Now that free agency and the NFL Draft has in the books and we have an idea of what the Baltimore Ravens will look like, is winning the AFC North a reachable goal in 2018?
Ozzie Newsome has had quite the offseason, one that will be his last. He added three wide receivers in John Brown, Willie Snead and Michael Crabtree. Then he drafted two more on Day Three of the draft in Jordan Lasley and Jaleel Scott. Oh, and he also added two playing making tight ends that are replicas of themselves in terms of size. Each standing 6’5 and 250lbs. Going into the 2018 season, the Baltimore Ravens are a completely different unit on offense.
Now that there is an idea of what the team will look like going into next season, you must wonder: Can they compete with the Steelers and win the division? The last two seasons the Ravens have been on the cusp of achieving a playoff spot. This past season they lost the wildcard on a 4th and twelve on a pass caught by Tyler Boyd. The season before that, they lost the division on Christmas, giving up a touchdown with just over a minute to go. That was after the defense allowed a 21-point quarter to the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Its been three straight seasons since the Ravens have been to the playoffs and six since the team won the division in 2012, the year they won the Super Bowl. Going into 2018 after the draft and free agency are no concluded, are fans setting a realistic expectation hoping the team can take the division this season?
The pieces are there
Looking at the team’s possible outlook, the offense doesn’t have any excuse not to have a kickstart coming out of the gate in Week 1. Barring the injuries that have set them back the last three seasons, this offense should be one of the team’s strong suits this coming season. Having two young wide receivers, two veteran wide receivers, two young sizable rookie tight ends and a running back in Alex Collins coming off of a telling season of what is to come. Quarterback Joe Flacco and head coach John Harbaugh don’t have the same excuses they did the last two-three seasons.
Looking at the division next season, The Steelers are the biggest competition for the Ravens to win the division. Surprising, isn’t it? The Steelers, if their offense wasn’t strong enough already, added Oklahoma State playmaker James Washington to take Martavious Bryant’s place after trading him away to the Raiders. But, The Ravens will certainly have the secondary and defense to contain Pittsburgh’s offensive firepower.
Looking at the 2018 schedule, The Ravens will have their fair share of tough games. Having to play the Tennessee Titans followed by the Saints, then the Panthers, then the Steelers from week 6-9. Then the team will play the Raiders, followed by the Falcons followed by the Chiefs in weeks 12-14. Those two stretches and how well the team does in them will most likely determine the whether they make the playoffs or ultimately win the division.
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The Bottom Line
The Ravens will certainly have their obstacles this coming season but looking at the talent they have added to this team through the draft and in free agency, it’s hard to argue them not being able to compete for the division with the pieces they added to the puzzle. Of course, barring the injury bug following the organization in 2018. Lets all just cross our fingers that isn’t the case.