As the Baltimore Ravens begin their road through the playoffs, they’ll need to see improved play in order to get to Super Bowl LIV. In spite of being the best team in the league entering the postseason, every game means more now and Baltimore’s opponents will come more prepared.
While every player will need to play their best games in the postseason, there are a few that have to step up a little more. That’s not to say they’ve been playing poorly, just that they’ll face opponents looking to take advantage of them specifically.
Here are the 4 Ravens who need to step up in the playoffs if Baltimore is to make it to Super Bowl LIV.
OLB Jaylon Ferguson
Baltimore is going to go up against a bunch of really good rushing teams in the playoffs, starting with the Tennessee Titans and running back Derrick Henry. At times this season, the Ravens have struggled when setting the edge in the run game and have allowed running backs to pick up big yards. They can’t have that in these final few weeks if they want to get to Super Bowl LIV.
Ferguson has been steadily improving throughout his rookie season but will be tested in the playoffs. You better believe the Titans are going to run right at him with Henry until he proves he can stop it. Ferguson also needs to make a bigger impact as a pass rusher
Ferguson also needs to pick up the slack in the pass rush as well. He has 1.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits in the final four games of the season but with better quarterbacks in the playoffs, it would be nice to have another real threat opposite Matthew Judon for defensive coordinator Don Martindale to use.