Baltimore Ravens Will Make The Playoffs
Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is introduced prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Offense, defense, special teams and coaching have all been broken down. Now, all that remains before the Baltimore Ravens kickoff their season is my prediction.
If you read my season preview series, you probably know I am pretty optimistic about the roster as a whole. In the offensive breakdown, I forecasted bounce back seasons for Joe Flacco and the running game thanks to an improved group of weapons and offensive line.
One thing I cannot emphasize enough regarding the offense is the impact of Gary Kubiak, the best offensive mind the Ravens have ever employed. Kubiak is the biggest addition of any team this offseason, and that alone is reason for optimism.
We saw the results in preseason. Unlike some teams, the Ravens’ preseason play is usually pretty indicative of how they will perform in the regular season.
And the results were pretty good. Flacco looked comfortable in the new offense and seemed to sport more consistent mechanics. Thank Kubiak and new quarterbacks coach Rick Dennison for that.
The ground game, meanwhile, was exactly what it needed to be. It churned out tough yards, remained a viable threat and allowed the Ravens to throw some pretty effective play-action passes at opponents.
As Ravens fans well know, Flacco is at his best in the play-action game. The stats back that up. Now that the Ravens seem to have a viable ground game and better receivers, the play-action game should take off.
All in all, the Ravens should be much improved from their offensive debacle in 2013. Last year, the Ravens struggled to 20 points per game. This year, expect a mark closer to 25 points per game.
Just as important as scoring, expect fewer three-and-outs, meaning more rest for the defense.
Speaking of the defense, it could be a concern. Depth at corner is still an issue, despite the team’s re-signing of Derek Cox.
The pass rush is overly reliant on two players, Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs, though Pernell McPhee could help if he has a breakout season. McPhee was the star of the Ravens’ preseason, so he could be in line for a career year.
Expect more aggression from coordinator Dean Pees this year, which should solve a lot of the Ravens’ problems.
Last year saw the Ravens’ defense fall apart in the fourth quarters. The problem with Pees’ bend but don’t break mentality is that it keeps the defense on the field too long, resulting in fatigue late in the game. Hopefully, Pees has learned his lesson and will try to get his defense off the field quicker.
The Ravens surrendered 22 points per game last year, far too high for their level of talent. If Pees does ratchet up the intensity, playing more press coverage and throwing more blitzers at opponents, that number should decrease. Still, the lack of a dominant pass rush holds this defense back. Giving up 20 points per game would be quality progress.
That would be a point differential of plus-five for the Ravens. That will be good enough to qualify for the playoffs.
With John Harbaugh at the helm, this team will always be a playoff contender, and this year, they have the talent to back it up.
With stability at quarterback and coaching, a strong group of receivers, and improved offensive line and a defense that should be better, the Ravens are in line for a playoff year.
My ultimate prediction: the Ravens go 11-5, win the AFC North and make it to the divisional round of the playoffs.