Ravens: Three Keys for Success

Did anyone see the Ravens coming in 2008?

I surely didn’t, and I doubt you did, either.

Still boosting a rookie head coach and quarterback, Baltimore managed to reach the AFC Championship game. With training camp on the horizon, will Charm City’s favorite birds once again be knocking on the Super Bowl’s door?

We start with the one unchangeable variable: the schedule. Along with the traditional home-and-home battles with divisional rivals Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, the Ravens will face off against the AFC West and NFC North, as well as Indianapolis and New England.

The Ravens will see four 2008 playoff teams (San Diego, Minnesota, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh) with three of the five contests occurring in enemy territory. A trip to New England also looms. Week seven brings a bye.

Trying to predict who’s good and who’s not is like penciling the Orioles into the World Series. It’s a waste of time.

The real question is, "what does Baltimore need in order to match or exceed last season's 11-5 mark and postseason run?"

Expectations are running high in Ravensville. Anything less than a return to the postseason will be considered an unmitigated catastrophe. 

Here’s what I believe to be three prerequisites for success.

1. Run the Ball.
   
   I know, I know, every blowhard who fancies himself an expert says that you have to run the ball to win. In Baltimore’s case, it’s true. In 2007, the Ravens finished 16th in the league at just over 112 yards per outing. They went 5-11. Last season, Baltimore bumped up it’s average to 148.5 yards and went 11-5. With Le’Ron McClain, Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, and first round pick Michael Oher (Mississippi) at tackle, this shouldn’t be difficult.
2. Beat the Bad Teams
   
   Even Nostradamus couldn’t successfully handicap the NFL. Teams rise from the abyss every year. However, Baltimore did not drop a contest against an opponent with a .500 or worse mark last season. That has to continue.
3. Make Special Teams Special.
   
   This shouldn’t be a problem with a former special team guru manning the wheel. Solid special teams play does nothing but augment a dominating defense and up-and-coming quarterback. Punter Sam Koch ranked eight in the league with a 45 yard gross average. Long snapper Matt Katula is one of the best.

All of that being said, here's a semi-worthless (who am I kidding?) completely worthless prediction: 12-4, AFC North Champions.