Late for Work: Argument for the Ravens' Super Bowl...

Late for Work: Argument for the Ravens’ Super Bowl Win (and Loss)

While the competition this weekend featured sub-zero conditions, victors and playoff heartbreaks,

the Ravens were at home awaiting their foe. They will continue to do so,

awaiting the result of today’s Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers wild-card matchup.

But as they do so, scouting both the Houston Texans and Steelers,

The Athletic’s Austin Mock wrote why each team in the

postseason will or won’t win the Super Bowl. Atop his list are the Ravens,

and he gave a sizable page of reasons why they are worthy.

“Because they’re one of the two most balanced teams in the NFL,” Mock wrote.

“When adjusting for garbage time and taking away their Week 18 performance when they rested starters,

including quarterback and MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson, the

Ravens rank fifth in EPA/play on offense and second in offensive success rate.”

Mock cited the Ravens’ production in advanced stats, pointing to just how successful their offense

has become this seasonunder Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken.

“They also boast a top-12 EPA/dropback figure and are fifth in dropback success rate,” Mock wrote.

“They also just happen to have the league’s best or second-best rushing attack,

depending on which metrics you prefer.”

Mock didn’t forget about their defensive metrics, either.

“But it doesn’t just stop on offense. Their defense ranks second in EPA/play and sixth in defensive success rate,” he wrote.

“It’stough to beat the Ravens through the air, as their defensive unit ranks second in

EPA/dropback and dropback success rate. Ifyou’re going to move the ball against this team,

it’s easier to turn to your rushing attack. However, with how often the Ravens

offense runs the ball, games start to shorten pretty quickly.

If you find yourself trailing, comebacks become very difficult.”

But for all the fun, Mock does point to one of the few weaknesses the Ravens have shown in spurts this season,

saying their rundefense could be what hurts them if they were to falter.

“Because they could give up a lot of yards on the ground, which keeps the ball out of Jackson’s hands,

” Mock wrote. “TheRavens rank 23rd in EPA/rush and 20th in rushing success rate.

If you had to choose to have an elite pass defense or an elite

rush defense, you’re picking the pass defense every time, but that doesn’t mean that a weak run defense can’t end your season.

All it could take for the Ravens to lose is a sub-par performance by Jackson and Co.,

and they could find themselves trailingwith the opposing offense marching downfield on

the ground — all while the clock is running out.”

Even with such a minor issue, it could be problematic. But there are few in the AFC,

Mock writes, that could pose a threat for Baltimore in the conference.

“Luckily for the Ravens, outside of the Bills, the AFC doesn’t boast the most efficient

rushing offenses this year,” Mock wrote. “Either way, if the Ravens go down,

it wouldn’t shock me if it’s their inability to stop the run that’s the primary culprit.”