The Baltimore Ravens went through a difficult 2021 season, finishing with an 8-9 record after starting the year at 8-3. Part of the reason for their struggles were due to the amount of injuries that they suffered over the course of the season, but that was just one of the many defining factors.
When listing out five team that are positioned to take big leaps in 2022, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports put Baltimore right near the top at No. 2, citing the team’s injuries as well as what quarterback in Lamar Jackson can do behind a healthier offensive line and with healthier skill position players.
“No team was mauled by injuries in 2021 more than the Ravens, who lost one starter after another to the war of attrition. Lamar Jackson needs to be smarter at QB, but he might be playing for a new deal in 2022. Alongside a healthier line and skill group, not to mention with his own arm and legs rested up, he feels primed to re-stake a claim on the AFC North with the Steelers entering uncharted waters post-Ben Roethlisberger. The defense will be in transition, but John Harbaugh can be trusted to right the ship.”
It’s no secret that the poor health of the Ravens severely impacted their ability to win games. While they also didn’t execute on the field to the level that they had to, getting their pieces back healthy will be key for their improvement. The AFC is a very talented conference, and even though some people have decided to write Baltimore off, they will be out looking to show the rest of the league that they never went anywhere.
Benjamin ranked the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1 on his list.