Ravens set sights on Super Bowl or bust campaign

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass as he rolls out of the pocket during the fourth quarter of the National Football League game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 22, 2019, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

After finishing with the league’s best regular-season record in 2019, the Baltimore Ravens are looking to win their third Super Bowl.

Best-case scenario

A Super Bowl victory.

The Ravens have a mostly young team led by the second unanimous NFL MVP in history. Lamar Jackson getting over the playoff hurdle would be the headline, but the story would be the Ravens gowing up together. Baltimore is coming off a 14-win season where it had 12 Pro Bowl selections (not counting alternates).

This is one of the most talented teams in the NFL and it has the most unique offense in the NFL. Super Bowl glory is the exciting expectation coming into this season.

Worst-case scenario

It’s a Super Bowl or bust season.

The Ravens come into the season with championship expectations and are supposed to have 10+ wins if you listen to the oddsmakers. The worst thing that can happen to the Ravens is having a third straight loss in the NFL postseason. In some ways, it would be worse than even having an injury-plagued campaign.

The Ravens want nothing more than to get the bad taste of playoff disappointment out of their mouths. A third straight postseason loss would cast doubt over the brewing excitement in Baltimore.

Biggest offseason move

Trading for Calais Campbell is going to make the biggest difference this season. The Ravens will now have a more dominant defensive line. They won’t be over-dependent on blitzing or on their outside linebackers to get pass rush.

Now that Earl Thomas was released, this will be even more important. The Ravens’ front seven is set to make a very big impact.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

Patrick Queen will complete the defense. The Ravens needed an every-down linebacker and they got him.

Queen will help in both run and pass defense and he’s created nothing but positive buzz since the moment he was drafted. The former LSU star adds speed and power right into the middle of the defense.

Overall expectations

Baltimore should win the Super Bowl this season. This shouldn’t just be the goal but the standard.

The Ravens should have another season of making teams look silly with Jackson running amok. Baltimore addressed their biggest areas of need this offseason after winning 14 games last year.

Will it will be harder than last year? Of course. Twelve-game winning streaks don’t come around every season.

There have never been expectations this high in Baltimore.