2023 Ravens Season Aftermath

“Here’s Kansas City from the 19, throwing at the goal line! And it’s caught by Kelce! For the Touchdown!” Really? You have this great of a season where you shed so many past reputations both in the regular season and playoffs, only to do THAT! You may be wondering why aren’t you putting this in the Charm City Beasts episode? It’s because something horrible is about to happen to the cast. Back to what I was saying, I’m not mad because they lost against a team that has been to 4 of the last 5 Super Bowls, and is threatening the Patriots as the Greatest Dynasty in League History that is understandable. What bothers me is that this game was like reliving past failures. Almost every single flaw and issue that doomed the Ravens over the last 5 years came back to haunt them again. (And really every single flaw going back to the days of Brian Billick) Especially at the worst possible times. I’ve said this for pretty much my entire lifetime and I’m saying it again. THIS TEAM’S BIGGEST ENEMY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEMSELVES! It doesn’t matter who the head coach, the QB, the coordinators, skill players, etc is, this always happens. Whether it’s Pittsburgh, New England, Indianapolis, or now Kansas City who is the victor in these situations is up for debate. Now we get to suffer through a Super Bowl that quite possibly is going to break the internet and the rest of the league especially if the Chiefs win it all. Football’s version of “The Proposal” is right now inevitable. Time to get my ax again. PAUSE.

Is it me or is Lamar Jackson morphing into the modern day Peyton Manning? There are a ton of similarities. Both QBs are excellent at in-game audibles, (I’m so glad Lamar improved that this year) they’re usually tremendously accurate passers, and they always dominate in the regular and in the early rounds of the playoffs. But they each have one big flaw. Getting exposed later in the postseason by the boogeyman of the conference. Planet LJ against Kansas City turned into the Sheriff whenever he had to play the Patriots. You may be excellent at changing plays, so is your opponent. There’s a reason why the Chiefs made so many adjustments before plays, because they knew that if they weren’t fooled by Lamar’s audibles they would take advantage. And that’s what they did. I know people will say Jackson won’t get this close again, but I still think he’ll eventually win a championship. It happens with so many of the game’s greats. Too many guys struggle in the playoffs early in their careers only to rebound as they get old. And Lamar’s only 27 so he’s still got time. No I wouldn’t call this a choke job. That would insist that they went 1 and done in the playoffs again and lost to a division rival. (He did suck against the Chiefs, but the entire offense joined him) PAUSE.

I didn’t want to say this but I have no choice. Mark Andrews needs to be traded. THERE I SAID IT! If you watched the Ravens closely this year, you’ll notice how Lamar’s numbers got better once Andrews got injured. But once he came back for the AFC Championship, Lamar was like “Where’s 89, where’s 89, he must be somewhere, anywhere.” Considering how well Isaiah Likely played during that span, he’s earned the #1 TE slot going forward. Look I know Mandrews is on pace to shatter all of Todd Heap’s franchise records for a TE, but they have to move on. Not only could they get serious value in return, they could also use that cap space to resign several key players on defense. Not to mention, just like Lamar this year, Flacco’s numbers in 2011 and 2012 got better once Heap left. I think that’s the move. It sucks since he’s one of the better TEs in the game, but honestly, it’s for the best. PAUSE.

This team needs a serious overhauling of the Offensive Line. I know they’ve invested a ton of resources into it and they have one of the better O-Line coaches in the league, but they must be dragged into one kicking and screaming. Ronnie Stanley has not been the same player he was since he broke his ankle in 2020, Morgan Moses fell off hard at the end of the season, and John Simpson was ok, but not when your responsibility is to be the pulling guard. When you have to shuffle between tackles all season long there is a problem. Especially considering that Patrick Mekari is inconsistent, and Daniel Faalele isn’t ready to step in. The only constants on this line were Tyler Linderbaum, and Kevin Zeitler. And Zeitler is probably retiring in the offseason, and even if he does come back he’ll be 35 years old. What they need is excellent pass protectors. It’s been their biggest flaw since Marshal Yanda retired, and it showed in both playoff games this year. (Ironically this was their issue a decade ago once Ogden retired) Had they committed to passing the ball against the Texans they probably would have lost that game as well. To me that’s their biggest priority this offseason. If they can’t solve that issue, this line is going to kill Lamar like it did in 2021. PAUSE.

