What’s next for the Ravens and Lions post their conference championship defeats?

The Detroit Lions, unlike the Baltimore Ravens and other AFC teams, can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they won’t have to contend with Patrick Mahomes dominating for the next decade. While the Lions have a comparatively smoother road to the NFL conference championship and potentially beyond, the unpredictable nature of the NFL means no team is guaranteed long-term contention. In a league where everyone faces the challenge of surpassing the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s akin to being a group of Patrick Ewings trying to compete in a Michael Jordan-dominated world.

While we hold onto the hope that the Ravens and Lions will quickly recover and get another chance at reaching the Super Bowl next season, the reality is that the journey back is often more challenging than we realize in the immediate aftermath. Despite having skilled coaches and talented rosters that propelled them to impressive seasons, the path to redemption is a more extended and demanding one than we might initially acknowledge.

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What lies ahead for the Lions?

The sting of the Lions’ defeat in the NFC championship game, despite holding a 24-7 lead against the San Francisco 49ers, will leave a lasting mark. Opportunities like that are irreplaceable.

Looking to the future, the Lions have the potential to once again establish themselves as one of the NFL’s premier teams. As one of the league’s youngest squads, coupled with a strong showing from their 2023 draft class, optimism surrounds their prospects. Boasting a substantial $61.1 million in projected cap space, the seventh-highest in the NFL according to Spotrac, Detroit has financial flexibility. With no imminent free-agent concerns, the Lions can invest in external talent, particularly fortifying a secondary that still requires improvement. Despite depleting their draft picks from the Matthew Stafford trade, they retain most of their selections, including the 29th overall pick, and an additional third-round pick from the Minnesota Vikings, though a fourth-round pick is absent.

However, a notable challenge arises concerning the Lions’ coordinators. Ben Johnson, widely recognized as one of the NFL’s top offensive coordinators, orchestrated a unit that ranked in the top five for yards and points this season. His strategic brilliance was evident in the first half of the NFC championship game, where the Lions perplexed the 49ers’ defense, amassing 24 points. Consequently, Johnson has become a sought-after candidate in the offseason’s head-coaching carousel, with an interview scheduled with the Washington Commanders on Tuesday, as reported by Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.

The Lions’ defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, has been actively pursuing head-coaching opportunities and is highly regarded in the coaching realm. With only two coaching vacancies remaining (Commanders and Seattle Seahawks), there’s a chance the Lions may avoid losing a key coordinator in the coming weeks. However, it’s crucial not to underestimate the potential impact if they were to lose one. The Philadelphia Eagles experienced a significant setback last season when they lost Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon to head-coaching positions. Losing either coordinator would be a notable setback for the Lions, especially in replicating a top-five offense without Johnson, in particular.

Despite having the means to be aggressive in spending and the ongoing development of their young players, the Lions face tough competition within their division. The Green Bay Packers, boasting the youngest roster in the NFL last season, secured a playoff victory. The Chicago Bears, another youthful team that finished strong last season, hold the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

While the Lions appear to be in a favorable position, there are significant hurdles for them to overcome in returning to the NFC title game. This is a key reason why their loss on Sunday was so devastating.

What lies ahead for the Ravens?

The Ravens faced a loss that was disappointing on various levels. Despite being the top team in the NFL throughout the season, their home AFC title game against the Chiefs ended in panic and defeat when it mattered most.

Nevertheless, the Ravens boast a strong foundation with one of the NFL’s premier head coaches in John Harbaugh, and Lamar Jackson, on the verge of winning his second MVP, leading the way. The team’s roster is robust. However, the challenge lies in the competitive landscape of the AFC.

The AFC has witnessed a talent shift over time, with most of the top quarterbacks now calling this conference home. The addition of C.J. Stroud’s remarkable rookie season with the Houston Texans has deepened the pool of talent. Playing in the AFC North, considered one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, adds another layer of challenge for the Ravens, especially with Joe Burrow returning to health for the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Ravens face limited opportunities for significant roster improvements. Currently ranked 21st in projected cap space at $5.7 million, according to Spotrac, they won’t be big spenders, although some space will be cleared up in the offseason. Complicating matters is the presence of key free agents on the defensive side, including Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Madubuike, Patrick Queen, and Geno Stone, making it challenging to retain all of them. While the Ravens possess most of their draft picks, including an extra seventh but no sixth-round selection, their first-round pick is at No. 30. Despite historically doing well in the draft, the late selection adds another layer of complexity.

The Ravens also face concerns regarding their coordinators. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, instrumental in orchestrating a league-leading sack total, is attracting interest from the Commanders and Seahawks. His potential departure would be a significant blow. Additionally, Associate Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach Anthony Weaver is drawing interest from the Commanders. While the Ravens have a track record of effectively replacing departing assistants, it remains a challenging task.

The Ravens and Lions share a common hurdle – the gravitational pull of the NFL towards mediocrity. While the Chiefs may be an exception, other teams find it challenging to maintain a consistent level of success year after year. Similar rosters don’t guarantee the same results annually. Many teams view a playoff loss as a stepping stone to greater achievements, but often, the next step leads backward. Factors like key injuries (as experienced by the Bengals), the improvement of a division rival (as witnessed by the Jaguars), shifts in chemistry or coaching staff (as seen with the Eagles), or just a streak of bad luck (as the Bills can attest) can unexpectedly set a team back.

As the Lions and Ravens approach a lengthy offseason, the anticipation for another deep playoff run will be high come September. However, there’s also the realization that their prime opportunity for a Super Bowl might have just slipped away.