Baltimore Ravens have chance to rewrite narrative in 2021
The Baltimore Ravens have struggled to make a run in the postseason with their current power structure. Can they flip the script in 2021?
Perhaps the fourth time is the charm in Charm City.
With quarterback Lamar Jackson going into his fourth year as the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, some thing have gone perfectly, while others not so much.
During the regular seasons under Jackson’s guide, Baltimore has posted the league’s best record. In fact, the Ravens are 30-7 in his starts since 2018, winning a pair of AFC North titles and reaching the postseason as a wild card in 2020. For his personal successes, Jackson won the 2019 NFL MVP in unanimous fashion, while taking home First-Team All-Pro honors to pair with a Pro Bowl berth.
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However, that’s where the good vibes end.
Baltimore has enjoyed phenomenal play both from Jackson and the rest of the team over the past three seasons. However, come January, things go south. In 2018, it was the Los Angeles Chargers coming into Baltimore and shutting down the Ravens’ attack in the Wild Card round. The following year, Baltimore was a league-best 14-2 but got pummeled in the Divisional round by the sixth-seeded. Tennessee Titans.
In 2020, the Ravens broke through and won a playoff game with the current cast, beating Tennessee. However, they were stifled on a windy night in Buffalo the following weekend, falling 17-3.
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Entering this summer, Baltimore has reason for excitement. Jackson remains one of the league’s top quarterbacks at only 24 years old. The Ravens also added around him in receivers Sammy Watkins (free agent) and Reshod Bateman (first-round pick). While the defense lost talent in edge rushers Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue, the unit continues to be strong.
If the Ravens fail to advance to the AFC Championship Game this year, one wonders what the future holds. Baltimore has a litany of key decisions ahead, including how much to pay Jackson and tight end Mark Andrews. Then there’s a host of upcoming free agents including receiver Hollywood Brown (decision on fifth-year option), guard Bradley Bozeman, defensive tackle Brandon Williams, defensive end Calais Campbell, corner Anthony Averett and others. Without some postseason success, perhaps general manager Eric DeCosta thinks about shaking things up.
For the Ravens, the time is now. The talent is on board, but the results haven’t been. That must change.
