The Baltimore Ravens went 14-2. There’s a lot of good to talk about before we get to the bad and ugly.
The good from the Baltimore Ravens 2019 regular season is obvious. The Ravens went 14-2, won 12 straight games, had 12 Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro selections. The Ravens finished first in points per game, second in yards per game and first in rushing yards per game. It was the best season of offensive football the Ravens have ever had and it wasn’t close. The Ravens broke the record for the most rushing yards in a season and averaged over 200 yards in the air and on the ground. Lamar Jackson, who should be named the NFL MVP, broke a franchise record for touchdown passes disproving the notion that he was a running back once and for all.
Jackson finished the season with 3,127 passing yards and 1,206 rushing yards. Jackson scored 36 passing touchdowns, which led the league this year. Jackson had two games with a perfect passer rating, and three games with five touchdown passes. Jackson didn’t just prove he was the franchise quarterback, he proved that he was one of the most unique superstars the NFL has ever seen.
Mark Ingram got over 1,000 rushing yards and added incredible leadership and excitement to this team. Gus Edwards had a great second season with the Ravens and the trio of tight ends had a great impact. Mark Andrews led the Ravens in receptions and receiving yards and had 10 touchdowns, proving that he was one of the elite tight ends in the game. Marquise Brown has become a play-maker as a rookie wide receiver.
The defense rebounded after a bad start to the season. The Ravens finished in the top 10 in points allowed and yards allowed. The additions of Marcus Peters, L.J. Fort, Justin Ellis, Domata Peko, Josh Bynes and Jihad Ward changed a lot for Don Martindale’s defense. Eric DeCosta should be given a lot of credit for getting things right roster-wise during the season. The Ravens have an unfair combination of cornerbacks. Humphrey and Peters were named to the AP All-Pro team. Earl Thomas has been a great last line of defense for the defense and Chuck Clark has emerged in relief of Tony Jefferson as one of the best leaders in Baltimore.
The Ravens beat five teams that made it to the playoffs. They beat good teams the same way they beat bad teams. They won the few tough battles they had once they got rolling. I could make the good section 8,000 words but you get the point. It was a very good season.