Fansided

Each NFL team’s most important game in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

Chicago Bears outside linebackers Khalil Mack (52) and Leonard Floyd (94) sack Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) on December 16, 2018, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)
Chicago Bears outside linebackers Khalil Mack (52) and Leonard Floyd (94) sack Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) on December 16, 2018, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) walks off the field after the Ravens lose to the Los Angeles Chargers 23-17 on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun/TNS via Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) walks off the field after the Ravens lose to the Los Angeles Chargers 23-17 on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun/TNS via Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens: Week 1 at Miami Dolphins

A season ago, the Baltimore Ravens owned a 4-5 record after nine games and were in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Enter then-rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson. And what followed was six wins in the club’s final seven regular-season games as John Harbaugh’s club claimed it first division title since 2012. Jackson threw for five scores and was picked off three times.

But he also ran for 556 yards and four scores during that stretch. Led by those young legs and a change in philosophy, the Ravens turned to the ground attack down the stretch and would finish with the second-most rushing yards in the league.

This offseason, the club promoted Greg Roman to offensive coordinator and the attack is being geared to take advantage of the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner’s skills. There have been more than a few changes when it comes to the pass-catching corps as well. So it will be interesting to see what the Ravens (who alternate road and home games all season) look like on opening weekend in South Florida against a Dolphins’ team under the guidance of first-time NFL head coach Brian Flores.

All told, it may be important for Baltimore to get off to a good start before an important three-game stretch vs. the division rival Browns, Steelers (at Pittsburgh) and Bengals from Weeks 4-6.

Next: Buffalo Bills

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