The 2016 NFL Preview continues. Every weekday from now until opening night, we will preview the 2016 NFL Season. This week’s schedule: San Francisco (Tuesday), Miami (Wednesday), Chicago (Thursday), New York Giants (Friday).
2015 was the first time in the Joe Flacco era that Baltimore failed to finish .500 or better. Joe Flacco tore his ACL and MCL and the Ravens stumbled to a 5-11 record. While it’s easy to blame the season on his injury, the Ravens were 2-7 by that point. 2015 was not a good year. What went wrong?
Joe Flacco Regressed This statement is actually false. Statistically, Flacco was better than ever in 2015. He posted his highest career completion percentage at 64.4%. Joe Flacco just continued to be Joe Flacco, while everyone was expecting him to be the Flacco in the 2012 playoffs. That ship has clearly sailed. Flacco fell into his old habits, zeroing in on one target. Before he got hurt, Steve Smith had 73 targets in 6 ½ games. Smith actually finished second on the team in targets last season despite missing more than half of it. After Smith got hurt, Kamar Aiken was targeted 25 times in the three games before Flacco got hurt.
The Ravens paid Justin Forsett for a contract year Forsett had 1,692 rushing yards in his five year career before signing with the Ravens to back up Ray Rice in 2014. When Rice was released, Forsett took the job and ran with it, posting 1,266 yards and 8 touchdowns. Baltimore then signed Forsett to a three year contract. Forsett rushed for only 641 yards in 10 games before getting hurt and he was a major disappointment.
Everyone got hurt It’s the NFL, so players are going to get hurt, but the Ravens were decimated last year. Nobody can be expected to field a competitive team when your top quarterback, Running Back, Wide receiver, and Tight End all end up on IR. Terrell Suggs also got hurt. In total, eight week one starters ended up on Injured Reserve
Fantasy Focus Forsett will not get back to his 2014 level most likely, but he is fine for depth with upside. Any time after round six is good for him. Aiken is the WR from Baltimore you want this year. He’s an up and coming star and will have some huge weeks in 2016.
So what’s different this year? Everyone is back and healthy; you have to hope the injury bug doesn’t strike again. Steve Smith may have lost a step after rupturing his Achilles, but he’s still an excellent receiver. Kamar Aiken stepped up last season when the opportunity arose. The Ravens will be competitive, but the division is still stacked. 7-9