It has been a long offseason since the Ravens, seemingly on a one-way track to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, were stunned by the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.
That seems like forever ago, but with the two teams meeting in five days to kick off the NFL season at Arrowhead Stadium, the time has finally arrived.
It’s time for the Ravens to get over the hump. They can’t do it in Week 1, but it could be a cathartic start.
Here are my thoughts, all in 50 words or less:
- The Ravens had the best team in the NFL in 2019 and 2023, yet don’t have the hardware to prove it. Do the Ravens have the best team this year? We’ll see, but they’ll be among them. First, they have to be like those teams again and win, starting Thursday.
- There’s no doubt that Baltimore’s goal this season is to win the Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson is feeling the urgency, and everyone around him sees it. Jackson candidly said on “The Lounge” podcast, “You’ve got to do it while you’re young.” At just 27 years old, he feels time ticking.
Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson joins Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to also talk about what’s changed in Year 2 of Todd Monken’s offense, the real reason why he lost weight, his connection with the Zays, his pursuit of an all-time rushing record, and much more.
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- In Year 1 with Todd Monken, Jackson was listening and learning from the offensive coordinator. In Year 2, he’s the one talking. Jackson has been the director this summer, telling teammates what he wants and pushing them to get better and get over the hump. Jackson has taken control.
- Jackson could throw for more yards than he did last year with more comfort in the offense and the Zays (Flowers and Likely) blossoming. Jackson could break more big runs with less weight and better endurance. If he does, and wins, he’ll have a good chance at a third MVP.
- The offense’s success may hinge on whether the offensive line holds up well enough. It doesn’t have to be the best in the league for Baltimore to have a ton of success. But the football adage is games are won in the trenches, and they can be lost there too.
- The Chiefs have crowed this offseason about bullying the Baltimore bullies out of the playoffs. I doubt the Ravens have forgotten that. Baltimore is going to be fired up and physical but needs to be flag-free too. This game isn’t about getting even. It’s about getting ahead (in the standings).
- The Ravens have lived all offseason with questions about why they didn’t run the ball more against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. Now Baltimore has Derrick Henry. Running the ball was not Baltimore’s strength in the preseason, but it could look very different when the real games start.
- The Ravens’ interior offensive line has a serious challenge in Week 1 tangling with the Chiefs’ Chris Jones, who lines up everywhere along the line, looking for cracks. The Chiefs have challenges too. Rookie second-round pick Kinglsey Suamataia tops their depth chart at left tackle and will meet Odafe Oweh.
- Patrick Mahomes has given the Ravens fits, but he’ll face the best Baltimore secondary he has ever seen Thursday night. Banged-up Marlon Humphrey barely played in the AFC Championship game. Now he and safety Marcus Williams are healthy. Brandon Stephens is fresh. Rookie Nate Wiggins is a difference-maker.
- There are so many subplots to this game. Wiggins covering Chiefs rookie receiver Xavier Worthy is a good one. Kansas City jumped up in the draft to grab the speedster, who will likely have a significant role with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (shoulder) out, two spots before the Ravens picked Wiggins.