In what could be one of the boldest and most defining statements ahead of the 2025 NFL season, a prominent NFL analyst has shaken up the conversation around Super Bowl contenders by declaring that the Baltimore Ravens are officially the team to beat in the AFC. The reason? A high-impact, late-offseason signing that stunned the league—All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander.
This game-changing move has not only turned heads across the NFL but has also escalated expectations for a franchise that already boasts a stacked roster led by MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and a coaching staff lauded for tactical excellence. Now, with the arrival of Alexander—widely considered one of the most physical and technically sound corners in the game—the Ravens may have built a roster that, as one analyst declared, is “the most complete in the entire conference.”
The analyst, speaking on a national broadcast late Tuesday night, didn’t mince words. “On paper, yes—Baltimore is the best team in the AFC,” he said. “They’ve got the offense. They’ve got the defense. And now, they’ve got a secondary that might scare quarterbacks into submission.”
The addition of Alexander brings immediate stability and a championship mindset to a defense that was already elite. With Roquan Smith anchoring the linebacker corps, Kyle Hamilton blossoming into a top-tier safety, and now Jaire locking down opposing wideouts, the Ravens are poised to shut down even the most explosive AFC offenses—including those of the Chiefs, Bengals, and Bills.
But beyond the X’s and O’s, this signing has sent a psychological ripple through the league. Teams that previously viewed Baltimore as beatable are now rethinking their strategy. AFC quarterbacks from Joe Burrow to Trevor Lawrence will now have to be extra cautious about where they throw the ball, knowing Alexander is lurking and capable of flipping the momentum with a single pick.
Ravens fans, long hungry for another Super Bowl since their 2012 triumph, are more energized than ever. M&T Bank Stadium is expected to be a fortress this year, with season ticket sales soaring and social media buzzing with championship talk.
Head coach John Harbaugh, ever the pragmatist, acknowledged the hype but tempered it with focus. “We love the energy, and we’re excited about Jaire joining our team,” Harbaugh said during a press conference. “But championships aren’t won on paper. We’ve got work to do.”
Still, it’s hard to ignore the momentum. From a roster-building perspective, the Ravens are arguably flawless—boasting a dual-threat quarterback in Jackson, one of the deepest receiving corps in the NFL, a fierce pass rush, and now, arguably the most fearsome cornerback in the game.
The analyst closed his statement with a bold prediction: “If everyone stays healthy, and they execute even close to their potential, Baltimore isn’t just going to win the AFC—they might run through it.”
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Charm City. The Ravens have set the tone. Now it’s time to back it up on the field.