Baltimore, MD – From an outside perspective, the Baltimore Ravens should be amidst an identity crisis as a team. Baltimore finished the season losing six consecutive games and missing the postseason. However, with injuries out of the way and a couple of key new additions, the Ravens could be a sleeper team for winning the American Football Conference (AFC).
Early Success
When looking at the Baltimore Ravens’ 2021 season, it is important to remember their first 11 games as opposed to their final six. Before their losing streak ensued, the Ravens had piled up some impressive wins.
Baltimore got their first win of the season defeating the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs 36-35. This win was so respected amongst the league that it earned Baltimore the top spot in the NFL power rankings.
A few weeks later Baltimore defeated the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night football in overtime 31-25. This game was arguably the best of Lamar Jackson’s career and the best from a quarterback in Monday Night football that year.
Sitting at the Top
The Ravens continued their success from earlier in the season and headed into week 13 they were one of the best teams in the NFL with an 8-3 record.
The defense had been firing on all cylinders, after defeating an offensive-heavy Cleveland Browns team 16-10 Coach John Harbaugh stated, that defense was “just off the charts.”
“That’s one of the best defensive performances that we’ve seen out here in a long time,” Harbaughsaid as reported by NFL Network.
While the defense is important, the offense carried by Jackson had been amazing as well. Jackson was having an elite-level year ranking first in yards per completion and third in yards per carry among all positions. This type of success had Jackson in talks of earning his second MVP.
What Went Wrong
It is easy to wonder how the Ravens did not win a single game for the remainder of the year if they had all of these positives going for them.
When looking at their depth chart, it was their injuries that really affected them the most. Baltimore was playing extremely short-handed that season, as evidenced byt the Ravens’ injury report right before their losing streak.
The injury report does not even tell the full story of how injured Baltimore was. Not listed in that report is Jackson who suffered a season-ending ankle injury against the Browns the following week.
Also not included in the report is wide receiver Sammy Watkins, running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, cornerback Marcus Peters, and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley whose seasons had already been over by that point.
Baltimore played last season missing a lot of key players due to injury and the final nail in the coffin was losing Jackson, that is the recipe behind their six-game losing streak.
A Bright Offensive Future
Even when injured Baltimore, at one point, was still one of the top teams in the NFL during last season. This upcoming year Baltimore is going into the season with a significantly healthier roster filled with players looking to get the organization back on the right track.
During the Jackson era the organization has made the playoffs every season he closes the year. With the return of one of the best dual back tandems of Edwards, and Dobbins plus the return of Stanley protecting the line, the Ravens certainly are a threat offensively.
The team also improved the offensive line, drafting rookie Tyler Linderbaum, and adding Morgan Moses, one of the most dependable players in the league in terms of staying healthy.
Jackson also has returned to Baltimore healthy and possibly even better having worked hard in the off-season by changing his throwing mechanics and adding muscle.
New Faces and Returning Stars
Defensively Baltimore has reloaded as well returning pro bowl defensive backs Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey while drafting a 6’4 safety in Kyle Williams who could make an immediate impact for the team.
Then later in the off-season, they added even more depth to their defensive backs by signing free agent Marcus Williams to a steal of a deal.
Baltimore will make their pre-season debut on August 11 at 4:30 p.m. versus the Tennesse Titans.
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