Baltimore Ravens Preview and Prediction

Team Preview

The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2017-18 season coming off an 8-8 season, finishing second in the AFC North. It was an improvement off a 5-11 season but still short of the postseason. Last year's team showed improvement on both sides of the ball, scoring 15 more points and allowing 80 less than the 2015-16 season. All signs seem to be pointing up, but the uncertainty surrounding the leader of the offense makes things a little uneasy.

Joe Flacco, who has a disk injury in his back, has not practiced since late July. While people continue to speculate when he will return and how effective he will be, they should really just listen to what people inside the organization say. Flacco will be 100 percent when he returns to the field and coach John Harbaugh, who just signed a contract extension, is confident he will play in week one. I'll trust Harbaugh on this one, so the predictions and preview of the team will center on Flacco being healthy.

Flacco isn't an elite quarterback, but he certainly does what is asked of him and then some. Last year, Flacco posted 4,317 passing yards, completing 64.9 percent of his passes and tossing 20 touchdowns. The 32-year-old needs to cut down the interceptions (15 in 2016-17) if this team wants to reach the postseason, though.

Terrance West will be the leader in the running game after rushing for 774 yards and five scores a year ago. West is also a threat out the backfield after a 34-catch, 236-yard season a year ago. With backup Kenneth Dixon suspended for the first four games of the year, newly-signed Danny Woodhead should receive plenty of carries in the first few weeks of the season. Woodhead played just two games for the San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers) last season after tearing his ACL. When healthy, Woodhead is a great change-of-pace back who offers value to the passing game as well. Regardless of who it might be, the Ravens need another back to help shoulder the load.

Mike Wallace now leads the wide receiver unit after the retirement of Steve Smith Sr. Wallace caught 72 passes for 1,017 yards and four scores a year ago. 2015 first round pick Breshad Perriman (33 receptions, 499 yards, 3 TD) and newly-signed Jeremy Maclin (44 receptions, 536 yards, 2 TD in 12 games with the Kansas City Chiefs) will now try and fill the shoes of Smith Sr. I was pretty shocked to see the team didn't draft a WR or two in the draft, so we will have to wait and see if that decision comes back to bite them.

At tight end, the Ravens will also have to replace Dennis Pitta, who was released earlier this year after yet another injury. Pitta was a monster on the field when healthy and was coming off a season in which he caught 86 passes for 729 yards. The competition for targets at TE now is between Nick Boyle, Benjamin Watson, and 2015 second-rounder Maxx Williams. If any of those three separate themselves from the pack, they could be in line for big targets in the passing game given how the Ravens utilize the position.

The Ravens chose to use the 2017 NFL Draft to strengthen their defense, selecting five defensive players of the seven picks they had. A big reason why the Ravens chose to go that route was due to the retirement of Zachary Orr, the Ravens' top tackler and one of the more promising LB in the NFL.

Second round pick Tyus Bowser will play big snaps from the start of the season at LB while third-rounder Tim Williams should also play a big role in his rookie season. The duo will get to learn from veteran Terrell Suggs, who managed eight sacks last year. CJ Mosley will anchor the middle of the defense after having 92 total tackles in 14 games in 2015-16. 2016 fifth-rounder Matt Judon (4 sacks) will also serve an important piece to the defense and could be in for a breakout year. Albert McClellan will also play a part after posting 55 tackles a year ago.

The secondary is led by veteran safety Eric Weddle (89 tackles, 4 INT) and newly-signed Tony Jefferson (96 total tackles). The safety duo is among the best in the league and should help both in stopping the run and defending the pass. Cornerback Jimmy Smith returns and is joined by former Dallas Cowboy Brandon Carr. With 2016 fourth-round CB Tavon Young most likely out with a torn ACL, 2017 first rounder Marlon Humphrey will be forced into a big role whether he is ready or not. Can the Ravens overcome all the departures, retirements and injuries?

2017-18 Schedule/Predictions 1 - at Cincinnati Bengals (W) 2 - vs Cleveland Browns (W) 3 - at Jacksonville Jaguars (L) 4 - vs Pittsburgh Steelers (W) 5 - at Oakland Raiders (L) 6 - vs Chicago Bears (W) 7 - at Minnesota Vikings (L) 8 - vs Miami Dolphins (L) 9 - at Tennessee Titans (W) 10 - BYE 11 - at Green Bay Packers (L) 12 - vs Houston Texans (L) 13 - vs Detroit Lions (W) 14 - at Pittsburgh Steelers (L) 15 - at Cleveland Browns (W) 16 - vs Indianapolis Colts (W) 17 - vs Cincinnati Bengals (L)

Season Record: 8-8, 4-2 AFC North

After all that I've written, it's hard to give the Ravens an 8-8 record. This team still has solid players on both sides of the ball and the team should still remain competitive throughout the year. If I had done this prediction earlier this summer, before all the injuries, this team would have been in the playoffs. Outside a couple tough road games after the bye week (Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers), the schedule lightens up, meaning the Ravens could still sneak into the playoffs if they steal a game and win against teams they should be beating. If they do make the playoffs, Harbaugh should get another extension immediately. But, I think the Baltimore Ravens are going to fall a game or two short of the postseason.

Next AFC Team Up - Denver Broncos

Sources not listed in article: ESPN - stats; Ourlads - depth chart; Playoff Predictors - schedule/record projections.

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