The Baltimore Ravens' Offensive Evolution
Last season, the Baltimore Ravens showcased one of the NFL's most formidable offenses, capturing attention with their explosive and efficient play. The team racked up the sixth-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league, underscoring their offensive prowess. This offensive efficiency was further highlighted by their fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average). Additionally, the Ravens finished tied for eighth in Tru Media's version of EPA (Expected Points Added) per play, cementing their status as an elite offensive unit.
Lamar Jackson’s Stellar Season
A significant part of Baltimore’s offensive success can be attributed to their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, who had a standout season last year. Jackson earned the second MVP award of his career, a testament to his remarkable talent and leadership on the field. In his 16 starts, Jackson led the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record, showcasing his ability to steer the team to victory consistently.
Jackson's individual stats were equally impressive. He completed 67.2% of his passes, averaged 8.0 yards per attempt, and threw for 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. Additionally, Jackson continued to be a dual-threat quarterback, rushing 148 times for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns. His versatility and dynamic playstyle make him a unique asset in the NFL.
Increased Responsibility for Jackson
Looking ahead, the Ravens are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson’s shoulders. The quarterback himself has expressed a desire to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin sees this as a natural progression for Jackson, arguing that giving him more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism.
Martin believes there is room for improvement in specific areas, such as drawing offsides penalties from opponents. Last season, the Ravens' offense managed to induce an opponent offsides only 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.
Aiming for the Super Bowl
The Baltimore Ravens hope to make the leap to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, and their success hinges significantly on Lamar Jackson’s ability to adapt and thrive with his expanded role. By tweaking their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens position themselves as strong contenders in the AFC. The combination of Jackson's individual talent and increased responsibility could make the Ravens formidable in the coming seasons.
The Ravens' ambition to break through to the Super Bowl is palpable. Jackson, along with his coaches, continues to focus on adding extra layers to their offensive calls and strategies. This ongoing evolution aims to maintain Jackson's engagement and leverage his incredible skill set to the fullest.
As Jackson aptly put it, "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," via ESPN. His coaches echo this sentiment. "It's like that smart kid in the classroom; you can't allow them to get bored, right?" said Martin. "You have to constantly add things, tweaks, and responsibilities." Martin believes that these adjustments and enhancements will elevate Jackson’s game and, by extension, the Ravens' offensive capabilities.
Martin also emphasized the importance of using cadence as a strategic tool. "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level," Martin noted. "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."
As the Ravens prepare for the upcoming season, the blend of Jackson's exceptional skills and the team's strategic innovations will be crucial. If Jackson can thrive with his expanded role and the Ravens can successfully implement their new tactics, they could very well achieve their ultimate goal of reaching the Super Bowl.