Ravens Top-10 Core: 'Return to Title Contention?'

Despite being a decade removed from their last Super Bowl appearance, the pieces necessary for the Baltimore Ravens to contend are evident.

The Baltimore Ravens have their eyes set on the Super Bowl this season. And despite being a decade removed from their last appearance on the league's biggest stage, the pieces needed to contend are evident. 

This testament is also true according to ESPN, ranking them as the No. 9 best core in the NFL and a possible title contender.

"I doubt we'll ever see the 2019 MVP version of Jackson again," ESPN writes. "But with the help of this relatively strong group of core players, it seems feasible that Jackson could return Baltimore to title contention. Andrews' 86 Open Score in 2022 was the highest by any tight end in the history of ESPN's receiving metric, dating to 2017.

The list included the top five players from all 32 teams, with quarterback Lamar Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, linebacker Roquan Smith and offensive tackle Ronnie Staley making the cut for Baltimore. 

ESPN defines a "core'' as "the five most important players to a team -- the guys each roster is built around," with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs landing at No. 1.

Last season, even with Jackson missing five games, the two-time Pro Bowler helped lead the Ravens to a 10-7 mark and fourth playoff appearance in five years.

Despite falling in the Wild Card round to the Cincinnati Bengals in a close game, the season proved how good this roster can be at full strength. 

With new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, along with playmakers Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr, and Demarcus Robinson, could this be the year Baltimore claims an AFC title once again?

The Ravens season kicks off on Sept. 10 at M&T Bank Stadium against the new-look Houston Texans.

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