Why The Baltimore Ravens Can Win The Super Bowl
The Baltimore Ravens put together an incredible regular season that ended with them having the best record in football and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
However, being that good in the regular season creates immense pressure to compete for a championship, so how can this Ravens team win Super Bowl LVIII?
Lamar Jackson will attempt to lead the Baltimore Ravens to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2012 season.
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"Let’s start with Lamar Jackson and how, in the words of one executive, 'They’re extremely well coached in all three phases,'" Albert Breer writes via Sports Illustrated. "The Ravens have an edge on defense. They’re better at receiver with Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers than they’ve been in years. Isaiah Likely has filled in nicely for Mark Andrews. Plus, their style is a handful for most teams.
"After Baltimore pounded the 49ers on Christmas night, here’s what linebacker Patrick Queen said to me about that: 'People don’t want to play the style of football we like to play. They are a physical team. They are that aggressive team. I think our brand of football outmatches anybody.'”
Baltimore's success this season has stemmed largely from its excellent defense, which ranks first in the NFL in opponent points per game at 16.5, as well as the play of quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is poised to win his second MVP award this season.
The Ravens will be at home for both of their playoff games if they advance to the conference championship game, but that doesn't seem to be a factor in their success this season. They performed well at M&T Bank Stadium, with a 6-3 record, but played even better on the road going 7-1.
In addition to having the best record in the league, Baltimore also had the best point differential at +203. Breer noted that because the Ravens were so dominant against other good teams, it does create a question mark about their potential playoff success.
"Again, you really have to go digging here," Breer writes. "If there’s one, it’s probably how they’ll be in a close game late against an elite opponent. This is weird because it almost feels like knocking them for blowing out their best opponents (Dolphins, Lions, Niners). 'They’re the best team I’ve seen this year,' says one exec."
The Ravens will be watching from home during Wild Card Weekend to find out who their divisional round opponent will be in two weeks. Whoever it is, expect the crowd at M&T Bank Stadium to give them a roaring Baltimore welcome.
