Ravens | 11-6
1st AFC North
Make Divisional Round
Sometimes you just need a new voice in the room. I think that's the case for both the Steelers and Ravens this year. The coaching change should give Baltimore some juice, and paired with the adjustments defensively, I think this will be a top 3 defense in the NFL.
They addressed probably their biggest defensive problem, generating a consistent pass rush, by getting Trey Hendrickson. On paper this defense looks scary, and I think they'll look even scarier on the field. They'll be flying around, and Hamilton feels like the perfect fit for Minter's disguise-heavy defensive system. Very excited for this unit.
Their offense is largely the same story it's always been. They addressed some concerns on the offensive line and hope it works, but truly, you don't need an elite line when you have Lamar taking snaps.
I can't emphasize enough how much I'm not a believer in Zay Flowers as a true WR1. He's a good player, but to me he's much better suited as a WR2. He's the clear top option in this offense, so of course he's going to put up numbers, but I'm still not sold on him being the guy you want as your #1 target against elite defenses in January.
Ultimately, what holds this team back is what has continued to hold them back: I don't trust Lamar to be consistently precise as a passer in the biggest moments. He's a great QB and will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but when Baltimore gets into situations where Lamar has to consistently win from the pocket, especially late in playoff games, I still have questions.
Until he proves otherwise, I'm going to expect that to show up again in January.
- Ravens | 11-6 1st AFC North Make Divisional Round Sometimes you just need a new voice in the room. I think that's the case for both the Steelers and Ravens this year. The coaching change should give Baltimore some juice, and paired with the adjustments defensively, I think this will be a top 3 defense in the NFL. They addressed probably their biggest defensive problem, generating a consistent pass rush, by getting Trey Hendrickson. On paper this defense looks scary, and I think they'll look even scarier on the field. They'll be flying around, and Hamilton feels like the perfect fit for Minter's disguise-heavy defensive system. Very excited for this unit. Their offense is largely the same story it's always been. They addressed some concerns on the offensive line and hope it works, but truly, you don't need an elite line when you have Lamar taking snaps. I can't emphasize enough how much I'm not a believer in Zay Flowers as a true WR1. He's a good player, but to me he's much better suited as a WR2. He's the clear top option in this offense, so of course he's going to put up numbers, but I'm still not sold on him being the guy you want as your #1 target against elite defenses in January. Ultimately, what holds this team back is what has continued to hold them back: I don't trust Lamar to be consistently precise as a passer in the biggest moments. He's a great QB and will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but when Baltimore gets into situations where Lamar has to consistently win from the pocket, especially late in playoff games, I still have questions. Until he proves otherwise, I'm going to expect that to show up again in January.