Last season, the Baltimore Ravens showcased one of the NFL's most formidable offenses, capturing the attention of football enthusiasts everywhere. The team accumulated the sixth-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league, demonstrating their offensive potency. Their efficiency was further highlighted by a fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average). When it came to Tru Media's version of EPA (Expected Points Added) per play, the Ravens finished tied for eighth, signifying a balanced and effective offensive strategy.
Lamar Jackson's Standout Season
At the heart of the Ravens' success was quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose performance last season was nothing short of spectacular. Jackson secured the second MVP award of his career, a testament to his invaluable contribution to the team. In his 16 starts, Jackson led the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record. His accuracy and efficiency were on full display, as he completed 67.2% of his passes and averaged 8.0 yards per attempt. Jackson threw for 24 touchdowns while limiting his interceptions to just seven.
Not only did Jackson excel in aerial attacks, but he also showcased his dual-threat capabilities by rushing 148 times for 821 yards and scoring five touchdowns on the ground. His dynamic playstyle made him a constant threat to defenses, further underscoring his elite status in the league.
Expanding Jackson's Role
Looking ahead, the Ravens are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson’s shoulders. Jackson himself has expressed a desire to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin sees this expansion of Jackson's role as a natural progression. Martin believes that giving Jackson more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism.
One area where the Ravens see room for improvement is in drawing offsides penalties from opponents. Last season, the Ravens' offense managed to induce an opponent offsides just 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, providing the Ravens with an additional strategic edge.
Aspirations for the Super Bowl
The Ravens are hopeful that these tweaks and increased responsibilities for Jackson will propel them to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Their success hinges on Lamar Jackson’s ability to adapt and thrive within his expanded role. The combination of Jackson's individual talent and augmented responsibilities could significantly elevate the Ravens' performance in the coming seasons.
By refining their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens position themselves as strong contenders in the AFC. The ultimate goal is to finally break through to the Super Bowl, and the team’s current trajectory suggests that they are well on their way. The Ravens' approach to evolving their offense, led by Jackson’s growth and development, is designed to maximize their potential and capitalize on their existing strengths.
Coach and Player Perspectives
From the perspectives of both Jackson and Coach Martin, the focus is on continuous improvement and adaptation. "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. This insight reflects Jackson’s understanding of the game and his commitment to staying ahead of defensive schemes.
Martin further elaborated on this progression: "It's like that smart kid in the classroom, you can't allow them to get bored, right?" Martin said. "You have to constantly add things, tweaks, and responsibilities." Martin's comments highlight the importance of challenging Jackson and keeping the offense innovative. "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level," Martin added, emphasizing the ongoing evolution of their approach.
Martin also praised Jackson’s abilities to handle varying cadences: "Lamar is outstanding at it, whether we're going non-verbal on the road or whether we're going verbal at home." According to Martin, the Ravens 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 gear up for the upcoming season, the focal point remains clear: leverage Lamar Jackson’s talent and expanded role to enhance their offensive prowess and make a serious run for the Super Bowl.