest starting line. Grade >> B

DEFENSIVE LINE

Haloti Ngata had 77 tackles, two interceptions and a sack to anchor a front three that helped the Ravens finish second in the NFL in rush defense (81.4 yards per game). Nose guard Justin Bannan finished with 56 tackles playing in place of an injured Kelly Gregg (left knee), while Trevor Pryce had 35 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The Ravens also did not allowed a 100-yard rusher, and hasn’t allowed one in 37 straight games. Grade >> A

LINEBACKERS

Ray Lewis led the team with 160 tackles, along with three interceptions and 3.5 sacks, and fellow Pro Bowler Terrell Suggs had 102 tackles and a team-high eight sacks. Bart Scott and Jarret Johnson often were overlooked, but made 104 and 82 tackles, respectively. Johnson also was second on the team with five sacks. Grade >> A

SECONDARY

Another pleasant surprise this season given the season-ending injures to cornerback Chris McAlister (knee) and safety Dawan Landry (spinal concussion). The Ravens were second in the NFL in pass defense (179.5 ypg) thanks in part to the emergence of backup Fabian Washington (team-high 19 PD). All-Pro safety Ed Reed led the league with nine interceptions, including one he returned an NFL-record 107 yards for a touchdown. Safety Jim Leonhard also came through in place of Landry, as he finished with 85 tackles. Grade >> B+

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Matt Stover overcame a slow start to make 27-of-33 field goals. Yamon Figurs struggled as the team’s return specialist, especially on punts (six yards a return). Leonhard took over as the main punt return specialist and averaged 11.6 yards a return. Figurs averaged a team-high 21 yards on kickoffs. Brendon Ayanbadejo made the Pro Bowl after leading the Ravens with 30 special teams tackles. Grade >> B

COACHING

John Harbaugh transformed the team from a five-win squad to a contender by changing the culture of the Ravens locker room. Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, just three coaches won more regular season games in their first season than Harbaugh. Grade >> B+

OVERALL

Entering the season with a rookie head coach, rookie quarterback and a slew of injuries to key players, most analysts said the Ravens would be lucky to win four games. Instead, the Ravens came within a game of the Super Bowl. Grade >> B+