After getting knocked out of the first round of the 2019 playoffs by the Tennessee Titans, the Baltimore Ravens were primed to get back to the playoffs and prove they can be a successful playoff team with Lamar Jackson. Not only did they get a chance to return to the playoffs, but the Ravens also got just what they wanted, another shot at the Titans. The Ravens got their revenge and beat the Titans to return to the Divisional Round but had a matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills held their own on defense which made it difficult for the Ravens to move the ball. Jackson ended up getting hurt near the end of the game, solidifying another playoff letdown for the Ravens. Throughout the season, the Ravens ranked high in both offense and defense. The team scored a total of 468 points during the regular season and only gave up 303. The Ravens ranked seventh in total offense and second in total defense.
What Went Right
The Ravens did not have a problem scoring points. Jackson was ninth in the NFL in rushing as a quarterback while rookie J.K. Dobbins was also very effective in the run game this season, scoring nine touchdowns on the ground. It is clear, the strength of this football team is the running game.
What Went Wrong
They struggled to throw the ball through the air. Jackson only threw for 2,757 yards, which ranks 22nd in the NFL this season. Throwing the ball played a role when the Ravens found themselves down in football games which did not happen all that often but when it did happen, they could not get back into the game unless they broke out a huge run. The huge example comes from the playoff matchup with the Bills in the Divisional Round. The Ravens’ run game was not working against the Bills, and Jackson could not get the passing game going, which resulted in zero offensive scores throughout the whole game.
Team Award Winners
MVP – Lamar Jackson
Jackson is the engine of not only the offense but this team. He finished the year ranked ninth in total rushing with over 1,000 yards and 12th in total touchdowns with 34. If the Ravens can find him another weapon in the passing game, he could be one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL next season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year – J.K. Dobbins
Dobbins has shown some true upside this season, scoring nine rushing touchdowns and rushing for 800 yards on the ground. With injuries early in the year at running back, Dobbins got a quick start to his rookie campaign. Week 17, Dobbins put on a show, carrying the ball for 160 yards and two touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson and Dobbins will be a scary rushing duo for years to come.
Defensive Rookie of the Year – Patrick Queen
This was a no brainer pick as the Ravens first-round pick ended up being a huge addition to this defense this season. Queen led the entire team in tackles with 110, including 69 solo tackles. Queen has put himself in the mix for NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year but will be hard to beat out Chase Young or Jeremy Chinn.
Biggest Surprise – Marlon Humphrey
Humphrey has taken some big jumps during his career. He has become not only the best defensive back on this team but in consideration to be one of the best in this league. Humphrey led the NFL in forced fumbles with eight, setting a franchise record. The Ravens recently made Humphrey the NFL’s second-highest-paid cornerback, well deserved at that, after earning his second straight Pro Bowl selection.
Biggest Disappointment – Devin Duvernay
The Ravens used their third-round pick on Duvernay to help the passing game. Duvernay was pretty much nonexistent in the offense this season compared to Mark Andrews, Marquise Brown, Willie Snead, and Miles Boykin. It’s safe to say the Ravens will be looking to add another pass catcher in the offseason.
One Burning Question
What will the Passing Game Look Like in 2021?
The Ravens had a great season on both sides of the ball, ranking top 10 in both offensive and defensive categories. The one weakness they had was throwing the ball through the air. They have two great pass catchers in Andrews and Brown but it’s no secret that they will be looking to add a third this offseason. The question will be will they attack pass-catchers in the draft or look to add a veteran player from the free agency market.
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