The Purple Corner: What's Next For Baltimore?

By Tendai m. '22

2020 has been filled with challenges and setbacks for everyone, especially for the Baltimore Ravens. From COVID-19 cases to major injuries, the 2020-2021 football season has been nothing but easy for the team. 

The Ravens went from only two losses last season to being a 9-5 team closing in on the regular season. “Every defensive coordinator and defense goes into that game scared to death to play the Ravens. This year, no defensive coordinator is scared to play them because they’re simple,” explains former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky on the Mike Greenberg Show.

John Harbaugh and the Ravens have been burdened with many injuries during these past few months. Major playmakers like Nick Boyle and Ronnie Stanley have faced season-ending injuries. There have also been current and previous minor injuries suffered throughout the team. COVID-19 cases have also stirred up trouble for Baltimore with many players contracting the virus. Coming out of week eight, Marlon Humphrey, starting cornerback for the Ravens, was the first player to test positive for COVID-19. COVID spread like wildfire  throughout the Ravens’ facility with four strands of the virus present, but only one appeared to be contagious according to Jim Harbaugh. With most players activated now, it is safe to say The Ravens had as many as 20 players placed on the COVID/Reserve list during these last few weeks. Some of these players included QB star Lamar Jackson. Emotions were running wild from player to player on the fact that they were unable to play, but I think defensive end Calais Campbell sums it up the best. Calais said, “We just want to contain this outbreak! Speaking from experience...you don’t want to catch COVID! This virus is brutal! I pray no one else has to go through this. This is bigger than football”.

Lastly, the biggest challenge for the Ravens to manage this season has been the fans! The Ravens decided to not have a crowd for their week eleven game against the Tennessee Titans after allowing 4,345 fans to attend their rivalry game against the Steelers. Fans have always affected how the players move on the turf, and the team is suffering without the explosive energy of the fans.

Now how can The Ravens look past these negatives and finish out the season strong. The Ravens hold many hidden gems on the field such as Patrick Queen, Devin Duvernay, J.K. Dobbins, and newcomer Dez Bryant. However, it is important that John Harbaugh diversifies his offense with true weapons during the offseason. The offense must look different then they ever did in previous years. It is crucial for them to solidify their running game and work on their past protection. The Ravens are now 9-5, and ranked number three in the AFC West. On the brighter side their power ranking has gone up after their week 15 win that was not surprising against the Jaguars. But there is a problem that still lies, if the NFL season ended at this moment The Ravens do not have a playoff spot which is the biggest concern right now, because no playoffs means no superbowl. Last year the Ravens were the number one seed in the AFC. Now they are just on the bubble. The only way The Ravens have a playoff chance is if during these last two weeks of the season they win every game, but most importantly if the Titans, Browns, Dolphins, and Colts lose one of their last two games. Ironically it looks like The Steelers who are now on a three game losing streak have a lot of influence on the Ravens playoff chances, being that they play the Colts and the Browns in the next two weeks. There’s a lot riding on these games, and it looks like the Ravens may have to turn in their purple foam fingers for black and yellow ones to cheer on Mike Tomlin and his Steelers in order to keep their playoff dreams alive.