Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens must start scoring touchdowns

By Chris Schisler

Oct 12, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) prepares to throw the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) prepares to throw the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens scored 32 touchdowns in the 2016 season. That’s just two touchdowns per game. They may have the best kicker in the NFL, but they have to start scoring six instead of three:

The Baltimore Ravens finished 8-8, and I guess Bill Parcells was right when he famously said you are what your record says you are. The Ravens were an average team. They had a good defense and a mediocre offense. They may have held opponents to 20.1 points per game but the offense averaged 21.4 points. Everything good that the defense did, was countered by the lack of achievement by the offense.

When the Ravens won the Super Bowl in the 2000 season they held their opponents to just 18 touchdowns. In 16 games they allowed just 18 touchdowns. The Ravens offense wasn’t great but the team scored 32 touchdowns. What the 2000 Ravens did was unheard of.

They set a record for the fewest points allowed in a 16 game season. What the 2000 Ravens did is pretty much impossible today. 32 touchdowns was enough to propel the Ravens to a 12-4 record and a Super Bowl championship, but they had the greatest defense ever to see a football field.

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Touchdowns Are Important

In 2016, the Ravens didn’t have a historically great defense. It was a top 10 defense in the league, but it wasn’t a great defense. 32 touchdowns doesn’t cut it unless you have a miracle working defense. Still, I don’t think it’s possible to win the way the Ravens won in 2000. It’s not happening in a new era of football.

The Ravens may be pretty pumped about the defense going into the 2017 season, but they still need more touchdowns. Settling for Justin Tucker field goals is getting old. Tucker is the man, but I want to see guys find the end zone. 18 teams in the 2016 season averaged over 22 points per game. Only eight teams scored less than 20 points per game. The defense can be really good, but without scoring, winning is going to be really hard.

Next: 3 stats the Ravens must improve in 2017

The Bottom Line:

Unless the Ravens are going to match the greatness of the 2000 defense, they need to punch it into the end zone more. Even if the Ravens defense turns out to be historically good, it might not be enough in 2017. Joe Flacco has to get the offense to do it’s job this season.

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