BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 21: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Baltimore Ravens’ 2024 season ended, once again, in heartbreak fashion, losing 27-25 to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional game on a last-second dropped pass from tight end Mark Andrews. Following another successful regular season, highlighted by MVP-type performances from quarterback Lamar Jackson and newly signed All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, the team secured a 12-5 record. It claimed the AFC North title for the second consecutive year. With another season ending quickly in the postseason, the Ravens looked to reload in the offseason to get over the playoff hump, finally.
Baltimore made their most significant offseason move by re-signing their left tackle, Ronnie Stanley, to a three-year, $60 million deal, as well as other key players like fullback Patrick Ricard and guard Ben Cleveland. Another key offseason move was extending star running back Derrick Henry to a two-year, $30 million contract extension after leading the league in rushing touchdowns. The Ravens also brought in former All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a one-year $5 million deal, as well as cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to help improve their inconsistent secondary from last season. Despite these additions, the Ravens also lost players from last season’s team, including former All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker, Brandon Stephens, Patrick Mekari and Tre’Davious White.
The Ravens’ draft class found two impact players in the first two rounds, with safety Malaki Starks from Georgia picked in the first round, and defensive end Mike Green out of Marshall picked in the second round. Pairing up Starks with a former All-Pro safety from two seasons ago, Kyle Hamilton, and star cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens will have one of the best secondaries in the league. Green adds to an already dominant pass rush, which was second in sacks last season. Both players could be day one starters after very productive college careers to help improve an elite Ravens defense.
With the expectations of returning to the playoffs being a given for the Ravens, their path to the playoffs is no easy task. The Ravens have the ninth hardest schedule according to FOX Sports, opening up the season with a rematch vs the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. The Ravens will face eight playoff teams from last season, including the Kansas City Chiefs, who appeared in the Super Bowl the season before. The Ravens will also have to navigate playing in one of the most competitive divisions in football against an improved Bengals team with one of the most electric offenses in the league, the Steelers, and the Cleveland Browns. With such a tough regular season, Jackson will have to play at an MVP level once again to lead this team to the playoffs and win his division for the third time in a row, which has never been done in franchise history.
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BALTIMORE RAVENS SEASON/GAMES ODDS
The Ravens open the season as the favorites to win the AFC North with +350 odds. They also have a +700 chance of making the Super Bowl, which ranks in the top five in the NFL. The Ravens have been favorites for many seasons, but still have struggled in the postseason. Baltimore is also favored in 15 of their 17 games this season, but opens the season as underdogs vs the Buffalo Bills at +1.5 points in Buffalo.
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