NFL power rankings roundup: Where do the Ravens stand?

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Jul 30, 2015; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws to wide receiver Daniel Brown (83) during day one of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Selbe, Bleacher Report

Ravens rank: #7

Reasoning:

"Joe Cool lived up to his nickname in the postseason. Flacco and the Ravens gave the Patriots all they could handle in divisional round, and they should be in a position to get back there in 2015. Baltimore was one of the most balanced teams in the league last year, finishing in the top 10 in scoring offense and defense. Losing safety Matt Elam for the season is a big blow, especially with how much the Ravens struggled in pass defense against New England. Losing Torrey Smith hurts the offense, and the Ravens did not go out and add anybody in free agency. But they took Breshad Perriman with their first-round pick, which should help. Overall, this is a team in good shape to make the playoffs in 2015."

See now, that’s more like it.  This guy gets it.  The Ravens lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots by a mere 3 points in the playoffs last season.  Since then, they’ve solidified their biggest weakness – the secondary.

I disagree, obviously, that the loss of Matt Elam is a ‘big blow,’ however.  Not sure if Selbe has watched a lot of Ravens football over the last three seasons.  Anyhoo, I agree with his assessment that this is a balanced team that shouldn’t have a problem making the playoffs once again.

Next: Pete Prisco REALLY believes in the Ravens

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