The Ravens come off of one of their most high-powered seasons in recent memory hungry for more after an AFC Championship loss to Kansas City.

Lamar Jackson is one of the NFL’s most decorated signal callers since arriving into the league in 2018 at age 21, when he came in for veteran Joe Flacco and led Baltimore to the postseason. He is a two-time MVP after last year’s performance and a career record of 58-19 in the regular season. Even in the recent NFL Top 100 Players list, Jackson was ranked as the best Quarterback in the NFL.

The issue for Jackson has come in postseason play. While 2023 was the closest that the Louisville alum has come to a Super Bowl, his overall postseason record still sits at 2-4 following the Ravens’ loss to the two-time reigning Super Bowl Champion Chiefs. Whether it was by lack of playcalling diversity in that game, lack of healthy veteran pass catchers, or anything else, that loss in M&T Bank Stadium left a stain on an otherwise awesome season that saw the Ravens go 13-4.

One reason the Ravens dominated so much was their defensive prowess. The unit ranked 1st in points allowed, turnovers and DVOA while ranking 2nd in defensive EPA/play behind division rival Cleveland. The three main cogs of the defense on the field all return in Safety Kyle Hamilton, Linebacker Roquan Smith and Defensive Lineman Justin Madubuike. However, the man behind the controls, Mike Macdonald, left to become the new successor to Pete Carroll in Seattle.

On offense, the Ravens were also a top unit, ranking 5th in EPA/play and 4th in DVOA. They should get a boost with the addition of bruising Running Back Derrick Henry, as well as a healthy Mark Andrews and a second year Zay Flowers. The Offensive Line will be stout once more, with Tyler Linderbaum leading the charge on the interior.

All in all, the Ravens will be in the mix once again as long as they stay relatively healthy. The test will be the Kansas City Chiefs, the kings of the hill that everyone is going to try to knock off for the third straight year. In his 17th year in Baltimore, John Harbaugh could potentially have his best all around roster. Now it’s up to Lamar and Co. to deliver a Lombardi back to Baltimore for the first time since 2012.

Schedule

The Ravens play 10 games against playoff teams from 2023, including 4 against division rivals Pittsburgh and Cleveland. They begin the year on the road against the same team that ended their last season, the Kansas City Chiefs. They conclude the season with 3 straight games against 2023 playoff teams.

@ Chiefs- L

Vs Raiders- W

@ Cowboys- W

Vs Bills- W

@ Bengals- L

Vs Commanders- W

@ Bucs- W

@ Browns- W

Vs Broncos- W

Vs Bengals- W

@ Steelers- W

@ Chargers- W

Vs Eagles- W

@ Giants- W

Vs Steelers- W

@ Texans- L

Vs Browns- W

Final Record: 14-3 (1st in AFC North)

Key Additions:

RB Derrick Henry, CB Nate Wiggins, Tackle Roger Rosengarten

2023 Metrics

Offense

4th DVOA

5th PFF Grade

5th EPA/Play

4th Points

7th Passing EPA

5th Rushing EPA

9th Pass Block Win Rate

5th Run Block Win Rate

Defense

1st DVOA

3rd PFF Grade

2nd EPA/Play

1st Points

2nd Passing EPA

23rd Rushing EPA

9th Pass Rush Win Rate

24th Run Stop Win Rate

The Ravens are in a championship window, no doubt about it. Coming off of a year where both the offense and defense were elite, the time is now. Baltimore will be in contention, and likely repeat as AFC North Champs. Lamar and the gang believe that this is the year that the playoff demons are exorcised.

Check out more team previews > NFL News