Ravens Record: A Season of Surprises—The Full Story of Baltimore's Thrilling 2019 Campaign

The 2019 NFL season was one for the ages, and no team exemplified that more than the Baltimore Ravens. With their surprising return to the postseason and a dramatic playoff run, the Ravens left fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipating the next chapter in their franchise's storied history. In this article, we'll delve into the full story of the Ravens' record-breaking 2019 season, exploring the key factors that contributed to their success and what it means for the team's future.

For fans of the Ravens, the 2019 season was a thrilling ride from start to finish. Despite losing several key players to injury, the team persevered and continued to show signs of life. Led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, who would go on to win the NFL MVP award, the Ravens stormed through the regular season, finishing with a 14-2 record and earning the number one seed in the AFC.

The Ravens' success can be attributed to a number of factors, including their strong team defense, which allowed just 17.1 points per game. The team's defensive line, led by quarterback sacks leader Yannick Ngakoue, was nearly unstoppable, with several players notching double-digit sack totals.

The Lamar Jackson Effect

Lamar Jackson's incredible season was a major factor in the Ravens' success. The young quarterback's unique blend of speed, agility, and arm talent made him a nightmare for opposing defenses to prepare for. Jackson's ability to extend plays with his feet and make defenders miss made him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

Despite the Ravens' talented receiving corps, which included stars like Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead, Jackson's passing numbers were surprisingly low. However, his ability to make plays with his legs more than made up for it, as he averaged 7.2 yards per carry and rushed for 7 touchdowns.

Jackson's Play-Action Passes

One of the most effective aspects of Jackson's game was his ability to execute play-action passes. The quarterback's ability to fake a handoff and then pull the ball back, launching a deep pass down the sideline, was a major factor in the Ravens' scoring success.

• 72% of Jackson's passes were throwaway passes, but he was able to convert them into big gains.
• Jackson's play-action passes were particularly effective, as he was able to take advantage of the defense's aggressiveness and get his receivers open for big gains.
• The Ravens' play-action passing game was so effective that it accounted for 44% of their total offense.

The Ravens' Strong Team Defense

The Ravens' defense was a major factor in their success, allowing just 17.1 points per game. The team's defensive line, led by Ngakoue, was nearly unstoppable, with several players notching double-digit sack totals.

• Ngakoue's 14.5 sacks were the most by a player on the team, but he was just one member of a deep and talented defensive line.
• The Ravens' defensive line was also impressive in terms of its ability to rush the quarterback, as they averaged 8.4 sacks per game.
• The team's secondary, led by cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Chuck Clark, was also a major factor in their defensive success, as they allowed just 6.1 yards per attempt.

The Ravens' Running Game

The Ravens' running game was a major factor in their success, as it provided a solid complement to Jackson's passing attack. The team's running backs, led by Mark Ingram II, were particularly effective, as they averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored 11 touchdowns.

• Ingram's 1,094 rushing yards were the most by a player on the team, but he was just one member of a talented group of running backs.
• The Ravens' running game was also impressive in terms of its ability to control the clock, as they averaged 30:23 of total time of possession per game.
• The team's blocking scheme was also a major factor in their success, as it allowed them to open up big holes for their running backs.

The Ravens' Coaching Staff

The Ravens' coaching staff was a major factor in their success, as they made several key adjustments throughout the season that helped the team stay ahead of the curve.

• Head coach John Harbaugh's decision to go with a heavy personnel package on third down was a major factor in the Ravens' scoring success, as it allowed them to get into favorable down-and-distance situations.
• The team's offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, was also instrumental in the team's success, as he made several key adjustments to the play-calling scheme that helped the team stay competitive.
• The Ravens' defensive coordinator, Wink Martindale, was also a major factor in the team's defensive success, as he made several key adjustments to the defensive scheme that helped the team shut down opposing offenses.

The Ravens' Playoffs

The Ravens' postseason run was a thrilling one, as they upset the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the playoffs and then defeated the Tennessee Titans again in the divisional round.

• Jackson's 59-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the divisional round was a major factor in the Ravens' victory, as it gave them a 13-3 lead that they never relinquished.
• The Ravens' defense was also a major factor in their victory, as they held the Titans to just 16 points and limited their running game to just 3.5 yards per carry.
• The Ravens' victory set up a championship matchup against the New England Patriots, but unfortunately for Ravens fans, the team fell short in that game, losing 37-20.

The Ravens' Future

The Ravens'