State of the 2023 Baltimore Ravens: Will Lamar Jackson and Co. recover from the playoff hump?

Adam Rank, NFL.com

One storyline …

… persons are overthinking: The Ravens are doomed once they fall behind in video games. I really feel like I hear quite a lot of dumb narratives suggesting Lamar Jackson can’t throw. Has anyone ever observed that the Ravens — of their complete historical past — have by no means drafted a Professional Bowl receiver? I hope that adjustments with Zay Flowers, however they haven’t had quite a lot of success drafting receivers. Additionally, I simply wish to level out that since at the least 2000 (min. 50 makes an attempt), Jackson ranks first within the NFL in move yards per try (9.2) and passer ranking (115.8) when the Ravens are trailing with two minutes or much less remaining within the fourth quarter. He additionally has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5:1 in these eventualities, which is tied for second within the NFL over that span. Dude can sling it.

For 2023 to be successful, the Ravens MUST:

Return to the playoffs and win. That’s proper. For those who’re going to be resetting the marketplace for quarterbacks, it is advisable to win within the playoffs. Lamar Jackson is simply 1-3 within the postseason throughout his profession. He has not performed in a postseason sport for the reason that 2020 season. It’s time for the Ravens to take that subsequent step. Not that anyone is in peril of shedding their gig or something. But when the Ravens get to the playoffs and lose their first sport, like they’ve accomplished in three of their final 4 playoff appearances, that may be an enormous bummer. Particularly with the Orioles taking part in so nicely this yr.

50 Phrases or Much less: Why Lamar Jackson’s Deep Ball Will Enhance

Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com

If the Ravens are going to appreciate their Tremendous Bowl goals, Lamar Jackson have to be again on the high of his sport. It’s simple to overlook that though the Ravens upgraded his weapons and scheme, Jackson wants to enhance himself. I feel he’s nicely positioned to do this.

With higher velocity on the surface, I anticipate we gained’t see Jackson overthrow receivers as a lot. However I feel belief and chemistry would be the largest part to hitting extra of these photographs. It’s good to see Jackson placing within the work, evidenced by his South Florida session with Flowers.

We acquired some perception into a few of Todd Monken’s philosophies in our newest episode of “Wired” from minicamp. Top-of-the-line quotes was from Monken saying, “If we don’t get our abilities guys concerned, we’ll by no means be the group we could be.” He’s taking the highest off the offense.

Three notes from Monken’s classroom presentation – misdirection, tempo, and trick performs. We’ve identified he plans to choose up the tempo and misdirection is a given. Trick performs are an fascinating nugget. I really like how artistic the Chiefs get across the objective line. Will we see a few of that in Baltimore?

AFC North 2023: Who can win the division and different questions forward of coaching camp

Jamison Hensley, ESPN

What’s the division’s largest lingering query?

How good will Deshaun Watson be this season? Watson is the largest X issue within the division. Final season, after serving an 11-game suspension for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage by committing sexual assault as outlined by the league, Watson, who additionally sat out all the 2021 season, regarded like a quarterback who hadn’t performed a sport in nearly two years. Within the last six weeks of the common season, he ranked twenty seventh in Complete QBR (38.3), throwing seven touchdowns and 5 interceptions. If he can bounce again and appear to be the identical participant who made the Professional Bowl from 2018 to 2020, Cleveland will contend for its first AFC North title. If Watson resembles the participant from final yr, the Browns will doubtless end final within the division for a second straight season.

Who’s the largest risk to Cincy within the division?

The Ravens. Since Jackson grew to become Baltimore’s starter halfway via the 2018 season, he has posted a powerful 45-16 (.738) mark. The one present quarterback with a greater file over that span is Patrick Mahomes (.797). The secret’s maintaining Jackson wholesome. Jackson hasn’t been capable of end the previous two seasons due to accidents, and the Bengals have been the AFC North champions in every of these years. With Jackson getting a brand new contract in addition to an upgraded group of vast receivers, Baltimore is in its greatest place to make a championship run since 2019.

2023 NFL head coach rankings: Andy Reid stays No. 1 as disciples Doug Pederson, John Harbaugh crack high 10

Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports activities

5. John Harbaugh (Ravens)

Season: sixteenth with BAL, sixteenth as HC

Profession file: 147-95 | Playoffs: 11-9 (1-0 in Tremendous Bowls)

The current playoff outcomes haven’t been overly encouraging (discover a theme right here?); his Ravens have gained only a single postseason contest within the final eight years. However his final half-decade has confirmed he’s extra adaptable than most, constructing round Lamar Jackson whereas sustaining a stingy “D.” Ought to Jackson make one other leap of his personal, Harbaugh may lastly contend for a second ring.

Ravens Trace at Roster Strikes Although Now ‘Good Sufficient,’ Says Harbaugh

Matt Galatzan, Sports activities Illustrated

“To me, the roster is sweet sufficient to go play – with no adjustments – and it’s by no means so good that it could’t be improved,” Harbaugh mentioned. “So, if there’s a chance, I’m certain that – as a result of that’s how (basic supervisor) Eric (DeCosta) thinks – we’ll benefit from it.”

So the place may these strikes come from? One suggestion that has been proposed has been an edge rusher, the place Melvin Ingram could possibly be an impression addition.

One other could possibly be on the working again spot – an space the place Baltimore has struggled to remain wholesome in current seasons. And naturally, including extra weapons to your recently-extended long-term quarterback isn’t a foul thought, so a receiver may additionally very nicely be on the menu.

Both approach, with the “adequate” Ravens able to take a soar again into the AFC’s elite, they will be available in the market. It simply must be the fitting transfer on the proper time.