Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Baltimore Ravens - 2017 NFL Season Preview

BALTIMORE RAVENS                                                  


2016 Record - 8-8-0

Head Coach - John Harbaugh

Offensive Rank17th  (348 yards per game, 21.4 points scored per game)

Defensive Rank 7th  (322 yards allowed per game, 20 points allowed per game)

Quarterback Joe Flacco returns as the starter for his tenth season in Baltimore. Flacco passed for 4,317 yards a year ago with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Journeyman Ryan Mallett is the backup.
Terrance West (774 yards and five TD) will the primary running back while Danny Woodhead comes over from the Chargers after missing nearly the entire 2016 season. Woodhead is a versatile back who is excellent at receiving passes out of the backfield.  The wide receivers include Mike Wallace (72 receptions for 1,017 yards and four TD), Breshad Perriman (33, 499, three TD), Jeremy Maclin (44, 536, two TD with Kansas City) and Chris Moore. The tight ends are Benjamin Watson and Nick Boyle.
The defense is led by linebacker Terrell Suggs (eight QB sacks), Brandon Williams, C.J. Mosley (four interceptions), Eric Weddle (four INT), Brandon Carr and Tony Jefferson. Rookies Marlon Humphrey (CB from Alabama) and linebacker Tyus Bowser (Houston) may get some playing time early on.

OUTLOOK FOR 2017 -  The Ravens finished second to Pittsburgh in the AFC North division a year ago and if they want to get back to the post-season, the offense has to improve. Flacco is needed to come through once again and the running game needs to help balance out the offense. The Ravens averaged only 91 rushing yards per game last season.
The defense was among the top ten and will look to continue the success, especially against the run as they allowed only 89 rushing yards per game. The secondary gave up some yardage, but also accounted for 18 picks last year as the Ravens were a plus-five in the turnover category.
If they can remain healthy and get some consistency running the football, the Ravens should improve upon last season's finish.  A 9-7 finish might be enough to get a wild card spot and that would be an improvement for the Ravens this season.


TEAM SCHEDULE 
Week One - at Cincinnati
Week Two - vs. Cleveland
Week Three - at Jacksonville (London, England)
Week Four - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Five - at Oakland
Week Six - vs. Chicago
Week Seven - at Minnesota
Week Eight - vs. Miami
Week Nine - at Tennessee
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - at Green Bay
Week Twelve - vs. Houston
Week Thirteen - vs. Detroit
Week Fourteen - at Pittsburgh
Week Fifteen - at Cleveland
Week Sixteen - vs. Indianapolis
Week Seventeen - vs. Cincinnati

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