Ravens: 10 reasons they will win the Super Bowl in 2015, #1

Just in time for today’s Ravens season opener, the #1 reason the Ravens will win the Super Bowl….

We WILL win the AFC North division title.

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates with Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) after their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Now the mystery is determining where it will it land us in the playoffs. 1st overall seed with home field advantage all the way over the heavily favored Patriots? 4th overall seed with at least 1 home game guaranteed? That remains to be seen but nonetheless, we will win the division.

According to NFL preseason grades for all 32 teams, The Ravens are in a prime position to own the division with a grade of B-. Yes, depth is a question heading into the regular season, especially at the wide receiver position and on defense. However, General Manager Ozzie Newsome has a great track record of fixing such issues in time to get the Ravens into the playoffs.

It’s also worth noting that the John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco tandem has made the playoffs in 6 of their 7 total seasons together and they have never seen a record below .500 while claiming 2 division titles, an AFC Championship title, and a Super Bowl title. This year shall be no different.

Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) speaks with head coach John Harbaugh during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints in a preseason NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Only the Bengals scored higher than the Ravens, but we’ve seen the Bengals win the division before and go on to be one-and-done and headed to their tiger-patterned couch to watch the Ravens in the divisional round and beyond. So no worries from me, and none from you.

How did our division opponents fare in their preseason grades? Well, here you go:

Pittsburgh Steelers: D+

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) and Ravens outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

New Defensive Coordinator, new defense that hasn’t yet found its identity, key players on offense missing due to suspensions, and injuries. All eyes are on Big Ben.

Cincinnati Bengals: B+

Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) jumps over running back Giovani Bernard (25) and offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) to record the sack at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Everything about their preseason performance has mirrored their regular season success from last season. However, postseason woes still loom over this club and the pressure could cause a collapse down the stretch despite the talent.

Cleveland Browns: C+

Sep 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) and outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing new to see here. Same Browns who have missed the playoffs since 2002 and haven’t seen a winning season since 2007. Even a dead car battery will show sparks every so often.

Yes, the schedule is tough (as you see). 5 of the first 8 games before the bye week are on the road. Coming off the bye week, 5 of the remaining 8 games are at home.

Let’s say we take into consideration all of the preseason grades of the teams the Ravens will play this season and only count it as a loss if the grade is higher than the Ravens B-. That would mean the Ravens would hypothetically finish with a record of 10-6. Judging off of the grading, I’d like to adjust it by +1 and say the Ravens will finish 11-5, win the division, and lock up the 3rd seed in the playoffs.

The last time the Ravens finished 11-5, they made it to the AFC Conference Championship game. It was the rookie season of Harbaugh and Flacco and we know how that ended. One word (or one long last name), Houshmandzadeh. Enough said.

Under Harbaugh and Flacco, the Ravens have won the division only twice out of 6 playoff-bound seasons, winning the Super Bowl on one of those occasions. In the one losing effort in the playoffs after winning the division, we all know how that ended. Two words (or two last names), Evans and Cundiff. Enough said.

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