Though there’s little (zero) intrigue regarding who the Ravens will play in the 2023 season, there is some uncertainty as to when they’ll play them.
That uncertainty will be cleared away today.
Happy schedule release day!
— Here are the games announced thus far https://t.co/vMP6y5QbCZ
— Here are the opponents for every team in the 2023 season https://t.co/XjAamDf0ov— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 11, 2023
Of course, some of the mystery has been clarified already, as a number of the prime-time games have been released to the public the past few days, as well as the games that will be played overseas. For Ravens fans, hearing that their team will be in London brought back some memories of one particularly dark day in the team’s history — that 44-7 shellacking at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Of course, that wasn’t the only memory that remains for many fans of the team.
It's been 5 years since my Baltimore Ravens knelt in London over a bunch of lies and stood for God save the queen.
I've been done since and don't miss it! #SuperBowl2023#nfl #BoycottNFL pic.twitter.com/Q014uGhFlG
— GIB 🇺🇲 (@JGIB22413075) February 13, 2023
Another element of this announced game against the Tennessee Titans is that this has become one of those somewhat-rare non-divisional rivalries in the NFL — created from some old bad blood when the teams did compete for division supremacy, along with some playoff and regular-season clashes in recent years that stirred a little hostility between the players, fans and even coaches.
Another element to consider is that this takes away a potentially fun road trip for many Ravens fans who were banking on a trip to Nashville.
This is going to disappoint #Ravens fans who enjoy the trip to #Nashville. pic.twitter.com/nY8fHt9PlV
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) May 10, 2023
The Ravens have been holding a “football school” this week for players, and some attention has been paid to who hasn’t been in attendance (want to guess who could get people talking the most?)
New contract ✅
New OC ✅
New WRs✅
Showing up to voluntary OTA ❌The contract drama behind us, unfortunately Lamar breathed new life into the narrative that winning is secondary for him by being AWOL this week, says @RSRLombardi https://t.co/5W1pQWuYmO
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) May 11, 2023
There has also been some excitement over what the new offense will look like with Todd Monken taking over. The new offensive coordinator spoke to the press for a bit yesterday, and didn’t offer any real answers (why should he?), but he’s always an interesting interview.
New OC Todd Monken is excited for the offense and the offense is excited for new OC Todd Monken 👍 https://t.co/J2nlgNtBWr
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 10, 2023
It wasn’t only the offensive system that got some attention, either. Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer weighed in on what the people truly want to know.
Under Greg Roman, the Ravens surrounded Lamar Jackson with condensed formations and heavy personnel.
With a revitalized WR room, could Lamar lead a spread attack under Todd Monken?
“You’d like to be able to spread the field, use every blade of grass.”https://t.co/1KmfOgDdxF
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) May 11, 2023
Besides a brand new offense taking shape, and a little angst over the team’s cornerback depth, one other talking item of concern over the Ravens’ 2023 prospects focuses on their pass rush. Will they be able to generate enough with what they have? Will they bring in Justin Houston for Act 3 of carrying the edge-rush for the team?
Will the promising young duo of recent high draft picks pay off this year?
OLBs David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh taking reps together as part of #Ravens offseason program. Big things expected from both this year. pic.twitter.com/wt12rJKiy9
— Bo Smolka (@bsmolka) May 10, 2023
I’m of the opinion that Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo carry as much of next year’s defense on their shoulders as any duo on that side of the ball. If the two can create the kind of havoc their skill sets suggest they are capable of, well, that will help the defensive backs in their coverage and will prevent teams from being able to easily move up and down the field on the Ravens in those 2:00 drills at the end of halves, and trying to come back when the Ravens get out to a lead.
Picture the Ravens, with that run game and a consistent pass rush if they get a two-score lead in the fourth quarter of games.
Game. Set. Match.
