As we approach the start of the 2023 season, here are five bold predictions for the Baltimore Ravens.
Like the rest of the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens will be excited to start the 2023 NFL Season. Last season, the Ravens were able to make the playoffs with a 10-7 record, but sadly came up short in the Wild Card Round.
Even though the Ravens made the playoffs, the year felt like a bit of a disappointment with their star quarterback Lamar Jackson missing time. If the team and Jackson were healthy, last year could have been a very different story for the Ravens.
However, the Ravens will now be looking forward to a fresh start, and they have a very solid team on paper once again. With a great coach in John Harbaugh leading the way, the Ravens shouldn’t have an issue finding success this season if they can stay healthy.
With that being said, here are five bold predictions for the Ravens in the 2023 season.
5. Ravens Have A Top-5 Defense
In the AFC North, defense is always key to finding success. When the season wears on and the games get cold, we see some of the best old-school defensive football coming out of the division.
For the Ravens, we have always seen them have a strong unit on the defensive side of the ball, and their games with the Pittsburgh Steelers over the last decade have been some of the best defensive games in recent memory.
Last season, the Ravens were one of the top defensive teams in the league. This season, the unit might be even better with the addition of Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears. Smith is one of the top linebackers in the league and will certainly be a noticeable force on the field for the Ravens.
With a lot of talent once again on that side of the ball and with the addition of a player like Smith, the Ravens will be one of the best defensive units in the league.
Prediction: Ravens have a Top-5 defense
JK Dobbins Has Breakout Year
One of the greatest strengths for the Ravens over the past number of years has been their ability to run the football well. While the rest of the NFL has gone more to a pass-heavy attack on offense, the Ravens continue to be one of the best teams at running the football year in and year out.
It certainly helps the Ravens’ rushing attack that they have arguably the best running quarterback in the league with Jackson. However, the schemes the Ravens run with Jackson generally allow for their running backs to find success as well.
Coming into the season, one player to watch for the Ravens is running back JK Dobbins. Dobbins was a second round pick of the Ravens in 2020, but injuries have held him back so far in his career.
So far in his career, Dobbins is averaging over 5 yards per carry in the NFL. This is an elite number, and if hes able to stay healthy, the sky is the limit.
Prediction: Dobbins totals over 1,000 rushing yards.
Odell Beckham Jr. Has A Bounce-Back Season
One of the biggest signings of the offseason was the Ravens landing Odell Beckham Jr. Coming into the offseason, one of the biggest names available was Beckham. To start his career, Beckham made a name for himself with the New York Giants.
However, despite being very talented and producing well for them, the Giants and Beckham ended up moving on. Following the Giants, Beckham went to the Cleveland Browns and like many before him, struggled there. It looked like Beckham was becoming a shell of himself.
Beckham ended up leaving the Browns and landing with the Los Angeles Rams two seasons ago and helped them win a championship. With the Rams, Beckham seemed to find himself as a player again and was a big contributor to them. Sadly, Beckham got injured in the Super Bowl, tearing his ACL.
Despite trying to come back last season as a free agent, there were no takers for Beckham during the season. Now, he lands in a good spot with the Ravens, and with an extended break coming off the surgery, should be 100 percent.
Prediction: Beckham goes for over 1,000 receiving yards.
Jackson Has The Best Passing Year Of His Career
When it comes to the Ravens, one of the positions that they don’t have to worry about too much is the quarterback position. Not too long ago, Jackson was the MVP of the league and one of the top rising stars. Despite a bit of a stand-off in terms of his contract, Jackson is sticking with the Ravens for the foreseeable future.
While Jackson is one of the most talented players in the league, there have been some questions about his ability to win games for the Ravens in the air. To the defense of Jackson, the weapons haven’t been there for him at the wide receiver position especially, but the Ravens made a concerted effort to improve in that area.
With Beckham, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman, Jackson has arguably the best receiver corps has had since entering the NFL. With these weapons will come expectations to throw the ball more and not rely on his legs.
Prediction: Jackson throws for a career-high in passing yards.
Can The Ravens Win The North?
Coming into the season, one of the most intriguing divisions in the NFL is the AFC North. Top to bottom, the division is strong with people being able to make a case for any of the four teams to make the playoffs.
For the Ravens, winning the division is certainly up there on their goals this season, as the Cincinnati Bengals have found a lot of success in recent seasons with Joe Burrow under center. Well, luckily for the Ravens, they have an MVP cailber quarterback of their own.
While the Bengals are the team to beat in the division, the Ravens can’t sleep on either the Cleveland Browns or the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns will be heading into their first full season with Deshaun Watson. For the Steelers, they will be hoping Kenny Pickett continues to develop into their next great quarterback.
Overall, it won’t be easy for the Ravens to win the division. However, if they stay healthy, they have a lot of talent and can make some waves in the AFC.
Prediction: Ravens take the AFC North title.
