Year after year, the Ravens have been unable to get over the hump of making themselves the best team in the AFC. After a 13-4 season in 2023 that ended in an AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs, do the 2024 Ravens have what it takes to finally make it out of the AFC?
Baltimore took a step forward last season after making it to their first AFC title game since 2012. Lead by Lamar Jackson, the Ravens had been to the playoffs 4 of the 5 previous seasons, yet never made it past the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.
The Ravens will have a bit of a new look this year after acquiring All-Pro running back, Derrick Henry. Since Lamar Jackson took over the starting quarterback role for the Ravens in 2019, he has always been the leading rusher. With Henry now in the backfield, things might look a little different in that category and could give this Ravens offense a lot more flexibility.
Even before the Derrick Henry addition, the Ravens had the #1 rushing offense in the entire NFL last season. With Henry in Baltimore, the Ravens should continue to hold the number one spot in this category. The rushing offense was great last year, but the passing offense was pretty subpar.
Baltimore ranked 21st in total passing offense in 2023, an area that definitely needs improvement. Part of that number was the absence of their tight end, Mark Andrews. Andrews missed a good chunk of the 2023 season with an ankle injury. A healthy Mark Andrews is vital for the Ravens success in 2024.
The rest of the receiver core looks pretty similar to last season. Zay Flowers, after a tremendous rookie season, will be the solidified WR1 and will look to breakout even further in 2024. Odell Beckham Jr. did depart to Miami in free agency and Devin Duvernay went to Jacksonville as well. It seems like the Ravens always have a hole in this position, but they need to address their lack of depth at the receiver position before the season commences.
The Ravens had a solid defense last season, ranking 6th in total defense throughout the NFL. They did lose a good chunk of their linebacker core this offseason after Patrick Queen, Tyus Bowser, and Jadeveon Clowney all departed. Luckily they still have one of the best linebackers in the sport in Roquan Smith on their team.
Their strong suit last season was their passing defense lead by their terrific secondary. The secondary is headlined by Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey. Hamilton has emerged as one of the top safeties in the sport. As an opposing quarterback, you have to know where Hamilton is at all times.
Baltimore is once again looking like a top contender in the AFC. The Ravens haven't won the AFC since 2012, can they finally make it over the hump in 2024 and get back to the big game?
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