Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Baltimore Ravens - 2023 NFL Season Preview

BALTIMORE RAVENS                                                                         


                                                          

2022 Record - 10-7 

Head Coach - John Harbaugh 

Offensive Rank -  16th (339 YPG); Scoring -19th (20.6 PPG)

Defensive Rank -  9th (324 YPG); Scoring - 3rd (18.5 PPG)

 

Quarterback Lamar Jackson is back for another season after passing for 2,242 yards (17 TD, 7 INT) and he led the team in rushing with 764 yards (6.8 ypc) and three touchdowns. J.K. Dobbins (520, 5.7 ypc, two TD) and Gus Edwards (433, 5.0 ypc, three TD) are the top running backs. Wide receivers include Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham, Jr. and tight end Mark Andrews, who led the Ravens with 73 receptions last season for 837 yards and five touchdowns. Rookie Zay Flowers (Boston College) will also be in the receiving mix.

On defense, Baltimore has Justin Madubuike (5 1/2 QB sacks) up front with Michael Pierce and linebackers Patrick Queen (team high 117 tackles) and Roquan Smith help comprise the front seven. Marlon Humphrey (three interceptions) and Marcus Williams (four INT) lead the secondary.


OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - With Jackson now having a new contract, and coming off a season in which he missed action with injuries yet again, the Ravens need for him to stay on the field as much as possible. The wide receiving corps will be interesting to watch as OBJ (who missed all of 2022 season after off-season knee surgery) and a rookie look to make a difference in a subpar passing game last season. The running game has been the bread and butter for the Ravens in recent seasons, along with a strong defense. The Ravens drafted a pair of linebackers (Trenton Simpson - Clemson and Tavius Robinson - Mississippi) to provide depth to a top notch unit.

Head Coach John Harbaugh would like to see the offense soar this season, but again, that will depend on Jackson staying healthy and putting up some big numbers. Place kicker Justin Tucker is considered by many to be the best ever to do it in the NFL and he is back for his 12th season, which is good news for the team. 

The Ravens should contend in the AFC North division, where the Cincinnati Bengals have dominated the last two seasons. A favorable schedule in the first half of the season could provide a good start this season, but the team needs to avoid injuries to key players and avoid another late season slump if they want to be in the mix for a deep playoff run.


TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Houston 

Week Two - at Cincinnati 

Week Three - vs. Indianapolis 

Week Four - at Cleveland 

Week Five - at Pittsburgh 

Week Six - vs. Tennessee (in London, England) 

Week Seven - vs. Detroit 

Week Eight - at Arizona 

Week Nine - vs. Seattle

Week Ten - vs. Cleveland 

Week Eleven - vs. Cincinnati 

Week Twelve - at L.A. Chargers 

Week Thirteen - BYE 

Week Fourteen -  vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Fifteen - at Jacksonville 

Week Sixteen - at San Francisco 

Week Seventeen - vs. Miami 

Week Eighteen - vs. Pittsburgh

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