The Great Baltimore Reset

After the Ravens Divisional Round loss to the Jaguars, the PML community was buzzing with speculation. Baltimore carried what many considered the best roster in the league, but with almost no cap flexibility over the next two seasons, it was impossible to keep the core together. Decisions had to be made and they came faster, and more dramatically, than anyone expected. In a stunning early offseason shakeup, the Ravens moved on from several beloved franchise pillars Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey, Roquan Smith, and Keaton Mitchell. The moves weren’t shocking in nature, but the speed and decisiveness behind them caught the entire league off guard. Baltimore then traded away its first round pick for a haul of later selections, choosing to stockpile draft capital rather than chase a single blue-chip talent. From there, the front office targeted players through both the draft and free agency who filled specific needs and fit the organization’s culture. Not necessarily the most talented prospects, but the ones who embodied the “Play Like a Raven” mentality. Just a year ago, many wondered if Baltimore could even stay competitive after shedding so much star power from what was once the league’s premier roster. Today, the Ravens are 9–2 with a significantly lower overall roster than the year before — and they look more dangerous than ever. While the offense isn’t putting up the same yardage numbers as last season, that’s largely because the defense is doing the heavy lifting. This unit, which struggled to crack the top 20 last year, has transformed into an arguable top-five defense in PML. They’re generating turnovers, scoring points, and consistently giving the offense short fields. It’s been the biggest shift in the team’s identity. Instead of shootouts, Baltimore is now dictating terms. They’re jumping on teams early, forcing opponents to abandon their game plans, and turning games one-dimensional. On multiple occasions this season, the Ravens have built 21–28 point leads in the first quarter, setting an unmistakable tone from the opening kickoff. This year’s Ravens may not be as star-studded as last season but they’re disciplined, cohesive, and relentless. And that might be even more dangerous