Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Final post-Super Bowl LII standings around the league

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 and offensive guard James Hurst #74 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 and offensive guard James Hurst #74 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens. 16. team. 26. . . Previous:

The Baltimore Ravens nearly squeaked into the postseason last year, largely thanks to their sixth-ranked yardage defense, but there are plenty of problems to warrant a drop down in our NFL power rankings from the end of the season.

That defense, led by defensive tackle Terrell Suggs, is getting older. Suggs is 35 years old, while Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle just turned 33 years old.

New infusion is needed. And on offense too, where the Ravens ranked 27th in total yards (4,886).

Of course, the big discussion will focus around quarterback Joe Flacco. The veteran finished 25th in passer rating, tied with Eli Manning of the Giants (80.4). And with his massive $24.75 million cap hit in 2018, Baltimore is walking into dangerous salary waters this offseason.

The Ravens were another one of those teams listed on Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald’s list of teams in the worst cap situation entering 2018. Here’s what he had to say:

"They have just $12 million in cap room next season and some of the most leveraged contracts in the league, including the Joe Flacco contract that is the worst in the NFL. They can create some space releasing veterans but given the way they usually operate they probably won’t do that and will instead restructure contracts and continue kicking the can."

Pretty much.