NFL: 25 Most Disappointing 1 Seeds In NFL Playoff History

25 Most Disappointing 1 Seeds In NFL Playoff History: 7. 2019 Baltimore Ravens

The most recent one seed on the list, the 2019 Baltimore Ravens came like a bullet out of a cannon, running all over everyone with a new offense led by Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. They won 14 games on the backs of the running game, which gained just under 3,300 yards. They scored 21 touchdowns on the ground. However, it wasn’t like Jackson wasn’t throwing the ball. He won the MVP with 36 touchdown passes. It looked like the Ravens were changing the game with the most athletic quarterback in the league.

Not only did they lose in their first playoff game, but the Titans took them to the woodshed. Derrick Henry was unstoppable, showing the Ravens what a real bell-cow back looks like. He ran for 195 yards on 30 carries. Ryan Tannehill only needed 88 yards passing to win this game. Translation, he didn’t need to do anything but finish drives when Henry got them on the doorstep.

The Ravens could not stop the running game, but if they could go shot for shot, they would be okay. Things started off terribly. Jackson threw an interception on their first drive, and they turned the ball over on downs on the second drive. They were down two touchdowns early in the second quarter. They had to basically abandon the running game because the clock was now their enemy.

Jackson threw the ball 59 times, by far the most he’s done all season. The Ravens abandoned what won them 14 games because they went down early. Sometimes it makes sense to buck tradition, but the Titans went into the playoffs with a strategy, and it worked to perfection. The Ravens have never looked the same since, and Jackson has never hit those MVP levels again (although there is still time).