In the 27-year historical past of the Ravens, maybe no group has entered the playoffs with as many questions as this one.
I’ve talked with NFL personnel, former gamers and media members who’ve been across the group since they moved right here in 1996, and nobody can bear in mind a group that has so many areas of concern.
But but right here they’re, about to start their playoff quest in three weeks after beating the Atlanta Falcons, 17-9, on Saturday and watching the Cincinnati Bengals maintain on to defeat the New England Patriots, 22-18.
Imagine that, in spite of everything these years: The Ravens (10-5) had been rooting for the Bengals so they may safe a playoff spot.
That’s simply one in all many loopy issues about this Ravens season. First of all, the group must be saluted for making it into the postseason after dropping star quarterback Lamar Jackson for a number of weeks with a sprained knee. For all of those that mentioned the Ravens couldn’t win with out Jackson, they’re now 3-1 since he went down in Week 13 in opposition to the Denver Broncos.
The outcomes haven’t been fairly, however the Ravens have received ugly for a lot of the season.
Even in opposition to Atlanta, the Ravens couldn’t go right into a victory formation till there was 2:03 left within the sport after the Falcons piled up 327 whole yards and held the ball for practically 33 minutes.
If the Falcons had a quarterback who may throw downfield and a coach who wasn’t as goofy as Arthur Smith, they may have overwhelmed the Ravens. But Baltimore prevailed even with quarterback Tyler Huntley finishing solely 9 of 17 passes for 115 yards.
Huntley performed like a backup, and that prompts the primary query: When will Jackson return?
It’s nonetheless a thriller. There has been some hypothesis that Jackson is sad along with his contract negotiations and isn’t desirous to play, however native medical consultants agree that his PCL sprain normally takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal supplied he follows a correct rehabilitation program with relaxation and diet.
Oh, so it’s anyone’s guess then.
“I haven’t thought about that; players play when they’re healthy and ready to go; that’s really all we do,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned about Jackson’s potential return. “When the participant and the docs come again and say, ‘Hey, it’s time,’ then [as] coaches, we construct him into the sport plan. That’s actually how [it works]. To give it some thought past that’s simply sort of a waste of vitality and time.
“All the players — including Lamar — Lamar is working very hard to get back. The trainers are working very hard to get him back. I’m optimistic in so many ways, but focused on our team and the next game plan with who we have, really.”
No matter when — or if — Jackson returns, it is going to be fascinating to see if the Ravens open up the downfield passing sport. They went conservative after Jackson’s two huge turnovers price them in a 24-20 loss to the New York Giants on Oct. 16.
Every week later Jackson threw solely 16 passes in a 23-20 win over Cleveland, each he and tight finish Mark Andrews had been clearly irritated by the shortage of alternatives. The Ravens have caught with a conservative strategy, however is that ok to beat high-powered offenses in Kansas City, Cincinnati and Buffalo?
Then there may be the Greg Roman issue. The offensive coordinator merely lacks a really feel for the sport. He doesn’t know when it’s time to maintain mashing groups with the run or hit the panic button by going to a passing sport, which in his case isn’t subtle.
How many instances can the Ravens ship out three receivers within the crimson zone when opposing defenses are dropping seven into protection? Where are the rubs and clearing routes?
The Ravens have probably the greatest working again tandems within the NFL, however starter J.Okay. Dobbins remains to be struggling after getting back from arthroscopic knee surgical procedure. His backup, Gus Edwards, had maybe his finest sport in current weeks on Saturday, speeding for 99 yards on 11 carries.
“Yes, I feel like I’m definitely approaching where I want to be,” Edwards mentioned. “It’s been hard; It’s been a long ride, but I’ve got my running mate with me, J.K., and we’re just pushing each other out there and building off of each other.”
The Ravens have a number of issues on protection as effectively. Ever discover that veterans like defensive finish Calais Campbell, cornerback Marcus Peters and outdoors linebackers Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul play effectively at instances, however can’t maintain it for lengthy intervals with out getting injured?
Opposing groups have began to concentrate on weakside linebacker Patrick Queen and rookie security Kyle Hamilton in protection, and the Ravens nonetheless lack pace on the skin at cornerback.
The one space the group may rely on was Mr. Automatic, kicker Justin Tucker, however he had a 55-yard area aim try blocked Saturday, his second blocked kick in two weeks.
Of course, there are clock administration points and Harbaugh’s overaggressiveness on fourth down, however that might be piling on.
The excellent news is that the Ravens made the playoffs and that’s all that counts. If you get in, then you have got an opportunity of transferring on to The Big Dance. The Ravens have a shot regardless of all of the questions on them.
Merry Christmas, Baltimore.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com