Baltimore Ravens: 5 Questions Worth Asking

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda (73) blocks Cleveland Browns linebacker Jabaal Sheard (97) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

5. What was the strength of the Ravens in 2014?

We have to go back to the aforementioned offensive line, led by bolstered offensive line featuring the likes of center Jeremy Zuttah, guards Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda and tackles Ricky Wagner and Eugene Monroe. The latter missed his share of time and was spelled by undrafted free agent James Hurst.

Here are a few numbers that suggest how this unit more than did its share this past season. In 2013, the Ravens averaged 83.0 yards per game on the ground, the worst-such performance in the brief history of the franchise and the third-lowest total in the league that year.

Baltimore not only allowed 48 sacks that season but quarterback Joe Flacco (the recipient of all of those hits) served up a career-high 22 interceptions compared to only 19 scores.

Fast forward to 2014, when the Ravens finished eighth in the NFL in rushing (126.2 yards per game) while Flacco cut his interception total to 12. The seven-year signal-caller threw 27 touchdown passes and was sacked only 19 times.

There’s a lot to be said for an improved front wall and John Harbaugh’s team epitomized that this past season.