It’s Week Thirteen in the NFL and the Ravens are 9-3 and since there is no game this week it’s time to pause and reflect about where the team has been and where they are headed in the weeks to come.
Of course, my mind turned to one of my favorite movies Apocalypse Now.
If you remember that amazing film Dennis Hopper who played the crazed photojournalist proclaims that, “Do you know that IF is the middle word in life?”
Now you could spend a lifetime trying to figure out what he actually means by that statement, or you can come to your own conclusions – I’ll go with the latter.
You can think of so many times where you might think about a subject, any subject and inject the word IF after it. Your job, your career, your relationships, or maybe even your favorite football team.
So let’s see if you can finish this statement.
The Ravens can win a Super Bowl championship if …
I’d love you hear your comments on the message board but for now here are my thoughts.
1. Lamar Jackson stays healthy and productive especially on deep passes.
The multi-million dollar man is always the focus. He is the star of this offense and the straw that stirs the proverbial drink. He’s the X factor. He’s a quarterback that defies conventional description and therefore the debate over whether or not he’s “good enough” to hoist a Lombardi trophy once in his career is one of the more hotly contested questions among football circles. So far, he’s rewarding the top brass for the massive contract extension he signed last Spring.
He’s enjoying his best season since his 2019 MVP campaign. He’s having one of his best seasons passing while continuing to use his legs to evade pressure as well as lead one of the league’s best rushing attacks. Most recently he became the fastest quarterback to reach 5,000 rushing yards. He leads a top five offense that has an ability to reach thirty points or more most games. He should get some consideration for a second league’s best award.
But all that success would be for naught after one unfortunate play, a twisted ankle or a tweaked knee would all but derail any hope of a title. Tyler Huntley is a capable backup but he’s not Lamar Jackson. Those that suggested the Ravens would have been better served letting number 8 walk and simply riding with Snoop for the future hopefully they’ve already erased any evidence of such an absurd statement.
Lamar’s health was of primary concern after not being able to complete the two previous seasons. His exit left Baltimore out of the playoffs in 2021 and well, we all know what happened last season. Keep LJ8 healthy and the Ravens have a chance to beat anybody.
2. The offense can find ways to be productive without Mark Andrews.
The biggest blow to this season’s title hopes was when top target Andrews was hip dropped to the Injured Reserve. Andrews has been Jackson’s favorite target since his rookie season and this year has been no different. Or has it? The team leader in targets isn’t Andrews (61) but rather the rookie speedster Zay Flowers (80). That fact actually bodes well for an offense that must adapt for the stretch run ahead.
The passing game has been more versatile than it’s ever been with Jackson under center with five players with at least twenty catches or more. Beckham, Bateman, and Agohlor have all played their part at different points in the season and each with be expected to fill the void left by Andrews. Don’t forget Isaiah Likely either, Tight End in name only Andrews replacement appears ready for more first team reps.
Pushing the ball downfield is important but this team is still a rushing team and while Lamar Jackson is still a threat to run you still have a capable trio in the backfield even though J.K. Dobbins was lost for the season (again). Gus Edwards is a hammer in the red zone with 10 touchdowns while Justice Hill provides versatility and a fine compliment to the running style of “The Bus”. And then there’s fan favorite Keaton Mitchell. His speed is a game changer and adds yet another explosive element to the group.
So how do the Ravens adapt to life without Andrews? The good news is – anyway they want. They’ve got a lot of options.
3. The defense outplays the 2000 Ravens.
I’m not joking actually. I never would have thought we’d see a defense that could even be mentioned in the same breath as that title winning unit, but it really is incredible what Mike MacDonald’s guys are doing in an age where the game favors high scoring. They are giving up a touchdown to the opposition on only 8.7% of drives. Only one defense has been better – the 2000 Ravens.
That’s ridiculous.
That 2000 defense were bullies, full of swagger and confidence that loved to talk trash and then go back it up. This is where Roquan Smith comes in. Each week I hear him give an interview I feel like he channels guys like Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. He’s not here to play.
Jadaveon Clowney, Justin Madubuike, Geno Stone are having career years, while Kyle Hamilton is developing into a very special player who can be employed in a variety of ways on defense from blitzer to coverage specialist. No doubt this is a special group but the best way to be compared to them is to win as they did- and that means gold.
So what do you think? Does this team have a chance to win the Lombardi?
Happy Football everyone! Enjoy the Bye I know you’ve earned it and Go Ravens!
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.