Bar Set High For Ravens in 2009

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Start with experience. Joe Flacco is now a year older and a year wiser. His improvement from Week One to Week 17 last season was exceptional. If he can pick up where he left off, the Ravens offense should continue to improve as well.

Additionally, head coach John Harbaugh now has a year of experience as well. Players and assistant coaches alike should all be on board. No more transition period.

The same goes for offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. His progress with the offense last year was touted by fans and analysts. But it was clear for the first half of the season he was still getting used to the tools he had at his disposal—from Flacco and Troy Smith to Mark Clayton and Willis McGahee.

If all goes well, there is no reason the Ravens offense cannot take a big step forward and become a serious part of why the team is winning games.

But the Ravens have more than just experience playing into their fortunes in 2009. At first glance, the Ravens schedule this season appears easier than in 2008.

While the Ravens were still unlucky enough to draw perennial contenders Indianapolis and New England, their divisional draws are much friendlier. Two powerhouse divisions—the AFC South and NFC North—are out, replaced by a less intimidating foes, the AFC West and NFC North.

Add division rivals Cincinnati and Cleveland to the mix and the Ravens will face six teams (in a total of eight games) who finished with fewer than six wins in 2008.

Such numbers certainly make the playoffs seem well within the realm of possibility—perhaps even probability—for this team. If the Ravens can win the easy games, the fight for the playoffs is halfway won.

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