(Image credit: Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick
It is official as the Baltimore Ravens have mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Definitely, one of the biggest disappointments of the season as the Ravens were projected to win the division again. They technically had their season end last week but this is just the mathematical calculation. There were many things that went wrong with the Baltimore Ravens this season. However, I'm going to be honest these three reasons are mainly going to be as a result of the injuries that this team suffered. The true reason this team were eliminated was that reason and there were three key positions of injuries that resulted in this team being eliminated.
1. Running Back Injuries/inconsistency
The Ravens did not have good luck with injuries at running back. JK Dobbins Tore his ACL during the first preseason game against the Washington Football Team and was later placed on IR. Then Justice Hill Tore his Achilles and was later placed on IR. Then Gus Edwards suffered a Torn ACL with Marcus Peters and it resulted in both being out for the season. So this year the Ravens lost a chunk of their running back core. So then they decided to have a rotational door at running back. The Le’Veon Bell experiment was a flop and he got cut in the middle of the season. Ty’Son Williams had Christine Michael hype and of course, disappointed like Christine Michael. Devonta Freeman was not that good. The only running back that was trustworthy was Latavius Murray. The Ravens need to hope that the running back core is healthy for next season.
2. Cornerback injuries
The Secondary was completely decimated with injuries. Especially at the cornerback position and I will list the players that the Ravens had to deal with Marlon Humphery (Torn Pectoral Muscle - IR), Marcus Peters (Torn ACL - IR), Inman Marshall (Torn ACL - IR), Khalil Dorsey (Shoulder Injury - IR), Anthony Averett (Ribs/Chest), Tayvon Young (Foot), Jimmy Smith (Foot/Ankle). It was a brutal season for injuries, especially at the cornerback position. It was so bad that the Ravens were starting practice squad players to fill in for the insane amount of injuries at cornerback. They could not keep up with the constant injuries at cornerback. On a side note, I like Jimmy Smith and he is a big piece to that Baltimore Ravens Superbowl team in 2012. But he was awful this season when he was healthy. I will not be shocked if the Ravens choose to not re-sign him next season. But the Ravens need to work on improving the depth at corner for the Ravens during the 2022 NFL Draft.
3. QB Lamar Jackson’s injuries
No question that this was going to be on the list. Especially as the QB position is the most important position on the offense excluding at blindside tackle. Oh dear, you thought the injuries were bad, well the one that hit Lamar Jackson was the nail in the coffin for the season. How did Lamar suffer the injury? Well, the Ravens in week 14 faced off against the Cleveland Browns and Lamar had suffered a low hit from Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. That hit resulted in Lamar getting an ankle injury and heck he was even carted off the field. Many like myself thought that he either broke/dislocated his ankle or Tore his Achilles Tendon. Luckily it was only a sprain but it was a bad sprain as Lamar did not even play the rest of the season. Even if Lamar played I doubt he would have been the same old Lamar as him utilizing his legs is why he is so good. Taking that away and Lamar would have struggled. I am not saying he is terrible at throwing the football but he does not have the best arm strength. So the Ravens had to end the season with Tyler Huntley at quarterback. Now Huntley was not as bad as I thought he would be but he did not perform as well as Lamar would.
I wonder what the Ravens do as a result of the disappointing season. I think the coordinators Greg Roman and Don Martindale's jobs are in danger but I doubt the Ravens fire John Harbaugh. I think the Baltimore Ravens this year are the 2020 San Francisco 49ers.