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NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) cannot make the catch as Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine (22) is called for pass interference in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) cannot make the catch as Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine (22) is called for pass interference in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens. 3. player. 26. . AFC. North

The Baltimore Ravens are back, and they have plenty of fire power to make a deep playoff run in 2015. Despite the losses of receiver Torrey Smith and tight end Owen Daniels in free agency, Baltimore looks primed for another January push behind head coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco. The two have made the playoffs each of their seven years, save for 2013.

The Ravens will have a bit of a different look this year with rookie Breshad Perriman starting opposite of Steve Smith Sr. on the outside. However, the interior of the offense is where the strength comes from. No team has a better duo of guards than the Ravens with Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele. At left tackle, Eugene Monroe is a consistent performer, helping to keep Flacco’s jersey clean and providing large holes for running back Justin Forsett.

Defensively, the front seven in one of the top groups in the NFL. After trading long-time nose tackle Haloti Ngata, and Ravens are rolling with a tandem of Brandon Williams and Jerrell Jernigan. On the edges are pass-rushers Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs, to aging players who are still producing at an elite level with a combined 29 sacks in 2014. The Ravens also have a stud in inside linebacker C.J. Mosley. As a rookie last year, Mosley made the Pro Bowl after leading the team with 133 tackles to accompany three sacks.

This is the most complete team in the AFC North. Although Flacco isn’t on the level of Roethlisberger, he has a better supporting cast and a quality head coach who is a proven winner. The secondary is a bit scary, but the rest of the team shows no apparent weakness. It would be surprising if Baltimore isn’t in the playoffs and slugging it out with the big boys.

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