BALTIMORE RAVENS
2021 Record - 8-9-0
Head Coach - John Harbaugh
New Additions - Michael Pierce (DL), Marcus Williams (DB), Morgan Moses (OL)
Offensive Rank in 2021 - 6th (379 YPG); Scoring - 17th (22.8 PPG)
Defensive Rank in 2021 - 25th (363 YPG); Scoring - 19th (23.1 PPG)
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is back after missing time last year with injuries, but still passed for 2,882 yards and 16 touchdowns along with 13 interceptions while also leading the team in rushing yardage with 767 yards (5.8 YPG average) and scored twice. Tyler Huntley will likely be around to backup again. Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both were out last year with knee injuries and the Ravens will be looking to have them both on the field to bolster a strong ground game. Wide receivers include Devin Duvernay, Rashod Bateman (46 receptions for 515 yards and one TD), Tylan Wallace and James Proche. The tight end is Mark Andrews, who led Baltimore with 107 receptions for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns.
On the defensive front, Calais Campbell is back and newcomer Michael Pierce comes over from Minnesota while linebackers Patrick Queen, Justin Houston (4 1/2 QB sacks), Josh Bynes, Tyus Bowser (seven QB sacks to lead the team) and Odafe Oweh (five sacks) will be in tow. The secondary has Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey at the corners and safeties Chuck Clark (two interceptions) and Marcus Williams, who comes over from New Orleans. Rookie Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame) and Brandon Stephens add depth to the defensive backfield.
Outlook for 2022 season - Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the key to the Ravens offense and that showed up last season when he was injured and the team struggled down the stretch and finished with a losing record. Head Coach John Harbaugh would like to see the team go back to what made them such a success in recent years with a strong running game and rugged defense that gets after opposing quarterbacks and forces turnovers.
The Ravens defense had just 34 sacks and nine interceptions last year (both ranking in the bottom third of the NFL) and that must improve if this team is going to challenge for the AFC North division title. The secondary has to get back to their ball hawking ways and force the turnovers to give Jackson and company more opportunities to light up the scoreboard. While losing their final six games a year ago to miss the playoffs, the Ravens had five one-score defeats and except for two blowout losses to Cincinnati, they were in every game they lost in the 2021 season.
With Jackson and the running tandem of Dobbins and Edwards back healthy, look for Baltimore to rebound nicely on both sides of the football and get back to the playoffs. How far they can go will (once again) depend on Jackson, who has had his share of struggles in the playoffs. A Super Bowl appearance is a possibility if things go just right.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at N.Y. Jets
Week Two - vs. Miami
Week Three - at New England
Week Four - vs. Buffalo
Week Five - vs. Cincinnati
Week Six - at N.Y. Giants
Week Seven - vs. Cleveland
Week Eight - at Tampa Bay
Week Nine - at New Orleans
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - vs. Carolina
Week Twelve - at Jacksonville
Week Thirteen - vs. Denver
Week Fourteen - at Pittsburgh
Week Fifteen - at Cleveland
Week Sixteen - vs. Atlanta
Week Seventeen - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Eighteen - at Cincinnati
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