In a league where preseason unpredictability is as common as assault-and-battery charges or breathing, the Baltimore Ravens may be the biggest X-Factor team in the AFC. Well, them and the Miami Dolphins.

Why not? Both teams signed quarterbacks coming off injuries, full of baggage, that most teams were iffy about. Both clubs are high on offensive skill players but crossing their fingers and hoping that their offensive line finds Chemistry and plays better than it looks on paper. Both are relying on aging veterans with a ditch digger's mentality to anchor a defense that remains proud and productive. Oh yeah, and both teams are guided by alleged "geniuses".

And both of these teams will be big-time players on the AFC scene.

But for which will the stars align and for which will all the pieces fall into place? So many questions, but so much potential. I feel as if the Ravens have the potential to be the better team, but will likely be slow out of the box. They're incorporating some new schemes and new pieces and haven't looked well in the preseason. In fact, some in the B-more media are already hitting the panic button. May be too early for that, but that's the price of expectations.

Here's Doc's 2006 Baltimore Ravens Preview:
2005 Record: 6-10 (6-2 home, 0-8 road)
2005 Rankings: 24th offense (22nd pass, 21st rush); 5th defense (8th pass, 9th rush)
2005 Against the Spread: 7-9 (5-3 home, 2-6 road); 5-9-2 vs. total (2-6 h, 3-3-2 r)
2006 Odds: 30/1 to win SB, 20/1 to win AFC, 4.5/1 to win AFC North, 7.5 wins O/U
2006 Strength of Schedule: 9th (.523 opp. win %)
Key stat: The Ravens forced just 26 turnovers last season, their lowest total since 1998. The most during that span was 49 in 2000.

Returning starters: 18 (10 offense, 8 defense)
Key acquisitions: Steve McNair, QB (from Tenn.); Trevor Pryce, DE (from Denver); Mike Anderson, RB (from Denver); Haloti Ngata, DT (draft).
Key departures: Chester Taylor, RB; Maake Kemoeatu, DT; Will Demps, S; Peter Boulware, LB; Tommy Polley, LB; Dale Carter, CB; Deion Sanders, CB; Orlando Brown, OT; Tony Weaver, DE; Anthony Wright, QB; Dave Zastudil, P.

Offense: Grabbing McNair was supposed to be the elixir for an offense that finished 28th in red-zone touchdown conversion rate (16-for-42, 38 percent). McNair has looked sharp this preseason, completing 77 percent of his throws. But he has yet to complete a pass more than 30 yards downfield, and the Ravens were smothered by Minnesota last weekend because they were jumping all the underneath routes. Jamal Lewis is the shell of himself and suffering from a hip flexor, and this is one writer that has little faith in Baltimore's offensive line. It's not that they are getting used to one another or that they're young, they just suck.
Defense: Ray Lewis is not the best middle linebacker in the game. He's not the force he once was. As long as you realize and understand that you'll have the proper perspective on this defense. They aren't the unit from six years ago, but they are still strong. The secondary is solid with Ed Reed, Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle holding it down. But that trio needs to generate much more than just 12 interceptions. Ngata has looked lethargic and overmatched thus far. The Ravens surrendered only eight rushing touchdowns last year, but that number will rise without Kemoeatu and Weaver.
X-factor: Lewis. The guy isn't the same. Prison has a way of doing that to you. Or so I've heard. He's looked slow and isn't driving the pile. He needs to revert to 2004 form if this team is going anywhere.
Outlook: Well, it's been fun figuring that the Ravens would be a playoff contender this season. And they are. But it will take some time early in the season to get it together on offense and sort out some issues on defense. But with Carson Palmer returning to Cincinnati and Baltimore looking unconvincing in its 0-3 preseason, it may seem that the Ravens are sliding back to their spot in the three-hole in the North. I think they'll recover. And I think they'll challenge. But we'll see if they overcome.

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