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How to Read this Chart

If any player name listed in the chart below is italicized, a team's grade will be expressed as a range instead of a single definite number. Italics indicate I have doubts about whether that player actually justifies inclusion within whatever category he's being associated with. Credible cases can be made for and against that player with respect to the criterion of the particular category where his name has been listed.
If a team's grade is expressed as a range, that range represents the worst-case scenario and best-case scenario. In the worst-case scenario, NO italicized player will be included in the scoring. In the best-case scenario, ALL italicized players will be included in the scoring.
Quarterbacks are evaluated either as a liability, adequate, or elite. The "adequate" label implies some measure of competence whereas the "liability" label implies that the quarterback is unable to play dropback football with any degree of competency.
Premiere Offensive Weapons are defined as high-performing skill players who add dimensionality on offense. The more ways a team can matriculate the ball downfield, the more names you will likely see listed here.
Elite Defensive Linemen are defined as truly dominant defensive linemen who can consistently control the line of scrimmage and consistently create havoc in the offensive backfield. Consistency of production is the main criteria used to evaluate pass rushers. Sacks, quarterback hits, tackles, batted passes, and turnovers are also considered here when assessing whether a given lineman can be considered elite.
Elite Coverage Defenders are defined as elite defensive backs or inside linebackers who excel at their particular role. Linebackers needs to show range in the flat, be able to cover flat receivers, and show up consistently in run support. Safeties need to show range and engineer turnover opportunities. Cornerbacks have to demonstrate an ability to shutdown most receivers that line up opposite them. It would also help if any of these coverage defenders have a knack for rushing the passer.
A successful comeback is defined as a game where a team mounted a scoring drive beginning in the fourth quarter to retake the lead and win the game OR a game where a team rallied back from a double-digit scoring deficit to eventually win the game.
Home field advantage is self-explanatory. In any postseason game between two teams from the same conference, the higher seed will always have home field advantage.

Baltimore Ravens
Passer Evaluation	Lamar Jackson (Adequate)
Premiere Offensive Weapons 1 point for the first player 2 points for the second player 4 points for each successive player	Lamar Jackson (Mobile QB) Derrick Henry Zay Flowers Mark Andrews
Elite Defensive Linemen 4 points per player	Kyle Van Noy Nmandi Madubuike Odafe Oweh
Elite Coverage Defenders 2 points per player	Kyle Hamilton Marlon Humphrey
Number of Successful Comebacks 2 points if the team successfully staged exactly 2 comebacks 3 points if the team staged more than 2 comebacks	4
Number of Comebacks Surrendered 2 points if the team surrendered exactly 2 comebacks 3 points if the team surrendered fewer than 2 comebacks	2
Tactical Edges Lost Only impacts a team's grade when that team is facing against another club listed here. The more teams listed here, the worse a team's odds of advancing	OffenseDefense Steelers Texans Chargers Broncos Bills Buccaneers Steelers Texans Chargers Broncos Buccaneers
Tactical Edges Gained Only impacts a team's grade when that team is facing against another club listed here. The more teams listed here, the better a team's odds of advancing	OffenseDefense Eagles Bills
GRADE	14 - 32

The DVOA champion this year can be counted as a contender for the Super Bowl. But whereas DVOA focuses more on grading a team's overall success rate on a down-to-down basis, my model here places a great deal more weight on star players, mental toughness, and recent experience. The star players aspect is what's really interesting. What Baltimore really needs are skill players and pass rushers to break out in the passing game and defensive line, respectively. I see the former happening given that Mark Andrews has been steadily contributing more and more value to the offense these past couple weeks. As for the latter, it's hard to assess whether Nmandi Mdabukike or Odafe Oweh will be able to take over the game and exert their wills at any point during the postseason. Neither man has really jumped out on tape except in spot moments. I personally think Nmandi is on a bit of an upward swing compared to Odafe and has more potential given his absolutely fantastic season last year, so take that for what it's worth.

I suspect Baltimore might struggle a bit in the first round against the Steelers given their animosity against one another as well as the fact that Baltimore ceded the entire tactical edge against them just a few weeks prior. If they can survive Pittsburgh, dates with Buffalo and Kansas City lie ahead. It's hard to tell how far these Ravens will go.

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