NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1
By Peter Panacy
If we’re bullish on the Giants, we’re bearish on the Ravens heading towards Week 1.
OK, sure. the Ravens move up a spot in our NFL power rankings. But that has more to do with the looming questions other teams are facing than anything Baltimore has done this preseason.
True, the Ravens upgraded some serious positions of need this past offseason, namely wide receiver, after grabbing Michael Crabtree and John Brown. Both should help veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who is going to be under a microscope with a talented rookie, Lamar Jackson, looking over his shoulder.
Baltimore’s defense, while aging, should be good enough to keep head coach John Harbaugh’s squad in contention for most of the first half of 2018. And any offensive output is only a bonus.
So it’s too early to write off the Ravens as a complete bust. But it wouldn’t be smart to project this squad on the upswing either.
Look for them to fall some more during the regular season unless Flacco has a resurgence.