On Sunday, the 4-1 Washington Commanders will face off against the 3-2 Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. Despite the Commanders’ strong start to the season, the Ravens are favored to win by 6.5 points as of Monday morning. With both teams performing well, we took the opportunity to revisit an intriguing and often debated question: Are the Baltimore Ravens considered a home team for all of Maryland?
Montgomery County and Prince George’s County are widely regarded as part of the DMV area. This term, which stands for D.C.–Maryland–Virginia, typically refers I the D.C. metropolitan area and encompasses all areas surrounding the beltway and regions accessible by Metro. Some even extend the definition to include areas as far out as Frederick County and other parts of the greater D.C. region. However, many do not consider Baltimore and its suburbs to be part of the DMV, viewing it as a distinct separate entity.
One argument against the Ravens being a home team for everyone refers to regional identity playing a significant role in how fans connect with their teams. In the DMV, “We tune into D.C. news, navigate D.C. traffic, and rely on the D.C. Metro, so I don’t believe Baltimore can be regarded as a home team simply because it’s in Maryland. It’s similar to how people in Miami don’t see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Jacksonville Jaguars as their home teams. Residents of San Francisco don’t consider the Los Angeles Rams or Chargers to be a home team, and someone from Dallas wouldn’t view the Houston Texans that way either.”
On the other side of the debate, many state that the Ravens are the only team that is entirely based in the state of Maryland. One of the logos featured on their jerseys is a shield displaying a stylized “B” and “R” interlocked with the alternating Calvert and Crossland banners seen on the Maryland flag. This connection to the state’s identity strengthens the claim that the Ravens represent all of Maryland.
An argument cited by both sides revolves around the success the Ravens organization has enjoyed since relocating to Baltimore (they were formerly the Cleveland Browns until 1996). Commanders fans assert that a key reason the Ravens have attracted so many local supporters is the influx of “bandwagon” fans who have switched allegiance to cheer for a more successful team. In contrast, Ravens fans point to the unsuccessful and tumultuous “Dan Snyder era” which has led to the negative perception surrounding Washington’s organization during that same period as a justification for their team’s growth in popularity.
Fans might also point out that the Baltimore Orioles were widely regarded as the home baseball team for the entire state of Maryland and the DMV area before the Washington Nationals arrived in 2005. Similarly, the Washington Capitals are often seen as Maryland’s home hockey team. While the Baltimore Ravens are certainly considered the home team for many in the state due to proximity, it raises the question: Who did those fans support before the Ravens returned? Was it the Ravens’ move to Maryland or their subsequent success that made it easier for fans to embrace them as their home team?
No matter what your personal opinion is or which team you decide to support this weekend and in the future, there is an undeniable excitement surrounding both teams permeating the entire state of Maryland and the broader DMV area. This regional rivalry game has sparked a buzz that unites fans, igniting passionate discussions and friendly debates among friends, families, and coworkers alike. The anticipation surrounding the matchup adds to the electric atmosphere, as supporters gear up to cheer for their chosen team, making this game a significant event that transcends individual loyalties. As Sunday approaches, the energy is palpable, and the sense of community among fans is stronger than ever.