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, underlining their offensive prowess. The Ravens' offensive efficiency was further highlighted by their fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average). Additionally, the Ravens finished tied for eighth in Tru Media's version of EPA (Expected Points Added) per play.
Lamar Jackson's Standout Season
Lamar Jackson stood at the forefront of the Ravens' high-powered offense, delivering a standout performance throughout the season. Jackson earned the second MVP award of his career, underscoring his incredible talent and leadership. In his 16 starts, Jackson led the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record, marking another successful campaign for the dynamic quarterback.
Jackson's efficiency as a passer was notable; he completed 67.2% of his passes and averaged 8.0 yards per attempt. He threw for 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions, demonstrating a keen ability to protect the football while making impactful plays. Additionally, Jackson's dual-threat capability was evident as he rushed 148 times for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns, solidifying his status as one of the most versatile quarterbacks in the league.
Expanded Role and Greater Responsibility
As the Ravens look forward to the upcoming season, they are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson's shoulders. Jackson himself has expressed a desire to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. This added layer of control is seen as a natural progression by quarterbacks coach Tee Martin.
Martin views expanding Jackson's role as a means to enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism. "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. He also emphasized the importance of constantly adding tweaks and new responsibilities to keep Jackson engaged and continually developing.
Drawing Offsides Penalties
One area where the Ravens see potential for improvement is 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, giving the Ravens additional strategic advantages.
Martin is confident in Jackson's abilities to execute these changes effectively. "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level," Martin said. Whether through non-verbal signals on the road or verbal commands at home, the Ravens plan to exploit different cadences to keep defenses guessing. "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," Martin added.
Hopes for Super Bowl Contention
The ultimate goal for the Ravens remains clear: to 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 force in the coming seasons.
By tweaking their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens aim to position themselves as strong AFC contenders. Breaking through to the Super Bowl has been a longstanding aspiration for the franchise, and Jackson’s evolution as a quarterback may be the key to achieving that dream. With the right blend of strategic innovation and on-field execution, the Baltimore Ravens hope to finally reach the pinnacle of NFL success.