The Ravens are in the race but they have one "steed" to pass.

Yes, we know the Ravens have put together a nice looking team on paper so far. Many of the blaring holes have been given duct tape type fixes so they can last long enough to take the team to the big one. Veteran cornerbacks Walt Harris and Travis Fisher both signed one year deals so they could try to be the missing links of the Ravens defense. Speedy wide receiver Dante Stallworth signed a one year contract as well.

Derrick Mason a few months ago said that the Ravens have a "complete team" on paper. This week, Derrick Mason was chatting on radio station 105.7 The Fan and amidst his interview he proclaimed that the goals for the Ravens are extremely high and anything other than a Super Bowl is a disappointment.

I have no doubt the Ravens are capable of achieving this goal if they finish games in the fourth quarter and remain relatively healthy but there is still one intimidating obstruction I am not sure the Ravens can surpass,
beating Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Even the casual fans know that the Indianapolis Colts have served as the Ravens' postseason kryptonite. Whenever the Ravens have to play the Colts, fans spectate while biting their nails with nervousness because no matter how hard the game is played or how close the score between the two teams, Manning and the Colts always seem to come out victorious.

Let's look at the Ravens' 2010 Divisional playoff game vs the Colts shall we? The Ravens defense did a mediocre job of fighting back against the Colts offense forcing one turnover and sacking Manning twice but they allowed two touchdown passes and Ed Reed fumbled the ball while returning an interception. The kick return game was decent at best. Jalen Parmele averaged 22 yards a return. It was the offense that laid stagnant the whole game costing the Ravens another opportunity at the ultimate success, becoming NFL champions. Flacco was dwelling in the passing rut he had been in since the game versus the Steelers in week 16 allowing the Colts defense to put Ray Rice and the rest of the offense in suspended animation.

I know this is cliche but bear with me, in order to be the best one must beat the best . The Ravens have not proven to me or anyone else that they can beat the best in the AFC, the Colts, on any given day. Mason's confidence is admirable but his prediction is brash. Until they beat the Colts in the playoffs, which I think they will have an opportunity to do this upcoming January, the Ravens will not play in or even win the Super Bowl.