Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens need more talent for tougher 2018 schedule

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 4: Wide receiver Mike Wallace #17 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after making a catch against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 4: Wide receiver Mike Wallace #17 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after making a catch against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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While we don’t know when the Baltimore Ravens will play each game in 2018, we know who they’ll play:

2018 Ravens Home opponents: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders

2018 Away Opponents: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans

The Baltimore Ravens will have a much more daunting schedule in 2018. Baltimore, as always, has to see their divisional rivals twice. Seven of the Ravens 13 opponents made the playoffs this season. Considering that almost none of the Ravens wins in 2017 came against teams with a winning record, that is alarming.

The 2017 Ravens had about as easy of a slate as they will see. The Browns abysmal and the Bengals only won seven games. The Ravens played against four back up quarterbacks. The Ravens went 9-7 with what was really a cupcake schedule. There is no doubt about it, if the Ravens want to win next year they need more talent.

The Ravens have to play some very good quarterbacks next year. Matt Ryan and Cam Newton have each had an MVP season. Drew Brees is a magician on the football field. The Ravens have been burned by Derek Carr and Phillip Rivers in the past. The Ravens can’t just lean on their defense, they’re going to need to put up points.

Must Read: Year in review: The Ravens offensive line

The Ravens don’t have game changing talent. They don’t have an elite wide receiver like Antonio Brown or Julio Jones. They don’t have a tight end that makes it easy like Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce. Joe Flacco is capable of big moments but he can’t carry the team on his back like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers.

Exciting football is winning football

The defense has some good pieces. Terrell Suggs and Matt Judon are very good outside linebackers. Eric Weddle is a good safety and Brandon Williams is an elite run stopping lineman. However the Ravens lack a player that just takes over games. Baltimore’s biggest superstar is their kicker, Justin Tucker.

It seems like the Ravens way has become trying to scrape by, no matter who the opponent is. It works against the Browns, but just about anything does. That doesn’t work against playoff caliber teams. The Ravens play an unexciting brand of football and exciting football wins. The truth is that this team isn’t far away from being the biggest bully on the block. John Harbaugh’s team has some nice pieces and had a winning record. If the Ravens can get one or two game changers, they will be on their way back to the postseason.

Next: Baltimore Ravens: 5 potential cap casualties

Most of the teams the Ravens face in 2018 has a superstar or two that makes a huge difference. The Ravens need more talent. They need a superstar or two to make them a contender. The Ravens are picking at 16 in the NFL Draft for the second year in a row. That is the middle of the pack. The Ravens have been an average team with a few really good players. The Ravens need to be a good team with a few great players to move the needle.

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