The Baltimore Ravens have a winnable schedule this season and they need to take advantage of it
After having the 19th hardest schedule last season, it will get easier for the Baltimore Ravens in 2017. They come in at #24 this season with an opponent win percentage of .461. If you take away the Pittsburgh Steelers twice, 5 of the 16 games are against teams who made the playoffs last season. This a huge and the Ravens must take full advantage of it.
As inconsistent as the Ravens were last season they were one win away from going to the playoffs. They finished 8-8 and 9-7 would have been good enough for a Wild Card spot. If it weren’t for an outstretched arm by Antonio Brown, the Ravens would have been AFC North Champions.
But enough of what-ifs, the Ravens have this season to worry about.
Take advantage of front half of schedule
The Ravens have to take advantage of the front half of their schedule. Their first eight games of the season are the easiest. Plus, five of these first eight games are at home. With another back-loaded schedule against the Titans, Packers, Lions, Texans and Steelers, the Ravens need to take advantage of their early games. They should not be dropping games to the Browns, Bears, or Jaguars.
Related Story: Baltimore Ravens: 3 Disadvantages Of Their Schedule
I can see the Ravens going into week 9 against the Titans sitting at 6-2 or 5-3. It’s entirely possible. That would put them in a great position going into the second-half of the schedule. At that point last season they sat a 4-4. Like I said, just think what one or two more wins does for you going into the back-end of the season. Then not every game becomes a must win. If the Ravens get their job done in the first half of the season, it pays off down the stretch.
Avoid losing streaks
Losing streaks will destroy a team. It kills your momentum and puts you in a bad spot going forward. And as we saw last season, one game is the difference between making the playoffs or sitting at home.
After starting out 3-0 last season, the Ravens didn’t look perfect, but they were winning the close games. It showed the toughness of this team, but the problems soon caught up to them. They went on a four game losing streak from week 4-7. A team that was atop of the NFL was shot right to the bottom. Luckily a week 8 bye stopped the hurt, but it still put the Ravens in a tough position.
That can’t be the same this season.
Playoffs are more than possible
There is a lot riding on this season. John Harbaugh and other staff could be in big question if the Ravens miss out of the playoffs for the third straight season. For a team that’s had a ton of success in recent years, its inexcusable.
Next: Baltimore Ravens tasked with tough running back decisions in 2018
It won’t be an easy road to the postseason by any means, but the Ravens schedule presents them an opportunity to do it. With the Steelers and an improved Bengals team, the division will be tough, but the Ravens could easily secure a wild-card spot. We know that they are a dangerous team no matter how they get into playoffs. It’s just all about getting their first.