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Football can't get here quickly enough. The Baltimore Ravens have spent the offseason retooling rather than rebuilding, and expectations remain exactly where they've been for much of the Lamar Jackson era. Anything short of competing for an AFC North championship, and ultimately a Super Bowl win, would feel disappointing. Grabbing both is easier said than done, but this is a team with a realistic chance at a deep playoff run. Sure, the Cincinnati Bengals remain dangerous anytime Joe Burrow is healthy. Meanwhile, in the 'Steel City', the Pittsburgh Steelers hit the reset button by hiring Mike McCarthy. The Cleveland Browns are still searching for answers, but they're always capable of playing the 'spoiler' role.
Oh, and by the way, the Browns are home to the division's best defensive unit. Even so, Baltimore still appears to be the class of the AFC North. Here are five reasons Ravens fans should expect another division title.
Sometimes championships are won before the weather turns cold. ESPN's Field Yates recently predicted the Ravens would be the NFL's last remaining unbeaten team, thanks largely to a favorable opening schedule. If that prediction proves accurate, or even comes close, Baltimore could create early separation in the AFC North while forcing its rivals to play catch-up. Fast starts don't guarantee division championships, but they certainly make the road easier.
This is becoming one of the easier bold predictions to make. If Lamar Jackson stays healthy, he'll once again find himself squarely in the MVP conversation.
Few quarterbacks impact winning the way Jackson does. His ability to extend plays, stress defenses with his legs, and create explosive passing opportunities remains unmatched. Baltimore doesn't need him to be superhuman every Sunday. It simply needs him to be available.
As long as No. 8 is healthy, the Ravens will have the best quarterback in the division. No disrespect to Joe Burrow, but a slight edge goes to Lamar Jackson here.
Baltimore has never been satisfied with standing still defensively. The Ravens spent the offseason adding talent, strengthening the pass rush, and giving new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter another group loaded with speed and versatility.
The expectation isn't simply to remain good. It's to become one of football's most disruptive defenses again. If Baltimore consistently wins the line of scrimmage, it won't ask Jackson to carry quite as much of the load every week.
Yes, Tyler Loop's missed kick against Pittsburgh will always be remembered. It also shouldn't overshadow everything else he accomplished during his rookie season. He has moved on. Everyone else should follow suit.
Loop converted 30 of 34 field-goal attempts while making more than 88 percent of his kicks. That's a strong foundation for any young specialist. The next challenge is proving he can deliver when the pressure is at its highest.
The prediction here? He'll make more than enough clutch kicks to replace one painful memory with several unforgettable ones. LaJohntay Wester and Rasheen Ali provide some punch in the return game.
The Bengals can score with anyone. The Steelers added big names. The Browns continue searching for consistency. Baltimore, meanwhile, has something none of those teams possesses: the division's deepest roster.
The Ravens still employ an MVP quarterback. Derrick Henry remains one of the NFL's premier running backs. Zay Flowers leads an improving receiving corps, while Trey Hendrickson gives Baltimore another dangerous edge presence. Add one of the league's strongest organizational cultures, and it's easy to understand why the Ravens continue entering every season as the team to beat.
Our early prediction places Baltimore at 12-5. That should be enough to reclaim the AFC North crown. Cleveland isn't winning 12 games. The Bengals and Steelers may not either.
Winning the AFC North is never simple. Every divisional game feels like a playoff matchup, and injuries often reshape the race before December arrives.
Still, Baltimore enters the season with the best quarterback, one of the NFL's deepest rosters, a coaching staff capable of maximizing its talent, and legitimate championship aspirations. Until someone proves otherwise, the road to the AFC North title still runs through Baltimore.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 reasons why the Baltimore Ravens will win the AFC North
Continue reading...
Oh, and by the way, the Browns are home to the division's best defensive unit. Even so, Baltimore still appears to be the class of the AFC North. Here are five reasons Ravens fans should expect another division title.
Baltimore has an opportunity to seize the division early
Sometimes championships are won before the weather turns cold. ESPN's Field Yates recently predicted the Ravens would be the NFL's last remaining unbeaten team, thanks largely to a favorable opening schedule. If that prediction proves accurate, or even comes close, Baltimore could create early separation in the AFC North while forcing its rivals to play catch-up. Fast starts don't guarantee division championships, but they certainly make the road easier.
A healthy Lamar Jackson changes everything
This is becoming one of the easier bold predictions to make. If Lamar Jackson stays healthy, he'll once again find himself squarely in the MVP conversation.
Few quarterbacks impact winning the way Jackson does. His ability to extend plays, stress defenses with his legs, and create explosive passing opportunities remains unmatched. Baltimore doesn't need him to be superhuman every Sunday. It simply needs him to be available.
As long as No. 8 is healthy, the Ravens will have the best quarterback in the division. No disrespect to Joe Burrow, but a slight edge goes to Lamar Jackson here.
The defense should take another step forward
Baltimore has never been satisfied with standing still defensively. The Ravens spent the offseason adding talent, strengthening the pass rush, and giving new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter another group loaded with speed and versatility.
The expectation isn't simply to remain good. It's to become one of football's most disruptive defenses again. If Baltimore consistently wins the line of scrimmage, it won't ask Jackson to carry quite as much of the load every week.
Special teams remain a strength
Yes, Tyler Loop's missed kick against Pittsburgh will always be remembered. It also shouldn't overshadow everything else he accomplished during his rookie season. He has moved on. Everyone else should follow suit.
Loop converted 30 of 34 field-goal attempts while making more than 88 percent of his kicks. That's a strong foundation for any young specialist. The next challenge is proving he can deliver when the pressure is at its highest.
The prediction here? He'll make more than enough clutch kicks to replace one painful memory with several unforgettable ones. LaJohntay Wester and Rasheen Ali provide some punch in the return game.
The Ravens are still the AFC North's most complete team
The Bengals can score with anyone. The Steelers added big names. The Browns continue searching for consistency. Baltimore, meanwhile, has something none of those teams possesses: the division's deepest roster.
The Ravens still employ an MVP quarterback. Derrick Henry remains one of the NFL's premier running backs. Zay Flowers leads an improving receiving corps, while Trey Hendrickson gives Baltimore another dangerous edge presence. Add one of the league's strongest organizational cultures, and it's easy to understand why the Ravens continue entering every season as the team to beat.
Our early prediction places Baltimore at 12-5. That should be enough to reclaim the AFC North crown. Cleveland isn't winning 12 games. The Bengals and Steelers may not either.
The standard hasn't changed
Winning the AFC North is never simple. Every divisional game feels like a playoff matchup, and injuries often reshape the race before December arrives.
Still, Baltimore enters the season with the best quarterback, one of the NFL's deepest rosters, a coaching staff capable of maximizing its talent, and legitimate championship aspirations. Until someone proves otherwise, the road to the AFC North title still runs through Baltimore.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 reasons why the Baltimore Ravens will win the AFC North
Continue reading...
