2012 Ravens vs. 2020 Ravens:
For the sake of this conversation we’re looking at the 2012 Ravens when they got hot in the playoffs. We’re talking Jim Caldwell not Cam Cameron. We’re talking about Flacco being on fire. With that in mind this game could be a shootout. When the 2012 Ravens got hot, they won with their offense. The defense was good in moments but this wasn’t exactly a vintage Baltimore defense. The 2012 offense would have to really show up in this game. So let’s talk 2012 Ravens offense against 2020 Ravens defense.
Anquan Boldin vs. Marlon Humphrey would be a fascinating battle. It would be one of the toughest and most physical receivers of all time against one of the toughest cornerbacks of all time. If Humphrey was able to limit Boldin, it would really be a problem for Jim Caldwell. The key would be Torrey Smith getting past Marcus Peters a couple times. It would be a risky proposition but attacking Peters can work if he gets caught being overly aggressive.
Pass rush would be a problem for Joe Flacco to deal with in this game. Bryant McKinnie had good games and bad games. Matt Judon would have a chance to win one on one battles. Matt Birk and Marshal Yanda would hold their own, but the 2020 defensive front might have their way with Michael Oher. The 2020 Ravens would get enough pass rush on Flacco to make the game a challenge for the 2012 squad.
The game plan would be having Boldin catching quick passes in the middle of the field, and taking shots to Torrey Smith. If Flacco gets into a rhythm he would make this a really compelling game. I think Dennis Pitta and Ray Rice have a rough time producing in this game though, and that could give the edge to the 2020 Ravens.
The 2012 Ravens aren’t stopping Lamar Jackson. The 2020 offense would have their way in this game. Ed Reed could make a big play or two. A defense with Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs wouldn’t go down without a fight. That being said the 2012 Ravens needed to put up 38 points to get past Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos and 34 points in the Super Bowl.
The 2012 Ravens had a fit trying to stop Robert Griffin III and lost 31-28 to the Washington Redskins. Anything RG3 can do, Jackson can do better. Jackson’s mobility would be a real problem for the 2012 team. The 2012 defense also had trouble stopping the run at times. The current Ravens would have over 200 yards on the ground and Jackson would have an impressively balanced stat line.
Who Wins?
If the 2012 Ravens gave their best shot this would be a close game. The 2012 Ravens were a good team, but more than anything they were a team that just found a way to win. The obvious advantage however goes to the 2020 offense over the 2012 defense. Flacco would keep it close for most of the game but Jackson would come out on top. Give me the 2020 Ravens 42-28.