Entering the 2001 campaign as defending champions, the Baltimore Ravens carried the burden of massive expectations. Head coach Brian Billick attempted to upgrade a punchless offense by making big offseason splashes, signing high-priced free agent quarterback Elvis Grbac, veteran Randall Cunningham, and tackle Erik Williams, while drafting tight end Todd Heap. Despite the roster shuffling, Baltimore navigated a rugged AFC Central landscape to finish with a 10-6 record, good for second place in the division. While they could not recreate the regular season dominance of the previous year, the Ravens did enough to return to the postseason, proving their championship foundation remained difficult to tear down.

The offense was supposed to take a massive leap forward under Elvis Grbac, but the unit finished a mediocre 18th in points scored (18.9 ppg). Grbac struggled, throwing 15 touchdowns against 18 interceptions while compiling an uninspiring 71.1 passer rating across 14 starts. When Grbac was sidelined, the 38-year-old Randall Cunningham stepped in to deliver a steadying hand, winning both of his starts. The passing attack found its bright spots through wide receiver Qadry Ismail, who racked up 1059 yards, and Pro Bowl tight end Shannon Sharpe, who hauled in 73 receptions. On the ground, the Ravens relied on the veteran tandem of Terry Allen and Jason Brookins, who combined for eight rushing touchdowns to keep the offense afloat.

If the offense was a frustrating mixed bag, the defense remained an absolute nightmare for opposing coordinators, ranking fourth in points allowed (16.6 ppg) and second in total yards. The legendary Ray Lewis was once again the heartbeat of the unit, racking up a massive 162 combined tackles and three interceptions. Up front, the massive duo of Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa ate up blocks, allowing pass rusher Peter Boulware to wreak havoc off the edge to the tune of a team-high 15.0 sacks. In the secondary, safety Rod Woodson brought invaluable leadership and grabbed three interceptions, while cornerback Duane Starks led the team with four picks.

The regular season was marked by crucial division battles. Baltimore started strong with a 17-6 win over Chicago but suffered an early scare with a six-turnover collapse against Cincinnati in Week 2. They bounced back with pivotal victories over Denver and a convincing 26-7 drumming of the rival Tennessee Titans. However, consistency remained elusive as the Ravens suffered a sweeping pair of regular season losses to the Cleveland Browns. The true turning point arrived late in December when the defense flexed its muscles, securing a dominant 16-0 shutout against the Bengals and a crucial 19-3 victory over the Minnesota Vikings to finish the year strong.

In the postseason, the Ravens began their title defense by suffocating the Miami Dolphins in a 20-3 Wild Card victory, powered by Terry Allen's 109 rushing yards. Their journey came to a halt the following week in the Divisional round, falling 27-10 to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers as Grbac threw three interceptions. The legacy of the 2001 Ravens centers on their transition from an all-time great defense to a team battling offensive inconsistency. Though they fell short of a repeat, individual greatness was recognized as Ray Lewis, Shannon Sharpe, Jonathan Ogden, Sam Adams, Rod Woodson and kick returner Jermaine Lewis all earned Pro Bowl honors, with Lewis and Woodson cementing their legendary status.