"As few impact injuries as seldom in the history of the NFL"? I'm not quite sure what that statement means, but during the 4 game losing streak, we had something like 5 pro bowlers out plus our starting left tackle. When the offense finally got healthy and started playing better, the one guy we can't afford to lose on defense gets hurt. And it's not like we've been so far off from the playoffs recently. We were a few inches from being in 1st last year with a game left, and I think the last game would have gone differently if it meant something. In 2013, we were in a playoff spot before Flacco hurt his knee, and missed it by one game. 2015, when we had half the starters on ir, is the only time in the last 9 years we weren't competitive. We have the 2nd most playoff wins since then. I really don't think the Ravens are a team that needs to show that they can make the playoffs before being considered SB contenders. They've already shown they can make the playoffs and win there.
The Ravens were nowhere near a playoff spot when Flacco got hurt in 2015. The game he got injured was against the Rams. Tuckers game winner put the Ravens at 3-7.