How can the Baltimore Ravens get over the hump?
The Baltimore Ravens have enjoyed two successful regular seasons with nothing to show for it in the playoffs. How does this team get over the hump?
The Baltimore Ravens have a completely new look with young quarterback Lamar Jackson at the helm. Head coach John Harbaugh has remodeled his offense to adopt a run-heavy style that compliments his scrambler quarterback.
In doing so, the Ravens established themselves as the league’s second overall offense in 2019, featuring the No. 1 rushing attack in yards per game. But their passing offense suffered as a casualty of the focus on the run, ranking No. 27 in the league.
Jackson led the team in rushing yards as he demolished Michael Vick‘s previous record of 1,039 yards, totaling 1,206 in his 2019 campaign. Behind him, Mark Ingram ran for 1,018 yards, Gus Edwards for 711 yards and Justice Hill for 225 yards as well. This running attack was responsible for 21 total rushing touchdowns, tied for No. 2 in the NFL.
As for the defense, the Ravens finished as the No. 4 total defense in yards per game, featuring the No. 6 pass defense and the No. 28 rushing defense. Even after losing key players in their front-seven, including star middle linebacker C.J. Mosely, they still promoted a solid defensive core that was exceptional when defending the pass.
Jackson got his first opportunity in 2018 as a rookie, taking over for veteran Joe Flacco at midseason. He led the Ravens to the AFC North title but Baltimore lost in the Wild Card Round to the Chargers. Jackson struggled in that outing, throwing an interception and fumbling three times in the 23-17 defeat.
In 2019, Jackson took a tremendous leap forward, winning the AFC North again but also capturing NFL MVP honors after leading the Ravens to a 14-2 regular-season mark. Despite their run game and success, however, the Titans overpowered Baltimore in the Divisional Round. And again, Jackson struggled overall with two interceptions, a fumble and four sacks taken in the 28-12 loss.
Those aren’t the result you expect for a team that has run through the regular season like butter. Likewise, with only a projected 2020 cap space of a little more than $30.74 million, per Over The Cap, the Ravens do not have the flexibility to go on a spending spree in free agency. However, the Ravens do have a few options that can make a dramatic impact on their 2020 campaign.
While their run-game was All-World, their passing game was lacking severely throughout the season. Implementing more passing plays and improving the depth by targeting an elite route-runner in free agency, such as Emmanuel Sanders, will provide the quarterback more reliable options to throw to.
Totaling nearly 100 more rushing attempts than the second most in the league (596 to the 49ers’ 498), everyone and their mother knew the Ravens are going to run and, therefore, they need to be more unpredictable.
However, Baltimore’s offensive scheme is prominently focused on the run, so a better passing game, as a result, would be more of a luxury rather than a necessity. Instead, they could look to revamp their run defense as opponents such as the Titans and Browns will look to exploit their biggest weakness next season.
By adding a hybrid inside linebacker via the 2020 NFL Draft, such as Zack Baun (Wisconsin) or Patrick Queen (LSU), the Baltimore Ravens will add a second middle linebacker in their 3-4 defensive scheme who is able to get the running back as well as effectively play in coverage as both linebackers possess elite athleticism and quickness.
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The biggest change that needs to happen, though, is Jackson’s ability to throw under pressure. We’ve seen what his quick feet can do but all we’ve seen from his arm talent in sticky situations is that it leads to interceptions. He has to improve his decision making in the pocket by finding a way to alter his first instinct from running to looking for the pass.
The 23-year-old quarterback has arguably the highest ceiling of growth out of every NFL quarterback. However, if he cannot figure out his passing woes, then the Ravens will forever be a regular season team that never advances passed the AFC Divisional Round.