Ravens Record-Breaking Season
The Ravens broke so many records in what was the best season in the franchise history last year. While there is not so much going on during the off-season, we decided to recall how it all looked like half a year ago when they were chasing the second consecutive top spot in the AFC North.
Before we move on to the regular season, let’s just remind ourselves of a fantastic job Baltimore did in the pre-season where they picked up four wins from four games against Jaguars, Packers, Eagles, and Redskins in August last year. As reported by bettingtips 4 you they conceded no more than 35 points in total in the process. It had been the best possible introduction to what happened after.
Only two losses in the regular season
The Ravens began their 24th NFL campaign, the 12th with head coach John Harbaugh at the helm, with a comprehensive 59-10 win over Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Nothing suggested a historical run after Week 4 when the home defeat to Cleveland Browns left them at 2-2. Nevertheless, the overtime win at Pittsburgh Steelers turned the course of the season around or Harbagh’s men who won twelve successive matches to finish top of the AFC North and clinch the No 1 seed in the AFC.
Significant changes
Baltimore began the season as the only team in the league with three former Heismann Trophy holders in their ranks (Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III, and Mark Ingram Jr.). At the same time, it was the outfit’s maiden season without Joe Flacco since 2007, following his trade to Denver Broncos. Additionally, Eric DaCosta took over Ozzie Newsome at the general manager position.
Team Records
Baltimore broke several significant records during their incredible run in the 2019 regular season. They were the only NFL side to score at least 20 points in each of 16 affairs. They were also the only team in the league to successfully convert more than half of their drives (either by touchdowns or field goals).
The phenomenal and highly important victory over San Francisco 49ers (13th week) sent the team on a 10-2 record. They went on to beat Bills, Jets, Browns, and Steelers to end the campaign with 14 wins and just 2 defeats in the entire season. They managed to bear the previous franchise record in the number of points scored in a season by the 15th week. They improved it with the last round’s win over Cleveland Browns, extending the number of total points scored to more than 500.
Moving forward, the Ravens broke the league’s record in the number of rushing yards having run for 3,296 in 16 matches. They also became the only outfit to have ever averaged at least 200 passing and rushing yards per game in a season.
Individual Records
Lamar Jackson was the main catalyst to everything described above as he led the team in almost all parameters. The league’s MVP became the second quarterback to have ever rushed for 1,000 or more yards in a season. Lamar has set the new record on this field, leaving legendary Michal Vick behind.
Unsurprisingly, as many as 13 Ravens (the most in the whole league) were rewarded with a place in the 2020 Pro Bowl as a result of such a scintillating campaign. Lamar Jackson (Pro Bowl Offensive MVP), Marlon Humphrey, Justin Tucker, Ronnie Stanley, and Marcus Peters were named for the 2019 All-Pro Team.
Finally, John Harbaugh deservedly claimed the 2019 NFL Coach of the Year award, while Greg Roman claimed honors for being the 2019 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.
The shocking defeat to the Titans
Unfortunately, the Ravens’ fairytale came to an end in their inaugural post-season affair as they fell 12-28 at home to Tennessee Titans. Baltimore did not have the weapon to match Derrick Henry’s outstanding performance. Tennessee running back claimed 205 of his team’s 300 yards on the occasion.
Baltimore outplayed their rivals in the number of yards (530) but made mistakes at crucial moments. Harbaugh’s troops made three turnovers and failed to convert four fourth downs. As a consequence, the Ravens were the maiden No 1 seed to lose to the 6th seed since the Nets stunned New England Patriots in 2010. Interestingly, Henry’s Titans had just shocked the Patriots at Gillette Stadium before visiting the M&T Bank Stadium in January this year.
Jackson, who enjoyed a spectacular spell of form in the regular season, completed just 31 of 59 passes, throwing two interceptions on the night. Anyhow, the NFL MVP is expected to keep Baltimore at the highest level this year. We are yet to see if the Ravens can match the prolific campaign they had last time out. Either way, the future looks more than promising and it is no doubts great to be a Baltimore fan ahead of the 2020 season.