Here’s a look at the Super Bowl prospects of the Baltimore Ravens, who finished the season 8-8:

Ravens' Super Bowl barometer: Middle of the pack

Assessing the foundation: The good news for the Ravens is that this is essentially the same management foundation that built a Super Bowl team four years ago. General manager Ozzie Newsome is in charge of the personnel side with assistant GM Eric DeCosta. John Harbaugh and six other coaches remain from the championship staff. But the Ravens have been the definition of mediocrity with a 31-33 record since last hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. The key is finding playmakers. In 2012, Baltimore had running back Ray Rice converting a fourth-and-29 in San Diego and Jacoby Jones catching the Mile High Miracle in the playoffs. On defense, the Ravens could rely on future Hall of Fame players Ray Lewis and Ed Reed as well as Terrell Suggs in his prime. Baltimore currently lacks those types of consistent game-changers on both sides of the ball. For the most part, it’s been one play or one series that has been the Ravens’ undoing. Since the Super Bowl, 73 percent of Baltimore’s losses have been by eight points or fewer. “I think John can coach better,” owner Steve Bisciotti said at the end of the season. “I think Ozzie and Eric can draft better. I think Joe [Flacco] can play better. If all of them do it -- and I think they’re capable and determined to be better -- then I think next year we’re sitting here with a playoff-caliber team, and I really believe that. If you get improvement from quality people, I believe that they can collectively bring this team back to prominence.”

Judging the quarterback: Flacco is one of seven active quarterbacks who has won a Super Bowl (during the 2012 season). He just hasn’t come close to playing at that level outside of a solid 2014 season. Flacco is the NFL’s 21st-rated passer (82.5) since the start of the 2013 season, with 80 touchdowns and 61 interceptions (third-most in the league over that span). It’s unrealistic to think he can replicate that playoff run of four years ago, when he threw 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. That was a Joe Montana-like performance. But Baltimore needs Flacco to see the field better, to be more patient in the pocket and to be more accurate on his throws. He’s not in the same category as Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. Flacco isn’t going to carry a team and elevate everyone around him. The Ravens need to do a better job of strengthening the supporting cast around him. Flacco remains Baltimore’s best barometer for success. When his rating is above 93, the Ravens are 48-10 (.827). When his rating is below that, Baltimore is 35-45 (.437). “We need to get more out of Joe,” Bisciotti said. “Joe would agree with me, and Joe is committed to making that happen. Hopefully, that can go from five [wins] to eight to 11. That’s what I would believe.”

Realistic ways the Ravens can improve their chances to contend for a Super Bowl:

1. Commit to the running game. Baltimore obviously needs to run the ball more. The Ravens set franchise records for fewest rushes in each of the last two seasons. But what often gets overlooked is the fact that Baltimore needs to run the ball better. The Ravens have failed to average more than four yards per carry in three of the last four seasons. Those happen to be the times when Baltimore has failed to reach the playoffs. Baltimore needs to add a running back with breakaway ability to better complement Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon. The Ravens' championship teams relied on the big-play abilities of Jamal Lewis and Rice.

2. Significantly upgrade the cornerback position. Take a look at the Ravens' top four corners last season: Jimmy Smith is repeatedly hurt, Tavon Young lacks ideal size, Jerraud Powers is a free agent and Shareece Wright is a liability. This has been a position the Ravens have ignored for too long. Since 2013, the Ravens have allowed the fourth-most touchdown passes to wide receivers (78). One could also argue Baltimore needs a pass-rusher. If the Ravens can upgrade their coverage and add more aggressive corners, they can generate more of a rush through blitzes. Don't be surprised if the Ravens use a first-round pick on a cornerback and sign a veteran to a moderately sized deal.

3. Stretch the field. During his unbelievable playoff run in 2012, Flacco was the best downfield passer in the game. He completed 7 of 15 passes that traveled at least 25 yards for four touchdowns and no interceptions. Flacco hasn't had the same success since. During the last four seasons, he has connected on 41 of 169 such passes (24.3 percent) with 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The puzzling part is the Ravens have speed on the outside with Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman. What would help Flacco is better protection up front (which will allow him more time to throw deep) and more production out of the running game (which would set up the play-action passes).