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Baltimore Ravens
Overall: 26
Title track: 6
Ownership: 12
Coaching: T10
Players: 22
Fan relations: 28
Affordability: 22
Stadium experience: 27
Bang for the buck: 90
Change from last year: -8
Not even a five-win season (the Ravens' worst record since 2007) can drop this team too far in our standings, thanks to affordable tickets and one of the NFL's best coaches and rosters. The Ravens ranked in the top quarter of all teams in all categories but one -- bang for the buck -- which could change quickly next year with a few more wins.
What's good
A sixth-place title track ranking is second only to the Patriots in the NFL, and no surprise: The Ravens are one of four NFL franchises to win multiple Super Bowl titles since 2000. This franchise has come a long way since relocating from Cleveland in 1996 and being a perennial loser for its first four seasons in Baltimore. That's in large part thanks to coach John Harbaugh (ranked 10th overall). Few coaches have placed an immediate stamp on a franchise like Harbaugh. His teams pride themselves on being tough, aggressive and intelligent. Last year was among his best coaching seasons, when he held the team together through a trying 5-11 season. "I truly believe that if it wasn't for him approaching the season and each game the way he did, I don't think the team would have held it together the way we did," Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith says. "Instead of him coming and blaming us every week, he was figuring out ways to get better and how to stay positive. I think that's carried over to the team."
What's bad
The Raven's ticket prices have never been outrageous, so, combined with their perennial winning records, they've always placed well in bang for the buck. But this year, after a 5-win season, they dropped 55 spots, all the way to 90th overall. (Only eight NFL teams were worse.) But considering they're already 3-1 through Week 4 of 2016, they should climb back up quickly next year.
What's new
Maintaining a connection with their fan base has been a priority for the Ravens, and they do this in creative and surprising fashion -- helping explain a 21-spot jump in fan relations this year. Players have popped up at toll booths, distributed prepaid gift cards for gas at a convenience store, delivered gifts to newborns and their families in the nursery unit of a hospital and hosted a pizza party at a firehouse for first responders. Quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Steve Smith and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley snuck up behind fans at a Ravens festival and photo-bombed them. Smith even greeted season-ticket holders at the team facility in full uniform. All this, plus fans ranked the team the best in the NFL in connecting fans to information they want online.
Next: Jacksonville Jaguars | Full rankings