2011 Baltimore Ravens Predictions
Baltimore has made three straight trips to the playoffs as a Wild Card and has won at least one game in all three trips.
In order to take the next step and reach the Super Bowl, the Ravens may have to win the division. Last year, the Packers pulled off the rare feat of winning three road games to reach the big one, but that’s not an ideal scenario.
Offense: Baltimore ranked 16th in scoring and 22nd in total offense in 2010 with 22.3 points and 322.9 yards per game. The offense exploded for 30 points or more on six occasions but still lacked consistency. The Ravens believe more consistency is on the way in 2011.
Joe Flacco appears on the verge of entering the category of elite quarterback following a breakout season. He completed over 62.0 percent of his passes for 3,622 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His numbers could be even better in the upcoming season if the Ravens can do a better job of stretching the defense.
Baltimore’s wideouts only produced five plays of over 40 yards last season, but that should change with the addition of Lee Evans. The former Buffalo Bill will have a chance to star in Baltimore while playing with one of the biggest arms in the game.
Anquan Boldin, who is great over the middle, stands to benefit from Evans running off the safeties. Boldin led the Ravens with 64 receptions and 837 receiving yards and tied for the team-lead with seven touchdown catches.
The running game is in good hands with Ray Rice, who rushed for 1,220 yards and five scores last season. He is also one of the best pass-catching backs in the league. He hauled in 63 passes for 556 yards and a score last year.
Michael Oher, Ben Grubbs, Matt Birk, Mashal Yanda and Oniel Cousins are the projected starting lineman. The boys up front will be asked to step up after allowing 40 sacks in 2010 (tied for 23rd in the NFL).
Defense: While the offense tries to catch up, the defense continues to carry the load in Baltimore. The stop unit ranked third in the NFL in scoring defense last season with 16.9 points allowed per game. It ranked 10th in total defense with 318.9 yards allowed per contest.
Haloti Ngata, one of the most dominant defensive lineman in the NFL, is the leader up front. He finished second on the team with 5.5 sacks last season.
Ray Lewis is entering his 16th season but continues to get the job done. He led the team with 145 tackles a season ago. Terrell Suggs is the team’s top pass rusher. He made a Pro Bowl trip last season on the strength of an 11-sack campaign.
Free safety Ed Reed, who is coming off an eight-interception season, leads the secondary. Few players in history have been as adept at reading the quarterback. He’s picked off at least five passes in six of his eight seasons.
The secondary got a boost this offseason with Jimmy Smith, who has a unique size-speed combo for the cornerback position.
Prediction: 1st Place AFC North – The Ravens haven’t won the division since 2006, but I really like their chances following three straight runner-up finishes. They have the easiest schedule in the division and should be motivated after getting knocked out of the playoffs by Pittsburgh. NFL odds makers have listed the Ravens at +115 to win the AFC North.
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