And the last shall be first…in the order in which I’m choosing to review each AFC North team’s makeup and prospects for success in The NFL Year of Our COVID-19…in 2020. I’ll run down the rosters and identify a few impact players, with some reasonably obvious conclusions you may or may not agree with, but hey…it’s FOOTBALL.
We wrap up with last season’s AFC North division winner, the Baltimore Ravens.
After two consecutive seasons of first-round playoff exits, the Ravens are at a crossroads. The meticulously crafted offense, designed and efficiently deployed by offensive coordinator Greg Roman, has been stupendously effective in the regular season, but as observers know, playoff football requires a certain level of intensity, and the questions surrounding QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens at large seem to center on whether they possess that. Jackson’s talents are undeniable; to claim he isn’t and hasn’t exhibited a skill set that redefines typical QB play would be foolish. The NFL has seen many “running” quarterbacks in its 101 years, but few combined their rushing ability with a passing efficiency on the level that Jackson’s shown thus far. His detractors will continue to identify what Jackson hasn’t done – win a playoff game – until he does…if ever. But Jackson hasn’t been alone in those playoff failures.
Given the jaw-dropping numbers the Ravens compiled on offense in 2019, the defense warrants heavy scrutiny for their latest playoff debacle, in which they surrendered 195 rushing yards to mammoth Titans RB Derrick Henry and allowed QB Ryan Tannehill to win despite posting a mere 88 yards and a 50% completion rate. The Ravens’ weakest unit last season was, rather uncharacteristically given their history, their interior LB corp, which featured a number of forgettable names and performances on route to their January humiliation. This obvious deficiency led to significant offseason changes and additions to the defensive roster, most notably in the “front 7”. We’ll get into some of these changes below.
Roster
The QB slate of Jackson, Robert Griffin III and Trace McSorely remains firmly in place; it was thought the Ravens might consider keeping only two quarterbacks this season to free a roster spot, but due to the higher injury risks running quarterbacks generally face, carrying three QBs would seem to be a requirement. To offset some of these risks, the Ravens have bolstered their RB corp with Ohio State rookie RB J.K. Dobbins, who stands to inherit the starting duties aging incumbent Mark Ingram Jr. currently holds. Backup RBs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill return in the same roles (short yardage, third downs, respectively). While no significant names were added, the WR corp should improve with the addition of rookie Devin Duvernay, who provides a solid third option behind starters Marquise Brown and Willie Snead. Physical specimen Miles Boykin remains a roster enigma, but may well contribute more this season due to added experience. TE Mark Andrews should continue his steady, consistent output.
The biggest offensive question mark for the Ravens remains the gaping hole left by the departure of stalwart RG Marshal Yanda, whose leadership and defensive reads will be sorely missed. Veteran G D.J. Fluker and rookie Tyre Phillips will continue to battle it out for the starting job, although the Ravens have decided on Phillips to start the season opener. Keep an eye on this less-than-settled position battle, which may extend into next offseason if no clear choice emerges.
Defensively, the Ravens were forced to let gargantuan NT Michael Pierce walk away in free agency, contributing more issues to their suspect run-stopping front. Former DE Brandon Williams returns to his initial position on the interior as a result; it’s hoped he still remembers how to occupy blockers, as this would enable rookie MLBs Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison to meet ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage unfettered. Hybrid DE/OLB Matthew Judon returns in the same capacity, with oft-injured veteran OLB Pernell McPhee initially lining up on the opposite side of the line; given McPhee’s suspect history, depth here would seem to be paramount, and backup DE Jaylon Ferguson has inspired little confidence in his ability to perform consistently. The defense’s largest addition, literally, is DE Calais Campbell, whose nearly-unblockable presence should provide some welcome penetration into opposing backfields.
Like clockwork, the Ravens will again trot out PK Justin Tucker and P Sam Koch as their special teams stalwarts; with multiple Pro Bowl appearances, why change anything here?
Breakout Potential
With 23 pounds of added offseason muscle and seemingly no reduction in foot speed, WR Marquise Brown appears ready to add to his competent rookie campaign (48 receptions, 584 yards, 7 TDs), made all the more impressive by the fact he played with a screw in his foot all season. Reportedly, Brown is fully able and much stronger; if he can improve his catching consistency, he should give Jackson a particularly dangerous weapon on the perimeter – something Jackson lacked all of 2019.
Prediction
14-2 regular seasons, even paired with marked playoff failures, aren’t easy to come by, so envisioning the Ravens to post consecutive years as such is probably foolish. Barring injury, the Ravens stand to win the AFC North again, but it’s expected to be a quieter, more efficient campaign, with most pundits envisioning a more traditional offensive approach. I’m not so sure that will be the case, but the unique nature of the Ravens is no longer a mystery to the NFL at large, so it’s expected they will face more resistance this year than last. Final take: 11-5
Good luck, folks. Let the games begin!
Shit For Brains
A black man invented the light bulb. Joe Biden says so.