File this away in the “Random Record of the Decade” file: the Baltimore Ravens now have won 24 consecutive preseason games after beating the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday in yet another meaningless game. This record dates back to the 2015 preseason, and in the regular season since then, Baltimore has posted a 75-55 record, with four playoff appearances and just one postseason victory (2020). What gives?

We know there is little if any correlation between preseason and regular season records now—in any sport. Especially in recent years when the real starters don’t play that much in the exhibition season, there’s just little insight to be had from these games in terms of predictive measurement. So how have the Ravens managed to do this? It literally equates to the proverbial coin flip: Baltimore has won 24 of them in a row.

What are the odds on this? Slim and none, really. It’s just one of those things that defies logic and probability. However, one of the interesting notes here is that the previous record of 19 straight preseason victories was held by the Green Bay Packers from 1959-1962: teams coached by the legendary Vince Lombardi. The team had gone 1-10-1 in 1958 before bringing Lombardi in to lead the Packers back to glory.

It’s easy to imagine how Lombardi instilled a sense of discipline and urgency in a 1-win roster as he rebuilt it in his own image. The Packers went 7-5 in Lombardi’s first season (1959) and then made three straight appearances in the NFL Championship Game in 1960, 1961, and 1962—winning the last two to kick off a dynasty that resulted in the Team of the Decade winning five NFL titles and the first two Super Bowls.

That correlation is easy to make, but it was a different era then, of course, when it came to exhibition games. They mattered in a pride sense, even if they didn’t matter in the standings. Heck, back then, the NFL champions played a college all-star team in an exhibition game, too; that went on until 1976, actually. Today? Exhibition games are just another meaningless game where stars can get hurt and lose money, etc. Pass!

You can see how now how this record really is just a random occurrence, although we have to give credit to the Baltimore coaching staff, led by John Harbaugh. The team is using the preseason like Lombardi did, of course, only doing so to instill the “Baltimore Way” into rookies, draft picks, and free agents. The Ravens generally have been a good team during this period, even if it has not resulted in a Super Bowl title.

They say practice makes perfect, so Harbaugh really is getting the most out of his roster and his staff every year, we suspect. That’s admirable and noble—something every professional coach should aspire to no matter what the end result(s). We salute the Ravens for playing the game the right way, even as it’s a rarity these days, and we hope it pays off for Baltimore with a Super Bowl title in early 2024, for sure.