Former Quarterback Steve Beuerlein Believes It's Inevitable Lamar Jackson Wins a Super Bowl
The one thing missing from Lamar Jackson's lengthy list of accomplishments is a Super Bowl victory, but it feels inevitable that a generational talent such as the two-time MVP will eventually lead the Ravens to a Lombardi Trophy.
Compass Media Networks color analyst and former NFL quarterback Steve Beuerlein, who will work Saturday's Ravens-Cowboys preseason game in Dallas, agrees with the notion that Jackson's time will come.
"I think the argument holds up that Lamar is one of those guys, especially because he is with an organization that has proven under the leadership of John Harbaugh and the front office that they're going to do what it takes to be competitive every single year, and they're going to give this guy a chance to go into the playoffs every year with a roster that can hold up," Beuerlein, who played 14 seasons in the NFL, said on “Glenn Clark Radio.” "I think that's the key. He's going to have several more chances."
Beuerlein's take is on the mark. Obviously, a team can't win the Super Bowl unless it makes the playoffs, and the Ravens have been in the postseason in six of the seven seasons Jackson has been the starter. The only year they didn't make it was 2021, when Jackson was sidelined for the final four games with an ankle injury.
ESPN Rankings Have Ravens No. 1 Overall and at Three Position Groups
It certainly wouldn't be a surprise if this is the year the Ravens get over the hump, as a strong case can be made that they have the best roster in the league.
Just how loaded the Ravens are was reflected in ESPN’s Mike Clay’s positional rankings. Clay ranked all 32 teams at 13 positions and the Ravens took the No. 1 spot at quarterback, tight end, and cornerback. The Detroit Lions, who took the top spot at two positions, were the only other team to be No. 1 in multiple positions.
The Ravens were No. 1 overall.
"Baltimore has perhaps its best roster on paper since it won Super Bowl XLVII," Clay wrote. "Jackson is obviously the big difference-maker, but he has a ton of help at the skill positions (including Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and newcomer DeAndre Hopkins) and on the offensive line (led by Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum).
"The Ravens' defense, which has ranked in the top five leaguewide in sacks each of the past three seasons, returns 10 of its top 11 snap-getters from 2024 (including stars Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, Roquan Smith, Kyle Van Noy and Nnamdi Madubuike). They added potential impact players in star corner Jaire Alexander, first-round pick Malaki Starks and second-round pick Mike Green."
The Ravens also ranked in the top six at running back (No. 5), safety (No. 5), and offensive line (No. 6).
Their lowest-ranked position group was edge rusher, at No. 22 (no other unit was ranked lower than No. 13). It's surprising the Ravens weren't higher at edge rusher considering the team was No. 2 in sacks last season and returns two players coming off double-digit sacks in Van Noy (12.5) and Odafe Oweh (10.0).
The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles were No. 2 overall, followed by the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Lions.
Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr Predicts Result of Every Ravens Game
As he does annually, Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr predicted all 272 regular-season games. He has the Ravens going 12-5 to earn the AFC's No. 1 seed.
"This is a season of erasing the 'almost' game," Orr wrote. "This defined Baltimore's year in 2024, with critical games against the Chiefs and Bills, among others, ending up as losses because of some wayward toe placement or flubbed catch. From what I understand, Lamar Jackson has taken another massive leap this offseason in terms of leadership—an overlooked platitude that could, in my mind, end up as the ingredient to close critical early-season games against Buffalo and Detroit.
"This schedule doesn't appear as much of a gantlet when you take into account that Baltimore has one of the easiest slates in terms of travel. Still, back-to-back road games against the Packers and Steelers to finish the season will loom large. Both of those teams will be homing in on a playoff spot and will need wins to close the year."
Orr predicted the Ravens to get off to a 7-1 start, with their only loss coming at Kansas City in Week 4. He has them losing at Minnesota in Week 10, then going on a four-game winning streak to improve to 11-2, before losing three of their final four (at Cincinnati in Week 15, at Green Bay in Week 17, and at Pittsburgh in Week 18).
If Orr proves prescient, the Ravens will go 9-0 at home.
Nate Wiggins Named Ravens' Most Likely First-Time Pro Bowler
The Ravens have no shortage of Pro Bowlers, and NFL.com’s Kevin Patra believes Nate Wiggins could join them this season. Patra named the second-year cornerback as the Ravens player most likely to earn his first Pro Bowl nod.
"Many rookie corners get dragged around the gridiron. Not Wiggins," Patra wrote. "Like any cover man, he experienced ups and downs in his debut season, but he showed the physicality and ball skills to grow into an elite outside corner. His performance portends a breakout Year 2.
"Wiggins generated a -28.4 target EPA – tops among every single corner in the NFL last season, per Next Gen Stats – while allowing a 47.8% completion rate (third-best in the league among CBs targeted 50-plus times) and -4.5 receptions over expected (fifth). His -0.42 EPA per target ranked third, one tick behind 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II (-0.43). Wiggins also allowed zero touchdowns in coverage. He'll need to grab a few more picks to earn a Pro Bowl spot, but then again, he's in an even better position to shine in 2025, playing next to Marlon Humphrey and new teammate Jaire Alexander."
