The Ravens’ 2019 playoff run ended on a sour note with a 28-12 Divisional Round loss to the Tennessee Titans, but they beefed up their roster in the draft and hope to put up a fight for Super Bowl LV at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium.
During the 2019 regular season, Baltimore finished with a 14-2 record and had two more wins than the next-best teams. Although Lamar Jackson was not the passing leader last year, he finished with the best QBR and most passing touchdowns in the league. He went on to win the NFL Most Valuable Player Award and AP Offensive Player of the Year.
Jackson was not only a passing marvel last year, but he also ran the ball better than most running backs. His 1,206 rushing yards finished sixth in the NFL, and he scored seven touchdowns on the ground as well. Last season, the Ravens finished with 3,296 rushing yards, which was almost 1,000 rushing yards more than the second-place San Francisco 49ers.
In terms of defense, the Ravens finished with the third-best unit in the points allowed category. Baltimore added to its strong defense with the selections of linebackers Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison in the 2020 draft. During the offseason, the Ravens also signed DE Derek Wolfe and traded for DE Calais Campbell. This Ravens squad is ready to win double-digit games again and have a better playoff finish in 2020.
Read Also: Cleveland Browns Predictions and Odds
Table of Contents
2020 Ravens Draft Picks
Patrick Queen, LB (LSU)
J.K. Dobbins, RB (Ohio State)
Justin Madubuike, DT (Texas A&M)
Devin Duvernay, WR (Texas)
Malik Harrison, LB (Ohio State)
Tyre Phillips, OG (Mississippi State)
Ben Bredeson, OG (Michigan)
Broderick Washington, DT (Texas Tech)
James Proche, WR (SMU)
Geno Stone, S (Iowa)
Notable Other New Faces for the Ravens
Justin Ellis, DT
Calais Campbell, DE
Derek Wolfe, DE
Notable Ravens in New Places
Kenjon Barner, RB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seth Roberts, WR – Carolina Panthers
Hayden Hurst, TE – Atlanta Falcons
Michael Pierce, DT – Minnesota Vikings (opted out of 2020 season)
Chris Wormley, DE – Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Onwuasor, LB – New York Jets
Josh Bynes, LB – Cincinnati Bengals
Maurice Canady, CB – Dallas Cowboys
Earl Thomas, S – released
Notable Ravens on the Injury Report
Justice Hill, RB – out for Week 1 with a thigh injury
Chris Moore, WR – out for Week 1 with a finger injury
Ronnie Stanley, OT – questionable for Week 2 with an ankle injury
Ben Bredeson, OG – out for Week 1 (coach’s decision)
Justin Madubuike, DT – out for Week 1 with a knee injury
Geno Stone, S – out for Week 1 (coach’s decision)
Ravens Who Have Opted Out of 2020 NFL Season
De’Anthony Thomas, WR
Andre Smith, OT
Ravens Offense Predictions
Lamar Jackson and company started 2020 on a tremendous note, as they defeated the Cleveland Browns, 38-6, in Week 1 of the season. Jackson completed 20 of his 25 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 45 yards on seven rushes.
Jackson looks primed for another MVP-caliber season, as he is +600 to win the league’s most coveted award. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (+400) is the only player above Jackson in terms of odds.
Ravens Running Backs: Could Rookie J.K. Dobbins Take Over Ingram for the No. 1 Running Back Role in 2020?
J.K. Dobbins, the No. 55 overall selection in the 2020 draft, only received seven rushing attempts in Week 1, but he made the most of them. Although he rushed for just 22 yards, he scored two touchdowns. Mark Ingram, who turns 31 years old in December, had a team-high ten carries and struggled with his yards per attempt average as well. Ingram finished with 2.9 yards per carry with a total of 29 yards and was worse than Dobbins’ 3.1 yards per carry. If Dobbins continues to produce touchdowns, Ingram’s role may be reduced as the season continues.
Ravens Wide Receivers: Marquise Brown Looks Primed for an Even Better 2020
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (71 targets, 46 receptions, 584 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns in 2019) seems to be ready to reprise his role as the team’s leading wide receiver. While Mark Andrews was Jackson’s favorite target in 2019 and caught two touchdowns in Week 1, Hollywood matched Andrews for a Ravens-best six targets. Brown accumulated five receptions for 101 yards, including a game-high 47-yard catch, in the first game of the 2020 season.
