Ray Rice arguably got off easy. Despite a lengthy process and highly publicized scandal involving Rice abusing his then fiance (and now wife) at an Atlantic City hotel in April, the Baltimore Ravens running back will only be suspended two games by the NFL.

It’s a slap on the wrist considering the harsher punishments others have received in just the past few years, as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Terrelle Pryor sat out the first five games of his rookie year in Oakland due to receiving free tattoos – while in college. Josh Gordon, another high profile player entrenched in a suspension battle with the league, is expected to receive a full one-year ban for smoking marijuana.

All of the offences are justified with a punishment, but it does seem like the league has failed to get it right when it comes to how the punishment fits the crime.

Regardless, Rice is now only lost for the first two games of the 2014 NFL season, instead of an originally feared four-to-six. Instead of bracing for a long absence from their lead running back, the Ravens will merely have to weather the storm for two games, with backup running back Bernard Pierce filling in as the team’s likely starter. Change of pace running back Justin Forsett could also get involved on passing downs, but the Ravens have yet to figure out exactly how their depth chart will shake out.

Hopefully Rice will take the extra two weeks off to get in as good of shape as possible, after failing to perform at an elite level in 2013. Still just 27 years old, Rice is in the midst of a huge contract he signed in 2012 and should remain a focal point of Baltimore’s offense.

While Rice seemed to regress due to a lack of explosiveness and nagging injuries in 2013 (he put up a pitiful 3.1 yards per carry), he still possess the talent and versatility to turn things around. Rice has been said to be in much better shape, as quarterback Joe Flacco stated he looked “lighter on his feet” and that he “looks good running the ball”.

If the Ravens plan on ditching their failed 2013 season and returning to the level of play that earned them a Super Bowl win in 2012, they’ll need that to be the case.