The Baltimore Ravens needed a lift this week. They got one from a familiar voice.

Ravens legend Ray Lewis spoke to the team Friday ahead of Sunday's game in Buffalo against the Bills. His message was about staying together and playing as one.

People in the room called the speech intense and impressive. That is pretty much what anyone would expect from Lewis.

Part of a plan

Lewis is one of several guest speakers the Ravens have lined up for the coming weeks. First-year coach Jesse Minter wants his players to hear different points of view.

Minter and Lewis have been in touch since the summer and have built a relationship. The team had been trying to find a date for Lewis to visit since the season began. This week the schedules finally lined up.

Bringing in outside voices is something the Ravens have done for years.

Rough couple of weeks

The timing could hardly be better. Baltimore lost 13-10 to the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.

Last Sunday was even worse. The Ravens gave up 35 straight points in the second half of a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Now they head to Buffalo to face one of the toughest teams in the league. Lewis spent 17 seasons as the heart of Baltimore's defense. The Ravens hope some of that fire carries over.