Why the Ravens Can Already Punch Their Ticket to Super Bowl LIX
Are the stars beginning to align in Baltimore for a Ravens Super Bowl LIX appearance? It certainly seems so.
If you're a Ravens fan, you might not have even watched one of the greatest Super Bowl games ever played on Sunday between the San Francisco 49ers and the *cough* Kansas City Chiefs.
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The Ravens were so close to another Super Bowl appearance that they could taste it. Until the Chiefs swooped into M&T Bank Stadium and laid down a whooping on the home team. That Baltimore loss sent Kansas City to the big game against the 49ers instead of the Ravens.
We all remember what happened last time Baltimore played San Francisco, right? In their building? Things went well for the birds from Baltimore.
So, what's next? How about a Ravens appearance in Super Bowl LIX? That's "59" for those of you who didn't learn Roman numerals in school.
Let's look at some numbers. The Ravens won their two Super Bowls 12 years apart. Next season will be 12 years since the last one. Also, Super Bowl LIX is in New Orleans at the Superdome, the same place where Baltimore last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
And if we look at the talent on the roster, it's not going anywhere. Even with some probable departures through free agency, the core of last year's team will remain in place.
And that talent on the offensive side of the ball will be in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Todd Monken's offense, making quarterback Lamar Jackson even more explosive and efficient than he was this year.
The Ravens aren't discouraged by their loss in the AFC title game, either. Safety Kyle Hamilton said that Jackson is only strengthened by the loss.
"I don't think Lamar cares – nor do I care – what other people have to say, outside of this building," Hamilton said. "So, they can say he's the best quarterback ever one week, and then the next week, say whatever they want to say. But that just comes with the territory.
"Heavy is the head that wears the crown. There are a lot of people out there hoping for people like Lamar to fail, but we all know that he's the best player in this league, and I'm glad to have him on our team."
