Baltimore Ravens 2019 recap – Syndication Server

4 takeaways from the Ravens’ 2019 season

The Baltimore Ravens had a phenomenal 2019 season. Taking a look back, there is plenty to takeaway in order to improve in 2020.

When the 2019 season started for the Baltimore Ravens, there was excitement in the air but also senses of cautious optimism and eagerness. Questions about how good Baltimore was going to be were looming and some didn’t believe the team could take the next step forward. However, the Ravens finished the 2019 regular season with a 14-2 record, which was the best mark in franchise history.

Throughout the year much was learned about this Baltimore team. As we transition into the offseason, it’s important to look back on the season and see where the Ravens grew and what we learned.

As it’s been over a month since our last taste of Ravens football, let’s take a look at a few takeaways from the 2019 season for Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson is the real deal

The biggest question facing the Ravens at the start of the 2019 season was whether Jackson could be the long-term solution at quarterback. Many critics doubted his ability to improve as a passer, noting the questionable accuracy of his rookie season as proof. Now, it’s safe to say those questions were put to rest and Baltimore absolutely knows they’ve got the future of the position under center.

During his MVP campaign, Jackson threw for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions. It’s even more impressive when you consider Jackson sat out Week 17 and was rested in the fourth quarter of five different blowout wins. He improved on many aspects of his game including his footwork and reading the field which led to better accuracy and fewer turnovers.

Despite those improvements, arguably the most important evolution in his game was his awareness to be smart with his body, avoiding big hits and giving up a yard occasionally to make sure that he didn’t put himself in danger of a long-term injury. Seeing anyone get hit hard can raise some concern but Jackson has received a lot of criticism for his play-style as a quarterback.

Jackson proved with his play that he is the answer for Baltimore. He has everything the team needs and wants in a franchise quarterback, and he hasn’t even hit his ceiling yet. He has a bright future, both on and off the field.

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2019 Ravens recap: 5 studs and 4 duds

Which Baltimore Ravens performed well and which ones had bad years last season? We look at the biggest studs and duds from the 2019 season

Though the Baltimore Ravens didn’t finish the season hoisting the Lombardi Trophy or holding a parade, they broke several records and finished a franchise-best 14-2 with the team’s first-ever No. 1 seed in the AFC. With a lot of accomplishments during the 2019 season, there are a number of players who shone brightly while others failed to live up to expectations.

With that in mind, I took a look back at the Ravens’ 2019 season to see which players were the biggest studs and which ones were the biggest duds.

Stud: CB Marcus Peters

Peters got traded from a team that clearly didn’t want him and didn’t value him as a long-term option to a franchise that is seemingly in better shape to win a Super Bowl and handed him a big contract extension. It’s hard to find a bigger winner this season than Peters.

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Chuck Clark was the Ravens’ unsung hero in 2019

Chuck Clark didn’t win much acclaim for his 2019 deeds but he was a vital part of the Baltimore Ravens defense after Tony Jefferson’s injury

There are a host of big-name players who commanded praise for their role in taking the Ravens to a 14-2 regular-season record in 2019. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is likely to be named the leagues MVP. Tight end Mark Andrews was one of the best in the league at his position as he led the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The acquisition of cornerback Marcus Peters turned the defense around, leading to Matt Judon enjoying a career season. Safety Earl Thomas looked a lot like his old self during the regular season, too.

But while these players are enjoying their share of the acclaim, what about the players who no one seems to be talking about? The players who turned up, did their jobs very well but without pomp and circumstance? How about safety Chuck Clark?

NFL.com’s Adam Rank identified an “unsung hero” for every team and picked Clark as Baltimore’s quiet savior.

“Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the undisputed star of this team. And even on defense, when your squad brings in Marcus Peters during the season, it’s kind of easy to fly under the radar. Oh, sorry for the bird pun. That was unintentional. But while the move for Peters might have received a lot of credit for the Ravens’ defensive turnaround earlier in the season, Clark taking over for Tony Jefferson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 5, might’ve been the best move for this team.”

It’s hard to argue with what Rank said. Clark received tons of praise from his teammates this season, especially Thomas, for his football intelligence, according to Ravens staff writer Clifton Brown. And he played a pivotal role in Baltimore’s defense, seeing time at both safety and linebacker in the Ravens’ complex scheme. Yet, he only won one Player of the Game awards from us here at Ravens Wire in spite of his solid play every week.

Clark started all 11 games following Jefferson’s injury and registered 57 combined tackles in those games. He also registered a tackle for loss and landed three quarterback hits. Clark was no mug in coverage either, with eight of his nine passes defended coming in these 11 games. Throughout the season, Clark allowed 22-of-35 passes to completed in his coverage but surrendered just 193 yards. That’s an impressively miserly 5.5 yards per target. He also recorded his first career sack against the 49ers in Week 13.

Whether Clark has done enough to prove he is the long-term answer at safety is open to debate. Jefferson is still under contract in 2020, although the general consensus is he’s a possible cap casualty this offseason. The Ravens were also in on the Jamal Adams sweepstakes prior to the trade deadline and may well be interested in renewing that interest. But whatever the future holds, Clark played a vital role in Baltimore’s dominance in 2019, and for that, he should be celebrated.

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