Baltimore Ravens 2023-24 NFL Season Recap

Baltimore Ravens NFL Season Recap

The Baltimore Ravens' 2023-24 NFL betting campaign concluded with a disappointing defeat at the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, falling 17-10 despite being the favored side at the online sportsbook to advance to Super Bowl LVIII. Although they outgained the defending champs 336-319 and averaged 5.9 to 4.4 yards per play, Lamar Jackson and the offense struggled to gain momentum for much of the game. Critical turnovers by Zay Flowers, who fumbled at the brink of scoring, and the soon-to-be-named MVP, who threw an interception in the end zone, cost the Baltimore Ravens dearly. Had those plays resulted in touchdowns instead of turnovers, Baltimore would have secured their spot in the big game against the San Francisco 49ers, setting up a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII.

The blame for the Baltimore Ravens' loss isn't solely on the turnovers, though they were significant. Baltimore shouldn't have been in such a precarious position to begin with! Despite initial struggles, Mike Macdonald's defense managed to keep Mahomes and the Chiefs scoreless in the second half. The Ravens faced only a 10-point deficit, yet offensive coordinator Todd Monken called plays as if they were trailing by 30. It's baffling that the Ravens, with their top-ranked rushing attack in tow, only ran the ball 16 times and opted for 37 pass attempts, especially after the Ravens running backs dominated the previous week against the Texans and throughout the regular season. Against a Kansas City defense that was vulnerable to the run (No. 18), Baltimore inexplicably limited their ground game, which proved to be a key component of their failed offensive strategy.

The Ravens showcased their status as one of the NFL's most elite and balanced teams. The offense, with Lamar Jackson at the helm, ranked sixth overall, amassing over 370 yards (No. 6) and scoring an average of 28.4 points per game (No. 4). The Ravens offensive line and the running back trio of Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell (when healthy) were instrumental, averaging 156.5 rushing yards per game (No. 1) and an impressive 5.0 yards per carry. Although the passing game proved to be hit or miss, the Ravens' offense still secured the league’s fourth ranked DVOA. The Ravens defense was equally formidable, ranking sixth in yards allowed and first in points allowed per game, making them a tough matchup for any opponent. This defensive prowess was highlighted by a league-leading 60 sacks and 31 forced turnovers during the regular season.

Ultimately, the Baltimore Ravens concluded the season with a 14-5 SU record and a 12-7 mark against the closing NFL odds, yet they couldn't advance past the AFC Championship Game, a hurdle they haven't overcome since their 2011-12 Super Bowl victory. Under John Harbaugh's leadership, the team has enjoyed consistent success but has struggled to translate that into meaningful postseason triumphs over the past 11 seasons. This year, the Ravens exceeded expectations by surpassing their 10.5-game projected win total and capturing the AFC North title for the first time since 2019, propelling them to another appearance in the championship game.

Baltimore Ravens 2024 Offseason

GM Eric DeCosta and the Baltimore Ravens' front office face a challenging offseason with a lengthy list of decisions to make. Among the 23 unrestricted Ravens free agents are notable players like Justin Madubuike and Patrick Queen, who both had All-Pro seasons. The roster also includes Gus Edwards and other key contributors, but with only $16M in Ravens salary cap space, not all will be able to stay. If defensive coordinator Macdonald departs for a head coaching position, the team will need to find a replacement to maintain the level of success they achieved this past season on that side of the ball.

According to Tankathon, the Baltimore Ravens hold the No. 30 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, along with six other selections, excluding the sixth round. Additional compensatory picks are expected. The Ravens' offseason strategy will likely focus on retaining key players from the current roster and addressing defensive needs, as well as finding players that offensive coordinator Monken can trust in the backfield, a critical aspect that was underutilized in the season-concluding defeat to the Chiefs.

Baltimore Ravens Schedule & Results

The Baltimore Ravens were born in 1996 after the original Cleveland Browns decided to move because of proposals for a new stadium falling through. As part of the agreement for the move, then-owner Art Modell agreed to leave the Browns name behind in Cleveland for a future new franchise. Thus, Baltimore became the Ravens in honor of the legendary late local poet Edgar Allan Poe. Poe’s poem “The Raven” is one of the most famous in history.

During their time in Baltimore, the Ravens have been one of the most successful franchises in pro sports. Since 2000, Baltimore has missed the playoffs only nine times. Baltimore won the Super Bowl in the 2000 and 2012 seasons.

Owner Steve Bisciotti bought into the club as a partner with Modell in 2000 and took over as majority owner in 2004. Bisciotti has run a stable franchise that is a model for the rest of the league. John Harbaugh has been the head coach since 2008. Current general manager Eric DeCosta has been in the organization since 1996.

Baltimore Ravens Past Seasons (2000)

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