The team name is a reference to the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, who lived and worked in Baltimore at various points during his life and is buried in the city.

The Baltimore Ravens came into existence in 1996 when Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his intention to relocate his team from Cleveland to Baltimore. The controversy ended when representatives of Cleveland and the NFL reached a settlement on February 8, 1996. The agreement stipulated that the Browns' name, colors, uniform design and franchise records would remain in Cleveland. The franchise history included Browns club records and connections with Pro Football Hall of Fame players. A new team to begin play in 1999 would be regarded as the "reactivated" Cleveland Browns. Modell's Baltimore team, while retaining all current player contracts, would officially be the expansion team, a "new franchise." Not all players, staff or front office would make the move to Baltimore, however. Three consecutive losing seasons under Marchibroda led to a change in the head coach. Brian Billick took over as head coach in 1999. Billick had been offensive coordinator for the record-setting Minnesota Vikings the season before.

The home stadium for the Ravens first two seasons was Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, home field of the Baltimore Colts years before. The Ravens moved to their own new stadium at Camden Yards in 1998, increasing Baltimore Ravens ticket sales dramatically. Raven Stadium would subsequently wear the names PSI Net Stadium and then M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore went to Tampa for Super Bowl XXXV against the New York Giants, cruising to a 34–7 win for their first championship in franchise history. The Ravens recorded four sacks and forced five turnovers, one of which was a Kerry Collins interception returned for a touchdown by Duane Starks. The Giants' only score was a Ron Dixon kickoff return for another touchdown (after Starks' interception return); however, Baltimore immediately countered with a TD return by Jermaine Lewis. The Ravens became only the third wild card team to win a Super Bowl championship. The interception return for a touchdown, followed by two kick return TDs, marked the quickest time in Super Bowl history that three touchdowns had been scored.

The divisional schedule this season includes the November 8 game at 1:00 PM at Cincinnati Bengals Paul Brown Stadium, November 16 at 8:30 PM at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns Stadium, November 29 at 8:20 PM with the Pittsburgh Steelers at home at M&T Bank Stadium, December 20 at 1:00 PM with the Chicago Bears at home in the M&T Bank Stadium, December 27 at 1:00 PM at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field. The Seats has Baltimore Ravens tickets for each of theses games, so check often to check our inventory.