The Super Bowl is over. It’s on to the 2024/2025 season. The end of this one was an enormous disappointment for the Ravens and their fans (which includes me).
Regular season
I think this was the best Ravens team ever. They had an excellent offense and defense. They were the first team to be #1 in fewest points allowed, most sacks, and most turnovers (tied). The 2019 and 2023 teams were the top two in the last decade for point differential. They tied an NFL record by playing 14 games against teams with winning records. They set a record with 10 wins in them. They won eight of those by 14 or more points. Jeff Sagarin still rates them as the best team this year.
The only time they were behind by 10 was in the meaningless last game where they rested many starters. Lamar Jackson was the almost unanimous MVP. Virtually all of the moves by GM Eric DeCosta to bring in players for low salaries worked. There were not many major injuries and the reserves stepped up admirably.
The other three teams in the division had to deal with quarterback injuries while Lamar Jackson was healthy and had his best year.
Playoffs
The division-round game vs, Houston got off to a rough start but the offense and defense were great in the second half.
I blame the AFC Championship loss mostly on the coaches. The Ravens got behind early and they panicked. They got away from the rushing game that had gotten them to this point. The defense settled down after allowing two TDs but the offense kept making mistakes. The team lost their composure while KC acted like they had been there before. It was so disappointing. If the Ravens had made the Super Bowl, they would have played a team they beat by 14 or a team they beat by 32. I have no doubt they would have won.
What’s next
It will be very hard to repeat the regular season success of this year. The Ravens have lost three coaches and two front-office executives. They have over 20 free agents and won’t be able to keep them all. Players who signed bargain contracts will want and deserve more money. I assume teams with ex-Ravens coaches will go after players from here who know their system.
The division should be stronger next year if the opposing QBs are healthier. All in all, this was a missed opportunity. The 2012 Ravens won the Super Bowl after losing the 2011 AFC Championship in a devastating loss so it can be done. Still, it will be hard for the Ravens to repeat as the #1 seed which they had never accomplished before this year.
The Ravens will still be a very good team. They still have great players like Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith in their prime. It’s going to be difficult to be as good as they were this year.
End of rant. I’m done venting.
Sad! 