Ebony Bird
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NFL power rankings, post preseason: Ravens sliding

By Brett Foote

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Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) sits on a bench against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Let me preface this with a disclaimer: yes, I know this is a stupid and questionable practice.  The Cowboys went 0-4 in the preseason last year, yet finished 12-4 in the regular season.  Yes, the preseason is an almost pointless exercise.  As are preseason power rankings.

Still, as a Ravens fan, you have to be a little concerned after the team has been hit with injuries and woes along several fronts this offseason.  Running back is a big area of concern, though the return of all 5 starting offensive linemen should shore that up nicely.

But there are other areas of concern as well.  Like at wide receiver, where nobody has done anything to inspire confidence behind Steve Smith.  Or in the secondary, after the addition of a couple of key free agents brought hope for a downtrodden unit but hasn’t come to fruition.

No, we’ve still got unanswered questions even with the offseason in the history books.  And the Ravens, once a consensus top 10 team in everyone’s power rankings, are sliding down into the middle of the pack among universal concerns.

Those concerns are reflected in these latest power rankings, which see the Ravens dip to their lowest point to date.  But while Bleacher Report’s Sean Tomlinson goes on about Breshad Perriman’s absence being a huge deal, I would argue that the running game is a bigger concern.

The Ravens are probably waiting to scour the waiver wire this weekend, looking for a veteran back to bring in provide insurance for Justin Forsett.  With Lorenzo Taliaferro injured and no one stepping up behind him, the Ravens need a reliable depth piece.

Here’s the rest of the hottest Ravens news from around the web.

Ozzie Newsome needs to add a veteran backup running back for Ravens – Jamison Hensley, ESPN

Marlon Brown resurfaces for Ravens in preseason finale loss – Jamison Hensley, ESPN

Ravens face tough choices at backup quarterback – Curt Popejoy, Bleacher Report

Next: Ravens vs. Falcons grades

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