BALTIMORE RAVENS
2023 Record - 13-4
Head Coach - John Harbaugh
Key Additions - Derrick Henry (RB), Chris Board (LB), Josh Jones (OL)
Key Losses - Patrick Queen (LB), Jadeveon Clowney (LB), Gus Edwards (RB), J.K. Dobbins (RB), Odell Beckham, Jr. (WR), Tyler Huntley (QB), Geno Stone (DB), Ronald Darby (DB), Morgan Moses (OL), John Simpson (OL), Kevin Zeitler (OL)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Lamar Jackson (3,678 yards, 24 TD, 7 INT)
RUSHING - Lamar Jackson (821 yards, 5.6 ypc, 5 TD), Derrick Henry (1,167 yards, 4.2 ypc, 12 TD) (with Tennessee)
RECEIVING - Zay Flowers (77 receptions, 858 yards, 5 TD)
SACKS - Justin Madubulke (13)
INTERCEPTIONS - Geno Stone (7), Kyle Hamilton (4)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The Baltimore Ravens are getting tired of having to say "Wait 'til next year" when it comes to their Super Bowl hopes. Head Coach John Harbaugh is hoping a revamped roster of sorts could be the difference in the 2024 season. The defending AFC North champions are looking to get past Kansas City or any other AFC team and reach the Super Bowl.
The offense begins with quarterback and NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson. The seventh year QB had another great regular season, but then had some issues in the post-season, but still led the league's number six offense. The Ravens averaged 370 yards per game and 28.4 points per game. They had the top rushing offense in the NFL (Jackson led the team in rushing) in 2023 (157 YPG) and this year they add Derrick Henry, who rushed for 1,167 yards and scored 12 touchdowns with Tennessee last year. The running duo of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins is now with the L.A. Chargers, so Henry will be the man in Charm City toting the ball. The wide receivers are Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.
The defense was tremendous again in 2023, ranking 6th overall (301 YPG allowed) and the Ravens were the stingiest defense in the NFL as they allowed just 16.5 points per game. They also led the league with 60 sacks and had 18 interceptions, which aided the best turnover ratio (tied for first in NFL) with a plus-12 last year. Jadeveon Clowney is gone (free agent) this season, but defensive tackle Justin Madubuike anchors the front line along with nose tackle Michael Pierce. Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy are solid linebackers and the secondary features safeties Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams along with top notch cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
The Ravens can once again win the AFC North (which is considered the best division in the NFL) as long as the defense keeps up the stellar play and Jackson does his thing with the offense. He likely won't have to do as much with his legs as in past seasons with Henry now in the backfield. The problem for Baltimore (since Jackson took over as the starting QB in 2018) has been in the playoffs. They did advance to the AFC Championship game last year and had the home field "advantage" against the Kansas City Chiefs, but the offense went belly up in a 17-10 loss and then had to watch the Chiefs celebrate a second consecutive Super Bowl title two weeks later. In 2024, the Super Bowl is a real possibility for this team, but they have to make it happen on the playing field.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Kansas City
Week Two - vs. Las Vegas
Week Three - at Dallas
Week Four - vs. Buffalo
Week Five - at Cincinnati
Week Six - vs. Washington
Week Seven - at Tampa Bay
Week Eight - at Cleveland
Week Nine - vs. Denver
Week Ten - vs. Cincinnati
Week Eleven - at Pittsburgh
Week Twelve - at L.A. Chargers
Week Thirteen - vs. Philadelphia
Week Fourteen - BYE
Week Fifteen - at N.Y. Giants
Week Sixteen - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Seventeen - at Houston
Week Eighteen - vs. Cleveland
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