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5 ways the Baltimore Ravens can make a Super Bowl run

By Richard Bradshaw

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 03: Matthew Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after the win against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 03: Matthew Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after the win against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 27: Cornerback Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Austin Mack #81 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 27, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 27: Cornerback Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Austin Mack #81 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 27, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Stars must step up:

The Baltimore Ravens are chuck full of amazing talents. Baltimore tied for the league lead with seven Pro Bowlers, including stars like Marlon Humphrey and Justin Tucker. Along with others who did not make the Pro Bowl like Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, and Marcus Peters, the Ravens need these guys to step up for this playoff run.

This may seem like a very obvious statement, but Baltimore will be asking for more out of these guys than ever before. There can be few mental mistakes like errant passes, dropped balls, lapses in coverage, mental errors, etc. These guys will need to be on their A-game and be giving 110% effort on every play. No plays off; the execution must be perfect.

The Ravens should know this all too well after two embarrassing playoff losses the last two seasons, including a beatdown from the Tennessee Titans last year after a 14-2 regular-season record. It just so happens that Baltimore gets a rematch with Tennessee to start the playoffs. One would think that revenge is heavily on this Ravens team’s minds.

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The AFC playoffs as a whole are loaded with terrific offenses, however. The worst offense in the post-season statistically, the Pittsburgh Steelers, is still incredibly efficient. This puts extra pressure on the defense to step up.

The offense also needs to play their best football. Jackson can’t turn the ball over as much as he has in previous years. Jackson’s supporting cast must also play up to par at worst. The offensive line needs to give Jackson a clean pocket when the team goes to pass the ball and the unit has to keep its momentum as a run-blocking unit. Receivers can’t drop the ball this time around; there will be no excuses for having the “yips” (looking at you, Marquise Brown). If the defense can’t hold its end of the bargain, the offense at least needs to score points and keep them in this game.

All of this success will boil down to the stars and leaders of this team stepping up. There’s a lot of young or inexperienced guys on both sides of the ball at important positions, too. Pro Bowl or not, the leaders of this team have to play the best football of their careers. A playoff run will start and end with their play.

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