AFC North Blog: Why the Ravens Will Be Division Champs

By: Tony Mosesso, Michigan State University

In a division battered with inconsistency and headline news stories that are completely unrelated to football, there is one team that flies under the radar every season - the Baltimore Ravens. Everyone talks about the Steelers being the "class of the AFC North", Big Ben makes headline news with cases of poor conduct that are supposedly always false (sure, all the women just pick on Big Ben...), the Bengals have consistent headliner Chad Ochocinco, and the Browns are just plain bad (but not for long - see "AFC North Blog: Searching For an Identity", by Tony Mosesso). Even with outspoken leader Ray Lewis, the Ravens hardly get classified as a true contender in the AFC. 

But this year will be different.

The Ravens always have, at the very least, an above average defense. That won't change. So what's the difference you ask? Well, by process of elimination, and by ignoring Special Teams, it has to be offense. Specifically, Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin. 

Flacco has been fantastic since his NFL debut, exceeding much of the nation's expectations. In his rookie season, he posted solid numbers, especially for a rookie. He held a 60% completion percentage, just under 3000 yards passing, and 14 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Last year, he improved. Sophomore slump? Not for this guy. He improved his completion percentage to 63.1%. He added 7 TDs to his rookie tally, which gave him 21. His interceptions stayed put at 12. Not too shabby. Lastly, his QB Rating increased eight and a half points to 88.9 (80.3 rookie season). The best part for Flacco and the Ravens? He's only going to get better. Getting another year under his belt will undoubtedly help him. But what's the X-Factor? The addition of ex-Cardinals Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin.

Boldin finally provides a solid second option to the Ravens passing game. Inconsistency has plagued Raven receivers, with the exception of Derrick Mason. But how is Mason supposed to thrive in the offense without the ability to outrun the league's top corners? He's a possession receiver at this stage in his career - and a great one at that. But it's a lot easier for a defense to cover a receiver that primarily runs slant routes, in routes, and out routes, 6-10 yards from the line of scrimmage, when they have no complement on the other side of the field. Everyone knows where the ball is going nine times out of ten. Mark Clayton hasn't cut it as the #2 receiver, and Demetrius Williams hasn't exactly panned out either. Sporadic solid efforts have helped, but ever since Todd Heap forgot how to play the Tight End position, the Ravens have lacked a threatening second option (with the exception of dump offs to Ray Rice). Boldin provides that. No longer can a defense sit on Mason and Rice. Boldin gives you much more than just another option though. He is the most threatening of the Wide Receivers and Tight Ends. He can play small ball or go for the home run. He has great hands. He has solid speed. He helped make Larry Fitzgerald who he is. And playing with veteran Derrick Mason won't hurt him. He'll make it much easier on Joe Flacco. Heck, he'll improve Flacco's numbers more than you think. Blitzing corners won't be as likely, as they'll have to stay back to cover more than just one receiver. With that said, I'll give you a simple equation for Flacco's season.

Flacco 2009 + Boldin - CB pass rush ('more time in pocket') = Top 5 QB ('Flacco 2010')

Another plus for the Ravens? Ray Rice is only going to get better. 

This year's draft could prove to be vital for the Raven defense. If they want to improve their above average defense to a once again ELITE defense, that's where the draft comes in. The best case scenario that I see is Boise State CB Kyle Wilson still being on the board for Baltimore to grab. He would be a great fit as the Ravens #2 CB, or even nickel back until he gets the hang of the NFL style. But I think he's ready. And the Ravens' current #2 CB (Chris Carr) is better suited as a nickel back. If this proves to be impossible (Wilson goes early), they could select fellow CB Patrick Robinson (Florida State). As you can tell, I see CB as the Ravens most needed position. If both of these fall through, they could trade back to the second round and take Inside Linebacker Sean Lee (Penn State), who would be a great complement to Ray Lewis - and could learn A LOT from Lewis as well. 

All in all, the Ravens are primed to make a run this season. Their team was good last year, and they've vastly improved. The Steelers are no longer the dominating force they were a couple of  years ago, the Bengals are a 9-7 to 10-6 team, regardless, and the Browns aren't ready to compete just yet. The Ravens should take the division and make a run at Super Bowl XLV.

Mark it down.