NFL

2017 NFL Power Rankings: Preseason Edition

Brandon Gdula  —  @gdula13 Jul 20th, 2017
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23. Baltimore Ravens, -0.68 nERD

After falling off the nERD cliff from 2014 (5.53, 5th in the NFL) to 2015 (-5.20, 25th), the Baltimore Ravens started to correct things in 2016 (-1.07, 20th).

Our algorithms expect continued growth this season, in terms of nERD.

Jeremy Maclin and Danny Woodhead join 2016's 27th-ranked offense, and both have the ability to increase offensive efficiency, based on their historical NEP data. However, Joe Flacco's efficiency has dipped since 2014 (0.16 Passing NEP per drop back, 0.06 in 2015, and 0.04 in 2016) with diminishing Success Rates, as well.

A bounce-back on offense combined with 2016's 8th-ranked defense (12th against the pass and 1st against the run) could make the Ravens a team to worry about in 2017. Just know that along with seven seasons with a top-10 defense in the past nine years, they have just two such seasons offensively.

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