2018 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - John Harbaugh
Newcomers for 2019 - Mark Ingram (RB), Earl Thomas (DB), Seth Roberts (WR), Justin Bethel (DB)
Keys on Offense - The Ravens will once again feature Lamar Jackson as the starting quarterback after the rookie ran wild in the second half last season, gaining 695 rushing yards to lead the team to a playoff spot. He passed for 1,201 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Robert Griffin III is the back up.
The running game will have Mark Ingram (former Saints player) in the backfield. Ingram gained 645 yards a year ago (4.7 ypc average) and scored six touchdowns. Gus Edwards (712 yards, 5.2 ypc, two TD) led the Ravens in rushing in 2018 and will form the one-two punch with Ingram.
Wide receivers include Willie Snead IV 62 receptions, 651 yards, one TD), Seth Roberts (45, 494, two TD with Oakland), Chris Moore (19, 196, one TD) and top rookie draft pick Marquise Brown (Oklahoma) as well as Miles Boykin (Notre Dame) in the third round. Mark Andrews in the tight end and he caught 34 passes for 552 yards with three TD grabs in 2018.
Keys on Defense - The defense will have new faces as Terrell Suggs, C.J. Moseley and Za'Darius Smith have moved on from last year's top defense in the NFL. Up front will be Brandon Williams (nose tackle) and ends Chris Wormley and Michael Pierce. Linebackers Patrick Onwuasor (5 1/2 QB sacks) and Matthew Judon (seven sacks) are back in the revamped unit. In the secondary is Jimmy Smith (two interceptions) at cornerback along with Brandon Carr (two INT) and Marlon Humphrey, who also had two picks last season. Earl Thomas comes over from Seattle to play safety.
OUTLOOK FOR 2019 - The Baltimore Ravens made the playoffs last year, led by rookie QB Lamar Jackson and his all out play making abilities, particularly as a running quarterback. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round as Jackson was stymied by the 'Bolts defense, which featured five defensive backs, including playing them up in the linebacker positions to quell the speed of Jackson.
Head Coach John Harbaugh and his staff will have to counter that this season as well as helping Jackson develop more as a prototype NFL quarterback. The Ravens showed they can run the football, finishing second in the league in that area. The passing game was subpar, finishing 22nd overall so it remains to be seen how that will go this season.
On defense, there will be some new faces taking the reigns form the old guard that helped to form the best defense in the NFL last year. The team had 43 QB sacks last season and made twelve interceptions while also finishing second in scoring defense, allowing only 17.9 points per game. More of that will be a huge shot in the arm for the Ravens this season.
The AFC North is a strong division with Pittsburgh and perhaps the new look Cleveland Browns wanting to knock the Ravens from their perch as division champions.
Baltimore still has enough talent to remain in contention in the division and a post-season appearance could happen once again. However, with many pieces having to fall into place on both sides of the ball, a 7-9 finish appears to be looming this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Miami
Week 2 - vs. Arizona
Week 3 - at Kansas City
Week 4 - vs. Cleveland
Week 5 - at Pittsburgh
Week 6 - vs. Cincinnati
Week 7 - at Seattle
Week 8 - BYE
Week 9 - vs. New England
Week 10 - at Cincinnati
Week 11- vs. Houston
Week 12 - at LA Rams
Week 13 - vs. San Francisco
Week 14 - at Buffalo
Week 15 - vs. NY Jets
Week 16 - at Cleveland
Week 17 - vs. Pittsburgh
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