Monday, August 10, 2015

2014-15 NFL Preview: Baltimore Ravens


The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 NFL Preview





2014-15 Record: 10-6

Last Playoff Win: 2014 Wild Card vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Playoff Appearance: 2014 Divisional Playoff vs. New England Patriots

Last Super Bowl Win: XLVII (47) vs. San Francisco 49ers

Last Super Bowl Appearance: XLVII (47) vs. San Francisco 49ers



Head Coach:


John Harbaugh (72-40 all-time at Baltimore; 10-5 in playoffs)



Assistant Head Coach: Jerry Rosburg

Offensive Coordinator: Marc Trestman

Defensive Coordinator: Dean Pees


2014-15 Team Leaders:


Passing Yards: Joe Flacco (3,986 yards, 62.1% completions,  27 TD's, 12 INT's, 91.0 QB rating)

Rushing Yards: Justin Forsett (235 attempts, 1,266 yards, 8 TD's)

Receiving Yards: Steve Smith Sr. (79 receptions, 1,065 yards, 6 TD's)

Tackles: C.J. Mosley (133 tackles)

Interceptions: C.J. Mosley/Haloti Ngata (2 interceptions)



2014-15 Team Rankings:

Passing Offense: 13th in NFL

Rushing Offense: 8th in NFL

Points Per Game: 8th in NFL

Least Points Allowed Per Game: 6th in NFL




2014-15 Potential Starters:

Player Guide:

Purpe - Elite Starter
Blue - Above Average Starter
Green - Average Starter
Orange - Below Average Starter
Grey - Rookie
Red - Disgusting, Awful, Horrible, E.J. Manuel


Offense:

QB: Joe Flacco

RB: Justin Forsett

WR: Steve Smith Sr.

WR: Breshad Perriman

TE: Maxx Williams

C: Jeremy Zuttah

OG: Kelechi Osemele

OG: Marshal Yanda

OT: Eugene Monroe

OT: Rick Wagner


Defense:

DE: Chris Canty

DE: Timmy Jernigan

DT: Brandon Williams

LB: Courtney Upshaw

LB: Terrell Suggs

LB: Daryl Smith

LB: C.J. Mosley

CB: Lardarius Webb

CB: Jimmy Smith

FS: Kendrick Lewis

SS: Will Hill




2014-15 Schedule:

(September 13) vs. @ Denver Broncos

(September 20) vs. @ Oakland Raiders

(September 27) vs. Cincinnati Bengals

(October 1) vs. @ Pittsburgh Steelers

(October 11) vs. Cleveland Browns

(October 18) vs. @ San Francisco 49ers

(October 26) vs. @ Arizona Cardinals

(November 1) vs. San Diego Chargers

(November 8) BYE WEEK

(November 15) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

(November 22) vs. St. Louis Rams

(November 30) vs. @ Cleveland Browns

(December 6) vs. @ Miami Dolphins

(December 13) vs. Seattle Seahawks

(December 27) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

(January 3) vs. @ Cincinnati Bengals


Final Prediction: 12-4 (4-2)


Overlook: Three years ago I picked the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl and much to my surprise...they did. I don't remember exactly what it was that led me to pick the Ravens to win the Super Bowl that year, but there was something about them that was pulling me towards them. Well I've got some great news for Ravens fans because I'm totally getting that same feeling about this year's team. The Ravens are the perfect example of a dream NFL franchise. They are extremely well positioned to consistently win year-in and year-out due to the stability they have at the head coaching position and the smarts they have running the front office. They are one of the few NFL teams who seem to draft extremely well every year and that's why you never see them with a top 10 pick in the NFL draft. They are just that damn good.

This roster is definitely a heavy favorite to win the AFC in my eyes, especially if their rookies on offense can come in and contribute. There's no reason to talk about the Ravens defense because once again, it's loaded. The focus should entirely be on the offense because this team is only going to go as far as Joe Flacco (IS HE ELITE?!?!?!) and company can take them. Justin Forsett turned out to be a fantastic addition to the team last season and that should continue this year. Steve Smith Sr. isn't getting any younger, but he also isn't getting any worse. The guy seems to never age and he could crack 1,000 yards receiving again. The questions on offense will mainly be the two rookies. Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams will have some huge expectations coming in considering they will be expected to contribute in a big way on a potential Super Bowl contending team. Can the Ravens offense click enough to vault them over the Patriots in the AFC? That's going to be the question all-year long in Baltimore and I might take that bet.

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