NFL: 5 best bets to be new playoff teams in 2014
By Phil Watson
Baltimore Ravens (2013 record: 8-8)
The Ravens came within an eyelash of making the playoffs in the AFC last season, despite finishing last in the NFL in yards per carry at 3.1 an attempt.
With former Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak on board as the offensive coordinator, Baltimore will look to improve the running game in 2014.
Bringing in Steve Smith should give Joe Flacco the security blanket he lost when Anquan Boldin was traded to San Francisco after the Ravens’ Super Bowl win. At 35, no one expects Smith to be Baltimore’s No. 1 option in the passing game, but he will bring a fire to the Ravens that was missing at times in the first year of the post-Ray Lewis era.
It was a bit of a surprise that the Ravens went defense with their first three draft picks, but C.J. Mosley should be the foundation of the defense for the next decade or so; he’s that good.
The offensive line should benefit from a full season of Eugene Monroe at left tackle and the subtraction of Michael Oher at right tackle.
It was the first time in John Harbaugh’s six seasons in Baltimore that the Ravens missed the postseason. I’m not ready to bet on it happening two years in a row.