Baltimore Ravens: Five Questions Ahead of Wild Card Round

The Baltimore Ravens capped off their regular season with four illustrious wins, all by 17+ points as they locked up the AFC North crown. Now as the No. 3 seed, the path to a Super Bowl doesn’t get any easier.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore’s arch-nemesis and biggest rival, comes to town to shake things up in the postseason. Not to mention, they look to do it against a quarterback that notoriously slows down come January.

Icing on the cake: Zay Flowers is banged up and will not suit up against the Steelers. How will the Ravens perform without him, and how will they fix their usual offensive problems when the postseason comes around?

Will Zay Flowers’ absence force the Baltimore Ravens to recalibrate their offense?

It was a hectic week in Baltimore after Zay Flowers went down with a knee-injury against Cleveland. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested that Flowers had a sprained knee, though HC John Harbaugh later confirmed that it’s not officially a sprain, and not season ending.

Unfortunately, Zay will not be suiting up this week, a rough blow for Baltimore’s offense. And one that heavily relies on his health and effectiveness, right?

Flowers’ impact to Baltimore’s offense

Flowers has been a great player for Baltimore this season, recording a team-high 74 receptions, over 1,000 yards and four touchdowns with five 100-yard games. He’s emerged as Lamar Jackson’s top target, and became the first Baltimore Ravens receiver in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl roster.

Because of his speed, agility and impact beyond the stat sheet, Flowers is viewed as one of the key components and conductors to allow this offense work effectively. And it’s true, as he draws attention away from other playmakers. However, he can change a game with just a few plays, and excellent gaining yardage after the catch. It probably isn’t a coincide that Jackson’s two most productive seasons as a passer have come with Flowers at his disposal. 

So the loss is substantial. Yet, it’s one that the Ravens can overcome. The scheme would look a lot different, and Mark Andrews’ consistent play on a drive-to-drive basis would be paramount. 

Baltimore’s ability to go elsewhere

It’s the ‘pick-your-poison’ offense identity that has made Baltimore so dangerous and explosive. With so many playmakers, who is it that defenses contain?

Baltimore has Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Rashod Bateman and Justice Hill (if healthy) as reliable options in the receiving game. Derrick Henry is a freight train leading a rushing attack that has somehow become even more efficient than it already was before him. Yet most importantly, the Ravens have Lamar Jackson.

The MVP candidate, already a two-time winner of the coveted award, and one of the most exciting, dynamic, and revolutionary players the game has ever seen. His talent, along with the great weapons at his disposal, allow Baltimore to survive a game without Flowers.

Has Baltimore’s defense erased early-season doubts?

Significant defensive turnaround entering 2024

It was a weird offseason in Baltimore, and one that almost completely reshaped the foundation of a 13-win team and No. 1 seed last year. Many defensive pieces like Patrick Queen, Jadeveon Clowney, and others departed in the offseason. But perhaps the most impactful mislay of them all was coaching. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald along with two other defensive coaches went elsewhere for considerable promotions due to their magnificent efforts in 2023.

A rough start with tons of moving pieces

Zach Orr became a first-time defensive coordinator with many moving pieces. Trenton Simpson was making his first career set of starts next to Roquan Smith at linebacker. The Ravens heavily relied on the depth in the defensive backs room, and were going to need development from young pass rushers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo. As expected, the disarray saw Baltimore struggle early.

The Ravens had significant trouble against the pass. Madubuike along with many others were held in check rushing the passer, and Baltimore ranked among the worst in most major statistical categories. An 0-2 start and 3-3 midseason stretch was the consequence of that.

Defense peaking at the right time

However, this group has made significant improvements. Their once ‘swiss-cheese’ secondary has now contained multiple quarterbacks from Week 9-on. Since that time, opposing quarterbacks have had just over a 70.0 passer rating on Baltimore, one of the best marks for any NFL defense.

Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey are standing out as All-Pro candidates. Roquan Smith anchors the group as a whole as a leader on-and-off the field. And the progress from Nate Wiggins (CB), Kyle Van Noy (OLB), Odafe Oweh (OLB), and many others have turned this Ravens defense into its old form. The same one that was thriving under Macdonald, and now working in a scheme that’s very similar with Orr. 

It hasn’t always been pretty, but this defense has turned it around. Yet, they still need to show that effective throwers of the deep ball won’t shred this defense apart. Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, and others had no problem doing so. So, a statement could be made in the postseason, and one that solidifies the Ravens-D as one of the top units in all of football.

Can Lamar get it done in January?

There is one golden question that reigns above all in terms of chances that the Baltimore Ravens will be hoisting the Lombardi in February. Can Lamar Jackson figure things out in the playoffs?

That’s the bottom line. If Jackson performs for four consecutive games at an MVP-level, it’s hard to imagine any other world than one where the Baltimore Ravens are crowned champions. But that dream that is still in jeopardy, and will be until Jackson says otherwise. 

Why Jackson has so much postseason backlash

Now, the playoff doubts started too early. In fact, it came after one playoff loss by three points to a more experienced team in his rookie season. The backlash after such a close contest was extraordinary, and has never appeared for any other quarterback of this era.

However, doubters continue to have reasons to stand by their 2018 claim, as Jackson still sits with a lousy 2-4 record in the postseason. His lackluster play when it matters most has been the deciding factor that has limited the ceiling of an extremely smart-minded, extraordinarily talented football team. 

How likely it is that Lamar can improve his postseason play

The likelihood of Lamar performing at an elite level is higher than it’s ever been. He now has a much more controlled and accurate presence inside the pocket. He also has a gifted group of weapons at his disposal.

The addition of Derrick Henry last March should also give John Harbaugh and Todd Monken more confidence in sticking with the rushing attack throughout an entire postseason contest; a recurring problem in Baltimore’s heart-crushing disappointments to Tennessee in 2019 and Kansas City just last winter. However, Lamar will have to play a brand of football that allows him to get the best out of himself and his teammates. 

He’ll have to prove the doubters wrong

The path to a Super Bowl isn’t as crystal clear as a simple three-game path to the big game. Jackson will have to overcome the obstacles of Pittsburgh’s suffocating defense, one that has previously limited his production. Then, he’ll most likely will have to beat Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes both on the road just to get to the game.

That’s a tough path, and one that only elite players can go. But Jackson has always been one of them. His statistical anomalies and historic analytical dominance demonstrates his overall ability. He’s perhaps on his way to a third league MVP award. But will he finally prove the doubters wrong? Time will tell. 

Until then, Lamar will have all of the pressure weighing on his back. It’ll all come down to “Mr. Jackson”, as Mike Tomlin, his first hurdle in the journey, likes to call him.