Know Your Enemy continues with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens were 11-5 in 2020 and a Wild Card team led by Lamar Jackson. The Ravens defense is always pretty good and both of these things should continue in 2021. John Harbaugh is a long-time Ravens coach with Greg Roman as OC and Wink Martindale as the DC. Ravens were 2nd in lowest PPG allowed defense in 2020 and 7th in PPG offense.
Strengths
Sorry Ms Jackson He is For Reaaal (Lamar Jackson) and Weapons
Lamar Jackson can throw and is an extreme running threat. Jackson notched a 99.3 QB rating (26 TDs and 9 ints) with 64.4% completion on only 376 attempts. Ravens added weapon help for him in 2021 with Sammie Watkins (from Chiefs) and rookie 1st round pick Rashod Bateman (Minnesota Gophers) pairing with Miles Boykin (266 yards and 4 TDs) and 2019 1st rounder Hollywood Brown (769 yards and 8 Tds). Lamar Jackson topped 1,005 yards with 7 rushing TDs. That is amazing production and it will kill teams. Mark Andrews is a good TE with 701 yards and 7 TDs in 2020. The Ravens will pass well and Jacksons run support will keep teams off balance on defense.
Run Game and Offensive Line
Jackson only can be a run game with 1000 yards. The Ravens also have two running back withs JK Dobbins (805 yards at 6 YPC) and Gus Edwards (723 yards and 5 YPC). The Ravens will run the ball well but did trade away RT Orlando Brown. Alejandro Villanueva (Steelers) replaces Brown and LT stud Ronnie Stanley returns from injury. Ja’Wuan James opted out in 2020 but is great depth at tackle. Ravens added Kevin Zeitler to RG after the Giants cut him. Center Bradley Boseman and LG Ben Bredeson (4th round 2020 pick) will be serviceable.
The Ravens will run the ball at will.
Defense
The Ravens were 2nd in PPG defense with good run defense and pass rush.
Derek Wolfe, NT Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell are veterans but stud defensive line. Ravens lose stud Matt Judon OLB (6 sacks) to the Patriots but added Justin Houston from Colts/Chiefs to pair with 1st round pick Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser, vet Pernell McPhee and Jalyon Ferguson. Ravens will still have a pass rush and run defense for DC Martindale.
Patrick Queen returns 2020 1st rounder at ILB with Malik Harrison at ILB. LJ Fort got hurt but the Ravens are solid in the middle with young talent.
Marcus Humphrey, Marcus Peters and slot Tavon Young is a good corner 3 some. Jimmy Smith can play safety or corner and 5th round pick Shaun Wade from Ohio State.
The Ravens are weakest at safety with Chuck Clark, DeShon Elliot and 3rd round pick Brandon Stevens. Clark can be a good player at times though.
Schedule
Ravens travel to Detroit Week 3 and to the Chicago in Week 11. Baltimore hosts the Vikings in Week 9 and the Packers in Week 15. This will be an extremely tough game for all four NFC North teams. Ravens will make the playoffs again and be a tough out.