Last Season's Offensive Powerhouse
Last season, the Baltimore Ravens showcased one of the NFL's most formidable offenses. The team accumulated the sixth-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league. Their offensive efficiency was highlighted by a 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.
Lamar Jackson: The Catalyst
Lamar Jackson had a standout season last year, earning the second MVP award of his career. In his 16 starts, Jackson led the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record. His passing efficiency was remarkable, completing 67.2% of his passes, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt, and throwing for 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. Jackson's dual-threat capability was on full display as he rushed 148 times for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Poised for More Responsibility
As the Ravens look to build on last season's success, they are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson’s shoulders. Jackson has expressed his desire to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. Tee Martin, the quarterbacks coach, sees this expansion of Jackson's role as a natural progression. Martin believes that giving Jackson more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism.
Room for Improvement
The Ravens see room for improvement, particularly in drawing offsides penalties from opponents. Last season, the Ravens' offense only managed to induce an opponent offsides once. Martin aims to change that by having Jackson vary his cadence more often. This tactic is expected to keep defenses on their toes and potentially draw more offsides penalties.
The Path to the Super Bowl
The Ravens hope to make the leap to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Their success hinges on Lamar Jackson’s ability to adapt and thrive with his expanded role. The combination of Jackson's individual talent and increased responsibility could make the Ravens formidable in the coming seasons. By tweaking their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens position themselves as strong AFC contenders.
Insight from the Ravens' Leaders
Jackson and Martin have provided insights into the changes and strategies for the upcoming season. "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," Jackson said, via ESPN. Martin likened Jackson's growing responsibilities to keeping a smart kid engaged in a classroom. "You have to constantly add things, tweaks and things of that nature and responsibilities," Martin said. He emphasized that this tactic to add nuance isn't new but something they are looking to take to the next level. "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level," Martin added.
Effective Communication is Key
Martin also highlighted Jackson’s skills in varying cadences. "Lamar is outstanding at it, whether we're going non-verbal on the road or whether we're going verbal at home," Martin said. "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."
In Conclusion
As the Ravens gear up for another run at the Super Bowl, the team believes in Jackson's capability to rise to the occasion. By entrusting him with more autonomy and refining their offensive strategies, the Ravens are laying the groundwork for a potentially historic season.