There is a cloud hanging over the great season the Baltimore Ravens have had this year in the shape of their 2019 playoff failure.
The 2023 Ravens are a more complete and well-polished team than the one that lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2019, but for the comparisons to end, they must take care of business in the postseason.
Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, who has been with Baltimore since he was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, spoke about how the team has learned from its collective mistakes.
"2019 gave us a lot of insight into the things we could've gotten better at, using this time to prepare," Stanley said. "Not be rigid about it, but be focused. I think that's been our mindset all season. Harbs has preached about staying loose and staying focused. Trying to stay away from being rigid and uptight."
There are many similarities between the two teams; Both clinched a first-round bye with the best record in the NFL while being led by Lamar Jackson during an MVP season. However, this year's roster runs much deeper and is more well-rounded.
The receiving core and linebacker unit of the current Ravens team could run laps around that of the 2019 team, even with the loss of Mark Andrews at tight end.
Still, all the talent in the world won't matter if Baltimore is unable to get the job done. Stanley is well aware of that and looks forward to the opportunity to avenge the loss.
"I don't think it will get annoying," Stanley said. "That stuff's in the back of our heads, guys that experienced it. The feeling has stuck with us. We don't want to feel that again. I'm still not completely over it, to be honest. Those opportunities don't come too often. Luckily, we have another chance this year. We're going to make sure we don't take it for granted."
The Ravens' divisional round opponent will be revealed after the results of Wild Card Weekend, as the matchups are determined by seeding and not a set bracket.
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