NFL: Projecting final records for all 32 teams

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Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (92) and defensive tackle Chris Canty (99) and defensive end Marcus Spears (96) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Ravens 49-27. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were a brutal offensive football team in 2013. Ray Rice looked slow and lacked explosion, Joe Flacco regressed noticeably from the form that netted the Ravens a Super Bowl win, and aside from Torrey Smith, the pass-catching targets were nothing to get excited about on a per-game basis. However, Baltimore was still above-average defensively (7th in DVOA) and there is reason to believe that the addition of Steve Smith and Owen Daniels should invigorate the offense.

Still, the defense is aging a bit, and it is no longer the defensive juggernaut that many would associate with the franchise. Joe Flacco has never been an elite quarterback during the regular season, and while Smith and Daniels could be perceived as upgrades, each is on the wrong side of their career arcs with little upside left. The Rice suspension (two games) could pave the way for Bernard Pierce, but unless the Ravens get substantially better offensively, their “projected” win total of 6.9 from last season (when they went 8-8) looks to be right.

The Pick: 7-9

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