Three Pundits Pick Ravens to Win the Super Bowl

2022-10-09 04:50:06 By : Mr. Kent Wong

Circle Sunday, Feb. 13 on your calendar and start booking your flights to Glendale, Ariz., Ravens fans.

On that night, the Ravens will hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the third time in franchise history and Lamar Jackson will be named Super Bowl 57 MVP after outdueling Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers.

Can you envision it? Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr and Mitch Goldich can. In their Super Bowl predictions, Orr and Goldich picked the Ravens to defeat the Packers by scores of 28-24 and 36-31, respectively. Both went with Jackson as the game's MVP.

"Say it with me: Super Bowl champion Lamar Jackson," Orr wrote.

"I've been excited all summer to pick the Ravens as my Super Bowl champs, and I'll never forgive Conor for stealing my pick. But yes: the Ravens," Goldich wrote. "They are well coached and in the hunt every year. With better health a near statistical certainty, they are a no-brainer for a bounce-back season. Lamar Jackson poses unique problems for defenses, John Harbaugh will keep dialing up two-point conversion attempts whenever possible, Mark Andrews is chasing the career octopus record. Win it for Poe. All that."

Goldich also picked Harbaugh to win Coach of the Year.

The Ravens know they have the makings of a special season. Veteran outside linebacker Justin Houston said Monday that he feels it's his best shot yet to win a Super Bowl.

.@JHouston50 said what he said 🗣 pic.twitter.com/kJJwVHmKNH

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III knows the Ravens organization and the type of competitor former teammate Jackson is.

Griffin was a backup quarterback with the Ravens from 2018-2020. They made the playoffs all three of those seasons before a plethora of injuries to key players on both sides of the ball, including Jackson derailed their once-promising 2021 season.

Now an NFL and college football analyst for ESPN, Griffin believes the Ravens are going to use the disappointment of last season to fuel them to a Super Bowl victory this season.

"I believe they are on a revenge tour," Griffin said on "The Rich Eisen Show." "Not just Lamar Jackson. He wants to remind everybody just in case they forgot that he's the most dynamic offensive weapon in the league. That's running, throwing, whatever you want, he's going to remind the guys of that.

"But their defense also struggled last year. They were 32nd in the league against the pass. I think that's going to have them have a chip on their shoulder. They're healthy now. They missed the playoffs last year after 26 guys went on [Injured Reserve]. I think they're going to come out with a vengeance and actually get it done in the playoffs this year."

NFL.com analyst David Carr also believes Jackson and the Ravens are on a mission after last year's last-place finish.

"The 2019 league MVP looks ready for REVENGE SZN, and it all starts with having his All-Pro left tackle [Ronnie Stanley] back," Carr wrote. "The sand in the contract hourglass is running out, but whether or not a deal gets done, Jackson should be back to making highlight-reel plays with his legs and arm. Sunday can't come soon enough."

Carr has Jackson at No. 14 in his Offensive Player Rankings, which are based on player accomplishments from last season and weekly performances, factoring in strength of opponent.

Most missed tackles forced by QBs since 2018: 🥇 Lamar Jackson - 124 That’s 42 more than the next highest player 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZveOaWROUo

Unlike Orr, Goldich and Griffin, ESPN's Bill Barnwell isn't predicting that the Ravens will win the Super Bowl. However, he did look at how they could win it all.

Barnwell analyzed how each of the 32 teams can win the Super Bowl. For the Ravens, the formula is a familiar one: a dominant defense, strong running game, and Jackson leading the way.

"After finishing 28th in defensive DVOA last season, it seems inevitable the Ravens will regress toward their own personal mean, having finished in the top 10 in each of their five prior seasons," Barnwell wrote. "The offense seems set to retreat toward a more run-heavy approach in neutral situations, a decision that bore fruit in 2019 and 2020.

"This team is only two years removed from a 14-2 season; their Super Bowl case looks much like that regular season, but with more success in January. If you think Jackson can't push the Ravens into a championship game, remember that Joe Flacco posted one of the best postseasons in league history during his contract year in 2012."

Mark Andrews on “Get Up” when asked if Lamar Jackson’s contract situation will be a distraction: “Lamar approaches football in a different light. He’s a focused dude. He cares about winning.” pic.twitter.com/KcnEWftLQ9

Russell Street Report's Darin McCann made his predictions for the Ravens' individual awards winners this season.

You can probably guess who he picked to be the team's MVP. Here's a look at three if his other selections:

Offensive Player of the Year: TE Mark Andrews

"This is kind of a silly award, as the MVP almost always comes from the offensive side of the ball. But let's play along and go with the guy who has arguably been the best player at camp this season and was the Ravens' best player in 2021 who does not kick a ball for a living. Mark Andrews has shined throughout the summer, getting open despite feverish attention from the defense and winning contested catches on those reps that found him in tight coverage."

