Ravens handling recent success well

The Ravens’ biggest weakness is also their top strength. They have no superstars, so they don’t have to deal with the problems that come with them. No one complains about the lack of publicity or endorsements. There is no finger-pointing or talk about future contracts. They just work. The Ravens don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows. The team’s 44-20 win against the Detroit Lions on Sunday was the perfect example.

It was the Ravens’ best overall performance of the season. They beat one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford, and the offense finally had some vertical plays as quarterback Joe Flacco emerged from a season-long funk.

The Ravens have won three straight and improved their wild-card playoff position, and yet there wasn’t any trash-talking in the locker room. The players celebrated, but they didn’t go overboard.

They understand. They know they have flaws, so they have to remain focused.

Trash-talking has been the trademark of some Ravens teams. They had two of the best in the business in tight end Shannon Sharpe and linebacker Bart Scott. Those guys could back it up, but some others couldn’t.

Coach John Harbaugh has done a good job of squelching most of the possible outside distractions. Players on the current roster don’t often make comparisons with historically good Ravens teams. There isn’t much talk anymore about being a great defense. In fact, defensive players have gone out of their way to support their counterparts on the offense.

As for Super Bowl talk, that is generated only from answers to direct questions from the media. Swagger? Great teams had it, but they never talked about it.

The Ravens are far from being a great team, which is why Harbaugh stresses putting pieces together gradually. Without the superstars, there are no quick fixes.