Baltimore Ravens: 3 reasons they can turn their season around

After entering the bye on a three-game losing streak, many fans are calling for change. Here are three reasons to be optimistic about the Baltimore Ravens turning their season around after getting a week of reprieve:

1. Baltimore Ravens coaches and players had time to regroup and dissect what went wrong

One of the benefits of coming off a bye week is the Baltimore Ravens coaches and players get a break from the daily grind. This is especially true this season as coach John Harbaugh gave his players the week off to regroup and disconnect. The Ravens have been historically good coming off the bye, under Harbaugh the team is 8-2 in their games after the bye week according to Pro Football Focus. This is a testament to the team’s ability to adjust mid-season and fix their mistakes whether it be scheme-wise or player fundamentals. This year’s bye week couldn’t have come at a better time with the team banged up, especially the offensive line who is looking to have Ronnie Stanley and James Hurts back for the Bengals game after missing last week.

2. The Lamar Jackson Era 

With starting Quarterback Joe Flacco dealing with an undisclosed hip injury, the possibility of the Lamar Jackson Era beginning this Sunday against the Bengals is quite likely. During a November press conference on November 4th, John Harbaugh told the media that he would “like to find ways to use Lamar Jackson more” and that they have “considered giving Lamar Jackson full series at QB rather than bringing him on and off the field”. That sounds like a coaching staff that’s ready for a change and eager to see what their 32nd overall Heisman winning quarterback can do.

If Jackson were to start this Sunday, he would provide a much-needed spark to an offense that has struggled as of late.  Although, the Ravens could give the keys to the Corvette to third-string quarterback Robert Griffin III if the coaching staff doesn’t believe Lamar is ready.

No matter who starts, the Bengals have to prepare for the possibility of three different quarterbacks and I wouldn’t expect an announcement of who the starter will be until the inactive’s come out an hour before kickoff Sunday. The Ravens will keep that ace under their sleeve.

3. The team will play for Harbaugh

Before the season started, it was known Coach Harbaugh’s seat was getting warm and he desperately needed to get this team to the playoffs. Now, in Week 11 with the team sitting at 4-5 talks about Harbaugh’s dismissal are heating up. In his 11 years of being the Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh has a win-loss record of 98-71 giving him an average of 58% according to Pro Football Focus. Harbaugh has taken his team to the playoffs 6 times in his 11-year tenure and five of those trips were in his first five seasons. Since winning the Super Bowl in 2012, Harbaugh has only reached the playoffs once and that was as a Wild-Card in 2014.

There is more to coaching than just the numbers, a good coach connects with his players and Harbaugh exemplifies what it means to be a players coach. Whether it’s fighting to earn the teams respect as he did in his first year with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis or taking the team on trips to give them a break during training camp, Harbaugh has always been a player first coach. With rumors swirling that Harbaugh may get fired, I believe the team will play with a little something extra for their respected Head Coach.