Last season, the Baltimore Ravens showcased one of the NFL's most formidable offenses. The team racked up the sixth-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league. The Ravens' offensive efficiency was highlighted by their fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA. The team finished tied for eighth in Tru Media's version of EPA per play, cementing their status as a top-tier offensive unit.
Lamar Jackson's Impressive Season
Lamar Jackson had a standout season last year, earning the second MVP award of his career. In his 16 starts, Jackson led the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record. His statistical achievements included completing 67.2% of his passes, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt, and throwing for 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. Additionally, Jackson showcased his dual-threat capability by rushing 148 times for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Expanding Jackson's Role
This season, the Ravens are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson’s shoulders. Jackson himself has expressed a desire to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. According to quarterbacks coach Tee Martin, this expanded role is a natural progression for Jackson, who has shown remarkable growth and adaptability.
"From us watching film and getting into games, teams changing things up on us, we just want to add extra layers to all of our calls," Jackson said, via ESPN.
Martin believes that giving Jackson more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism. He explained, "It's like that smart kid in the classroom, you can't allow them to get bored, right? You have to constantly add things, tweaks and things of that nature and responsibilities."
Focus on Cadence and Penalties
One area where the Ravens see room for improvement is in drawing offsides penalties from opponents. Last season, the Ravens' offense only managed to induce an opponent offsides once. Martin aims to change that this season by having Jackson vary his cadence more often.
"It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level," Martin said. "Lamar is outstanding at it, whether we're going non-verbal on the road or whether we're going verbal at home. We have a lot of different ones that give us an advantage so that people don't know when we're snapping the ball and slowing them down a little bit."
This tactic is expected to keep defenses on their toes and potentially draw more offsides penalties, giving the Ravens additional opportunities for big plays.
Super Bowl Aspirations
The Ravens hope to make the leap to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Their success hinges on Lamar Jackson’s ability to adapt and thrive with his expanded role. The combination of Jackson's individual talent and increased responsibility could make the Ravens formidable in the coming seasons.
By tweaking their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens position themselves as strong AFC contenders. If Jackson can maintain his performance while taking on these additional duties, Baltimore's offense could reach new heights.
The Ravens hope to finally break through and make a Super Bowl appearance, and with their star quarterback leading the charge, their dreams may well become a reality this season.
In conclusion, the Baltimore Ravens are banking on both incremental improvements and major contributions from Lamar Jackson to propel them into the NFL's elite tier. With a recalibrated strategy, a dynamic quarterback at the helm, and a focus on exploiting every possible advantage, the Ravens have set the stage for a season filled with high expectations and the potential for historic achievements.