The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

For the second year in a row, the Ravens fortunes swung by who wasn’t available. Lamar Jackson missed the stretch run again, and again the Ravens fell short. They finished 10-7, making the playoffs. But they weren’t able to overcome the Bengals, ending their season again and heading into an off-season of questions.

Off-Season Changes

A few notable names left the Ravens this off-season. Veteran Marcus Peters headed to Las Vegas. Veteran pass rusher Calais Campbell headed to the Falcons. And veteran guard Ben Powers left to sign with the Broncos. But the biggest move of the off-season for the Ravens was who they didn’t let leave, namely star quarterback Jackson.

The Ravens also worked on getting Jackson some weapons. That included signing veteran Odell Beckham, Jr., who sat out last season recovering from a torn ACL. The team also signed veteran receiver Nelson Agholor, who spent the past few seasons in New England. Not to be outdone, the Ravens dropped their top draft pick on Boston College receiver Zay Flowers. Flowers caught 200 passes for 3,056 yards and 29 touchdowns in college.

Fantasy Impact

The Ravens have Jackson back, but can he finish this season? Jackson was QB14 despite playing in only 12 games. He’s a Top 12 option if he stays healthy, and that’s what the Ravens need. In the backfield, I like J.K. Dobbins to finally take a step forward. He’s shown flashes and hopefully is healthy now more than a season removed from his injury. I like him as an RB2.

The passing game is still more of a question, outside of Mark Andrews. He led the Ravens with 113 targets, catching 73 passes for 847 yards and five touchdowns. He is a Top 3 option at tight end. Among receivers, it’s hard to say who will be the top dawg. Beckham and Flowers are intriguing options, as is Rashod Bateman, who is now entering year three. I don’t see any of them as more than a WR3. If pressed, my pick is Bateman. I think he was a First-Round pick for a reason and this is the year he puts it all together.

Prediction

The Ravens will always remain competitive with John Harbaugh, but they’ll only go as far as Jackson and this offense can take them. I think the range is nine-to-11 wins. I think they’ll be in the playoff hunt and could well earn a Wild Card berth again.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.