Offensive Prowess of the Baltimore Ravens
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. The Ravens' offensive efficiency was highlighted by their fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).
The Ravens finished tied for eighth in Tru Media's version of EPA (Expected Points Added) per play. Lamar Jackson, the centerpiece of this high-powered offense, had a standout season. Jackson earned the second MVP award of his career, leading the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record in his 16 starts.
Lamar Jackson's Stellar Performance
Jackson's individual statistics underline his exceptional performance. He completed 67.2% of his passes and averaged 8.0 yards per attempt. Jackson threw for 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions, demonstrating his precision and decision-making abilities. On the ground, Jackson rushed 148 times for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
However, the Baltimore Ravens are not content to rest on their laurels. The team is 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.
Enhancing Offensive Dynamism
Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin sees expanding Jackson's role as a natural progression. Martin believes that giving Jackson more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism. One specific area identified for improvement is 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. Martin expressed his thoughts on this strategy, saying, "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level."
Quotes from the Team
Lamar Jackson shared his thoughts via ESPN, stating, "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's comments highlight his readiness to embrace a more complex role within the offense.
Martin echoed this sentiment by comparing Jackson's need for challenges to that of a bright student. "It's like that smart kid in the classroom, you can't allow them to get bored, right?" Martin said. "You have to constantly add things, tweaks, and responsibilities."
Further elaborating on Jackson's capabilities, Martin stated, "Lamar is outstanding at it, whether we're going non-verbal on the road or whether we're going verbal at home. 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."
Ravens' Super Bowl Aspirations
The Ravens hope to make the leap 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 position themselves as strong AFC contenders.
The Ravens' ambition is clear—they aspire to finally break through to the Super Bowl. Only time will tell if these strategic adjustments will pay off, but the foundation for success, led by Lamar Jackson, is certainly in place.