Ravens: Portrait of determination

Overcoming adversity seems to be a way of life for the Baltimore Ravens, who flourish in situations that usually provoke panic and doubt.

The Ravens fueled their late-season playoff run Monday night by using a beat-the-clock drive and a remarkable kick to pull out an exhilarating 18-16 victory in Detroit.

Down by a point, working with only one timeout and facing a third and 15 at the Baltimore 28, Joe Flacco connected with Jacoby Jones for a 27-yard completion. That set up Justin Tucker for his sixth field goal, a club-record boot of 61 yards that provided the Ravens (8-6) with their fourth straight victory.

Just a month ago, the defending Super Bowl champions were 4-6. Now they're in command of the final AFC wild card and still in the running for another division title.

"Man, I tell you what, we are a team that keeps believing," linebacker Daryl Smith said. "We never quit. I don't really have any words for it."

Anyone who thought the Ravens were doomed to defeat after the Lions took the lead with 2 minutes, 21 seconds left must not have been familiar with Baltimore's exploits over the last two years.

On their way to an NFL championship last season, the Ravens overcame a three-game skid to win the AFC North. In the playoffs, Baltimore used a late Flacco-to-Jones touchdown to rally past top-seeded Denver, then beat New England on the road before surviving a power outage and a late surge by San Francisco to capture the Super Bowl.

This season, with a vastly revised roster, the Ravens are displaying the same brand of determination. They've been involved in nine games decided by three points or fewer, including each of the last three - all of which they won to remain on course to reach the postseason for a sixth straight time.

Baltimore's experience in close games, along with the resiliency the team has shown under coach John Harbaugh, produced a feeling of confidence Monday night when the offense huddled up before the final, pivotal drive.