Baltimore Ravens: Best of the 2010s, Part II

What Baltimore Ravens team of the 2010s was the best?

Using the software at whatifsports.com, these hypothetical questions can be answered.

Check out Part I for the methodology and the Opening Round.

Quarterfinals:

2016 Ravens (8-8) versus 2019 Ravens (14-2)

The 2019 Ravens opened with the ball, but their first drive stalled, and Justin Tucker missed a 51-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, the 2016 Tucker connected on a 41-yard kick. Nine running plays later, the 2019 Ravens were back in field goal range, and Tucker converted from 39 yards out. The teams exchanged punts to open the second quarter. Field goal shenanigans came to play again as the 2019 Ravens blocked a 43-yard field goal from 2016 Tucker. Two plays later, the 2019 Ravens were in the end zone thanks to a 41-yard run by Gus Edwards and a touchdown pass to Marquise Brown. After back-to-back punts, the 2016 Ravens worked a beautiful two-minute drive capped with a 49-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Dixon. The half ended as 2019 Lamar Jackson scampered out of bounds.

After a 2016 punt, the 2019 Ravens escaped a third-and-17 and worked into field goal range. Tucker hit from 50 yards. 2016 punted again, and 2019 Edwards responded with a 53-yard touchdown run. 2016 punted again, but they were bailed out when 2019 Mark Ingram fumbled inside the 10. 2019 Baltimore kept their adversaries out of the end zone, and they were forced to settle for a 21-yard field goal. Both teams punted again before 2019 Jackson hit Ingram on a 60-yard touchdown pass. 2016 punted again, and 2019 tacked on a field goal to make it 30-13. 2019 Maurice Canady sealed the game with an interception and 98-yard return. Tucker made his fourth field goal of the game as time expired.

2019 Mark Ingram was named MVP after recording 124 total yards and a touchdown.

2019 Ravens win 33-13.

2014 Ravens (10-6) versus 2012 Ravens (10-6)

2014 opened the game with a punt. 2012 responded with an 11-play, 71-yard touchdown drive with the famous Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin connection. The 2014 Ravens had a long drive going, but Justin Forsett lost the handle as he got into the red zone. Both teams exchanged punts on their first two drives of the second quarter. Just after the two-minute warning, 2012 Justin Tucker split the uprights on a 45-yard field goal to give the Super Bowl champs a 10-0 lead. The 2014 Smith show began as Flacco hit Steve Smith for 15 and Torrey Smith for 50 on consecutive plays. Flacco then called his number and scrambled into the end zone. The 2012 Baltimore Ravens managed to go 74 yards in 42 seconds to go into the half up 17-7.

The third quarter was quiet as both of 2012’s drives ended in punts, and the 2014 Ravens had drives end in a punt and a missed field goal. The 2012 Ravens then went on a back-breaking, 12-play, 68-yard, eight-minute drive to extend the lead to 20-7. The final two drives for the 2014 Ravens ended in a Torrey Smith fumble and a fourth-down incompletion as the 2012 Ravens held on for the victory.

2012 Joe Flacco secured the MVP of the game with 255 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

2012 Ravens win 20-7.

2015 Ravens (5-11) versus 2011 Ravens (12-4)

2011 Ray Rice delivered a 46-yard run to open the game. Three plays later, Billy Cundiff shanked a 45-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, 2015, Justin Tucker nailed a 43-yarder. 2011 Rodney Bradley converted two third downs on the next drive. On the next third down of the drive, Joe Flacco found Hakeem Moore for a touchdown. 2015 found some third-down success of their own on the next drive before the quarter ended. On the first third down of the second quarter, 2011, Chykie Brown intercepted Flacco’s pass. Torrey Smith picked up 30 yards to put the Ravens in the red zone, and Flacco threw a touchdown to Bradley. After one first down, 2015 punted. 2011 continued to move the ball before a Flacco 11-yard touchdown scramble. 2015’s long drive was undone by a second Flacco interception, and 2011 hit a field goal drive to end the half.

The 2015 Ravens were finally able to get back on the scoreboard on their first drive of the second half, but a 2011 Ed Dickson touchdown put the lead at 31-6. After a punt, the 2011 Ravens scored again. The teams exchanged punts, and the 2015 Ravens failed on a fourth down. 2011 Flacco hit Bradley to push the lead to 45-6. 2015 Flacco hit Kyle Jusczyk for a touchdown, but the damage was complete.

2011 Joe Flacco won game MVP with his 264 total yards and six total touchdowns.

2011 Ravens win 45-13.

2018 Ravens (10-6) versus 2010 Ravens (12-4)

2010 began with a three-and-out. On the next drive, Lamar Jackson hit John Brown for a first down to set 2018 inside the 35. Willie Snead hauled in a touchdown catch four players later. The 2010 Joe Flacco found Anquan Boldin for 23 yards and a first down, but Flacco threw three incompletions to end the drive. 2018 went three-and-out. 2010 Flacco hit T.J. Houshmandzadeh for a first down to put the Ravens in field goal range. Two plays later, Billy Cundiff nailed a 28-yard field goal. 2018 Kenneth Dixon fumbled to open the second quarter. Despite good field position, 2010 was forced to kick another field goal. 2018 executed a 51-yard drive, adding a field goal to extend the lead. 2010 went three-and-out. Gus Edwards had two big runs to get into range for Justin Tucker to make a field goal. 2010 went into the half up 13-6.

The second half opened with a pair of punts, but a Jackson completion to Brown put 2018 in scoring position. Three plays later, Tucker hit another field goal. 2010 punted again. One play later, Lamar Jackson tossed an interception to Tom Zbikowski, putting 2010 into the red zone. Six plays later, Cundiff converted a field goal. After the interception, Joe Flacco led a three-and-out. 2010 punted again, but Domonique Foxworth picked off the newly-replaced Jackson. Six plays later, Willis McGahee scored, tying the game at 16. 2018 settled for another punt. The teams exchanged punts, giving the 2010 Ravens 69 seconds from their own 10. After a short run by Ray Rice, McGahee broke off a 30-yard run. 2010 Flacco hit Todd Heap, putting Baltimore into Cundiff’s range. Three runs later, Cundiff drilled a 30-yard field goal as time expired.

2010 Willis McGahee won Game MVP with his 40 rushing yards and rushing touchdown.

2010 Ravens win 19-16.

Stay tuned for Part III, the semifinals and finals of the tournament to see which of the Baltimore Ravens units will advance.

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