Ravens out to extend Lewis’ ride

BALTIMORE - There's no telling how effective Ray Lewis will be today against the Indianapolis Colts after missing 12 weeks with a torn right triceps.

Fortunately for the Ravens, he's already provided an emotional lift.

With his announcement that he will retire after Baltimore completes its playoff run, Lewis gave the slumping Ravens a boost heading into their AFC wild-card game.

"Just having him back on the field is an inspiration," Baltimore defensive coordinator Dean Pees said.

There are plenty of engaging storylines for this game, which pits Baltimore's current NFL team against the one that left the city in a caravan of moving vans during a March 1984 snowstorm. The matchup features the return of Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who served as the Ravens' defensive coordinator last year and is back on the sideline after being treated for leukemia.

What's more, Baltimore offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell was the coach at Indianapolis for three seasons, culminating his up-and-down run with last year's 2-14 debacle. There's also the Ravens' playoff experience - this is their fifth straight trip under coach John Harbaugh - against a young Colts team that has 28 players making their postseason debut.

But nothing is more noteworthy than the pending retirement of the 37-year-old Lewis, who has been Baltimore's starting middle linebacker for 17 years, or as long as the Ravens have been the Ravens.

Today, the aged warrior will don his gear inside his home stadium for the final time. Lewis will then emerge from the tunnel to perform his ceremonial dance, gyrating to the tune of Nelly's "Hot in Herre" for the fervent, appreciative crowd.

"That's when it's going to hit me the most," Ravens running back Ray Rice said. "That's when I think it's going to hit the city of Baltimore the most, that it could possibly be the last time coming through that tunnel. The emotions are going to be too rough to even think about, because Baltimore is Ray Lewis, and when he comes out of that tunnel, everybody is electrified."

Lewis has an impeccable sense of timing, and his calculated announcement served as a perfect example of that trait. Baltimore (10-6) needed a boost after going 1-4 in December, and Lewis provided it Wednesday by telling his teammates "this would be my last ride."

"Do I have four football games left in me? Yes, I have way more than that," Lewis said. "I just had to make a decision to cut it off at four."

Pagano has been a similar source of inspiration for the Colts (11-5). He laid the groundwork for their comeback season during the summer, left after three games to receive treatment for leukemia and returned last week to guide Indianapolis to a 28-16 victory over Houston.

Now he returns to Baltimore, with no small measure of emotion.

"It's going to be special," Pagano said. "I have great relationships with so many people in that organization. They were so good to me and my family. I wouldn't be sitting where I'm at today if John Harbaugh hadn't given me the opportunity to join him when he was first hired as a head football coach there."

The Colts have the better record and more momentum, having won five of six and nine of 11. Baltimore has playoff experience and the home-field advantage; as AFC North champions, the Ravens get to play at home, where they've won 33 of 40 since the start of the 2008 season.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been to the playoffs in each of his five NFL seasons. He's won at least once in every postseason and twice has taken the Ravens to the AFC title game.

The Colts, on the other hand, will be sending top draft pick Andrew Luck up against Lewis and a defense that has a reputation for bullying rookie quarterbacks. Luck posted some impressive numbers in his first 16 NFL games, throwing for 300 yards on six occasions and running for five scores. But this will be his first foray in a win-or-go-home format.