2014 Ravens NFL Handicapping
Ravens Reload With Eye On Returning To Championship Level
One year after winning the Super Bowl, the Baltimore Ravens took a step back in 2013. However, despite an offense that was far too inconsistent and a defense that transitioned that struggled at times in the transition past the Ray Lewis era, Baltimore managed to win eight games and finish .500.
2014 Baltimore Ravens Team Preview/Predictions
- 2013 Record: 8-8
- ATS Record: 7-8-1
2014 Ravens Futures
- Super Bowl Odds: +3000
- Conference Odds: +1200
- AFC North Odds: +240
- 2014 Regular Season Wins: Over 8.5
That wasn’t good enough for head coach John Harbaugh who called his team’s performance, “not acceptable”. The Ravens reloaded in the offseason with the hope that they can once again contend for a championship, but they face a tough road as they try to get back to elite status.
The blockbuster $120.6 million deal that Joe Flacco signed last offseason seemed destined to result in disappointment so when he threw a franchise-record 22 interceptions there was a lot of blame passed around. Flacco will need to be a lot better moving forward for Baltimore to have a chance at competing for the AFC North title and more.
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The Ravens signed tight end Dennis Pitta to a $32 million extension and added two-time Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels and wide receiver Steve Smith in free agency.
Jacoby Jones is healthy again and Torrey Smith is back as the team’s No. 1 receiver.
Baltimore upgraded its line with a trade for center Jeremy Zuttah and signed Eugene Monroe to an extension at left tackle. There are concerns with the ground game after Ray Rice was suspended for a couple of games for a domestic assault.
Rice ran for just 660 yards last season, and backup Bernard Pierce wasn’t any better. Fourth-round pick Lorenzo Taliaferro could contribute in short-yardage situations and the hope is that Rice will be motivated for a big season behind an improved offensive line.
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The Ravens committed to substantially upgrading their defense through the NFL Draft as they used four of their first five picks on that side of the ball.
CJ Mosley is a relentless three-down linebacker that will pair with one of the league’s most underrated linebackers in the middle of Baltimore’s 3-4, with veteran Terrell Suggs and Courtney Upshaw back to man the outside linebacker roles.
Elvis Dumervil will be used primarily as an outside pass rusher that can back up both outside spots after registering 9.5 sacks last season. The Ravens couldn’t resist passing up defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan in the second round after he slipped following a failed drug test and he will push Brandon Williams and Chris Canty for time at defensive end.
Pro Bowl nose tackle Haloti Ngata is one of the best in the game and is back to clog the middle. Jimmy Smith is still getting better and Ladarius Webb is back at full strength so the cornerback position is in good hands.
Third-round pick rookie Terrence Brooks will push to start at free safety ahead of Darian Stewart while Matt Elam returns at strong safety.
A strong offseason should help Baltimore improve on both sides of the ball and the defense has the potential to be a top-10 unit, but whether or not this team can contend for a division title and more will come down to a couple of veteran returnees in Flacco and Rice.
Flacco may never perform to the level of his contract but he needs to be better, while Rice is dealing with issues both on and off the field that will keep him from reaching his potential.
The Ravens should be able to improve on the eight-win total they posted last season, but there is too much that needs to go right for this team to challenge the best in the AFC for a Super Bowl spot in 2014.
2014 Ravens Predictions
- Place they’ll finish in AFC North: 2nd
- Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 8th
- Over/Under Wins Prediction: OVER
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