Despite losing RB Jamal Lewis, TE Todd Heap, and OT Jonathan Ogden for parts of the season’s first half, Baltimore bolted out to a 7-3 start in 2004. It’s ironic therefore, that the Ravens faded down the stretch, and fell short of a postseason berth. Lewis certainly wasn’t to blame, as the team was actually 8-4 on the season with him in the lineup. His numbers weren’t as prolific as in 2003, but he was still a major factor once he returned from his four-game suspension. The onus fell on the quarterback position, as once again Head Coach Brian Billick failed to get much out his passing game. Though improving by 3.6 YPG, they still ranked 31st in the league through the air. On a positive note, the defense was again solid behind LB Ray Lewis, and a potential bigger star even emerged in S Ed Reed, who intercepted nine passes for an NFL record 358 yards in returns.

Quarterback Kyle Boller showed some encouraging signs in his second season of being able to break out, but just not enough consistency. The organization hopes they have helped his cause for the coming year by signing free agent WR Derrick Mason, who caught 96 passes with the Titans in ’04. On top of that, the Ravens used their first draft pick on playmaking WR Mark Clayton of Oklahoma. Those two should adequately replace WR’s Travis Taylor and Kevin Johnson, On the defensive side of the ball, LB’s Ed Hartwell and Peter Boulware were free agent casualties who will be missed, but new additions CB Samari Rolle and LB Tommy Polley have both become known for their playmaking capablilties.

Barring any injury problems, with Lewis in the fold for the entire 2005 campaign, the season takes on a whole different outlook than last year. His mere presence in the backfield forces opponents to prepare differently. The addition of Mason should also help open things up for Boller to finally emerge as a productive starting quarterback. If so, obviously the defense is capable of carrying this team back to the top of the North division.

2005 Key Information

StatFox Power Rating: Rating 22 (12 of 32)

2005 Schedule Rating: (17th toughest of 32)

2004:(SU 9-7)(ATS 9-7)

L3 years:(SU 26-23)(ATS 27-20-2)

Coach Brian Billick:(SU 61-42)(ATS 59-38-6)

Trends by month

September

Colts are 0-6 ATS at Baltimore (9/11)

Ravens 6-0 against number at Tennessee (9/18)

Baltimore 12-3 ATS in road games off home loss.(? 9/18)

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October

Baltimore 1-8 vs. number as underdog of less then 5 points (?10/9)

Chicago 1-5 ATS against Billick's bunch (10/23)

Halloween MNF has home Steelers 6-2 ATS vs. Ravens (10/31)

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November

Baltimore 19-6 ATS & 7-1 ATS vs. Bengals (11/6)

Billick's Ravens 15-4 ATS in November

11-2 ATS in 2nd Bengals game of the year(11/27)

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December

1-3 ATS in the Mile High City (12/11)

7-2 ATS as favorites off SU loss (?12/19)

Ravens look to ruin Vikes X-Mas extending 4-1-1 ATS record (12/25)

Top Teaser Angle:

Baltimore 19-1 vs. 6-point teaser when playing team with Win. Pct. of 25% to 40%.

Top Money Line Angle:

Baltimore is 1-7 (-10.55 units) against ML after 2 consecutive games with TO margin of +1 or better.

Top Totals Angle:

Baltimore 15-2 UNDER in road games after forcing 4 or more turnovers.

Pre-Season O/U wins:

OVER 10 -125 @www.BetCris.com

Fantasy Player Must: Todd Heap

Fantasy Player Bust: Matt Stover