Will the Ravens bounce back from injury-strewn 2021 season?

The Baltimore Ravens endured a 2021 season full of injuries and struggles, but could be poised for a bounceback 2022 campaign after retooling their roster. The Ravens are one of a number of quality AFC sides capable of winning the Super Bowl in 2022 with odds of 18/1 that could be utilised with a free bet through Coral. Given the level of competition in the NFL, picking a Super Bowl winner can be a difficult process, but there could be a path to success for the Ravens in the 2022 season after their disappointing last term.

Last time out, they were forced to watch their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, win the division and the AFC Conference narrowly losing out to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl. The Bengals will be feeling optimistic about owning the AFC North crown again, but John Harbaugh and his team have the ability to cut their reign short.

Lamar Jackson battled through adversity in the 2021 season. Two years removed from his incredible MVP campaign, the quarterback received little support from his pass-catchers outside of tight end Mark Andrews. Jackson also had to deal with a number of injuries that he played through before suffering a season-ending ankle problem. He was not the only player on the roster to miss significant time as the Ravens’ injured reserve list was stacked with a number of Pro Bowlers.

Baltimore will be hopeful that they can avoid the injury-bug in 2022, as pound-for-pound their roster is one of the most talented in the AFC, led by one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Jackson has improved leaps and bounds in 2021, and is arguably a better player now than he was in his 2019 MVP season.

His ability to throw down the field was in question then, but he looks to be a lot more confident in that regard now. Baltimore will be looking for second-year wideout Rashod Bateman to have a breakout season in order to support Jackson and work alongside Andrews in the passing game. JK Dobbins’ return to fitness in the running game will also be crucial to ease the burden on Jackson, reducing the amount of hits he will have to endure over the course of the term carrying the ball.

When healthy, the Ravens have always boasted one of the most formidable defensive units in the league. They have the experience and quality, especially in the secondary, to be the decisive difference between Baltimore and the rest of the AFC. The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and the Bengals are not great defensive outfits. If the Ravens combine defensive resilience with a potent offense then it could be a recipe that will return the franchise back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2012 season.