Yes, we all love RGIII and hope he returns next year and turns in an Adrian Peterson comeback performance.

But there is another team just up the road who could use your support this weekend against the evil New England Patriots:

The Baltimore Ravens

Before you turn your nose up at this post and go back to reading Manti Te’o chat room messages, there used to be a time when we were all Baltimore Orioles fans. Yes, (the old heads will remember this) prior to the Washington Nationals and Bryce Harper coming to town, D.C. followed the O’s like they were our own team. So it ain’t that big of a stretch for us to cheer for the Baltimore Ravens this weekend.

Before we get started (and hear from Dan Steinberg), yes, we understand that the Redskins beat the Ravens in an overtime thriller earlier this year at Fed Ex.

So, let’s learn a little more about the Ravens so you can sound smart at Molly Malone’s on Sunday.

This is the last ride for Ray Lewis.

After 17 seasons, one of the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL is hanging up his cleats.

By the way, if you haven’t had the opportunity to visit M&T Bank Stadium, Ray Lewis has the best entrance in all of sports.

But Ray Lewis isn’t the only future Hall of Famer on defensive. He’s also got Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed.

We all know three guys don’t make up the entire defense, so let’s take a deeper look.

The Ravens also have Haloti Ngata and Terrence “Mt.” Cody.

How did the Ravens get so stacked on Defense? It starts at the top.

Their General Manager, Ozzie Newsome, is known for looking deep into the draft and finding gems – usually from the SEC.

His second round pick last year?

Alabama Crimson Tide National Champion, Courtney Upshaw

Defense wins championships, but what about the offense?

Let’s meet the running back.

#27, the pride of Rutgers, Ray Rice. Ray is one of the league leaders in all-purpose yards.

No quarterbacks in Delaware? Fu Manchu mustache out of style?

Think again.

Meet Joe Flacco. He moves around in the pocket like your uncle playing two-hand tag after Thanksgiving dinner, but he can’t stop winning. He’s led the Ravens to playoffs every year that he has been in the league.

Who does he pass the ball to?

Superstar second year player Torrey Smith.

Smith grew up in Stafford, Virginia and attended the University of Maryland. Another gem identified by Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens drafted Torrey in the second round of the draft with the 58th overall pick.

Torrey straight lit up the NFL. The first three catches of his career were touchdowns.

Want to feel old? Torrey was born in 1989.

Want to laugh? Remember the DC earthquake two years ago?

And the Ravens have one more Pro Bowler on the team, Marshall Yanda.

Yanda is a corn fed beast who played football at the University of Iowa. He’s been known to spend down time hunting on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Do you know how you have to put a stake in the heart of a vampire to kill it? Here is the “Flacco Fling” that put Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos out of the playoffs last week.

The Ravens are coached by John Harbaugh. John’s brother Jim coaches the San Francisco 49ers. Their dad, Jack Harbaugh, was also a successful college football coach. Damn good coaching genes.

So, that’s about it. Welcome to the team.

Put your Chris Cooley jersey back in the closet and wear something purple this Sunday.

At least you’ll have your talking points down.