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2018 Baltimore Ravens: Necessary stats for a playoff berth

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 23: Kicker Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens kicks a field goal in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 23: Kicker Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens kicks a field goal in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Turnover differential:

The Ravens dominated this stat in 2017 with a whopping +17 turnover differential. That’s precisely what the Ravens need to get back into January football. Now it doesn’t need to be +17, as that’s an outrageously good number, but anywhere in the double-digit range in welcomed.

The Ravens need to create turnovers on defense and play it safe on offense. The former is by far the easiest, but giving the ball away is where the team often struggles. Finding ways to punctuate drives is vital to any teams success (more on that later), but with a defense as good as Baltimore’s, it will give the team an edge other NFL squads simply won’t have.

Having extra drives thanks to defensive turnovers will let the defense rest on the sidelines and be more rested for the next time they take the field. This then leads to more turnovers. Rinse and repeat. it’s a winning formula that the Ravens have been using throughout their history, and it’s likely the biggest stat the Ravens need to achieve for a playoff berth in 2018.

Field goal percentage:

This is easily the most achievable stat that Ravens need to check off their list, so we won’t waste much time here.

Justin Tucker is the best in the business. He holds the NFL record for highest filed goal percentage in a career at 90.179%. Converting drives into points is something the Ravens offense does well and it’s almost entirely thanks to the golden leg Tucker walks around with.

Of course, the Ravens need to capitalize and score more touchdowns than field goals, but scoring points on drives is a must. So long as Justin Tucker remains a Baltimore Raven, this stat is easily attainable.

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With field goal percentage a lock for completed tasks for a playoff berth, it’s up to the Ravens to find stability offensively and continue trending positively in the turnover differential category. If the Ravens can stay in the win column on a majority, if not all, of these stats, a playoff berth is extremely likely. Here’s hoping the Ravens come to play in 2018 and achieve a post-season appearance for the first time since 2014. Just follow this blueprint, and that shouldn’t be a problem.

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