Baltimore Ravens: No bell-cow running back
Before we dive into the biggest problem facing the Ravens, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Baltimore’s tight end problem. With Dennis Pitta likely retiring over his hip issues, Joe Flacco’s best options are an aging Benjamin Watson and Maxx Williams, who could start the season on PUP with his knee issue.
So, that’s a problem. However, it isn’t as big a deal as the fact there really isn’t a bell-cow running back on this roster. It was a problem last year, especially because when Flacco was injured the Ravens couldn’t run the ball to protect him or Ryan Mallett.
Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon both showed some sparks of being that guy. But West never showed much real burst, while Dixon is going to be out the first four games after testing positive for PEDs. Danny Woodhead will be a boon in the passing game and as a third-down specialist. But he’s not the kind of running back you want out there toting the rock 20-plus times.
Baltimore might have to rely on the arm of Flacco to close games out. That’s not an ideal strategy, especially in an AFC North division that’s shaping up to be brutally tough.