Following the 39-36 win over the Saints, the Ravens get to look forward to a week of rest and relaxation. "We are mentally drained," said Quarterback Lamar Jackson. "I plan on utilizing my off time in the Caribbean."

Though the Caribbean sounds lovely this time of year, not everyone's mind is beach-centered. Some players, like Defensive Tackle, Brandon Williams, his future in Baltimore is uncertain. "In a contact year, it is difficult to think about anything other than your future," said Defensive Tackle Brandon Williams. "I cannot focus on the future, as this team is looking for me to solidify the interior of our D-Line." Williams is in the final year of his contract, while also expecting to turn 34 a the end of the season.

Brandon Williams is not the only player to have the unknown linger above him. Players such as CB Marcus Peters, DT Damon Harrison, WRs Vyncent Smith and Marcus Boykin and HB Mark Ingram may all be considered cap casualties following the season, due to what the market commanded for QB Lamar Jackson ($248 Mil). When asked about their situation, CB Marcus Peters just brushed it off with confidence. "This team knows what i am capable of and I've shown it week in and week out," said Peters. "I can only control my product on the field. Should that not be enough, my services will benefit another franchise in Season 60." Though Peters is turning 30, he has been the Ravens best defender over the past 3 seasons, totaling 16 interceptions, 107 tackles and 2 touchdowns. 

With these uncertainties looming, rumors are swirling of the Ravens inquiring about potential trades of these players. Though these rumors have been circulating for weeks, Coach Gouch downplayed the rumors, as business as usual. "We wouldn't be doing our due diligence as ownership, if we weren't always surveying the landscape of the trade market," said Coach Gouch. "It is business as usual, and i expect guys to conduct themselves as such."

Business will need to continue to move forward as expected, following the bye week, as the Ravens look to continue their brutal schedule against division rival Bengals.

The Ravens acquired the first-round pick of the Eagles Tuesday night, in a rare trade that allowed Baltimore to add depth, while preparing for the future.

The Ravens obtained a first-round pick, a third-round pick, and 26 year old, star development Cornerback Quincy Wilson. They surrendered a second-round pick, ROLB Caash Maula and RB J. Dobbins. 

"We felt like the value was right for us to make the move," said Coach Gouch. "These moves allow us a great deal of flexibility moving forward. We have shown success in the first round of the draft, but this pick allows us additional comfort, whether that's pairing our first round picks for one higher pick, moving back in the draft to acquire more picks or trading those for established players. The opportunities are there and we are thankful for the position we are in."

While this move is early in the season, look for the Ravens to prepare a few additional moves, adjusting for life with Lamar jackson and his maximum contract he is due in season 60. 

"We are working with Lamar's representation daily in hopes of coming to some sort of understanding and expectation with regards to his lucrative contract," said Coach Gouch. "We expect Lamar to end his career in Baltimore."

Baltimore Ravens Quarterback, Lamar Jackson was criticized throughout last season, by the MOF media outlets, for his inconsistent play. Specifically, the amount of interceptions he threw (42) over the course of the season were questioned regularly. "I had to revamp my approach going into the season," said Jackson. "This teams successes and failures start with me."

However, Lamar Jackson responded with what might have been the best game of his young career, as he led the Ravens to a come-from-behind victory 32-28 over the Bengals to improve the Ravens to 1-0 overall (1-0 AFC North). "Nothing in the AFC North comes easy," said Coach Gouch. "We have to bring our best effort forward each and every week. I told them on the plane over, you might have to win it on a last minute offensive drive or last second defensive stand. I was impressed to see them execute on both sides of the ball."

Each side of the ball applied their own philosophy to ink out the win today: The Defense approached todays game with a bend-but-dont-break mentality, while the offense utilized their vertical attack to capitalize on their opponent. "We attacked the roaming safety, Jesse Bates," said WR Hollywood Brown, who totaled 169 yards on the day and 3 touchdowns. "All week, coacphh emphasized that i would have a big game this week, as we saw some tendencies in the film."

Despite the big day from Brown, it was the defense that sealed the victory, with a last second interception by CB Marcus Peters. "I had opportunities all day, but couldnt capitalize on them initially," said Peters. "I was finally able to steal one for our defense at the right time." 

Though Peters and the Ravens defense was able to pair 4 interceptions on the day, with the victory, there are still many aspects of their game that this team needs to improve on. "Mixon ran all over our team today and that is unacceptable," said Defensive Captain Damon Harrison, Sr. "They brought me in to be a force for the run defense, and i have to do my part, to help the back end of our defense. I didnt do that today, but we will improve."

Looking to improve on their winning ways, the Ravens will travel to Atlanta to face a stingy Falcons team coming off a loss, week two. 

With the first game only hours away, the entire locker room is eager to get back into game action. While a majority of the team enters Saturday with some prior MOF experience, there are a select few who will walk through the visitors tunnel at Paul Brown Stadium for the first time. The nerves and excitement levels are high, but rookie first round pick, Cornerback Nick Palmer is focused on football.

"It's going to be exciting, but it's just a football game at the end of the day," Palmer said. "I got to just go out there prepared mentally, physically, emotionally and compete at a high level."

Along with keeping the football mindset as the first priority, many new Ravens enlisted the help of veteran players to give them tips on playing their first game in a hostile environment. Rookie Defensive Tackle Clifton Roby utilized the resources he has in a knowledgeable room as well as seasoned veteran DT Damon Harrison Sr. The Southern Miss product is excited about using all the advice he has received to take advantage of the opportunity he has on Saturday Morning.

"The vets, especially Harrison, have been providing me with a lot of insight into our first game, what to expect and how to handle the emotions of the game and the crowd," said Roby. "Just enjoy the moment, was a common theme, as you'll never have another first game in your professional career."

This will be an experience of a lifetime for these rookies, one that will provide all-the-feels, but this does not minimize the importance of their duties on the field week one versus division rival, Cincinnati. Coach Gouch has stressed the importance of their on-field duties all offseason.

"I expect them to perform to the standard that we have set here in Baltimore," said Coach Gouch. "I have high hopes for them and they understand that, both on and off the field." 

Those high achievements are essential to their success, as the Ravens look to move out of the basement of the division, following an abysmal 5 win season last year and that starts in Cincinnati Week 1, on December 19.