The Baltimore Ravens' season ended in heartbreaking fashion, but they proved they can compete with the best the AFC has to offer.
Taking the next step means finding an answer for the Kansas City Chiefs. Andy Reid's team has reached the AFC Championship Game for seven consecutive seasons, advancing to the Super Bowl on five of those occasions. We can effectively pencil in the Chiefs' name to next year's title game. It's up to the Ravens to become the team to take them down.
Only four teams have beaten the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs in the playoffs, and two had Tom Brady at quarterback. The Philadelphia Eagles showed the world how it's done with their emphatic 40-22 victory over Kansas City in Super Bowl 59.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta should take notes. They can steal the player who ruined the Chiefs' chances on Sunday night.
Ravens must prioritize signing Eagles star Josh Sweat in free agency
The Ravens have no realistic shot of trading for Myles Garrett. There's zero chance the Cleveland Browns would even entertain an offer from an AFC North rival.
Plan B? Go and sign the best free-agent edge-rusher available. Enter Josh Sweat.
The former Pro Bowler is coming off an outstanding season for the Eagles, but he saved his best performance for the biggest stage. According to Pro Football Focus, Philadelphia's defense pressures Mahomes an incredible 27 times. Sweat led the way with eight pressures, five hurries, and three sacks.
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Sweat should've been named Super Bowl MVP.
The Eagles may need to use the franchise tag to prevent their star pass-rusher from leaving in free agency, but if he becomes available, the Ravens must make it their top priority.
Sweat could take Baltimore's defense to the next level, which is necessary to replicate Philadelphia's performance against Kansas City.
Unfortunately, we know winning the AFC means beating the Chiefs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated them with pass rush in Mahomes' only other Super Bowl loss. The Eagles did the same.
Message to DeCosta? Sign Josh Sweat.