The Baltimore Ravens come into 2019 as one of the NFL's most polarizing teams. While their offseason resulted in several players leaving the team, they added a bevy of intriguing names. Therefore, they enter the season as a team to watch; with some bold (or not so bold, if you're a homer) predictions to follow.
5. Lamar Jackson's efficiency spikes massively
Lamar Jackson was electrifying as a rookie in 2018, but he wasn't efficient. The quarterback threw a 58.2% completion rate, fumbled the ball 12 times, and posted a below league average 84.5 passer rating. That could all change in 2019.
Jackson has been working on his accuracy mightily during training camp, and it's shown in preseason ball. Through two games, the former Heisman Trophy winner has gone 10-for-16; a 62.5% completion rate. He hasn't thrown an interception either, and looks far more confident as a passer; whether it be pocket poise, accuracy, or decisiveness.
Expect Jackson's limited outstanding preseason play as a passer to convert to the regular season. After all, what he's focused on most coming into year two is improving his mechanics as a thrower.
“[Mechanics] had a lot to do with it [poor accuracy}. I was probably getting lazy, trying to make things happen with just my arm and not following through with my legs, and it showed a lot. I would throw an inaccurate ball.
Keeping a wide base, throwing out-breaking routes. Just trying to be spot-on with my accuracy, trying to work on every attribute I can.
I don’t feel like I’m the best I can be. You’ll have to see when the season comes. I’m still working,” Jackson said, via BaltimoreRavens.com.
It doesn't hurt that he can run.
4. No C.J. Mosley, no problem. Kenny Young solidifies himself as one of the NFL's best inside linebackers
To the dismay of many, five-time Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley departed for the bright lights of New York. However, the Ravens may not skip a beat, considering they have one of the NFL's brightest young linebackers ready to thrive as his replacement.
Still not over this one.
SHEESH @KennyYounggg
pic.twitter.com/fStHSNVYV8— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 9, 2019
Young enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2018; starting three games out of 16 with 51 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, and a forced fumble to his name. On tape, what stands out is his ability to do two things; drop back in coverage with an understanding of what he needs to do, and in the run game, can make plays by simply being at the right place at the right time.
Young is a lightning bolt of energy from the inside linebacking position; his explosiveness, eagerness to hit, and grit fit the Ravens mantra to a tee. He plays fast, isn't a liability in coverage, and is coming off of an impressive rookie season. It's hard not to claim that his stock is rising quickly; because it is. Along with Patrick Onwusasor (another rising star), the Ravens' linebacking corps will be more than fine.
3. Justice Hill becomes a star overnight
Yes, Mark Ingram will carry the bulk of the workload, and Lamar Jackson should see plenty of touches as a runner, but Justice Hill may be the star runner in Baltimore.
Hill is a dynamic rusher, flashing signs of a LeSean McCoy to-be. His shiftiness, play speed, and ability to put just about anything he sees on skates screamed star while he was at Oklahoma State, and he's doing the same thing in the NFL. Through two preseason games, he's led the Ravens in rushing with 82 yards on 20 carries.
Justice Hill was making dudes miss all game Thursday night 👀 pic.twitter.com/eL5vvXC9fh
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 16, 2019
According to SB Nation, in his week two-game, he forced twelve tackles; beating Ingram's total amount in his entire NFL career. Hill may not be a leading rusher in Baltimore, but he's a walking highlight reel to the point where he may be the next great elusive back. That may show immediately as a change-of-pace option for John Harbaugh.
2. The Ravens win the AFC North
Is this a bold prediction considering they won the AFC North last season? Maybe not.
With the Cleveland Browns getting markedly better across the board, the Pittsburgh Steelers ridding themselves of cancerous drama, the Cincinnati Bengals finally moving on from Marv Lewis, and the Ravens losing a few key pieces (Za'Darius Smith, Mosley, Eric Weddle), the division won't be a cakewalk.
While the Browns have been getting Super Bowl consideration — and deservingly so — the Ravens are more than ready to run away with the AFC North. Yes, critical players left; but let's not forget it's year-two of a promising Jackson-era, Earl frickin' Thomas is on-board, and Harbaugh continues to be one of the NFL's most adaptable and consistent coaches.
The Ravens have a playoff-caliber roster and are in a division with two others able to say the same. However, they have a leg up on the Browns and Steelers; quietness. While both have immense pressure to succeed, Baltimore has seemingly gone under the radar. Too often teams fold under that pressure (see Philadelphia Eagles, 2010), but the Ravens don't have that burden on their shoulders.
1. Then, they go on a playoff run
The Ravens will win the AFC North, and then the rest of the AFC will fear them. As stated previously, the Ravens have the key-pieces from a team that succeeded last year and have built upon that. Why can't they go on a run?
There isn't any reason why they shouldn't. The head coach is experienced in the playoffs, the quarterback is a dynamic force to be reckoned with, there are a bevy of intriguing skill position players added (Hill, Ingram, and Marquise Brown), and possess one of the NFL's fastest rosters; and, after all, speed kills.
The sky is the limit for a Jackson-led team. Especially if Jackson's a more efficient passer than he was in 2018. If Jackson's improvement in accuracy is legit, the new additions prove to be fruitful, and the edge rush (without Za'Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs, but with promise across the board) stays consistent, we may be talking about the Ravens deep into the playoffs.
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