The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as penalty analysis from Joe Gibbs. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
Penalties are an under-discussed aspect of NFL success and failure. Average teams can become playoff contenders with good discipline, and good teams can become great simply by winning the penalty battle.
Let's look at how the Baltimore Ravens performed from a penalty perspective in 2024 and where they can improve in 2025.
How Did Penalties Impact the Baltimore Ravens?
The Good
- Baltimore ranked 11th in penalties per game average at home. While not great, it was better than their road penalty average.
- Despite being an above average penalized team, only 16% of their penalties were committed on all-important third-down plays compared to the NFL average of 21.5% on third down. In raw numbers, the Ravens ranked 23rd in third-down penalties per game.
- Pre-snap infractions accounted for 32% of the Ravens’ penalties, below the NFL average of 38.5% in this category.
- The Ravens ranked as one of the least penalized first quarter teams, ranking 25th overall in penalty average in the opening quarter of contests.
The Bad
- The Ravens finished the 2024 season ranking fourth in penalties per game average. The silver lining is the per-game average declined in the second half of the season, and that needs to carry over into 2025.
- The Ravens ranked second in penalties per game on the road.
- The Ravens were a top-three penalized defense surrendering automatic first downs via penalty. The positive was, once again, a below average percentage of these infractions occurred on more punitive third-down plays.
- The Ravens ranked third for offensive holding penalties per game. The home versus road splits were eye opening. 68% of Ravens penalties in this key category were committed in road contests.
Grade: C
The defense stumbled out of the gates in 2024, but it ended the season as one of the league's best units.
The road penalties, particularly on offense, were a concern. Baltimore having just eight road games this season is a positive.
The question remains: Can this Ravens team make a Super Bowl run?
Lamar Jackson said, “I’m tired of being right there. We need to punch in that ticket,” after the playoff exit last season.
The Super Bowl window doesn't stay open indefinitely, and this Ravens team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.
The clock is ticking on this core group of players, and 2025 may present the best opportunity for the Ravens to capture the Lombardi Trophy that has eluded them in the Jackson era.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
Order Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview to get penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams.
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2025 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
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