What Is 1998 Baltimore Ravens football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1998 Baltimore Ravens football team was the franchise's second season in the NFL, finishing with a 6–10 record under head coach Ted Marchibroda. They played home games at Memorial Stadium and ranked first in the league in total defense, allowing just 249.2 yards per game.

Key Facts

The 1998 Ravens finished with a 6–10 record, improving from their 4–12 record in 1997
Head coach Ted Marchibroda led the team for the second consecutive season
The Ravens ranked 1st in total defense, allowing only 249.2 yards per game
They played home games at Memorial Stadium before moving to M&T Bank Stadium in 1999
Quarterback Vinny Testaverde started 10 games before being injured; Scott Mitchell replaced him

Overview

The 1998 season marked the second year of the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League following the franchise's relocation from Cleveland after the 1995 season. Under head coach Ted Marchibroda, the team showed modest improvement from their 4–12 inaugural season in 1997, finishing with a 6–10 record. Despite the losing record, the Ravens began establishing a reputation for a dominant defense, a hallmark that would define the franchise in later years.

Playing home games at Memorial Stadium, the Ravens struggled offensively but led the league in defensive performance. Quarterback Vinny Testaverde started the season strong but suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 10. The team’s defensive unit, led by future Hall of Famer Rod Woodson and linebacker Ray Lewis, laid the foundation for future success, including a Super Bowl victory just three seasons later.

Record: The 1998 Ravens finished with a 6–10 record, a two-game improvement from their 1997 performance.
Head coach:Ted Marchibroda remained at the helm for his second season, emphasizing defensive discipline and structure.
Defensive dominance: The team led the NFL in total defense, allowing just 249.2 yards per game, the lowest average in the league.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Memorial Stadium, which hosted the team until M&T Bank Stadium opened in 1999.
Quarterback situation:Vinny Testaverde started 10 games before injury; Scott Mitchell took over for the final six games.

Defensive Performance and Key Players

The 1998 Ravens' defense was the cornerstone of the team’s identity, showcasing future legends and setting the stage for long-term success. While the offense ranked near the bottom of the league, the defense consistently kept games competitive, often winning despite limited scoring support.

Ray Lewis: In his second season, Ray Lewis recorded 137 tackles and emerged as a defensive leader at just 23 years old.
Rod Woodson: Veteran cornerback Rod Woodson contributed 3 interceptions and provided leadership, despite playing through injuries.
Michael McCrary: Recorded 9.5 sacks, forming a strong pass-rushing duo with Peter Boulware on the defensive line.
Peter Boulware: The 1997 first-round pick tallied 11 sacks in 1998, showcasing his potential as a premier linebacker.
Defensive ranking: The Ravens allowed only 16.5 points per game, second-best in the AFC Central division.
Turnover creation: The defense forced 24 turnovers on the season, including 15 interceptions and 9 fumble recoveries.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1998 Ravens compared to other top defensive teams of the era:

Team	Total Yards Allowed (per game)	Points Allowed (per game)	Win-Loss Record
1998 Baltimore Ravens	249.2	16.5	6–10
1998 Miami Dolphins	266.4	18.7	10–6
1998 Denver Broncos	287.1	20.5	14–2
1998 Chicago Bears	275.8	21.1	4–12
1998 New York Jets	291.3	21.8	8–8

The table highlights a key takeaway: despite finishing with a losing record, the 1998 Ravens had the stingiest defense in the NFL. Their ability to limit yardage surpassed even playoff teams like the Broncos and Dolphins. This disconnect between defensive performance and win-loss record underscored both the team’s struggles on offense and the potential for future success once the roster was more balanced.

Why It Matters

The 1998 season was a pivotal building block in the Ravens' franchise history. While they missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, the defensive foundation laid this season directly contributed to their eventual Super Bowl XXXV victory in the 2000 season.

The development of Ray Lewis into a full-time leader began in earnest during the 1998 season.
The defense’s league-leading performance proved that defensive excellence could be a franchise identity.
Injuries to key offensive players like Testaverde emphasized the need for quarterback depth.
The team’s struggles highlighted the importance of offensive improvement to complement elite defense.
Memorial Stadium’s final full season underscored the urgency of transitioning to the new M&T Bank Stadium.
The 1998 draft class, including Boulware, showed the value of defensive drafting strategy.

Ultimately, the 1998 Baltimore Ravens may not have been a playoff team, but their defensive dominance and player development made them a crucial stepping stone toward becoming one of the NFL’s most respected franchises in the early 2000s.