3 reasons the Baltimore Ravens will be the surprise team of 2017

Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) and Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) celebrate a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) and Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) celebrate a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive guard Alex Lewis (72) against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive guard Alex Lewis (72) against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Reason 1: The offense will be much better

The Baltimore Ravens offense doesn’t have to do much to make things workout. The offense may have been hard to watch last season, but there is hope that this will change in 2017. Marty Mornhinweg is coming into his first full season as the offensive coordinator. He can make changes that he couldn’t make in the middle of the season (and he better). Joe Flacco is more than a full year removed from his injury. If Maclin becomes the go to weapon we expect him to be and Breshad Perriman has a breakout year, Flacco will get it together.

Related Story: Alex Lewis should play right tackle in 2017

I’m not buying the whole James Hurst is going to be the starting right tackle talk. The Ravens will see quickly into training camp that Alex Lewis is their only real option at right tackle. In an ideal world, the Ravens would keep Lewis at guard. However in an ideal world, the Ravens would have addressed right tackle already. If the Ravens put Nico Siragusa at left guard, John Urschel at center and Lewis at right tackle, the offensive line is fixed. I have to believe that Harbaugh will put his five best linemen on the field.

The Ravens should also get more out of the backfield. They brought in Greg Roman, which announced to the world that they were serious about a ground attack. They added Danny Woodhead which will give them more options in the passing game. There will be no excuse for the offense in 2017. It must improve. We’re not asking for Joe Flacco and company to match the firepower of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. We’re simply asking for a functional offense, and I think we’ll get one.