The Baltimore Ravens did something last season that they have not done since their Super Bowl season in 2012 — win the AFC North.
Baltimore finished half a game better than their biggest rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens won 10 games for the first time since 2014. this gave Baltimore the chance to host its first playoff game since the Indianapolis Colts came to town in 2012. The Ravens saw their season end at the hands of the Chargers in the Wild Card round.
Heading into the 2019-2020 season, Baltimore will be the forgotten team. The Cleveland Browns have received a lot of hype and are much improved with the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. The Steelers have been full of drama since losing Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. Despite the departures, Pittsburgh is always tough.
Let's not write off the Ravens just yet. This was a team with a strong defense and an above average running game just a season ago.
They will be looking to return to the playoffs for the second year in a row.
3. Lamar Jackson
Yes, Lamar Jackson is an entire category. The Ravens traded up to take Jackson with the last pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He saw action sparingly over the first two months of the season.
Jackson got the chance to start when Joe Flacco went down with an injury. He led the 3-5 Ravens to a 6-1 finish to the season. Jackson had 1,201 yards and six passing touchdowns. He did a lot of work with his legs rushing for 695 yards and five touchdowns.
Overall, Jackson must take the next step if the Ravens want to be successful. This was on full display during their playoff game against the Chargers. Jackson finished 14-29 with 194 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw an interception and fumbled three times, losing one. Most of his work was done in the fourth quarter when his team was trailing 23-3.
There is no doubt that Jackson will make some plays with his legs next season, however, he must improve as a passer. He completed 58.2% of his passes during his rookie campaign. Throwing for six touchdowns in seven starts will not be enough to lead Baltimore to the playoffs. The Ravens made it clear on draft night in 2018 that Jackson is their quarterback of the future.
Heading into next season with Jackson as the starter will give the coaching staff along with the quarterback time to get acquainted.
2. Offense Must be More Explosive
The Ravens ranked 13th in the league last season scoring 24.2 points per game.
Despite their scoring outcome, Baltimore averaged just 6.7 yards per pass attempt. They finished tied for 25th with 43 plays over 20 yards and tied for 24th with just six plays over 40 yards. This was mainly because Flacco did not have the ability to extend plays using his legs. Jackson will not have the same issue.
This area should improve with Jackson under center for a full season, however, it still needs to be addressed.
The Ravens drafted Marquise Brown in April to help their receiving core which features Willie Snead IV and Seth Roberts. Brown is an explosive receiver with exceptional speed who can create separation.
In a league full of teams who can put up points quickly, the Ravens will need to create more big plays if they want to keep up.
1. Must Replace C.J. Mosley
C.J. Mosley spent the first five seasons of his career in Baltimore. He eclipsed 100 tackles in four of those five seasons. Mosley created the reputation of being one of the best linebackers in the NFL, especially in coverage.
Next season, Mosley will be sporting green and white after agreeing to a five-year deal with the New York Jets. This means that the Ravens will have to find a way to replace the All-Pro linebackers.
This is something that is easier said than done. The Ravens will not make it one player's responsibility to replace Mosley. Instead, it will be a group effort. Patrick Onwuasor will step in and become the top linebacker on the team. Kenny Young will also step into a starting role.
Along with that duo, Anthony Levine Sr. will get some reps in the Ravens efforts to make up for Mosley. Baltimore signed Pernell McPhee to bolster their pass rush.
There are few players who can replace Mosley on their own.
Heading into the season, the Ravens will need to get excellent production from their linebackers if they want to make it two straight trips to the postseason.
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