Welcome to the next installment of "MrNFL's prediction system previews."  On these posts, we will look at an NFL team, and grade them at different positions to figure out what record each team will get.  For a full explanation on how the system works, click here.

Today we look at the Baltimore Ravens

LAST SEASON: Led by arguably the best defense in the NFL,  the Ravens went 13-3 before being eliminated by the Colts.

Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers

QB's: Steve McNair, Kyle Boller, Troy Smith
WR's: Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Clarence Moore, Demetrius Williams, Devard Darling, Yamon Figurs, Romby Bryant

McNair is a solid quarterback.  Not great, but he gets the job done.  Mason is their #1 guy, but he really isn't more than a #2 guy.  Clayton's a solid young receiver, and by seasons' end will probably be the #1 guy.  Williams is a decent slot guy.  Overall an average group, not better than a 7.

QB/WR score: 7/10

Running Backs/Tight Ends

HB's: Willis McGahee, Musa Smith, Mike Anderson, Cory Ross, P.J. Daniels
FB's: La'Ron McClain, Justin Green
TE's: Todd Heap, Daniel Wilcox, Quinn Sypniewski, Rob Abiamiri

McGahee will be better than Jamal Lewis, but not too much better.  Anderson and Smith are both very average backups.   Green is an average fullback, and no telling what the rookie McClain can do.  Heap is a very good receiving tight end.  Wilcox and Sypniewski and both decent backups.   Decent group, but not better than a 7.

RB/TE Score: 7/10

Offensive Line

T's: Jonathan Ogden, Adam Terry, Steve Edwards, Mike Kracalik, Jared Gaither
G's: Keydrick Vincent, Ben Grubbs, Jason Brown, Chris Chester, Marshal Yanda, Brian Rimpf, Ikechuku Ndukwe
C's: Mike Flynn, Matt Katula

When healthy, Ogden is arguably the best tackle in the game.  Terry will likely take over Pashos spot, although he's never been a starter and will likely have a few issues.  Vincent isn't a bad guard when healthy, and the first rounder Grubbs will likely start, although Brown wasn't terrible last year.  Flynn is a pretty good center.  Just good enough to get an 8.

 
OL Score: 8/10

Defensive Line

DT's: Kelly Gregg, Haloti Ngata, Dwan Edwards, Justin Bannan, Keyonta Marshall, Kenny King, Atiyyah Ellison
DE's: Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, Jarret Johnson

Gregg is a very good and under-rated inside tackle.  Ngata should be improved in his second year, as he very rookie-like last season.  Suggs and Pryce are both very good pass rushing defensive ends.  Overall, a very good line, but not quite a 10.

 
DL Score: 9/10

Linebackers

LB's: Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Gary Stills, Mike Smith, Dennis Haley, Dan Cody, Antwan Barnes, Prescott Burgess

Lewis is still a very good middle linebacker, but he's not the force he once was.  Scott is a very under-rated outside linebacker who had a great year last year.  The problem is that they do not have anyone proven to fill the hole left by Thomas.  Stills is average at best, Barnes is a rookie, and Smith/Haley/Cody might as well be rookies.  This hole costs this unit some points, but Lewis and Scott are both good enough to still get them an 8.

LB Score: 8/10

Defensive Backs

CB's: Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, Corey Ivy, Derrick Martin, Ronnie Prude, David Pittman, Evan Oglesby, Jamaine Winborne
S's: Ed Reed, Dawan Landry, Gerome Sapp, B.J. Sams

Both McAlister and Rolle are very good starting cornerbacks.  Ivy is a decent #3 guy.   Reed is a pretty good safety and Landry had a great rookie year last year, and if he can continue to play at that level, he's going to be great.  Overall a pretty good group, just short of the 10.

DB Score: 9/10

Special Teams

K: Matt Stover
P: Sam Koch
KR: B.J. Sams

The veteran Stover is incredibly accurate, and one of the better kickers in the game.  The only concern is his age, as longer kicks aren't as easy.  The rookie punter was solid last year, and should improve.  If Sams is healthy, he's a pretty good punt and kick returner.  Very good group.

 
ST Score: 9/10
 

Coaches
 

Head Coach: Brian Billick
O. Coordinator: Rick Neuheisel
D. Coordinator: Rex Ryan

Billick has been a successful coach for the Ravens, with only two losing seasons in 8 years.  Neuheisel is a new coordinator, after being their QB coach for a few years.  Ryan is a very good defensive coordinator, who's been on with the Ravens since 1999.  Overall, a solid group.

Coach score: 4/10

Recap

QB/WR- 7/10

RB/TE- 7/10

OL- 8/10

DL- 9/10

LB- 8/10

DB- 9/10

ST- 9/10

C- 4/5

Make sure and leave your rankings for the Ravens

Up next, we start the AFC South by looking at the Texans.