Ravens’ special teams rated No. 1 in Rick Gosselin’s annual rankings

The Ravens special teams play of 2021 got them ranked No. 1 in Rick Gosselin’s annual NFL special teams rankings.

The Baltimore Ravens have been known to have great special teams talent over the years. When the most-accurate kicker in NFL history, a punter who in 2021 tied for eighth in the league with punts inside the 20-yard line and a wide receiver who finished second in punt return yards and ninth in kickoff return yards are on the same squad, people take notice.

On Thursday, Rick Gosselin of FanNation released his annual NFL Special Teams Rankings. It’s no surprise that with the talent Baltimore has on special teams that the team would find themselves No. 1 on the list.

Gosselin ranked all 32 teams in 22 kicking-game categories. Points were assigned according to their standing – one for best and 32 for worst, according to the FanNation article. The Ravens finished with 241.5 points, 30 points better than the runner-up Indianapolis Colts (272).

Gosselin said Baltimore’s special teams unit finished first overall due to the team finding themselves in the top 10 of 14 different categories. They also had two special teams players voted to the Pro Bowl.

“The Ravens, under special teams coach Chris Horton, finished first in five of the 22 categories, Gosselin said in the article. “They also finished in the Top 5 in four other categories and the Top 10 in five others. Tucker was voted to the AFC Pro Bowl team – one of two Baltimore special-teamers so honored. Devin Duvernay also was selected as the return specialist after leading the NFL in punt returns with his 13.8-yard average.”

Here is the breakdown of where the Ravens ranked best:

Field goal percentage: No. 1 (94.5 percent)

Punt returns: No. 1 (13.8 yards)

Extra point percentage: Tied 1st (100 percent)

Opponent field goal percentage: No. 3 (75 percent) 

Kickoff coverage: No. 4 (18.6 yards)

Field goals: No. 4 (35)

Penalties: No. 4 (10 for 74 yards)

With Baltimore having a head coach in John Harbaugh who is known for his history as being an NFL special teams coach, it’s not shocking to see the Ravens take the crown in Gosselin’s rankings.