With Joe Flacco back, Baltimore Ravens ready for turnaround

Everyone has those days when everything goes wrong. But for John Harbaugh, it was worse than that. He woke up on the wrong side of the bed and never got things right. The Baltimore Ravens’ entire year was a wreck.

The Ravens opened last season 1-6, losing close games and key players week after week. The list of season-ending injuries included quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Steve Smith and linebacker Terrell Suggs. Twenty players were placed on injured reserve.

Still, Baltimore found a way to sweep two games from Pittsburgh and finish 5-11. The Ravens were involved in 14 games decided by eight points or fewer, and they lost seven games by six points or fewer.

When it all could have fallen apart, Harbaugh pulled the team together. He’s a top-five coach in the NFL in my book — ranking just behind Bill Belichick and Sean Payton and just ahead of Bruce Arians, Pete Carroll and Mike Zimmer.

It’s tough to figure where Rex Ryan fits. He’s not a bad coach — he’s great with the media and in motivating players — but not one of the best, either. Ryan’s first season in Buffalo produced an 8-8 record.

His second season is getting off to the wrong kind of start. Defensive players are dropping like flies. Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland, the team’s top two draft picks, are lost to injuries. Marcell Dareus, a two-time Pro Bowler and a beast on the line, is serving a four-game suspension.

The potential is there for the Bills to be explosive offensively. Tyrod Taylor, who spent four years as a Ravens backup and rarely played, emerged as a high-level starter last season while passing for 20 touchdowns and proving to be a running threat.

But Baltimore beefed up its defense in all areas in the offseason. The free-agent signing of safety Eric Weddle, a Pro Bowl veteran from San Diego, was a huge addition. Suggs’ return is just as important.

Flacco remains a question mark. He sometimes plays with the energy of a zombie, and on those days, it can be frustrating to bet on him. Back from a knee injury, Flacco looked solid in the brief time he played during the Ravens’ 4-0 preseason.

A year after everything went wrong for the Ravens, look for things to turn. I bet Baltimore to go over its regular-season win total of 8 (it’s up to 8½ at some books), and Harbaugh’s team is my sleeper pick to win the AFC North.

I will side with the Ravens as 3-point home favorites over the Bills on Sunday, and here are four more plays for Week 1 (home team in CAPS):

Buccaneers (+3) over FALCONS: It’s finally time for Tampa Bay to escape the NFC South cellar. Jameis Winston is operating a potentially explosive offense, and the Buccaneers have a stronger defense capable of stopping Matt Ryan, who has become the worst quarterback in the division. Tampa Bay swept Atlanta last season.

SAINTS (-1) over Raiders: Drew Brees was lethal in the Superdome last season, completing 70.3 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. New Orleans will be pumped up for the home opener, so emotion should cover up some of the defensive deficiencies. Derek Carr was not especially sharp running the Oakland offense in the preseason.

Chargers (+6½) over CHIEFS: The loss of injured linebacker Justin Houston will weaken Kansas City’s pass rush. San Diego’s offense will be improved with second-year running back Melvin Gordon stepping up to support Philip Rivers, who will get better protection behind a healthy and rebuilt line. The Chargers covered three of their past four games at Kansas City.

REDSKINS (+3) over Steelers: There are two home ’dogs Monday night, and Washington was live in that role last season, covering four of five times. Pittsburgh opens the season without suspended running back Le’Veon Bell, and top wideout Antonio Brown will be shadowed as much as possible by the Redskins’ new star cornerback, Josh Norman.

Last season: 41-39-5 against the spread

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports betting columnist Matt Youmans can be reached at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow on Twitter: @mattyoumans247