Know Your Enemy finishes in 2025 with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens were 12-5 going 6-2 at home and 6-3 on the road but losing to Buffalo in the divisional round. Baltimore finished 3rd in scoring 30.5 PPG and 9th in defense allowing 21.2 PPG. Good on both sides of the ball. John Harbaugh returns for his millionth season as HC with OC Todd Monken in year 2 and DC Zach Orr.
Offense
Lamar Jackson is multi-time MVP with 119.6 QB rating in 2024 with 4,172 yards 41 TDS and 4 ints. That is insane. Oh he also had 915 yards rushing at 6.6 YPC and 4 TDs. He is a NFC killer as well only losing one game to an NFC team in his career.
Ravens also have Derrick Henry coming off 1,926 yards and 5.9 YPC with 16 TDS. Yet they were 3rd and Lions were 1st in PPG offense. Never forget.
Zay Flowers is their number 1 WR with 1,059 yards and 4 TDs. Rashod Bateman finally lived up to his 1st round billing a little bit with 756 yards and 9 TDs and received a new contract. Mark Andrews 673 yards and 11 TDs is a beast despite his drop in the playoffs. Isiah Likely also a solid TE with 477 yards and 6 TDs. DeAndre Hopkins was added to all this but he seems to be aging but still solid (437 yards and 4 TDS in 10 games with Chiefs). Not much depth with former 4th rounders Devontez Walker, Tylan Wallace and rookie 6th rounder LaShontay Wester. Justice Hill is a good change of pace RB though.
Some questions on the Oline with Ronnie Stanley (stud), Andrew Vorhees LG, Tyler Linderbaum (stud), Daniel Faale RG and Roger Rosengarten/Joe Noteboom at RT. Ravens should still have success but the Oline faltering is their only shot at struggles.
Ravens have a top 3 offense again and Lamar can throw. Monken worked wonders.
Defense
Nnamdi Madubuike is a stud 3-4 DE and had 6.5 sacks. Broderick Washington and Travis Jones (NT replacing Michael Pierce) are solid but will need to step up.
Odafe Oweh is a good 1st round pick (10 sacks) and Kyle Van Noy has been having success (12.5 sacks in 2024). Roquan Smith is a beast ILB and Trenton Simpson is a 2023 3rd rounder next to him. Adisa Isaac and Tavius Robinson is the OLB depth with Jake Hummel and 4th round rookie Teddye Buchanan at ILB.
The secondary is the strength with vet Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, super stud safety Kyle Hamiton, rookie 1st round pick Malachi Starks and nickel Jaire Alexander. All 1st round picks. If Jaire is healthy this is an elite secondary, if he is hurt, it is still a great secondary. Chidobe Awuzie, TJ Tampa, Keyon Martin is the CB depth. Awuzie is a solid experienced player who got big money from Titans. Ar Darius Washington and Sannousi Kane is the safety depth.
The Ravens defense isn’t super stacked up front but their secondary is and this will be a top 7 defense at least.
Schedule
Ravens host the Lions on MNF in Week 3 and the Bears in Week 8. Baltimore travels to Minnesota Week 10 and to Green Bay in Week 17. Super tough game for all NFC North teams. Loss for all is on the table.