Zay Flowers, look I really enjoy watching you play. I think you have a ton of talent and are going to be a dynamo at WR for years to come. But seriously, why did you have to turn into Marquise Brown for this one game? Look I know you had the great catch for the tying score late in the 1st Quarter, and were the only one that was able to create space. But there’s one thing you don’t do. YOU DO NOT STEP OVER ANYONE ESPECIALLY LJ SNEED AND PRETEND YOU’RE ALLEN IVERSON! You know why? Because karma will eventually strike. Wouldn’t you know it he channeled his inner Jamal Lewis and Tyler Huntley by fumbling on the 1 yard line. That play arguably cost the Ravens a shot at the Super Bowl. And he hurt his hand in frustration. Joystick, I know you’re only a rookie but I have some advice. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN! Although he does have the right mindset of working his butt off in the offseason. That’s always a start. PAUSE.

Odell Beckham and Patrick Queen. We need to talk. You two spent more time this season trying to date celebrities than actually putting in the actual work. PQ at least made the Pro Bowl, used the motivation he got from Ariana Grande while the team was in London as a springboard for the rest of the season and is going to get a massive contract either here or somewhere. (Plus he also went for Dua Lipa, URK!) What is your excuse OBJ? You spent more time hanging out with Kim Kardashian than you did scoring touchdowns. I know you two wanted to copy a certain couple that is now going to be hated in this city forever but seriously. PUT SOME FREAKING EFFORT INTO PLAYING THE ACTUAL GAME! To be fair they did just that but you kind of get the feeling they were too focused on their off the field shenanigans. Luckily for the sake of Boy Wonder, both of them will be gone in the offseason. And even if Beckham does come back, he won’t have the same pay raise he had this year. The man can dream though. PAUSE.

John Harbaugh is still a solid coach. He’s won almost 175 games and will be headed to the Hall of Fame once his career is over. But he has had one massive flaw that has held him back. He has struggled mightily in the playoffs against former assistants let alone his old boss. Other than the Chargers game in 2018, the last four times they’ve lost in the playoffs has been when he’s gone up against coaches who know his system very well. We saw it with Dean Pees in 2019, we saw it with Lezile Frazier the next year in Buffalo, we saw it with Lou Anarumu last year, and now we saw it against Steve Spagnuolo as well as his old boss Andy Reid. If it weren’t for Clyde Edwards Helaire’s fumble in 2021, Harbs would be 0-7 against Big Red since 2012. That’s not a coincidence. That’s getting straight up owned and the fact that every time he tries to adjust it seems that Reid is always one step ahead of him. (That’s the one reason why I didn’t want the Chiefs in the playoffs) Although in Harbs’ defense, when will people realize that Andy Reid eats former assistants of his for breakfast especially in the playoffs? (He’s undefeated in that category in January) The question I have now is how long will he want to coach? He has two years left on his contract, so I can definitely see him stick those years out before retiring after 2025. Unless he wants to go into television like Billick did after 2007. The fans won’t like it but he’s still going to be here because the Ravens don’t fire coaches. Especially after making it to the AFC Championship Game after a 9 year absence. (I don’t like his 1-5 record in Conference Title Games. But hey most of it wasn’t his fault other than this year) PAUSE.

Todd Monken, what the hell was that? I won’t try to go too hard on him because he had an excellent first season as the OC where Lamar reached new heights, and they became a matchup nightmare. But I do have one issue. Why did you revert back to how awful a play caller you were while you were in Tampa back in 2018. You’re calling 40 passing plays in this game, when you have three solid RBs? Look I get that the Chiefs were stacking the box, while making so many adjustments in-between plays, and dared them to beat their two elite corners but at least give the running game a chance. I do think he and Lamar played scared. That’s what happens when Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are on the other side. It happens to a lot of teams. Look at Buffalo last week. The exact same thing happened in the 2nd Half of that game as well. It tends to happen when Spagnuolo coaches circles around you, and makes twice as many adjustments. I’m not saying Monken didn’t adjust, it’s just that Kansas City was always one step ahead of them and put 8 guys in the box. Don’t worry General, at least you have all offseason to correct the mistakes you made in this game. As long as you don’t turn into Greg Roman you’ll be fine. PAUSE.

