The Baltimore Ravens are perennial playoff candidates, but there’s not much buzz around them as a 2023 championship contender.
Amid a stacked AFC, Baltimore trails the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl odds. Aaron Rodgers’ arrival has also drawn considerable attention to the New York Jets.
Lamar Jackson doesn’t mind the subdued noise.
“I’m cool with people not talking about us. I like to be under the radar when we’re playing out there on that field,” Jackson told NFL Network during Saturday’s training camp practice. “I feel like once you get hyped, that’s a target on your back. Everyone wants to beat you.”
From #Ravens camp for Back Together Weekend on @nflnetwork: Some of us still need wrist bands, @Lj_era8 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/74Y9TUt8MJ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 29, 2023
The Ravens quarterback prefers to “keep it low-key” without opponents all giving them their best shot.
Baltimore has +2000 odds of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 11 years. The Ravens will need a healthy Jackson to get it done.
Jackson has ended the last two seasons sidelined with injuries. They lost three of their final five games without Jackson before getting eliminated by Cincinnati in the opening round.
Yet to reach the AFC Championship Game during Jackson’s tenure, the Ravens have fallen behind the conference’s perceived top tier. However, Baltimore will hope to jump back into the title hunt with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken leading a bolstered unit.
Buzz could quickly build in Baltimore if Jackson leads the Ravens to a strong start.