OWINGS MILLS – Lee Evans waited eight years for this moment to arrive, a time that tried his patience and has made him appreciate even more where he stands today.

Although Evans was a first-round draft pick for the Buffalo Bills who had his share of touchdowns and clutch catches, the veteran wide receiver never got a taste for the playoffs.

Not until now, not until joining the Baltimore Ravens via an August trade for a fourth-round draft pick.

So, even going through the routine of preparing for an AFC divisional playoff game Jan. 15 against an undetermined opponent feels special to Evans because he’s never been in this position before.

“To be able to be on this journey with these men who have been there and done it before, really there is only one thing left to conquer,” Evans said Wednesday in the Ravens’ locker room. “I can’t even put it into words. It’s a special experience for me.

“It’s kind of like being a rookie all over again going into the playoffs because it’s somewhere I’ve never been, but I’m looking forward to it and I’ve been preparing for it since I came into the league. So, I’m excited.”

In the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year and the lone NFL team to win a playoff game each of the past three seasons, the Ravens (12-4) have grown accustomed to this experience.

They’ve got a core group of young players headlined by quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice who have never missed a single postseason since arriving in the NFL.

For older players like Evans who haven’t gotten to this point previously, this is something they would love to get used to.

And Evans has related that to the rookies and other young players.

“Absolutely, and I think that message has been portrayed,” Evans said. “A lot of the older guys who have been here, that have gone through it before, they’re imparting that upon people. For me, I understand how hard it is to get here and how hard we’ve had to work to get to this point. So this is one of those moments you’ve got to cherish but also take advantage of because they don’t come very often.”

A year ago, defensive end Cory Redding was in Evans’ shoes as a veteran player who hadn’t made it to the playoffs before during his stints with the Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, they’re imparting that to their teammates.

“Those guys have a tendency of letting the rest of the guys know, especially the young guys, how important it really is,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Anquan Boldin got up and talked to the offense about that, and he referenced [Evans and running back Ricky Williams] specifically. When you’ve been in the league for seven, eight, nine, 10 years and you haven’t been to the playoffs, sometimes the young guys take it for granted. The veterans can let them know how special it really is.”

Williams made it to the playoffs before when he played for the Miami Dolphins, but has never made it to a Super Bowl.

Although he eclipsed the 10,000-yard rushing barrier Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, Williams has been through hard times and regards this as one of his last chances to win it all.

“I've had a long career and a successful career, but a Super Bowl is something that's not on my resume,” Williams said. “So, it would be nice to go deep and showcase, as a team, our abilities and the way we play football. I think lot of people know about the Ravens, but I don't think they understand what it means to play like a Raven. I’m not going to have many more chances, no matter what I do. I just want to make the most of it and enjoy it.”

In a reserve role after starting in Buffalo, Evans has caught only four passes for 74 yards and has been shut out each of the past three games.

Rather than worry about his dwindling statistics, Evans is intent on contributing however he can as the Ravens chase the Vince Lombardi trophy given to the Super Bowl winner.

Even though he’s a playoff novice, Evans has already surmised correctly that this is the time to raise his level of play.

“Everything has to be precise,” Evans said. “If you have a loose end somewhere, it’s going to show. The best team is going to win. The team that executes the best is going to win, and guys are going to be playing hard, and it’s going to be the highest level of football that I’ve ever been a part of. So, it’s exciting.

“That’s why opportunities like this, you’ve really got to take advantage of. You’ve really got to try to live in the moment of it and understand what it took to get here but how hard it’s going to be going forward. It’s something I haven’t experienced, but something I know down in my gut what it takes. That’s football at the highest level.”