Part of what has made the last handful of playoff losses so painful for the Baltimore Ravens is how tantalizingly close these teams have been on a true talent level.
Headlined by quarterback Lamar Jackson, a Super Bowl will always be possible with him in his prime, healthy, and under center. But these Ravens teams were not heartwarming underdog stories that happened to make a playoff run. They haven't been paper tigers that won one too many games. They've been top-flight competitors with starpower, an elite quarterback, and one of the most respected coaching staffs in football.
It's why Baltimore is a popular Super Bowl pick in the summer every year, and it's why expectations are so high in perpetuity.
Thus, it's no surprise the Ravens top Pro Football Focus' power rankings, even after a quiet free agency.
"After falling short of capitalizing on a historic season from Lamar Jackson, the Ravens made two critical moves-retaining talent and addressing a glaring offensive hole," Mason Cameron wrote. "They re-signed Ronnie Stanley, the top pending free-agent tackle, and added veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to bolster the passing attack.
"With a strong defensive foundation and an offense led by the highest-graded quarterback and running back tandem in the NFL, Baltimore is positioned to take the next step in the postseason."
Retaining talent can be as important as acquiring it, but Baltimore didn't make the biggest splash in free agency, or anything close to it. Hopkins will play an ancillary role in the passing offense, hoping to stave off the end of an accomplished career while chasing a ring in the process.
Related: Stanley Shows Ravens Loyalty, They Show Him the Money
However, part of this ranking is the departures other competitors saw. The Detroit Lions lost both coordinators, the Kansas City Chiefs have work to do on the offensive line, the Buffalo Bills remain flawed, and the Philadelphia Eagles lost multiple high-level defenders.
Each of those teams has a claim for the No. 1 spot, but Baltimore is just as talented and lost only guard Patrick Mekari and a few minor starters. Is there work to do? Sure, there always is. The Ravens, though, are already optimized in the backfield and have worked to add insulation to the passing offense.
Thus, they have every right to go into 2025, once again, with championship aspirations. With a star-laden roster, consistent infrastructure, and playoff experience, the upcoming campaign is wholeheartedly "championship or bust."
Related: Eagles Dare Ravens To Extend Henry
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 1:21 PM.