Baltimore Ravens: 12 wins – 5 losses, 1st AFC North, 3rd AFC
For the second consecutive season, the Ravens have just won the AFC North. A performance that should not be overlooked as this division proves competitive every year. However, John Harbaugh's men will only be judged through the prism of their post-season. Baltimore has too complete a squad and too high ambitions to be satisfied with a positive record and a division title. Lamar Jackson will also be the catalyst for this judgment.
The quarterback once again delivered a high-flying season, even better than in 2023 when he won his second MVP title. However, only a long epic in the playoffs (or even the title) will be able to allow him to take off this label of player who breaks down in important moments.
How did they get there?
Thanks to what is perhaps the most talented roster in the entire NFL. Baltimore certainly has some weaknesses, but when you take theentirety of rosterthere are still few holes there. However, the machine struggled to get going this year with two defeats to start the season. If the first at the defending champion, Kansas City, might seem logical, the second at home against the Raiders was much more surprising. No need to panic for John Harbaugh who finally managed to get the mayonnaise to set.
And the least we can say is that once they get going, these Ravens are difficult to stop. Only three defeats (@Cleveland, @Pittsburgh and vs. Philadelphia) in the last 15 games. Above all, certain victories against playoff teams have established Lamar Jackson's partners as favorites in the AFC.
There is for example this success against the Bills in week 4 (35-10), or these triumphs against the Broncos (41-10), Chargers (30-23), Steelers (34-17) and Texans (31- 2). It's simple, in the AFC, Baltimore beat all of its potential opponents in the playoffs this year except… Kansas City.
The key player: Derrick Henry (RB)
It would perhaps have been logical to put Lamar Jackson in this category, but if the quarterback is by definition the key player of all teams, let us instead turn to the one who will be there to accompany him in the quest for the title: Derrick Henry . Arriving in the offseason, the running back directly had an impact on this squad with 1,921 yards (5.9 yards/carry) and 16 TDs. He came to perfectly support Lamar Jackson who still finished with 915 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. The two players truly form a two-headed monster in this attack.
But the quarterback absolutely needs a successful Derrick Henry to both rely on him, but also use him as a decoy to run in turn or find passes thanks to play-actions. Concretely if both players are in good shape, it is very difficult to stop this attack.
Like last year, Baltimore finished the regular season with the highest average rushing yards per game. The difference is that that average was 156 yards per game last year, while it stands at over 187 this season. And the arrival of Derrick Henry is not for nothing.
Why are they going to go through with it?
Because this might be the year of the Ravens. Juggernaut of the AFC since the emergence of Lamar Jackson, Baltimore has never managed to convert these successes from the regular season to the playoffs. But the squad continues to gain experience and seems a little better each season. Like his quarterback who is playing the best football of his career. The attack is balanced and gains 424.9 yards per game. An average that ranks it at the top of the NFL. Danger can come from anywhere and defenses have difficulty containing it. Especially since she avoids mistakes as much as possible with only 11 ball losses recorded this season (3rd in NFL).
But John Harbaugh isn't just counting on an offensive explosion. He can also rely on a solid defense at all levels. On each line, talented players have emerged or continue to perform. Above all, this team seems full of leaders. Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Kyle Van Noy, Nnamdi Madubuike, Marlon Humphrey are all players who left their mark on the season.
The path will not be easy for the Ravens since a victory against the Steelers this weekend would certainly send them to Buffalo then to the Arrowhead to face the defending champions, but Baltimore is capable of beating anyone.
Why won't they go?
Because until they prove that they are capable of surpassing themselves in the playoffs, doubt will persist. A title is literally the only thing missing for Lamar Jackson and this generation of Ravens to establish themselves as a player/team that will definitely mark an era. Every year we tell ourselves that it's the right one and every year, they can't cope.
Since 2018 and the explosion of their pitcher, the Ravens have had a record of 2 wins for 5 losses in the playoffs without even reaching a conference final. It's too little for a team with these ambitions. Unfortunately, with the Bills who seem better every year, and the Chiefs who, until proven otherwise, remain the undisputed masters of the AFC, Baltimore will have to surpass itself to reach the Super Bowl. Are Lamar Jackson and his people capable of it? So far they have proven that it is not. New response in the coming weeks.
Injured players
The big concern of the week comes from a receiver. Zay Flowers, Baltimore's best ball catcher, was injured in week 18. Hit in the knee, he would most likely miss this match against the Steelers. A big blow for this team which would then lose the most productive player in the air this season with 1,059 yards. Beyond the numbers, this absence would force Harbaugh to rethink the game plan as Flowers has an atypical profile that Baltimore would have difficulty replacing.
Apart from the former Boston College player, Baltimore is approaching these playoffs with almost all of its strength. Justice Hill, absent for two weeks, even returned to training, as did safety Kyle Hamilton.
Prognosis
The Super Bowl. Just that. The Ravens have all the weapons to succeed, they “simply” all have to be there. And if that hasn't always been the case in the past, it will have to happen. This team is too talented to miss every season.
This year will be the right one for Baltimore to finally emerge from the AFC victorious. But after a tough three-week battle that could see them take on the Steelers, the Bills and the Chiefs, Maryland's players could fall in the Super Bowl against a team that could have more experience of this big meeting like the Eagles for example.