Defensive Player of the Year: CB Marlon Humphrey

"I so wanted to put Odafe Oweh here, as I expect the second-year linebacker to take a significant step this season. But Marlon Humphrey is a proud guy and coming off an up-and-down season. He has been an active player in camp, jumping in to take reps against Andrews and Rashod Bateman and being a vocal leader on the field. I think Humphrey plays a part in eight turnovers this season, via interception or his vaunted 'Fruit Punch.'"

Comeback Player of the Year: CB Marcus Peters

"Oh, boy. The list of eligible candidates for this one is substantial, as injuries swept through this organization like a tsunami last year. I'm going with Marcus Peters for two reasons: he's been practicing fairly regularly the past few weeks, which is a good sign; and he's a turnover machine. That alone turns heads, and wins games."

The #Ravens are signing veteran LB Kyler Fackrell to their practice squad following his visit the last two days. Fackrell spent last season with the #Chargers and was with the #Raiders this spring.

Per personnel notice, the Ravens worked out LB Rashod Berry.

.@JasonMcCourty's AFC playoff picks: AFC North: @Ravens AFC East: @BuffaloBills AFC South: @Colts AFC West: @Chiefs Wild Cards: @Bengals, @chargers, @Broncos pic.twitter.com/OM035AThdu

.@KyleBrandt's AFC playoff picks: AFC North: @Ravens AFC East: @BuffaloBills AFC South: @Titans AFC West: @chargers Wild Cards: @Chiefs, @Raiders, @steelers pic.twitter.com/HAmwB6lMui

.@JamieErdahl's AFC playoff picks: AFC North: @Bengals AFC East: @BuffaloBills AFC South: @Colts AFC West: @Raiders Wild Cards: @Ravens, @chargers, @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/IHGmLhAqrn

"Not having the Ravens in the playoffs is something that I might lose sleep on." — @PSchrags pic.twitter.com/1KAEppKRgR

It’s a QB-driven league, and you won’t find a more comprehensive ranking of them anywhere else. 💯 Key attribute grades 📈 Advanced stat rankings 🐶 Who's got that dog in them?@theStevenRuiz will be breaking down the NFL’s starting QBs all season:https://t.co/7RIqcuUOms

Some patience warranted as Ravens enter 2022 season with high expectations https://t.co/HYoz9abgkk

Prediction time! RSR give our predictions for the 2022 Ravens, including record & more, plus AFC/NFC & Super Bowl winners here. #RavensFlock https://t.co/SdDmPkhRWT

These teams have forced the most shutouts over the last 20 years 😤 pic.twitter.com/ZTz33AY2Ot

Majority of pundits pick the Ravens to win a close one. Hayden Hurst is looking forward to returning to M&T Bank Stadium.

Is Lamar Jackson playing better than his 2019 MVP season? Jackson and Mark Andrews excel on high-efficiency routes.

Looking at the offense's role in second-half collapses. ESPN pundits applaud Ravens' aggressive decisions.

Football Outsiders gives the Ravens the third-best odds to win the Super Bowl. Former NFL head coach Mike Martz says the Ravens called the 'perfect play' on crucial fourth down but 'just didn't execute.' Rookie Daniel Faalele held his own against Von Miller.

Media members react to the Ravens' second-half letdown, but players aren't panicking.

A Ringer writer contends that the Ravens' explosive offense isn't sustainable.

ESPN Analytics ranks Mark Andrews as the No. 1 pass-catcher in the NFL. Sunday's Ravens-Bills game profiles as a 'modern NFL air show.' Lamar Jackson is not in the top two in NFL.com's quarterback rankings.

Bill Belichick's game plan was focused on stopping Rashod Bateman. Jackson continues to destroy blitz narrative. The Ravens have the No. 1 offense and special teams, based on metrics.

Ravens could use a third cornerback to emerge. The Ravens are a home underdog against the Bills this Sunday.

Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman praised for play calling and adjustments. Ravens offense 'the scariest version' we've seen. Calais Campbell hopes for the best for injured Patriots QB Mac Jones.

Rashod Bateman is ranked among the top 5 big-play wide receivers. Reaction to the Ravens reportedly agreeing to terms with Jason Pierre-Paul. Trade proposal has Ravens acquiring Seahawks cornerback.

Bill Belichick says Lamar Jackson has 'more than answered' questions about him as a pocket passer. Three ways the running game can improve.

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