Back in September before the start of the regular season I made five bold predictions for the Ravens heading into the season, and with the Ravens on their bye week in week 14, lets take a look at back at how good or bad these predictions were.
Derrick Henry will have have at least 15 rushing touchdowns
In nine seasons running back Derrick Henry has rushed for at least 15 touchdowns twice, with a career high 17 rushing touchdowns in 2020. Henry currently has 13 rushing touchdowns, one shy of the tying the Ravens franchise record of 14 set by Jamal Lewis in 2003.
With four games remaining it seems like Henry will not only break the Ravens rushing touchdown record, but surpass his career high of 17. In addition to his 13 rushing touchdowns, Henry is also tied for the most touchdowns by a Raven at 15, tied with former Ravens Ray Rice (2011) and Mark Ingram (2019).
Nate Wiggins will win defensive rookie of the year
It’s been a slower start then some may have wanted for rookie first round cornerback Nate Wiggins as he has gradually gotten more and more play time as the years gone on. Wiggins has missed two games this year which has hurt his numbers and how long its taken to get up to speed playing against NFL receivers. In 11 games Wiggins has 17 total tackles, one forced fumble, and 10 pass deflections. Wiggins has yet to record his first career interception.
While Wiggins is having a solid year all things considered for a rookie, its not close to the year Rams rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse is having. Verse is the current betting favorite to win rookie defensive player of the year with his 30 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and 4.5 sacks.
Ravens will have the #1 defense in the NFL
Based on how the Ravens performed last season defensively and with the amount of key pieces returning it seemed like a no brainer the Ravens would be poised to be the NFL’s best defense. But that has not been the case in 2024, as new defensive coordinator Zach Orr has had his work cut out for him this season, as the Ravens currently rank a disappointing 23rd in total defense.
The Ravens have given up an average of 347.6 yards per game with most of those yards coming via the air, as the Ravens secondary gives up an average of 264.9 yards per game, 31st in the NFL. The positive for the Ravens has been their rush defense which allows just 82.7 yards per game, second best in the NFL. The Ravens defense has looked better recently particularly after the benching of safety Marcus Williams, but it would take a miracle for the Ravens to even crack the top 10 in total defense this late into the season.
Rashod Bateman will have a career high in receiving yards and touchdowns
Rashod Bateman has had a resurgence in 2024, and has been everything the Ravens had hoped for from the former first-round pick. Prior to this year Bateman’s career high in yards had come in his rookie season as he racked up 515 receiving yards. Through just 13 games Bateman has already surpassed that total with 574 receiving yards.
As for touchdowns Bateman had just 4 career touchdowns prior to this season, with his most in a season being two which came in 2022. So far this season Bateman has five receiving touchdowns, and with four games left to play Bateman has a real opportunity to add two or three more to that total.
Kyle Hamilton will lead the Ravens in interceptions
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton is having pro bowl caliber year and has become the star of this Ravens defense. But when it comes to interceptions, thats where Hamilton has lacked in changing games. Despite having four interceptions last season Hamilton has none in 2024.
Currently the Ravens team leader is cornerback Marlon Humphrey who has five. The Ravens have lacked as a team in taking the ball away as they have just seven interceptions as a team. Hamilton has a unique skill set and despite the lack of interceptions his 88 total tackles, two sacks, and seven pass deflections have turned him into one of the best and most versatile safeties in the NFL.
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