The Baltimore Ravens finished with the best record in the NFL last season, and even after they lost in the AFC Championship Game to the Kansas City Chiefs, there was reason to be optimistic and even excited about their prospects this coming season.
That was before adding running back Derrick Henry, a four-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer who ran for over 2,000 yards during the 2020 season and has led the league in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns twice.
While many are high on the Ravens’ chances of winning the Super Bowl championship this winter, some aren’t as optimistic.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports is one of those who isn’t buying the hype, and he outlined why in a recent article.
“A year ago, I had Baltimore as my pick to come out of the AFC and reach the Super Bowl,” Sullivan wrote. “I’m singing a different tune now. Currently, they own the second-best odds to win the AFC only trailing the Chiefs, and I feel like that may be a bit too rich. Their division should be more competitive with Cincinnati getting Joe Burrow back, and if that’s the bar we’re holding them to (winning the AFC North), I can see a scenario where they come up short. The road is also pretty rough for them this year as they own the fourth-toughest strength of schedule based on their opponents’ projected win total. Also, don’t underrate the departure of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and linebacker Patrick Queen this offseason either.”
The Ravens will likely be in the Super Bowl conversation
The AFC North looks to be the most competitive division in all of football, and six of their 17 regular-season games in 2024 will be against opponents in that division. Among them, the Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten better, the banged-up Cleveland Browns may have found an identity and the Cincinnati Bengals, who were AFC champions just a couple of years ago, seem healthy again.
One reason the Steelers have improved is their addition of linebacker Patrick Queen, who emerged last year as a Pro Bowler while with the Ravens.
On the other hand, Baltimore has a lot going right for it.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the NFL’s reigning regular season MVP, and he seemed to have a weight lifted off of his shoulders last season after finally getting the huge contract extension he had wanted for many months. Wide receiver Zay Flowers showed promise in his rookie season, and tight end Mark Andrews, who missed a chunk of action late in the year because of an ankle injury, is one of the game’s better tight ends.
As long as Baltimore stays healthy, it should be in the conversation for AFC supremacy come January.
The big question is whether the Ravens will be able to beat Patrick Mahomes and company when it matters most this time around.
