February 2, 2013

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh watches practice ahead of Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, La., Feb. 2, 2013. (SEAN GARDNER/Reuters)

An incredible January for the Baltimore Ravens set them up for a chance at the ultimate pro football prize, a date in February.

But Baltimore's December, you'll remember, was something to forget.

It got so ugly, in fact, that after a third consecutive loss, Ravens safety Ed Reed was disgusted. His team had just been thumped 34-17 by the Denver Broncos after trailing 31-7 at the half. A good season had turned bad and the team’s odds (and hopes) of winning the Super Bowl had plummeted.