Ravens listed as Super Bowl contenders for 2022
By Kristen Wong
The Baltimore Ravens missed the playoffs in 2021, but many media outlets believe they will return to dominance. Could they win the Super Bowl in 2022?
Of all the sub-.500 teams in the league last year, it could be argued that the Ravens were the best of the worst.
Injuries knocked the Ravens off their AFC North pedestal, but next season the team will be much better prepared for any disaster that befalls them.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay recently named four NFL teams that are ready to vault into Super Bowl contention in 2022, and the Ravens were his least shocking pick:
"“Considering that the Ravens lost four games by two or fewer points — matching the most such losses in NFL history — better health alone could push them back into the playoffs. But they could improve their Super Bowl odds by upgrading a few problem areas as well.”"
Kay notes that those “problem areas” may be at the safety and cornerback positions, but Baltimore can easily acquire upgrades through the draft and free agency.
With nearly $10 million in projected cap space, the Ravens still need to extend Lamar Jackson’s contract, but depending on how those negotiation talks go, they could end up with even more available cap.
The Ravens are primed for a Super Bowl run in 2022
The Ravens also hold four picks in the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft, giving them plenty of young, malleable players to work with.
Kay’s other picks for Super Bowl-contending teams are quite surprising, to say the least. Kay contends that the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders could reach the championship game next year, though both need to replace their current signal-callers.
By comparison, Baltimore’s roster issues appear much tamer. Barring any further injury, Jackson will be an elite, potentially top-seven starting quarterback surrounded by running weapons in J.K. Dobbins and a better-developed receiver unit.
In the wake of Wink Martindale’s departure, Mike Macdonald will be in charge of leading the Ravens’ defense back into the league’s upper echelon, which is all too doable with Marcus Peters and others returning from injury.
Next. 7 ways the Ravens could create extra cap space this offseason. dark
Don’t count out the Ravens for a surprise Super Bowl run next season. They may be underdogs, but so were the Cincinnati Bengals.