Baltimore Ravens

Now here’s a team that’s ready to roll. Quarterback, Joe Flacco, earned a lot of respect in his rookie year but perhaps took a step backwards as he tried to make the necessary fine adjustments to his game to improve his NFL stock. No doubt, Flacco is a big league football player, but he is young and prone to dips in confidence. When he’s playing on the top of his game, they are few better, more versatile men you could ask for under centre. These days, the Ravens are no longer just a Defence, nor is their offensive unit necessarily run-first. It is, for the first time in Ravens history, in perfect balance and one of the more stretching aerial threats in the league.

I could compare this young and dynamic Ravens team to the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan is perhaps a better game manager than Flacco, but Big Joe is perhaps the better-rounded and most certainly imposing athlete. Flacco, for a big guy, is quick on his feet and is resilient enough to take hits. For that reason he is the perfect model of QB for the tough-nosed AFC North division in which he must ply his trade.

A difficult opening fortnight of the season will see them face their arch rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then the unpredictable Tennessee Titans. Coming off that start 1-1 would be fine – even better if the first number comes against the Steelers. I think a head-to-head record advantage might decide the winner of that group.

The emergence of the Browns as a pre-season force with the addition of young QB, Colt McCoy, has made the AFC North a real live division and I for one can’t wait to see how this season pans out.

Verdict: A top five team in the NFL with great players, great fans and a great coach. Tough division and the odd head-scratcher could see them lose more than their talent should allow, but I think they’ll make it to 10 wins with relative ease. Anymore should win them the division with tiebreakers, but either way the Ravens will get into the playoffs as a wildcard if not AFC North winners. (11-5 and Div Champs on basis of 2 head-to-head wins against the Steelers who will have the same record).


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