Mink: Since the Lamar Jackson era began in 2018, the Ravens have 16 turnovers in nine playoff games. Jackson played in eight of those games and threw seven interceptions and lost four fumbles. It's quite clear that turnovers have been a major reason why the Ravens haven't gotten over the hump and into the Super Bowl.
While he played an excellent game overall, Jackson took responsibility for his first-half mistakes and said, "Protecting the ball – that's the number one priority – and we didn't do it, especially me. I'm the leader. I have to protect the ball, so I'm hot."
Of course, Jackson isn't alone. Zay Flowers had a fourth quarter goal-line fumble against the Chiefs in last year's AFC Championship game and Mark Andrews had a fourth quarter fumble in Buffalo this year.
What's so frustrating is that that none of them have been turnover prone otherwise. Jackson threw just four interceptions this season. Andrews hadn't lost a fumble since 2019. Flowers has never fumbled other than that one play.
So how do you fix it? There's not an easy answer. The Ravens always stress and practice ball security. They preach protecting the football in meetings. That will surely be a focus again this upcoming season, perhaps even more.
I don't know that taking a more conservative approach in the playoffs is the solution. Changing the way you play feels like a recipe for more problems and Jackson's attack-mode style of play is part of what makes him so great.
The fact is, when you play good teams in the playoffs, they force you to make more mistakes. The Ravens have to be good enough to resist that or overcome it.
The other part, and it may not be what people want to hear, but I think there's a fair amount of luck involved. The game can be cruel, and it has been especially harsh to the Ravens in recent years. Perhaps that means the Ravens are due for some good luck next year?
Mink: This is the other side of the issue. While the Ravens offense has turned the ball over too much, the defense hasn't turned it over enough. Baltimore has just three takeaways in nine playoff games since 2018. This is despite getting a lot of regular-season takeaways some years. The Ravens ranked 7th in 2019 and tied for first in 2023.
Getting takeaways was an issue for the defense this year. Only six teams had fewer takeaways than the Ravens' 17, even though Marlon Humphrey led the AFC with six.
I think part of the solution is Baltimore needs to find another ball-hawking free safety. Marcus Williams never materialized into what they imagined, and Geno Stone left in free agency last offseason. Ironically, General Manager Eric DeCosta was watching film of a college safety prospect before the Ravens' season-ending press conference.
"We'll go through it, and we'll get all the players, and we'll rank the board like we always do, and if the best guy is a free safety at that pick, then we'll take him and be very happy with it," DeCosta said.
Brown: Tylan Wallace wants to return to Baltimore, and he's made big plays as a receiver and punt returner during his four years. But the Ravens had the league's No. 1 offense with Wallace making just 11 catches and Head Coach John Harbaugh made it clear at the season-ending press conference that the Ravens want an upgrade at punt returner. I think the odds are against Wallace coming back. He may receive a better offer and opportunity for more playing time elsewhere.
Patrick Ricard is a Pro Bowl player who Derrick Henry loves as a lead blocker. Many teams don't use fullbacks regularly in their offense, which decreases the market for Ricard. He wants to come back and DeCosta said he wants that, too. I think he'll re-sign with Baltimore as he did the last time he was a free agent.
Brown: You can expect Daniel Faalele to return as the starting right guard. He was a Pro Bowl alternate in his first season starting at a new position. He played nearly every offensive snap, an impressive feat for a player who had problems with stamina when he was drafted in 2022. He's still only 25 and should continue to improve.
Devontez Walker will get his opportunity to become more involved in the offense next season, especially if free agents Wallace and Nelson Agholor don't return. Walker's only catch as a rookie was for a touchdown against the Giants, but he had 104 receptions and 19 touchdowns during his college career. The fourth-round pick has potential worthy of a longer look.
Both safety and cornerback are priorities. The Ravens always say you can't have enough cornerbacks, and Brandon Stephens and Tre'Davious White are pending free agents. In his first mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Ravens selecting East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. I'll be surprised if the Ravens don't take a corner at some point in the draft.
Rookie safeties Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade didn't see much defensive action this year, and the Ravens need depth behind Kyle Hamilton and Ar'Darius Washington. The Ravens could sign a veteran safety during free agency to compete with Washington for a starting job, and there are quite a few ready to hit the open market.
