The Baltimore Ravens sit atop the AFC North with a 5-2 record coming out of their bye week. Through the ups and downs, this team has proven that they could compete for a Super Bowl title.
Let’s take a look at a few reasons why they’ve proven to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
The Ravens’ 2021 season to this point
It has been well documented that the Ravens have endured a rash of injuries this season. They started without their top-three running backs, two of their top three cornerbacks, and two key veterans in the front-seven.
When the Ravens blew the game against the Las Vegas Raiders it seemed like the sky was falling. They sustained even more injuries, the offensive line was horrendous, and the defense was pathetic in the second half.
However, since that loss, they’ve ripped off five straight victories including wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Although they were blown out by the Cincinnati Bengals in their last game, it happened just before their bye week. This bye came at the perfect time because it’s in the middle of the season and it gives the Ravens the chance to get healthier and refocus.
In the John Harbaugh era, the Ravens are 10-2 coming off a bye. That indicates that the coaching staff is typically very good at getting their players well prepared for the next opponent with the extra rest.