Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: Why 2018 squad is a Super Bowl contender

By Richard Bradshaw

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 9: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs out of the pocket with Anthony Hitchens #53 and teammate Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs in pursuit during the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 9: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs out of the pocket with Anthony Hitchens #53 and teammate Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs in pursuit during the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Cornerback Cyrus Jones #27 of the Baltimore Ravens returns a punt for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Cornerback Cyrus Jones #27 of the Baltimore Ravens returns a punt for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Special teams aces:

The key to a successful playoff run, let alone a Super Bowl berth, will always involve a solid special teams effort. Place kickers like Adam Vinatieri, Stephen Gostkowski, and Baltimore’s own Justin Tucker have all played huge roles during their respective Super Bowl appearances. Of course, a good kicker doesn’t make up the entirety of a successful special teams unit.

By far the most underrated aspect of special teams has to be the team’s punter. For the Ravens, Sam Koch has always been Mr. Reliable. Koch consistently puts Baltimore in positions to succeed with his absolutely incredible ball-placement. Koch is hitting nearly 50% of his punts inside the 20-yard line while currently tying his career high for avg. punt-yards at 47.4. When you have that level of consistency from your punter, it gives you an overlooked edge defensively.

Obviously, we can’t talk about special teams without mentioning Justin Tucker. Tucker is many things: the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Mr. Clutch, and the greatest kicker to ever step on field. When Tucker takes the field, you feel 99.9999% positive that he’ll nail his attempt and give you points you didn’t have before. Tucker was also instrumental during the Ravens Super Bowl XLVII run in 2012, as he knocked threw field goal after field goal.

The last facet of a good special teams unit is your returner. Since the departure of Baltimore Ravens’ legend Jacoby Jones, the team has struggled to find his replacement. Players like Michael Campanaro have tried and failed to be the spark at returner. The team even kicked the tires on Devin Hester. But it appears the Ravens have finally found their answer: Cyrus Jones. Jones is already making huge plays for Baltimore and gives them a secret weapon that’s hard to find in the NFL these days.

If you want to go to the Super Bowl, you better have a great special teams unit. You don’t realize until the game is on the line how important this aspect of the game is. Thankfully, Baltimore has always had good special teams play, and 2018 is no different.

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