Out of all the things that would cost the Ravens the last I figured would be Justin Tucker of all people poking the bears known as Kelce and Mahomes. Well it happened. Although I know JT has a routine where he always stretches before he warms up, but this is where he went too far. If you’re going to go someplace, don’t go right in front of the 2 best players in football. Because if you do stuff like this happens. Well guess what. Mahomes was throwing his kicking tee and Kelce was playing with his helmet. That set the tone. A wiseman once said these words, You can doubt the Chiefs, you can dislike the Chiefs, you can disrespect the chiefs, but you’re going to have to deal with the Chiefs. Tucker and his teammates learned this lesson the hard way. URK! PAUSE.

Remember when Jeffery Maier stuck his hand over the wall to steal a home run in the 1996 ALCS which ultimately started the Yankee Dynasty under Joe Torre? He’s now lost his title as the most hated non athlete in Baltimore Sports History. During all my years as a Ravens fan, I never thought I would make this claim but I’m going to. The name Taylor Swift will now live in infamy in this town. (I would say Shawn Smith but he already is hated in Baltimore because of 2017) The amount of the ratings the NFL has gotten this year is a result of their expansion into teenage girls and TikTok. This game is proof that the NFL isn’t going to stop promoting this anytime soon. You know why. There were so many fights in this game. And regardless of who started the fights every time there was a flag you knew it would be against Baltimore. (Kelce starts a fight, and throws a player to the ground, PENALTY ON THE RAVENS) The resurrection of the BS chants from the replacement refs fiasco in 2012 has been confirmed. Even if the Ravens did commit to the run, they probably would have been called for holding 5-7 times. This year Baltimore was the least penalized team in the NFL, in the AFC Championship they had 13 penalties. (17-18 if they ran the ball) This is what you wanted NFL. Now all of America believes that every single game in these playoffs was rigged as a way to create the most predictable ending possible. (The Chiefs are winning it all and Kelce will propose. I’ve been saying this since November!) Niners fans, I’m warning you. What happened to us and the Bills is about to happen to you. (It’s going to be Super Bowl XL all over again) PAUSE.

You know something, I’m not mad about this game. This is what I saw a lot of in my childhood, especially 2010 and 2011. I’ve seen this movie before. I’m mad because I thought this team was different. The amount of talent on offense, an historic defense, Harbaugh learning from his mistakes. I got fooled, and so did the rest of the fanbase. And we’re mad at ourselves. This team didn’t shed all of their flaws. And now it’s come back, but in a different way. Being exposed against teams with power rushers, and struggling against former Harbaugh assistants. I don’t know what’s going to happen going forward. They have a ton of free agents in the offseason, Joe Hortiz has already left for the Chargers, plus Mike Macdonald, Zach Orr, and Anthony Weaver could be gone as well. For the fans that want Harbs to retire or step down, you’re stuck with him for 2 more years at minimum, unless he wants to go into TV. Although I do believe that this loss isn’t as bad as some of the ones they’ve had in recent years. This isn’t as bad as 2019 because that team didn’t even score a TD in their opening game and got blown out. This team at least got to the AFC Championship only to lose to a dynasty. The question I’m pondering right now is simple. Will this loss like 2011 spark a Super Bowl run, or will this be the game that finally breaks the franchise? Right now I don’t know. It depends on how they view the offseason. Even if Macdonald is gone they’ll probably hire Jesse Minter who by the way replaced him at Michigan, and they’ll probably trade their 1st Round pick for the first time since 2012 as an attempt to overhaul the O-Line and fix the WR room depending on who stays or goes. My hope is that they’ll be back in this spot again in 2024, and maybe then it might be when they finally get over the hump. As long as Lamar, Zay, Roquan, Hamilton are around they have a real shot at a title. No, this season wasn’t a failure, I’d say it’s a successful season that really just ended on a bad day. It’s crazy how this team wins Super Bowls when no one expects them to, yet crumbles when they look unstoppable. Thus the great circle of life.