Baltimore Ravens: How the experts predict the 2017 season

Nov 6, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (center) congratulates wide receiver Chris Moore (10) after recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (center) congratulates wide receiver Chris Moore (10) after recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scores a touchdown in front of Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Daryl Smith (51) in the first quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scores a touchdown in front of Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Daryl Smith (51) in the first quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN

On ESPN, they had their staff writers for each team give their take on the records for the upcoming season. For the Baltimore Ravens, it was staff writer Jamison Hensley. The difference between Hensley and the other writers on these sites is that he is specifically a Raven’s staff reporter. He covers the team all year around and mostly every thing he writes about is on the Ravens. Even he did not have the greatest outlook for the birds in 2017.

Predicted Record: 9-7

"Their defense has the potential to be among the best in the league. Their offense? It’s a major question mark. What the Ravens do know is they have a favorable home schedule and an awfully challenging road slate. To get to double-digit victories, the Ravens have to break even away from Baltimore. That’s tough to predict when Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Oakland, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Tennessee were an impressive 32-15-1 (.677) at home last season."

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Even with Hensley, it seems like the narrative is the same. All four sites predicted a 9-7 or 8-8 record for the Ravens in 2017. I can’t say I am surprised by this. The fan in be thinks optimistically for 10-6 and 11-5, but in reality I could see it being another 8-8 season. If the Ravens don’t make the playoffs this year, things are going to start getting very interesting in Baltimore.

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