Ravens' Division Title Makes Baltimore History

The Baltimore Ravens' division title capped off a lucrative sports year in style for Charm City.

The year 2023 was truly one for the birds.

That was literally the case in Charm City. 

The Baltimore Ravens secured both the AFC North division title and a top seed in the upcoming NFL playoffs with a dominating 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon. While Baltimore (13-3) is well-used to celebrating AFC North victories (the seventh in 28 seasons), this one proved just a little more special for the city as a whole.

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As noted by Jacob Calvin Meyer of Capital Gazette, the division title clinched on Sunday created the first year where both the Ravens and MLB's Baltimore Orioles each finished in first place in their respective groupings. Getting the best of teams like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, the Orioles (101-61) sat atop the American League East for the first time in nearly a decade.  

The Orioles' resurgence dominated the city's summer, as they earned at least 100 victories for the first time since 1980. In their first playoff appearance in seven years, the Orioles likewise earned a first-round bye atop an American-branded conference, serving as the top seed on the AL portion of the MLB bracket.

Baltimoreans certainly hope the Ravens' time at the top goes better than their diamond counterparts: the Orioles failed to win a game in the American League Division Series, getting swept in three games by the Texas Rangers, the eventual World Series champions.

Video: John Harbaugh Throws Out First Pitch At Orioles Game

Meyer notes that there is historical precedent to the idea of two championship-branded parades in Baltimore: in 1970, the Baltimore Colts triumphed in Super Bowl V, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 16-13 in the first championship after the AFL-NFL merger. Nearly nine months later, the Orioles finished off the Cincinnati Reds to earn the second of three World Series titles. 

Before the Ravens enjoy their week off, they'll face the Pittsburgh Steelers in their regular season finale next weekend.