Error code: %{errorCode}
The 1-3 Baltimore Ravens are in desperation mode. Is their season already a lost cause?
A month ago, it was hard to imagine the Baltimore Ravens starting this season in such a hole. With a star-studded roster, one of the league’s top quarterbacks, and a defense boasting some of the NFL's best, they looked built to contend and were one of the favourites to win Super Bowl LX.
Now, reality has hit hard. Four games in, Baltimore is stuck in third place in the AFC North, Lamar Jackson is hurt, and a key defensive piece is gone for weeks.
The burning question now is, where do John Harbaugh and the Ravens go from here? Can they regroup and live up to expectations, or is this season already slipping away?
I take a look at what’s derailed the Ravens, what they need to change, and how their regular season might play out.
Injuries
Every team must contend with injuries, but the Ravens have faced more than their fair share.
Jaire Alexander, Kyle Van Noy, Travis Jones, Ar'Darius Washington, and Patrick Ricard have missed some or all of the Ravens' first four games. The list grew longer in Baltimore's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, with injuries to stars such as Jackson, who suffered a calf injury, and Nmandi Madubuike, who landed on IR with a neck problem.
The list doesn't end there. The Ravens lost three starters before halftime Sunday, as Ronnie Stanley (ankle), Marlon Humphrey (calf), and Roquan Smith (hamstring) all exited the game before Nate Wiggins followed suit in the fourth quarter.
Ozzie Newsome is renowned for his shrewd approach to filling needs via the draft long before they become too pressing, but no team can overcome the litany of injuries the Ravens have suffered.
With that said, injuries are not the only problem at hand...
Defensive frailty
Baltimore had a top 10 defense in 2024. They finished 10th in total yards allowed, allowing the fewest rushing yards per game. They didn't record enough takeaways, but it didn't hold them back, as they finished with a +6 turnover differential and allowed only 21.2 points per game.
2025 has been an entirely different story. Through four games, the Ravens sit in the bottom 10 of almost every defensive category and are dead last in points allowed, surrendering an average of 33.3 per contest.
The lack of big plays and takeaways is a glaring issue.
Schematically, there have been very few changes. Zach Orr, promoted to defensive coordinator after serving as the linebacker coach, remains in the position.
Personnel-wise, they began the year with several key components from last season still in place, including linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, and defensive tackle Nmandi Madubuike.
- Read next | Malik Nabers’ injury sparks Giants trade talk. Here are three wide receivers they could target
The injuries clearly haven't helped, but a team like the Ravens should still have performed better than they did coming into Week 4. Frankly, their showing in the Detroit Lions game in Week 3 was abysmal.
Offensive miscues
Jackson has generally been playing at a high level, throwing for 869 yards with 10 touchdowns to just one interception, while adding 166 yards on the ground. He was far from his best before leaving the field against the Chiefs, but his accompanying cast must shoulder much of the blame for their problems this year.
His offensive line has not performed and was truly exposed against the Chiefs, who pressured Jackson on more than half of his dropback attempts.
Another notable culprit is Derrick Henry, undeniably a top-three running back in the league for much of the last decade. He was incredible in the Week 1 defeat to the Bills, but his ball security was a problem then and has continued to be an issue. He's fumbled three times in four games after doing so only three times in the last two seasons.
In the Week 3 defeat to the Lions, the offense lacked a spark for much of the game. Even the best offenses go through occasional dry spells, but this one contributed to the loss, so it warrants mentioning.
Tough opening schedule
Baltimore has played three juggernauts in the opening month. They lost by a point to the Buffalo Bills, were within one score of toppling the Detroit Lions, and arguably deserve a pass for the Chiefs game, following the number of injuries they suffered.
What next?
Getting healthy is clearly the key, but in the meantime, all is not lost.
Their opponents in the next four games are the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins. Of these teams, only the Rams hold a winning record. The other three are a combined 2-9.
With that said, it's no exaggeration to suggest that their 2025 fate rests on the news of Jackson's injury. If the former MVP were to miss significant time, Baltimore would have to wave goodbye to any hope of making the playoffs, even as a wild card. They're already two games back and cannot rely on Cooper Rush to perform heroics.
However, if Jackson misses no time or only a few games, there's still hope that the Ravens can stay in touch with the rest of the AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals are without star quarterback Joe Burrow, and the Pittsburgh Steelers' 3-1 record is somewhat misleading. All three of their wins have been one-score games, and none of the teams they have defeated possesses a winning record.
Henry is fired up for the challenge.
It's clear Harbaugh has his work cut out for him to steady the ship, but as one of the best head coaches in the game, we cannot rule out his Ravens just yet.
Watch NFL for even less - with 25% off NFL Game Pass now
UK and Ireland NFL fans can now buy an upfront 12-month NFL Game Pass Regular subscription for just £124.99 / €139.99, reduced from £169.99 / €189.99. An upfront Ultimate subscription is now £144.99 / €159.99 down from £189.99 / €209.99.
A subscription includes every game of the season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, plus the NFL Network, RedZone, and shows, including Downs 2 Business, Kittle Things, and X's & O's coaching breakdown.
