4 players who must step up for the Ravens to make the playoffs

4. Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens

Rashod Bateman has shown, when given the opportunity, that he can be a true difference-maker in the Ravens’ offense. The biggest issue has been actually receiving those opportunities.

The 2021 first-rounder flashed his greatness last Sunday against the Cleveland Browns when he finished with seven catches for 103 yards in what was a breakout game of sorts.

But prior to that game, Bateman had received just one target the week prior and had just seven catches for 60 yards over his last three games combined.

The Ravens need to do a better job of getting Bateman more consistently involved in the offensive gameplan. And that starts with just getting him on the field.

Week 14 was a step in the right direction as Bateman was on the field for 65 percent of his team’s offensive snaps. That coming after he had played just 44 and 45 percent of snaps in the prior two weeks.

If the Ravens are going to snap out of their offensive funk and find success on that side of the ball down the stretch, they’re going to need all hands on deck on offense.

Mark Andrews is the centerpiece of Baltimore’s passing attack. Marquise Brown remains a dynamic big-play threat every time he’s on the field. But for the Ravens to truly have a complete array of pass-catchers, they need Bateman to get involved too.

If the rookie can continue to make the same impact he did this past Sunday over the course of the final month of the regular season, the Ravens should be able to set themselves up nicely for a playoff run.