It was 2013. The world was obsessed with the Harlem Shake, people were still trying to figure out what a "Vine" was, and the Baltimore Ravens were about to embark on one of the most chaotic, emotionally draining, and statistically improbable championship runs in NFL history.
Honestly, if you look back at the last time ravens won super bowl, it doesn't even feel like a football season. It feels like a scripted Hollywood drama. You had the legendary Ray Lewis announcing his retirement right before the playoffs started. You had the "Mile High Miracle" in Denver where Joe Flacco basically decided he was a god for four weeks. And then, you had the "Har-Bowl"—a literal brother-vs-brother showdown on the world's biggest stage.
But for most fans, when they think of Super Bowl XLVII, they think of one thing. The lights.
The Blackout Bowl and the Near-Collapse in New Orleans
The Ravens were absolutely dismantling the San Francisco 49ers. It was 28-6. Jacoby Jones had just returned the second-half kickoff for a record-breaking 108 yards. The game felt over. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome was buzzing, and then, suddenly, it wasn't.
Half the lights went out.
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For 34 minutes, the world watched a dark stadium. Players were stretching on the field, trying to keep their legs warm, while the 49ers' coaching staff was essentially given a massive, unexpected timeout to regroup. When the power finally surged back, so did San Francisco.
The 49ers scored 17 unanswered points in what felt like five minutes. What was a blowout turned into a "white-knuckle" nightmare for Baltimore fans. The Ravens' defense, which had looked impenetrable, was suddenly gasping for air as Colin Kaepernick started shredding them.
Why the Last Time Ravens Won the Super Bowl Was All About "Elite" Joe Flacco
We have to talk about Joe Flacco. Before that 2012-2013 run, "Is Joe Flacco elite?" was the biggest meme in sports. But during those playoffs, he actually was.
He threw 11 touchdowns.
Zero interceptions.
He tied Joe Montana’s record for most touchdowns in a single postseason.
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In the Super Bowl itself, Flacco was clinical early on. He finished 22 of 33 for 287 yards and three scores. He wasn't just managing the game; he was aggressive. He was launching deep balls to Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith like he had nothing to lose. That version of Flacco is a guy Ravens fans still talk about with a certain kind of misty-eyed reverence. He earned every penny of that massive contract he signed shortly after.
The Final Stand: Four Downs to Glory
The game came down to a goal-line stand that still makes 49ers fans scream at their TVs. With under two minutes left, San Francisco had the ball at the Ravens' 7-yard line.
- First down: LaMichael James runs for 2 yards.
- Second down: Incomplete pass to Michael Crabtree.
- Third down: Incomplete pass to Crabtree.
- Fourth down: The famous non-call.
Kaepernick threw a fade to Crabtree. There was contact. Jim Harbaugh was screaming for a holding penalty or pass interference. The refs kept their flags in their pockets. Turnover on downs.
The Ravens ended up taking an intentional safety—a brilliant tactical move by John Harbaugh to kill the clock—and won the game 34-31.
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A Season of Destiny and Last Dances
The last time ravens won super bowl, it was the perfect send-off for Ray Lewis. He wasn't the same player he was in 2000, not even close. He was playing with a torn triceps and a giant arm brace, but his presence was the emotional glue of that locker room.
It's also worth remembering how they even got there. They had to beat Andrew Luck and the Colts. Then they had to go to Denver and beat Peyton Manning in the freezing cold (shoutout to Rahim Moore for the misplay of the century). Then they had to go to New England and beat Tom Brady.
You don't just "stumble" into a Super Bowl win after beating Luck, Manning, and Brady in succession. You earn it.
Key Insights and What We Can Learn
If you're looking for the "secret sauce" of that 2012 Ravens team, it wasn't just talent. It was a weird mix of veteran leadership and a quarterback playing out of his mind.
- Momentum is fragile: The blackout proved that a 22-point lead can evaporate if the rhythm of the game is broken.
- Veteran targets matter: Anquan Boldin was the unsung hero. He wasn't the fastest, but he caught everything Flacco threw his way in high-pressure moments.
- Coaching under pressure: John Harbaugh’s decision to take a safety at the end of the game was a masterclass in situational football.
If you want to relive the glory, go back and watch the "Mile High Miracle" highlights first. It sets the stage for the New Orleans madness. The 2012 Ravens weren't the best team statistically, but they were the toughest when it mattered most.