The Baltimore Ravens are once again on the cusp of Super Bowl greatness after their playoff run last season, and there’s no reason to think that 2015 won’t mark the ascent of the Ravens back to the top of the NFL mountain. Here are four reasons why they're guaranteed to win the AFC North this year:
4) Elite Offensive Line
QB Joe Flacco was sacked just once in the team’s two playoff games last postseason, and that was emblematic of a 2014 campaign that saw the O-line dominate both in run blocking and against the pass rush. It only promises to get better with young right guard John Urschel and left tackle James Hurst having a year of NFL experience under their belts. Flacco has only been sacked twice this season, and keeping him upright will be the biggest key to Baltimore's success.
3) One Monkey Off Their Backs
The Ravens may have seen their season come to an end against Tom Brady and the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, but last season’s playoffs should be remembered for the game before that. Baltimore finally beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, and they did it in dominating fashion. That’s reason enough to wear a Cheshire Cat grin heading into this coming campaign.
2) New Offensive Weapons
First-round pick Breshad Perriman was the premiere clutch receiver in this draft when it comes to slipping coverage in the red zone, and his ability to be an elite deep threat should cancel out the loss of Torrey Smith once he returns to the field at the beginning of October. Add in Steve Smith's continued dominance and the emergence of Crockett Gillmore, and Baltimore's offense should be even better than last year's unit.
1) Joe Cool
Let's get one thing straight: Joe Flacco does not earn his $120 million contract during the regular season, but he earns every cent in the postseason. No matter how pedestrian or average Flacco's regular season numbers look, the Ravens can always count on him to produce in a big way in the postseason. As long as Baltimore makes the playoffs - which they should do easily - Joe Cool/January Joe/Where Was This Guy In The Regular Season will alway give them a chance to win the Super Bowl.
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