Analyst Expects Ravens to Win 12 Games in Minter's First Season

New head coach Jesse Minter faces high expectations to lead Baltimore to the Super Bowl.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:58pm

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According to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, the Baltimore Ravens are expected to win 12 games in Jesse Minter's first season as head coach. Minter is taking over a talented roster led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, but the pressure is on to make a deep playoff run and potentially win the Super Bowl. Davenport notes that even a 12-5 record may be viewed as a failure if the Ravens don't advance far in the postseason.

Why it matters

The Ravens have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, led by former MVP Lamar Jackson. As a first-time head coach, Minter is walking into a high-pressure situation where anything short of a Super Bowl appearance may be considered a disappointment by the organization and fanbase.

The details

Minter is taking over a Ravens team that has the best roster in the AFC North, according to Davenport. The team is loaded with stars like Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, tight end Mark Andrews, safety Kyle Hamilton, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson. However, the expectations are that this team should not only make the playoffs, but make a deep run and potentially win the Super Bowl.

  • Minter was hired as the Ravens' new head coach in January 2026.

The players

Jesse Minter

The new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, taking over for John Harbaugh.

Lamar Jackson

The Ravens' star quarterback and former NFL MVP.

Gary Davenport

A Bleacher Report analyst who provided the 12-5 season prediction for the Ravens under Minter.

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What they’re saying

“On paper, the Ravens have the best roster in the AFC North, led by a two-time MVP quarterback in Lamar Jackson. But this is a team that is expected to do more than just make the postseason. The Ravens are expected to make a real run at Super Bowl LXI.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report Analyst

What’s next

The Ravens' performance in the 2026 season will be closely watched, as Minter looks to meet the high expectations set for the team.

The takeaway

As a first-time head coach, Jesse Minter is walking into a pressure-filled situation with the Ravens, where anything short of a Super Bowl appearance may be viewed as a disappointment. The team's talented roster, led by Lamar Jackson, has raised the bar for what constitutes a successful debut season for the new head coach.