The Ravens scoreline for 2026 may end up being decided less by raw talent than by whether Declan Doyle can help the offense rediscover its swagger. That was the clear sense from The Athletic Football Show’s preview of Baltimore, which pointed to a roster good enough to contend but still in need of the right offensive shape.
It is a familiar Baltimore question. The Ravens have the kind of high-end pieces that usually keep a team in the conversation, but the preview suggested the new offensive coordinator could be the change that helps everything click more naturally around Lamar Jackson and the rest of the attack.
Declan Doyle and the offensive reset
The central point is simple: Baltimore do not need a total rebuild on offense, but they do need a better version of what they already have. A new coordinator can sometimes provide that lift by sharpening roles, improving rhythm and finding a cleaner fit for the players already on the roster.
That is why Declan Doyle matters so much in this conversation. The Athletic Football Show framed him as the figure who could help the Ravens offense rediscover its swagger in 2026, and that is a meaningful expectation for a team built to compete now.
The pass-catching group still carries questions
The preview also focused on the state of the pass-catching group, where Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will again be judged on whether the surrounding pieces are doing enough to support the quarterback. Zay Flowers was singled out as an important part of that picture, with Dave Helman saying he had come around on the receiver and commending the Ravens for getting the deal done early.
Helman also said Flowers’ production last year flew under the radar for himself and many others. That matters because Baltimore’s offense does not need noise; it needs reliable production from the players who can turn Jackson’s playmaking into steady gains.
Mark Andrews remains part of that discussion too. His numbers tell their own story: he was seventh among tight ends in yards per route run in 2024, after being third the year before. The preview also referenced Durham Smythe as part of the wider roster outlook, underlining that this is still a group where fit and usage will matter.
A stronger defense raises the bar
There was also confidence around the other side of the ball. Robert Mays said, “I’m excited to see what Jesse Minter can do with some serious dudes,” and added that the Ravens have invested in big-name players all across that defense.
That is important because Baltimore’s ceiling in 2026 is not being set by one area alone. If the defense is upgraded and the offense becomes more efficient under Declan Doyle, the Ravens can look like a complete team rather than just a dangerous one.
The defensive talent also gives the offense a little more margin for error. A balanced roster means the Ravens do not have to be perfect every week, but it does mean expectations rise quickly.
What counts as success in 2026?
Derrik Klassen was direct about the standard. He said he still thinks this is a team that should, at worst, get to the divisional round and play a pretty strong game there, while also suggesting they could be even better than that.
That is the benchmark Baltimore will be judged against. If Declan Doyle can help the offense settle, if Lamar Jackson and the pass-catching group find a better rhythm, and if the defense delivers on its promise, then the Ravens score for 2026 should be one that keeps them in the thick of the AFC race deep into January.
