Baltimore Ravens: 2015 AFC North divisional winners or bust

The Baltimore Ravens had the best 2015 NFL Draft between themselves and their AFC North foes. They addressed needs on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, which helped replaced players who left in the offseason. As a result, the Ravens are the favorite to win the AFC North in 2015 and they must show their worth on the field or else their season will be a bust.

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Luckily, the Ravens are still being led by Joe “Cool” Flacco. He’s a quarterback that is rarely frazzled or succumbs to the pressure as he has shown since his rookie year with the Ravens. This is something needed as he has a turnover in the receiving corps and offesive coordinator position. The same is true in 2015 as Gary Kubiak took over as the Denver Bronco’s head coach and Torrey Smith signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite these two moves, Flacco’s offense still has many weapons and targets he can find for a dangerous play in 2015. Likewise, the defense especially the secondary was bolstered in the 2015 NFL Draft. Additionally, the Ravens have depth at the running back position and showed that even without Ray Rice last year they could be effective on the ground. This year will be no different for the Ravens rush attack as Lorenzo Taliaferro will continue to compliment Justin Forsett in his second year in the NFL.

While Taliaferro saw time in 13 games during the regular season, Forsett had a career setting year in 2014 with over 1,200 yards rushing and appearing in 16 games; he also started in 14 of those 16 games. In 2015, Forsett looks to continue as the No. 1 running back, but he won’t be the only rushing option. Taliaferro will look to add more reps and time played in 2015, and he deserves it after gaining experience during his rookie season and learning under Forsett.

Likewise, Kyle Juszczyk enters his third NFL season. The dynamic fullback can be a weapon in the air or on the group. In 2015 he’ll be looking for more receptions and time in the game to show that he can contribute more than he did in 2013 and 2014. Steve Smith Sr’s experience and leadership showed in 2014 and is needed for a young wide receiver core in 2015.

Overall, the pressure is on the Ravens to win the AFC North in 2015 given how Ozzie Newsome successfully navigated the 2015 NFL Draft and filled many needs. Now the players must live up to the expectations put on them as the early favorites to win the AFC North. However, Flacco always seems to live up to the pressure as he stay calm in the huddle and shows his leadership skills. With the games between AFC North rivals always competitive, Baltimore will have to bring their A game to all 16 games especially their divisional games. If they don’t, they could easily have a season like 2013 that saw them miss the playoffs after a disappointing regular season.

It’s AFC North winners or bust for the Ravens as they prepare for training camp and then preseason games before they know it. A playoff berth as a wild card team would accomplish the goal of reaching the playoffs, but the Ravens would still come up short to their expectations.

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