The Baltimore Ravens have been on a roll recently, dominating their opponents and establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with. However, despite their impressive performances, it’s still difficult to fully trust the Ravens based on their previous postseason failures.
In the past, the Ravens have struggled in the playoffs, with only one postseason victory since 2018. This lone win came in Lamar Jackson’s career, highlighting the lack of success the team has had in the playoffs. Even though they have consistently been in the mix under head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have not been able to translate their regular season success into postseason triumphs.
This season, the Ravens flew under the radar for quite a while, as other teams like the Dolphins, Bills, and Chiefs garnered more attention. Despite their steady performances throughout the year, the Ravens were frequently overlooked by NFL pundits. They were overshadowed by teams like the 49ers, Cowboys, and Eagles. However, their dominant victory over the 49ers a couple of weeks ago showcased their potential and put them back in the spotlight.
One of the Ravens’ strengths this season has been their ability to win on the road, boasting a 7-1 record away from home. They also have the best point differential in the league and rank first in points allowed on defense and fourth in points scored on offense. This balance makes them one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL.
While their recent loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 may raise some concerns, it’s important to note that they rested their superstar quarterback, Lamar Jackson, in that game. Given Jackson’s history of missing games late in the season, it was a wise decision to prioritize his health and rest him for the playoffs. The last time the Ravens finished atop the AFC in the regular season, they were upset by the Titans in the divisional round. The memory of that loss might linger in their minds, but they have the opportunity to prove themselves this time around.
The Ravens have already secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, giving them a significant advantage. It’s now up to them to remove all doubt and show the world that they deserve to be the favorites in the AFC. With their recent dominant performances and a well-balanced team, the Ravens have the potential to make a deep playoff run and potentially represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. However, they’ll need to overcome their past postseason failures and prove that they can excel when it matters most.
