The Baltimore Ravens lost 24-17 in Cincinnati, with the Bengals moving on to the Divisional Round.
There are no moral victories at this level. While it was satisfying to a degree seeing the Ravens compete without Lamar Jackson, and play a physical game vs. their AFC North Division foe – the what if’s will sting for a bit.
In this case, I’m talking less about what if the Ravens elected to give the ball to JK Dobbins or Gus Edwards on Tyler Huntley’s goal line fumble; and moreso what if Jackson had stayed healthy down the stretch of this ’22 season?
The defense certainly gelled with the addition of Roquan Smith, and became one of the better Defensive units in the league.
Obviously your Special Teams are good when you have Justin Tucker as your Kicker.
You weren’t getting Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay back, but the O-Line, RB’s, and TE’s were strong.
Collectively you had enough going for you, that it’s not hard to picture a scenario where the Ravens could have had some extended post-season success. Had Jackson stayed available, it’s quite possible that the Ravens would have won the AFC North, and hosted the game tonight.
Ultimately you could play the what if game forever.
Back here in reality, Jackson missed the last 5 regular season games this year, and wasn’t available tonight.
And while there was a strong effort from the guys that suited up tonight, their season ended all the same.
They Said It
Quick Hits:
1) What happens with Jackson in-terms of an extension or trade is obviously the biggest pending story with the franchise, if not the NFL as a whole. He’s a tremendous talent, who I greatly appreciate. I also think he’s a good guy that cares about winning, and I trust him completely when he says he wasn’t able to play. He knows his body, and I think he’s earned the benefit of the doubt. That said, the Ravens offered him a deal before this season, which he turned down. He played 12 games in ’21. He played 12 games in ’22. There is nothing more valuable than availability, and I don’t know how the Ravens look at the time he’s missed these last two years and conclude they should be offering him more. I’d be looking to trade him for the largest draft haul I could get back. My preference would be to Houston headed by the 2nd overall pick in-return, allowing the Ravens the knowledge they’d be in position to draft one of CJ Stroud or Bryce Young. If the Ravens couldn’t draft either of them, I’d suggest working a separate trade with Green Bay for Jordan Love. My sense overall though is that I believe the Ravens are sincere about still wanting to find a deal with Jackson, and that a deal is possible. If a deal is reached, I certainly won’t be upset – it’s just not my current preference.
2) Even if the Ravens find an extension for Jackson; I have to believe the Greg Roman era is ending. I’m not a Roman hater like many Ravens fans. I like and admire his running schemes, and think the overall offensive production in his tenure has been good. It’s not his fault that he didn’t get to have Ronnie Stanley, Jackson, Dobbins, Edwards, Mark Andrews, Bateman, Duvernay healthy and available together. I just think it’s time for a change. My primary indictment of Roman would not be the passing game, but would be the Red Zone struggles the last few months. Regardless of who is under center for the Ravens, my preference would be someone from the Kyle Shanahan 49ers staff. Maybe Offensive Passing Game Coordinator Bobby Slowik?
3) What do the Ravens have in Bateman? He was limited to 12 games as a Rookie, when his year started with a groin injury. Year 2 was hampered by a foot injury that limited him to 6 games. The Ravens need him suited up, and regularly producing in Year 3.
4) Dobbins is ready to emerge as one of the best backs in the league. Great combination of speed, vision, elusiveness. Next year is Year 4 for the running back. The goal should be building an attack that looks to find him 20 touches a game in ’23.
5) I really like where the Offensive Line is as ’22 ends. Morgan Moses was a quality addition, and Tyler Linderbaum had a strong rookie campaign. After an off-season in the weight room, Linderbaum should be even better in Year 2.
6) It was a tough year for Odafe Oweh, but he had his best performance of the season tonight vs. the Bengals. Early in the year, I figured he was being asked to do more than he was accustomed with a number of his teammates not available. More setting the edge, and dropping into coverage. I’d like to see DC Mike Macdonald send Oweh on more seek and destroy missions in ’23. Get after QBs. Use the athleticism. A quality Ravens defense has a chance to be very good if Oweh, and David Ojabo take off. Ojabo getting back on the field here late in this ’22 season was a good thing. Another off-season of recovery and a full training camp, and it will feel like the Ravens have added an extra 1st round pick.
7) Smith is an All-Pro, so it’s not surprising he raised the play of those around him; but it was still fun to see Patrick Queen’s game maturate with Smith next to him.
8) Really impressive showing from Kyle Hamilton down the stretch of his rookie season. Versatile. Hard hitting. An ability to disrupt. Teamed with Marlon Humphrey, and Marcus Williams, the Secondary has some really good pieces. I’m big Marcus Peters fan. but after tearing his ACL in ’21, it felt like he spent a long part of ’22 trying to get comfortable. Don’t know if he’ll be back, but wouldn’t surprise me if he looks more like his pre-ACL injury self in ’23. If he’s not back, the Ravens will have to find a starting corner they can run opposite of Humphrey.
9) I’m going to assume Coach John Harbaugh is back for Year 16 as Head Coach. The Ravens have made the post-season 4 of the last 5 years, but they only have 2 post-season wins since the 2012 Super Bowl title. If Jackson is not back, there will be more money to invest into the rest of the roster. Even if the QB production is somewhere between 15th and 25th overall league wide, there should be enough talent on the roster to again be in the post-season hunt. If Jackson is back, then the expectation that comes with that contract is not just reaching the playoffs, but winning post-season games.
10) Cincinnati is now the 2x defending AFC North Champion, and their post-season continues. Last year’s Super Bowl appearance was not a fluke. That’s a good team, that will continue to be a problem. They ended your season, and sent you home. Next season’s goals should start with winning the Division title. Agree with Preston’s comment above, that they don’t seem comfortable with a physical game. In a Conference with Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Herbert, etc… I think you have to continue to be a bit different, and that’s true for me whether Jackson is back or not. Build a physical team, that defensively can get home from the Front 4, without the need to bring extra rushers or scheme to get a pass rush. Continue to run the rock. Build from the lines out.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.