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, demonstrating both their consistency and explosiveness on the field.
Offensive Prowess and Efficiency
The Ravens' offensive efficiency was further underscored by their fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) metrics. Meanwhile, they also finished tied for eighth in Tru Media's version of EPA (Expected Points Added) per play. These advanced analytics highlight just how potent the Ravens' offense was throughout the season.
Lamar Jackson's Standout Season
At the heart of this offensive juggernaut was quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had a standout season by any measure. Jackson earned the second MVP award of his career, bolstering his resume with stellar statistics and remarkable leadership. In his 16 starts, Jackson led the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record. His efficiency as a passer was evident, completing 67.2% of his throws while averaging 8.0 yards per attempt. Jackson threw for 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions, exemplifying his ability to make big plays while minimizing mistakes. On the ground, Jackson remained a threat, rushing 148 times for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Increased Responsibility on Jackson's Shoulders
The Ravens are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson’s shoulders in the coming season. Jackson himself has expressed a desire to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin sees this expansion of Jackson’s role as a natural progression in his development. "It's like that smart kid in the classroom, you can't allow them to get bored, right?" Martin said. "You have to constantly add things, tweaks and things of that nature and responsibilities."
Enhancing Offensive Dynamism
Martin believes that giving Jackson more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism. One specific area the Ravens see 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 by having Jackson vary his cadence more often. This tactic is expected to keep defenses on their toes and potentially draw more offsides penalties. "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," Martin explained.
Eyes on the Super Bowl
The ultimate goal for the Ravens is clear: represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Their success hinges significantly 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 a formidable contender in the coming seasons. By tweaking their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens position themselves as strong AFC contenders.
"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. This proactive approach and willingness to adapt could indeed be the key to unlocking the potential that has seen the Ravens come tantalizingly close to the pinnacle of NFL success. As Martin succinctly put it, "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level." The Ravens hope that by doing so, they will finally break through to the Super Bowl.