2013 Baltimore Ravens
MANDATORY SELF-PROMOTING FIRST SENTENCE BECAUSE I PICKED THE BALTIMORE RAVENS TO WIN THE 2012 SUPER BOWL IN MY PRESEASON PREDICTIONS. That’s the last I’ll bring that up, don’t worry (in this piece, anyway). The Baltimore Ravens did, of course, hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of last season by defeating the San Francisco 49ers in a wild Harbaugh Bowl. Since then, however, they have undergone somewhat of a face lift. On offense, Joe Flacco received a monstrous contract extension (which I think he deserves), but Anquan Boldin went to join the red and gold out West, while emerging star tight end Dennis Pitta will be out for the year with an injury. This means that Torrey Smith will be the lone focal point of the passing offense, and could mean an increased role for backup running back Bernard Pierce (who I’ve loved since last year). Defensively, they are an entirely new team, after the departures of key leaders Ray Lewis (retirement) and Ed Reed (Houston). Bernard Pollard is gone, Paul Kruger vaulted to Cleveland, while Dannell Ellerbe took a nice deal with the Dolphins. However, Baltimore has reloaded tremendously and shouldn’t miss a beat. Ozzie Newsome once again did a great job at bringing in free agents to go along with their two top draft picks, Arthur Brown and Matt Elam. Chris Canty is a nice addition to the defensive line; Daryl Smith has been a very underrated linebacker for a few years because he was stuck in Jacksonville; Michael Huff will help sure up the safety position; and Elvis Dumervil came over from Denver to lead the pass rush. Couple them with the fact that Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, Courtney Upshaw, and the returning LaDarius Webb are still in black and purple, and you’ve got a mighty defensive unit. Even though the Ravens took care of business last year to win the AFC North, the division is even stronger this year, and, since Cleveland improved handily, any of the four teams could come out on top. This is undoubtedly the toughest and the best defensive division in the AFC (and the NFL, along with the NFC West), so a few injuries, missed field goals, or costly turnovers could go a long way in determining who makes the playoffs out of the North. Of course, all these teams are good, so maybe two or even three clubs will get to the postseason. With that said, the road to the playoffs goes through Baltimore, so let’s see how the Ravens will follow up their championship run.
Schedule
The Ravens weirdly open up the season on the road, in Denver of all places, which hardly seems fair. They have an absolutely brutal first two months of the season, but once the calendar turns to November, we could see a major surge.
Week 1: L at DEN
Week 2: L vs CLE (a classic Ravens game that they should win but don’t)
Week 3: W vs HOU (Ed Reed returns)
Week 4: W at BUF
Week 5: L at MIA
Week 6: L vs GB
Week 7: W at PIT
Week 8: Bye
Week 9: W at CLE
Week 10: W vs CIN
Week 11: W at CHI
Week 12: W vs NYJ
Week 13: W vs PIT (Thanksgiving Throwdown!)
Week 14: W vs MIN
Week 15: L at DET
Week 16: W vs NE (no Pollard makes me sad but they still win)
Week 17: L at CIN
Even though I think the Ravens will stumble into the playoffs somewhat, I still think that they will finish 2013 with a solid 10-6 record, presumably good enough to repeat as AFC North Champions. Remember, this would tie them with the Patriots, but since I have Baltimore beating New England in their Week 16 matchup, the Ravens would receive a higher seed (I also have them beating Houston which could prove vital down the road as well). A lot of pressure will be put on Joe Flacco to produce, since he signed that mammoth deal (roughly 6 years, $120,000,000), but I think he will perform well, as evidenced by that run after the bye week. Many people expect the 2013 Baltimore Ravens to stumble, but I say buy their stock, because they aren’t going anywhere. Another ten wins and a playoff berth for Baltimore.
Bold Prediction: Bernard Pierce will lead the Ravens in rushing yards with 955 and TDs with 9.
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