While two of the other teams in the AFC North have quarterback questions, that is certainly not the case in Baltimore with former NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson ready for his fifth season with the Ravens. Jackson had nearly as many interceptions thrown as touchdown passes a season ago.
Things will look a little different following the offseason trade of speedy receiver Marquise Brown to Arizona. The good news is there is no way that the Ravens can endure as many injuries at the running back position as they did in 2021. The well-traveled Mike Davis adds more experience to the running back position.
Even though Baltimore missed the playoffs last season, the Ravens (+160) have the best odds to win the AFC North Division. According to the Las Vegas odds, Baltimore (+2000) is tied for fifth among AFC teams in the odds to win the Super Bowl.
2021 record: 8-9 (tied for third in AFC North)
Playoff result: Did not qualify.
Season opener: at New York Jets, Sept. 11, 1 p.m. ET
Playoff teams on 2022 schedule: HOME – Buffalo, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh; AWAY – Cincinnati, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay
Key newcomers: S Marcus Williams, RB Mike Davis, CB Kyle Fuller, DT Michael Pierce, OT Morgan Moses, DT Brent Urban, LB Steven Means, S Kyle Hamilton (first-round pick); OL Tyler Linderbaum (first-round pick); LB David Ojabo (second-round pick), DT Travis Jones (third-round pick).
Key losses: WR Marquise Brown, WR Sammy Watkins, OT Alejandro Villanueva, CB Tavon Young, CB Anthony Averett, S Anthony Levine, OL Bradley Bozeman, LB Chris Board, DL Justin Ellis, S DeShon Elliott, WR Ty’Son Williams.
Award candidates: Kyle Hamilton, +1000 in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds; Travis Jones, +6000 in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year odds; Mark Andrews, +7000 in the NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds; JK Dobbins, +8000 in the NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds; Marlon Humphrey, +8000 in NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds; Odafe Oweh, +8000 in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds; Isaiah Likely +10000 in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds; Marcus Peters, +10000 in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds.
Offensive Breakdown
The Baltimore Ravens ended up with the sixth-rated offense in the NFL, with only Philadelphia and Indianapolis averaging more rushing yards per game. After having to adjust on the fly due to injuries at running back, there could be even more yards in the short-term future for the Ravens.
Baltimore made the surprising move of trading away Brown, their best deep threat. His inconsistent play hurt the offense at times. Second-year pass catcher Rashod Bateman should emerge into the team’s top outside receiver while tight end Mark Andrews is still the No. 1 option in the offense whenever Jackson isn’t running with the ball. The NFL predictions have Jackson as an MVP candidate once again.
Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are ready to make up for lost time after missing all of the 2021 season. The offensive line will add first-round pick Tyler Linderbaum on the interior while veteran tackle Morgan Moses was also brought in.
The 6-foot-9, 380-pound offensive tackle Daniel Faalele as well as tight ends Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely, are intriguing mid-round picks made by the Ravens.
The No. 1 priority is keeping Jackson healthy. The Ravens were 7-5 when Jackson was in the lineup and 1-4 without him. Those who bet online are expecting that Jackson should be motivated to bounce back from a disappointing season for both him and his team.
Defensive Breakdown
Only seven teams allowed more yards per game than the Ravens did a season ago.
Safety Marcus Williams, defensive linemen Michael Pierce and Brent Urban and cornerback Kyle Fuller were among the veterans brought in to strengthen the defense.
Former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton fell to the Ravens with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He adds an intriguing size and playmaking combination to the secondary. The Las Vegas odds list Hamilton among the top candidates for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
“One of my main goals is just gaining everyone’s respect on the team.
“At this level, respect is a big thing.” @kyledhamilton_ discussed his rookie year goals during an interview with @RichEisenShow. pic.twitter.com/91h8fhD5jf
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 29, 2022
The Ravens will need to be patient but when second-round pick David Ojabo gets healthy, he will give Baltimore help in the pass-rushing department. Third-round pick Travis Jones should help in the interiors of the defensive line.
Led by linebacker and leading tackler Patrick Quinn, the Ravens bring back their top six tacklers. The Ravens used seven top 100-picks on defensive players over the last three years. Those players will form the nucleus of a defense that is ready to prove it is much better than the 2021 unit.
2022 Ravens Outlook
Even though defending AFC champion Cincinnati resides in the division, the NFL betting lines have the Ravens as the favorite in the AFC North heading into the season.
Once again, the Ravens patiently waited for top prospects to fall to them in the draft and the 2022 group of rookies has a chance to impact the team at multiple positions. Injuries cost the Ravens many of their top offensive players for part or all of the 2021 season. That won’t be the case in 2022. If a young group of receivers mature quickly, this could be a dangerous team.
The Ravens open the season by playing all four AFC East teams before an Oct. 9 showdown at home with Cincinnati. There is a stretch in the middle of the season when the Ravens will play just one 2021 playoff team in a span of seven games.
After missing the playoffs in 2021, look for Baltimore to make a run at the postseason once again.
