Baltimore Ravens: Why 2018 squad is a Super Bowl contender

Lamar Jackson and the run game:

What makes the 2018 Baltimore Ravens so much different from year’s past goes past their running game’s major success; it comes down to the play of their electric quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Since taking over as the team’s starting quarterback in week 11, the Ravens offense has taken a dynamic shift in philosophy, effectiveness, and explosiveness. Never before have we seen a Baltimore Ravens offense have so much success week-in and week-out. But that’s all come to a change since Jackson took the reigns from Joe Flacco at quarterback.

Jackson gives the offense, not the defense or special teams, the team’s best chance for victory every single week. The electricity he brings to the offense is so unique, and his running ability has given it an incredible sui generis style of play. Jackson makes everyone in the back-field better, and it’s simply jaw-dropping to see its success.

Undrafted 2018 rookie free agent Gus Edwards has exploded onto the scene recently, and his success has already earned him favoritism among fans and a nickname, “Gus the Bus.” Similarly to Edwards, Kenneth Dixon has revived his career over the last few weeks. His play is welcoming him back into the graces of everyone who loves the Baltimore Ravens. These two, plus Lamar Jackson, give the Ravens a back-field they’ve never had before.

In the same vein as what we said about defense, strong run games also are keys to Super Bowl wins. Typically, we see power run games provide the most success in the post-season, but this kind of running has no answers from opposing teams thus far. If someone can’t find a solution soon, Baltimore could glide to the Super Bowl because of their unpredictable, sensational rushing attack.