Last season, the Baltimore Ravens showcased one of the NFL's most formidable offenses.
The Ravens' Offensive Prowess
The team racked up the sixth-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league. Their offensive efficiency was further highlighted by their fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA metrics. Additionally, the Ravens finished tied for eighth in Tru Media's version of EPA per play.
Lamar Jackson's Stellar Season
A significant reason behind the Ravens' offensive explosion was the standout performance of quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson earned the second MVP award of his career while leading the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record in his 16 starts. He completed 67.2% of his passes, averaged 8.0 yards per attempt, and threw for 24 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. On the ground, Jackson rushed 148 times for 821 yards and five touchdowns.
Increased Responsibility for Jackson
The Ravens are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson’s shoulders this season. Notably, Jackson himself is eager to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin sees expanding Jackson's role as a natural progression, believing that giving Jackson more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism.
Improving Tactical Elements
The Ravens also see room for improvement in drawing offsides penalties from opponents. Last season, the Ravens' offense managed to induce an opponent offsides just once. Martin aims to change that by having Jackson vary his cadence more often. This tactic is expected to keep defenses on their toes and potentially draw more offsides penalties, which could provide a significant edge in critical moments.
Aspiring for the Super Bowl
The Ravens hope to make a leap this season and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Their success hinges on Lamar Jackson’s ability to adapt and thrive in his expanded role. The combination of Jackson's individual talent and increased responsibility could make the Ravens formidable in the coming seasons.
By tweaking their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens position themselves as strong AFC contenders. They've clearly set their sights on breaking through and finally reaching the Super Bowl.
Quotes from Key Figures
"From us watching film and getting into games, teams changing things up on us, we just want to add extra layers to all of our calls," Jackson said, via ESPN. This statement underscores Jackson's readiness to embrace more complex responsibilities.
Martin reflected on Jackson's role, drawing an analogy to an intelligent student in a classroom. "It's like that smart kid in the classroom, you can't allow them to get bored, right? You have to constantly add things, tweaks and things of that nature and responsibilities," Martin said. His comments suggest that the coaching staff's strategy is to continually challenge Jackson to maximize his potential.
Regarding the use of new tactics, Martin highlighted their existing foundation and future potential. "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level," he noted. Martin praised Jackson's adaptability in various game environments, stating, "Lamar is outstanding at it, whether we're going non-verbal on the road or whether we're going verbal at home."
Finally, Martin emphasized the strategic advantage of varying the cadence. "We have a lot of different ones that give us an advantage so that people don't know when we're snapping the ball and slowing them down a little bit," he said.
In conclusion, the Baltimore Ravens enter the new season with high expectations. Their offensive firepower, led by Lamar Jackson, combined with strategic improvements and more responsibilities for their star quarterback, make them a team to watch in the AFC. If Jackson can adapt and thrive in his expanded role, the Ravens have a legitimate shot at finally breaking through to the Super Bowl.