Ravens’ Offensive Prowess and Lamar Jackson’s Ascension
Last season, the Baltimore Ravens showcased one of the NFL's most formidable offenses. The team racked up the sixth-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league, reflecting their dominant performance on the field. The Ravens' offensive efficiency was further highlighted by their fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA. Additionally, they finished tied for eighth in Tru Media's version of EPA per play.
Lamar Jackson’s Standout Season
Lamar Jackson had a standout season last year. The dynamic quarterback earned the second MVP award of his career, leading the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record in his 16 starts. Jackson completed 67.2% of his passes and averaged 8.0 yards per attempt. He threw for 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions while rushing 148 times for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns. Jackson's remarkable performance demonstrated his dual-threat capability, making him one of the most electrifying players in the league.
Expanding Jackson’s Role
This season, the Ravens are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson’s shoulders. Jackson has expressed a desire to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. According to quarterbacks coach Tee Martin, expanding Jackson's role is seen as a natural progression. Martin believes that giving Jackson more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism.
The Ravens see room for improvement in drawing offsides penalties from opponents. Last season, the Ravens' offense only managed to induce an opponent offsides once. Martin aims to change that this season by having Jackson vary his cadence more often. This tactic is expected to keep defenses on their toes and potentially draw more offsides penalties.
Quotes from the Team
Jackson emphasized the importance of adapting to changes, saying, "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," via ESPN. Martin added, "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." He continued, "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level. Lamar is outstanding at it, whether we're going non-verbal on the road or verbal at home."
He further elaborated on their strategy, saying, "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." This emphasis on unpredictability in their offensive approach could prove crucial as the Ravens aim to take their game to the next level.
Super Bowl Aspirations
The Ravens hope to make a significant leap and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Their success hinges on Lamar Jackson’s ability to adapt and thrive with his expanded role. The combination of Jackson's individual talent and increased responsibility could make the Ravens a formidable team in the coming seasons.
By tweaking their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens position themselves as strong AFC contenders. They hope these strategic adjustments will finally help them break through to the Super Bowl. The anticipation is high, and fans are eager to see whether the Ravens can translate their potential into tangible success on the biggest stage.