NFL
After Failing To Make The Postseason In Each Of The Last Three Seasons, The Ravens Have A Good Chance To End That Drought In 2018
Had it not been for a defensive meltdown on 4th and 12 in the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Baltimore Ravens would have made the postseason in 2017. Despite inconsistencies by Joe Flacco and the offense, the Ravens still had an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.
With improvements on offense, a dominant defensive effort, and favorable schedule, the Ravens should once contend for the NFL playoffs in 2018. Here are three reasons why I think the Ravens will make the postseason for the first time since 2014.
Improvements On Offense
A year ago, Baltimore had one of the most interesting offenses in the NFL. They were a dismal 27th in total yards but 9th in points per game. They had a complete overhaul at quarterback with the additions of Robert Griffin III and first-round pick Lamar Jackson.
At wide receiver, they added Michael Crabtree after Dez Bryant turned down a multi-year deal. They also signed complimentary receivers in John Brown and Willie Snead IV. The team also drafted two receiving tight ends in Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews. Both players were drafted within the first 85 picks of the draft, so the Ravens are high on the duo.
The wildcard in the Ravens offense, in my opinion, is running back Alex Collins. In 12 starts qlast season, Collins posted nearly 1,000 yards (973), averaging 4.6 yards per carry along with six rushing touchdowns. With a full offseason as the starting running back, Collins should have a career year in 2018. The Ravens didn’t address the position in the draft or through free agency, so the coaching has complete faith in Collins ability to carry the load.
Retention On Defense
Defensively, the Ravens return all 11 starters from 2017. If Baltimore makes the playoffs this season, their defense will be a big reason why. The last time we saw a Ravens defense take the field, Tyler Boyd dashed through their playoff hopes. But don’t be surprised if the Ravens were top-10 defensively in total yards and points allowed this season. For that to happen, they’ll likely need to be a top three scoring defense and finish between 5th-10th in yards allowed. In 2017, they were sixth in scoring defense, 12th in total defense, and finished first in turnovers.
Whenever the Ravens have endured successful seasons, their defense has been a major reason why and 2018 will be no different. The Ravens also have a new defensive coordinator in Don Martindale. Martindale previously served as the linebackers coach for the Ravens in 2017. It will be interesting to see the type of impact he can make. The knock on former coordinator Dean Pees was that his conservative approach would often backfire on the Ravens late in games. Martindale is a more aggressive coach, and that personality should mesh well with the Ravens defense.
Parity In The NFL And A Soft Schedule
The Ravens also have a favorable schedule. They have the 21st hardest schedule in the NFL and should be able to capitalize on a favorable home slate. The Steelers and the Saints are the only true home tests. New Orleans has been known to have its struggles on the road, and the Steelers game is always a battle. If the Ravens can go 6-2 at home, it should bode well for their playoff chances.
Parity in the NFL is routine. Last year, the Bills made the postseason for the first time since 1999. The Jags went 11-5 after a 3-13 season the year before, ending a ten-year playoff drought. The Titans also made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. In the NFC, the Saints won the NFC South after a 7-9 season in 2016.
The L.A. Rams won the NFC West after going 4-12 the year before, ending a 14-year playoff drought. Last but not least, the defending Super Bowl champions went 7-9 in 2016 before winning the first Lombardi trophy in Eagles history. The point is that Baltimore could very well be one of those teams in 2018. If not, it could spell the end for Joe Flacco and head coach John Harbaugh.
