updated 4:17 p.m. ET Dec. 29, 2004

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - As their season of lofty expectations moves closer to an unpleasant conclusion, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves fending off talk of discord in the locker room and clinging to a faint hope of reaching the playoffs.

The Ravens (8-7) entered training camp with designs of reaching the Super Bowl. Now, after losing four of five, the 2003 AFC North champions need to beat Miami on Sunday — and hope that three other teams falter — just to secure the final AFC wild-card spot.

There are several reasons why the Ravens failed to excel this season, not the least of which is a divided locker room. Coach Brian Billick and several players insist that Baltimore remains a team united, but cornerback Chris McAlister sees things differently.

“I can’t really put my finger on it, but it’s not the same feeling. Maybe it’s because we’re losing, coming off last year and not being able to follow up and meet expectations,” McAlister said Wednesday. “Maybe that’s what’s got this locker room different. I can’t really tell you why.”

The Ravens moved in October to a new training facility, one that contains a spacious locker room that has none of the intimacy of the old one.

“It used to be real loose and we used to have a lot of fun in here, a lot of guys laughing and having a good time. It’s not that same way,” McAlister said.

“I’ve been here six years; I remember coming in here and everybody moved around. Maybe it’s because the place was a lot smaller and this is bigger, I don’t know. But people found a way around the locker room to somebody else’s locker. Now, it’s like everyone stays in their own little corner.”

Linebacker Ray Lewis failed to show up to his corner of the locker room and address the subject Wednesday. He didn’t talk to the media after Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh, either, so his take on the situation is unclear.

But Terrell Suggs, the Ravens’ other Pro Bowl linebacker, attributed the perceived lack of camaraderie to the late-season swoon.

“This is probably the best locker room in the NFL, and I’m not talking about how expensive it is,” he said. “This is definitely a great group of guys. It’s sad that our record is what it is, but I don’t think there’s any tension. We’re all one big family here.”

But not a happy one. Not with the Ravens on the brink of being eliminated from postseason play.

“You can tell the mood around here is kind of sad, and guys aren’t used to that,” cornerback Gary Baxter said. “That’s something’s that’s new to the Ravens and the players. We worked hard during offseason, and we’ve fallen short of our goal and our destiny. That kind of hurts.”

The Ravens appeared poised to reach the playoffs after getting off to a 7-3 start, the best in franchise history. Since then, however, their only victory was at home against the New York Giants, who are on an eight-game losing streak.

“The guys look around and see the talent we have, and it’s frustrating that we’re not winning,” defensive lineman Anthony Weaver said. “Right now we’re kind of sitting on the brink of not making the playoffs, and that can come off maybe as dissension in the locker room. It’s just frustration with not reaching our expectations.”

This isn’t the same team that won the Super Bowl in 2001. Even Billick conceded that.

“We have a lot of guys that have progressed through their lives and are different than they were two or three years ago. We have guys that have kids, guys that are married,” Billick said. “What they did together two or three years ago as together a team alters a little bit. That’s all part of the dynamic. This is something this team is dealing with. There are frustrations, there are anxieties.”

To qualify for the postseason, Baltimore must beat Miami, then hope that Buffalo loses to Pittsburgh, Denver loses to Indianapolis and Jacksonville either ties or loses to Oakland.

“It does look bleak,” McAlister said. “It’s almost like playing the Lotto.”

More news

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

Tomlin a 'win-at-all-costs' guy

PFT: Mike Tomlin reveals he's a 'win-at-all-costs' guy, but he still needs to respect the rules.

PFT: Big post-Peyton ticket slump for Colts

Headlines

• Label

PFT: Fairley driving 100 mph before DUI arrest

PFT: Forte's agent calls durability concerns absurd

PFT: Jamal Lewis files for bankruptcy

SportsTalk: What's up with Alex and Cam?

Sanchez looking over his shoulder at Tebow?

PFT: Giants' Nicks has surgery; fast return possible

PFT: Giants' confidence in Randle is growing

PFT: Bears have doubts about Forte's knees