An MVP, a 2,000 yard rusher and one of football’s best teams, hoping to finally make the leap in the postseason. Welcome back to another edition of ‘The Super Bowl Race In The Perspective of Chase’, and today we will preview the Baltimore Ravens 2024 season.
2023 Season
Going into 2023, expectations were high for the Ravens. They had just extended to a Lamar Jackson to a record breaking deal at the time, signed Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted Zay Flowers in the first round. Baltimore was supposed to take that next step. And they did! The Ravens started slower, but got hot with dominant wins in the middle and end of the season. The Ravens finished their regular season 10-1 with Lamar Jackson, who took home his second MVP while the defense ranked 1st in scoring with four All Pro’s. The team with the best record was without doubt the best team. But it all came to an end in the postseason, with Lamar trying to do much, head coach John Harbaugh stubbornly not running the football and the dominant play from Patrick Mahomes on the other side, as the Ravens once again fell short of the Super Bowl in disastrous fashion. And it now makes fans question if Jackson and the Ravens can actually get it done in the playoffs.
Offseason Additions and Losses
The Ravens had an eventful offseason this year. And that was expected, with many of their coordinators and coaches up for jobs, and with many free agents. The Ravens let go of Patrick Queen since they’re already paying Roquan Smith, but managed to re-sign All-Pro Justin Madubuike. They also kept Kyle Van Noy, but had to let go of Jadeveon Clowney and Geno Stone in the process. They were able to keep offensive coordinator Todd Monken, but lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and many defensive assistants for larger coaching opportunities. But the main thing was the running back core. The Ravens let go of both Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, but added former Titans halfback Derrick Henry, who’s finished top two in rushing in four of the last five seasons including the last two. This is a major move, one that should bolster the running game. A very busy offseason for a team looking to contend for a title.
X-Factor: Isaiah Likely
Keaton Mitchell is a great candidate for this, but his timeline is still to be determined while recovering from his torn ACL. I think Isaiah Likely, though, is the Ravens X-Factor. Because he’s clearly the TE2 on the depth chart behind Mark Andrews. But at the same time, he deserves almost as many opportunities. When Andrews went down, Likely was one of the most productive tight ends in the league. Because he plays like a receiver. He’s quick, he has large hands and can catch while covered while also creating separation on most plays before and after the catch. He’s a game changer. And that’s why the Ravens actually scored more points with him as the primary tight end compared to Andrews last year. If the Ravens use him properly, Likely alongside a guy like Andrews can expand this offense to a whole new level.
Reason for Concern: Postseason Falters
Over the past five seasons, not many teams have been as good as Baltimore. I think Kansas City is the only team that has stood far above them. The Ravens have been so successful, not just because they have a 2x MVP at quarterback, but because they reload on talent. The Ravens front office has done a great job drafting and finding talent to improve this team, and they’ve had successful coaches and coordinators to go along with them. It’s not a coincidence that this team has been the clear-cut-best-team in two of the last five seasons. But they continue to fall apart in the postseason. It’s not working. Lamar Jackson appears to crumble in the big games and situations. If the running game is contained and taken out of the offense too early, Jackson is forced to air the ball down the field at the same level as Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. He hasn’t been able to do it, which is why his last two playoffs losses have come to those QB’s. Derrick Henry may be able to make it harder to shut down the running game, but if Lamar is forced to air it out downfield in the playoffs, he may once again crumble. It’s the Ravens clear and frankly only kryptonite.
Reason for Promise: The Stars
I mentioned all of the success this team has had the last five seasons. And that’s because they have some of football’s biggest stars. Lamar is that type of playmaker. He’s electrifying. He’s fantastic, and has two MVP awards to show it. Roquan Smith is also an All-Pro captain on the defense. The Ray Lewis of this era. Kyle Hamilton; also a tremendous difference maker. Maybe the Ed Reed of this era. Baltimore has great offensive lineman, an All-Pro tight end, an All-Pro cornerback, etc. And now they add Derrick Henry, who is older but has not shown any signs of slowing down. This team is good…really fricken good. And it’s because they have these stars on the roster. Because not only are they stars; they’re leaders. And they all work together. This team will go as far as their stars can take them, and that could be really far!
Prediction
This is a hard team to predict. Because they probably will be successful. You can pick little weaknesses here and there. Maybe lack of experience on the offensive line or inconsistency in the pass rush. But that won’t end this team. They have Lamar Jackson. If he stays healthy, Baltimore will make the playoffs. They’ll win the division. Maybe they’ll even get the AFC’s number one seed again. But you can’t predict if things will change in the playoffs. That will also be up to Lamar. Maybe this team crumbles again. But they have the talent and experience to get through. So they’ll get back to a similar spot, hoping to go further. It’s just all about if Lamar is willing to take them to that further level.
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