In a year that the Baltimore Ravens were supposed to be much improved, it feels like more of the same.
The Baltimore Ravens 2016 season was one of the most boring years we’ve seen. With a lack of explosiveness on offense and injuries to the defense, they were the epitome of mediocre. Now, this season feels like watching the same movie twice. The Ravens are back to being mediocre, which is not what the fanbase or expects are used to, but for two years in a row, we’ve watched the same product.
Ravens 2016 season:
Week 6: 27-23 loss at the Giants.
Week 7: 24-16 loss at the Jets
Ravens 2017 season:
Week 6: 27-24 loss against the Bears
Week 7: 24-16 loss at the Vikings.
Like Deja Vu, isn’t it? The Ravens have the same anemic offense with lack of offensive skill players. Joe Flacco is still very disappointing and the defense is still not living up to it’s reputation. Plus, injuries continue to pile on.
So is it time to give up on the Ravens? No, not yet. They can turn it around. This Thursday against the Dolphins is a great game for that to happen. Remember, last year the Ravens were sitting at 3-4 heading into Week 8. They ended up competing for the division title and were quite close to winning it if it weren’t for an outstretched arm by Antonio Brown.
But if the Ravens want to get back on track, they’re going to need to make some changes for that to happen.
Flat out, Flacco has to play better. In this league, it all starts with the quarterback and Flacco has proved he can be a good one, but he certainly hasn’t showed it recently. Marty Mornhinweg either needs to improve drastically, or there needs to be a change at offensive coordinator after Thursday’s game.
On the other side of the ball, the defense needs to step up and play like they’re supposed to. They have playmakers and talent all over the field. It’s time for them to come together and play like the elite defense we expected to see this season.
Lastly, the rest of the offense needs to help Flacco out. The offensive line play hasn’t been bad, but inconsistent at best. That’s to be expected from a group so battered and injured, but the skill positions need to figure something out. The wide receivers aren’t getting open or catching the ball. The Ravens get little to nothing downfield from their tight ends. The running backs have shown life, but did nothing last week.
The 2016 season ended with an 8-8 record and fans are becoming more and more impatient with this team. This year, it feels the same. Fans aren’t coming to the games and they want to fire everyone from the snack guy to Ozzie Newsome.
Next: Ravens vs. Vikings: 3 things that drove us crazy in this game
There is blame to be put everywhere on the Ravens’ roster, but the bottom line is that the Ravens need to play better. They need to figure it out before this season becomes lost. They have the potential to be a good football team, but they need to prove it.