The 2007 season was the Baltimore Ravens' 12th in the National Football League (NFL), their 9th and final under head coach Brian Billick, and their 6th season under general manager Ozzie Newsome.
They entered the season hoping to improve on their 13–3 record from 2006, but failed to improve on that record. After a 4–2 start, the Ravens went on a franchise record 9-game losing streak. However, the Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 17 and finished the season with a record of 5–11. They were eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the undefeated New England Patriots in Week 13.
Offseason During the offseason the Ravens cut Jamal Lewis, with the intent of re-signing him at a lower salary. However, he then signed with the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens also choose not to place the franchise tag on Adalius Thomas, who then signed with the New England Patriots. Fullback Ovie Mughelli was also lost in free agency, signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Ravens then traded a 3rd and 7th round draft pick in the 2007 draft and a 3rd round pick in 2008 for Willis McGahee. In the 1st round of the draft, the Ravens selected Auburn offensive tackle Ben Grubbs. In the 5th round, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith.
NFL Draft
Personnel Staff / Coaches Baltimore Ravens 2007 staff Front office Owner – Steve Bisciotti Minority owner – Art Modell President – Dick Cass General manager/Executive Vice President – Ozzie Newsome Vice president of football administration – Pat Moriarty Director of pro personnel – George Kokinis Assistant director of pro personnel – Vince Newsome Director of college scouting – Eric DeCosta
Head coaches Head coach – Brian Billick Assistant Head coach/Offensive line – Chris Foerster Special assistant to the Head coach - Vic Fangio
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks – Rick Neuheisel Assistant quarterbacks - Jedd Fisch Running backs – Tony Nathan Wide receivers – Mike Johnson Tight ends/Assistant offensive line – Wade Harman Assistant offensive line – Greg Roman Defensive coaches Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator – Rex Ryan Defensive line – Clarence Brooks Linebackers – Jeff FitzGerald Outside linebackers – Mike Pettine Defensive backs – Mark Carrier Secondary – Dennis Thurman
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Frank Gansz, Jr. Assistant special teams – John Fassel
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Jeff Friday Assistant strength and conditioning – Paul Ricci
Final roster
Schedule Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Philadelphia Eagles W 29–3 1–0 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 2 New York GiantsL 12–13 1–1 M&T Bank StadiumRecap 3 Washington Redskins L 7–131–2 FedEx Field Recap 4 Atlanta FalconsL 10–131–3 Georgia Dome Recap
Regular season
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Cincinnati Bengals L 20–27 0–1 Paul Brown StadiumRecap 2 September 16 New York Jets W 20–13 1–1 M&T Bank StadiumRecap 3 September 23 Arizona Cardinals W 26–23 2–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 4 September 30 at Cleveland Browns L 13–27 2–2 Cleveland Browns StadiumRecap 5 October 7 at San Francisco 49ers W 9–7 3–2 Monster ParkRecap 6 October 14 St. Louis Rams W 22–3 4–2 M&T Bank StadiumRecap 7 October 21 at Buffalo Bills L 14–19 4–3 Ralph Wilson StadiumRecap 8 Bye 9 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–38 4–4 Heinz FieldRecap 10 November 11 Cincinnati Bengals L 7–21 4–5 M&T Bank StadiumRecap 11 November 18 Cleveland Browns L 30–33 4–6 M&T Bank StadiumRecap 12 November 25 at San Diego Chargers L 14–32 4–7 Qualcomm StadiumRecap 13 New England Patriots L 24–27 4–8 M&T Bank StadiumRecap 14 December 9 Indianapolis Colts L 20–44 4–9 M&T Bank StadiumRecap 15 December 16 at Miami Dolphins L 16–22 4–10 Dolphin StadiumRecap 16 December 23 at Seattle Seahawks L 6–27 4–11 Qwest FieldRecap 17 December 30 Pittsburgh Steelers W 27–21 5–11 M&T Bank StadiumRecap
Game summaries
Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens began their 2007 campaign on the road against their AFC North foe, the Cincinnati Bengals, in the first game of a Monday Night Football doubleheader. In the first quarter, Baltimore lost two fumbles early on, with the Bengals turning the second fumble into QB Carson Palmer’s 39-yard TD pass to WR Chad Johnson. Later, another Raven fumble allowed Cincinnati to cash in as Bengals kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 23-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Baltimore finally managed to get on the board as RB Musa Smith got a 6-yard TD run. Later, Cincinnati increased its advantage with Graham kicking a 40-yard field goal. The Ravens ended the half with kicker Matt Stover getting a 36-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Baltimore's turnover problems continued as QB Steve McNair fumbled the ball as he got sacked, allowing Bengals LB Landon Johnson to return the fumble 34 yards for a touchdown for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens finally took the lead with Stover kicking a 23-yard field goal and Safety Ed Reed returning a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. However, later in the period, a McNair pass was intercepted by DE Robert Geathers. The Bengals quickly cashed in as Palmer completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh, followed by a 2-point conversion run by RB Rudi Johnson. With McNair having groin problems, QB Kyle Boller took over. He threw a pass in the red zone to tight end Todd Heap that was overturned for an offensive pass interference penalty – a call that drew anger from Ravens fans as replays showed that if anything, Heap had been interfered against. Near the end of the game, he almost helped the Ravens score, but a Michael Myers interception ended any hope of Baltimore's comeback. In the end, the Ravens ended up with six turnovers on the night.
