OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -By opening the season with four straight wins for the first time in franchise history, the Baltimore Ravens offered convincing evidence to the rest of the NFL that this wasn't the same team that staggered to a 6-10 finish in 2005.

It didn't take nearly that long for coach Brian Billick and his players to reach that conclusion.

By the time newcomer Steve McNair drove Baltimore to a touchdown on its first possession of the season in a 27-0 rout of Tampa Bay, the Ravens already figured they were going to be something special this year.

Their premonition has thus far proven to be correct: The Ravens (11-3) have clinched the AFC North title, and appear poised for a successful run in the postseason.

``We know we are going to be in the playoffs. We know that we have a chance to go and win the Super Bowl,'' cornerback Chris McAlister said.

Billick began getting a positive vibe from this team during training camp, when he noticed the leadership displayed by newcomers Steve McNair, Trevor Pryce, Mike Anderson, Gary Stills and Corey Ivy.

``As we got more familiar with the veterans we brought in, you think, 'Oh, this is good,''' Billick said. ``Physically, you could see it. Then we saw what they brought to the chemistry and the makeup of the team.''

The veteran talent blended well with a fine rookie class, led by No. 1 pick Haloti Ngata and fifth-rounder Dawan Landry, who quickly assumed starting roles on the defense.

``We had that nice mix early,'' Billick recalled.

McNair noticed it, too.

``I think we started to put things together during training camp. Once we got the chemistry together in all three phases, we knew we were going to be special,'' he said. ``It was just a matter of getting the timing down and getting the unity together as far as everybody working on the same accord. We've done that throughout this season.''

Baltimore followed its 4-0 start with a two-game skid. Although the Ravens headed into the bye week atop the division with a 4-2 record, Billick dismissed offensive coordinator Jim Fassel and put himself in charge of the unit.

The Ravens have since gone 7-1.

``We've been challenged through the season with some ups and downs, but we managed to stay even keel, we managed to overcome the bad things,'' McNair said. ``We had two losses and then we got back on track. I think that's the sign of a group of guys out there who are playing for each other. It's been special for a long time.''

Almost right from the beginning.

``I don't know if there was one specific moment in time,'' Billick said. ``It just had a good feel from the get-go.''

The addition of a half-dozen free agent veterans was instrumental in the Ravens' turnaround. So were rookies Ngata, Landry and Demetrius Williams, whose 77-yard touchdown reception paved the way for a 27-17 defeat of Cleveland last Sunday.

But the Ravens have also benefited from having Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, each of whom missed considerable time last year with injuries. Lewis leads the team in tackles and is the focal point of the defense; Reed is headed to the Pro Bowl for his stellar play at safety.

Lewis didn't have much fun last season, but he knew during the first week of two-a-days that this year would be different.

``I think we kind of understood very early how good we could really be. It was just so loose, the confidence that everybody had,'' Lewis said. ``When you bring in guys like a Trevor Pryce and Mike Anderson and Steve McNair ... they bring a totally different perspective to the game. Those guys understand what we're fighting for.''

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