Willie Snead IV, the team’s second-best wide receiver in 2019, appears to be in the same situation for this season. He caught all four of his targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Miles Boykin and rookie receiver Devin Duvernay look to be the fourth and fifth options in what seems to be a very prolific passing attack again this season.
Ravens Tight Ends: Mark Andrews Can Become a Top Tight End in 2020
Mark Andrews looks like his impressive self as the 25-year old began his third NFL season on a strong note. He was the only tight end to score multiple touchdowns on the first Sunday of the NFL season. Jackson targeted him six times, and Andrews caught five balls for 58 yards. The 2018 Pro Football Focus NFL All-Rookie teamer and 2019 Pro Bowler already owns some franchise records. He has scored the most single-season touchdowns by a tight end for the Ravens (10 in 2019).
Suppose Andrews continues to stay healthy early in his career and continues to produce for several years. In that case, he could eventually move into the upper echelon of the most extraordinary all-time tight ends.
Read Also: Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions and Odds
Ravens Defense Predictions
CB Marlon Humphrey, who had a strong turnover season last year, was the only player with an interception in the Week 1 contest against the Browns. The 2019 Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro selection are ready to produce even more in 2020 after finishing with the most fumble return touchdowns last season.
FS Chuck Clark, LB L.J. Fort, and rookie LB Patrick Queen all forced fumbles in the 38-6 win. In 2019, the Ravens finished among the best teams to reduce turnovers on offense and force turnovers on defense. If the defense continues to fire on all cylinders later in the 2020 season, the Ravens could be bound for a long playoff run.
Read Also: Cincinnati Bengals Predictions and Odds
Ravens Special Teams Predictions
Baltimore’s success extends to special teams as well, as they have one of the best kickers in NFL history. Justin Tucker, a three-time Pro Bowler and four-time First-Team All-Pro selection, was a part of the team’s Super Bowl XLVII championship team. He made 30 of his 33 field-goal attempts during that season and made all of 42 extra points.
Tucker is the top 10 among active players in terms of points scored after making the most extra points in the NFL in 2019. He also has the most incredible field goal percentage in NFL history. Tucker has consistently been among the best kickers since he entered the league in 2012. He has finished with at least a 90 percent field goal percentage in five of his first eight professional seasons.
Ravens Head Coach Predictions
John Harbaugh enters the 2020 NFL season as the fourth-longest tenured coach behind Bill Belichick, Sean Peyton, and Mike Tomlin. Harbaugh has enjoyed success with Baltimore, as he has led the team to eight playoff berths and one Super Bowl championship. He also has performed well in the playoffs, as his Ravens are 10-7 in the postseason.
Before becoming the head coach for the Ravens in 2008, he was a long-time part of the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff. In 1998, Harbaugh began his NFL coaching career as the special teams coordinator with the Eagles. Then in 2007, he also took on the role of defensive backs coach before heading to Baltimore. Harbaugh is just the third head coach in the team’s short history as a franchise, and he is already the team’s all-time leader in regular-season wins (118) and postseason wins (10).
Ravens Predictions for Week 2
The Ravens are ready to duplicate their success in Week 2 when they head to Houston to take on QB Deshaun Watson. Baltimore opened as a six-point favorite on the road, and the line has already increased. Bettors may continue to back the Ravens, as they are a good bet to begin 2-0 for the second consecutive season.
Watson and the Texans struggled mightily against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. RB David Johnson ran for a 19-yard touchdown to kick off the scoring in the opening game of the season. However, the Chiefs scored the next 31 points in the game. Houston went on to lose, 34-20, and dropped its fourth consecutive Week 1 contest.
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Ravens Predictions for 2020 Season
The Ravens covered the spread by a wide margin in Week 1, as they won 38-6 and covered by 25 points. With the 2020 over/under for the Ravens being 11.5 wins (tied for highest in the NFL), they look like a strong bet to approach that total.
As the Ravens are pursuing their first playoff win since 2014, they appear to be far and away the best team in the AFC North. Even with Baltimore’s strong roster and having a good chance at a first-round bye, their +500 Super Bowl futures bet seems not to carry much value.
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