With the loss, Baltimore began its season at 0–1 while the Bengals started out 1–0.
Week 2: vs. New York Jets
Hoping to rebound from their turnover-plagued loss to the Bengals, the Ravens flew home for their Week 2 home-opener against the New York Jets. With Steve McNair still recovering from a groin injury, QB Kyle Boller was given the start for this Back-Up Bowl (due to the fact Kellen Clemens was filling in for an injured Chad Pennington). In the first quarter, Baltimore took to the skies early with Boller completing a 2-yard TD pass to RB Willis McGahee for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Jets responded with kicker Mike Nugent getting a 50-yard field goal. The Ravens responded with kicker Matt Stover getting a 28-yard field goal and Boller completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE Todd Heap.
After a scoreless third quarter, Baltimore increased its lead with Stover kicking a 43-yard field goal. However, the Jets began to show some fight within them as Nugent kicked a 21-yard field goal, while Clemens completed a 3-yard TD pass to TE Chris Baker. The Ravens’ defense held its ground and LB Ray Lewis managed to get the game-winning interception.
With the win, not only did Baltimore improve to 1–1, but it made the Ravens 4–0 against the Jets while under Head Coach Brian Billick.
Week 3: vs. Arizona Cardinals
After their win over the Jets, the Ravens stayed at home for a Week 3 interconference fight with the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, Baltimore took flight first with kicker Matt Stover getting a 21-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Ravens increased its lead with Stover getting a 28-yard field goal. The Cardinals responded with kicker Neil Rackers getting a 48-yard field goal. Afterwards, Baltimore began to unload with QB Steve McNair completing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason, while rookie WR Yamon Figurs returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown.
In the third quarter, Arizona managed to get a 40-yard field goal from Rackers, while the Ravens had Stover kick a 43-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals started to work their way back into the game with QB Kurt Warner completing a 5-yard and a 32-yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin, along with Rackers getting a 41-yard field goal to tie the game. Stover helped Baltimore close out the game with a win as he nailed the game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired.
With the win, the Ravens improved to 2–1.
Week 4: at Cleveland Browns
Coming off their last-second home win over the Cardinals, the Ravens flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for an AFC North duel with the Cleveland Browns. The matchup was notable with former Ravens RB Jamal Lewis now playing for Cleveland. In the first quarter, Baltimore trailed early as the Browns took their opening drive and ended it with QB Derek Anderson (another former Raven) completing a 2-yard TD pass to WR Joe Jurevicius. Also, immediately after QB Steve McNair got intercepted, Cleveland cashed in with Anderson completing a 78-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards. In the second quarter, Baltimore managed to get on the board with kicker Matt Stover getting a 21-yard field goal. However, the Browns continued their offensive surge with kicker Phil Dawson getting a 41-yard field goal, along with Lewis getting a 1-yard TD run. Even though instant replay showed that the ball was just shy of breaking the plane of the goal line, the Ravens’ coaching staff was unable to challenge the play in time. They ended the half with Stover kicking a 29-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Cleveland continued its surge with Dawson kicking a 20-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore tried to come back, but the only thing from their comeback was McNair's 4-yard TD pass to TE Quinn Sypniewski. With the surprising loss, the Ravens fell to 2–2, despite outgaining the Browns 418–303 in total offense. On the positive note, RB Willis McGahee got his first 100-yard game as a Raven, as he ran 14 times for 104 yards.
Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Browns, the Ravens flew to Bill Walsh Field at Monster Park for an interconference duel with the San Francisco 49ers. Baltimore even went up against the QB that helped them win Super Bowl XXXV, Trent Dilfer, because QB Alex Smith was out with a separated shoulder.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Ravens got the first punch with kicker Matt Stover getting a 26-yard and a 32-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Stover gave Baltimore a 49-yard field goal. However, the 49ers threatened with Dilfer completing a 23-yard TD pass to WR Arnaz Battle. The 49ers’ kicker Joe Nedney missed the potential game-winning field goal from 52 yards out, and the Ravens held on for the lead.
With their win, Baltimore improved to 3–2.
Week 6: vs. St. Louis Rams
Coming off of their road win over the 49ers, the Ravens went home for a Week 6 interconference duel with the winless St. Louis Rams. With QB Steve McNair out with injuries, back-up Kyle Boller was given the start.
In the first quarter, Baltimore took flight early with kicker Matt Stover getting a 43-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Raven continued to take advantage of an injury-plagued Rams team with Stover kicking a 42-yard field goal, along with RB Willis McGahee getting a 6-yard TD run. In the third quarter, Baltimore increased its lead with Stover nailing a 23-yard field goal. Afterwards, St. Louis got its only score of the game as kicker Jeff Wilkins got a 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens sealed their easy win with Stover kicking a 31-yard and a 36-yard field goal.
With the win, Baltimore improved to 4–2.
During the win, the Ravens defense forced six turnovers, which included a franchise-best 5 interceptions.
Week 7: at Buffalo Bills