With three games remaining in their regular season, the Ravens find themselves in a somewhat new circumstance: having to rely on others for help.
For most of this season, the prevailing thought (from yours truly) was that despite hiccups, the Ravens had the ability to right the wrong before the wrong spiraled out of control. Their playoff hopes, until now, have been up to them.
After starting the season a shocking 1-5, Baltimore’s bye week came at the perfect time. The Ravens have won six of their last eight games, and almost as importantly, their defense has gone from allowing 32.3 points per game before the bye to allowing 15.8 points per game since.
Baltimore beat the Bears in Week 8 (the best team in the toughest division), followed by a 3-game sweep of consecutive road games. But as this season has shown us, the Ravens have left plenty of opportunities on the field.
This year, Baltimore has tied it’s worst-ever mark of five home losses. M&T Bank Stadium used to be a fortress of sorts. Even when the Ravens would struggle at times to remain above .500, they always seemed to get things right at home. Not this year.
Interesting timing, because this week the Ravens host the AFC’s current No. 2 seed, the New England Patriots. I’ve often said this year (mostly in frustration) that the Ravens play to their competition. Here’s to hoping that’s the case this Sunday night.
At 7-7 overall and 3-2 in the AFC North, Baltimore is not in great shape, but they’re absolutely in consideration to win the division. Even if the Steelers win tonight without T.J. Watt, the Ravens will be one game behind Pittsburgh with three to play, including a head-to-head matchup in the regular season finale at Pittsburgh.
In a way, we shouldn’t be surprised. This is who the Ravens are. For the most part, when push comes to shove, they get the job done down the stretch.
Speaking of which, here is a game-by-game snapshot of what the remainder of their regular season looks like and what to expect from each matchup.
Week 16
Patriots at Ravens
Sunday night, 12/21/25
Key matchup: Baltimore’s 3rd-ranked rush offense against New England’s 5th-ranked rush defense
Analysis: This is a copycat league. James Cook just rank 22 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns against this Patriots run defense. He’s an excellent back, but he’s not Derrick Henry. If I’m Todd Monken, I’m calling 40-plus run plays this week. Henry, Keaton Mitchell, Jackson, Zay Flowers, Pat Ricard…whatever and whoever it takes, run the rock. Establish dominance and force a young Drake Maye to beat a suddenly surging Ravens defense.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Patriots 21
Week 17
Ravens at Packers
Saturday night, 12/27/25
Key matchup: Baltimore’s offensive tackles against Green Bay’s edge rushers
Analysis: This is probably the trickiest game to prepare for. It’s an unknown opponent who, while very good, just lost their best player. Green Bay’s 2-Time All-Pro Micah Parsons’ season likely ended in Week 15 due to a suspected ACL tear. Baltimore’s rookie standout linebacker Teddye Buchanan suffered the same fate last week as well. Terrible injuries, but an opportunity for both teams to capitalize.
With Parsons, the Packers were 15th in the league in sacks through Week 15. The Ravens rank 25th in sacks allowed. Obviously, much of those breakdowns can be mitigated by a consistent dose of Derrick Henry and company.
This game will be Lamar Jackson’s first ever against the Packers, and obviously, his first ever at Lambeau Field. Massive playoff stakes for both teams at Lambeau under the lights in primetime sounds like just the stage Jackson and the Ravens thrive on. Let’s hope that comes to fruition.
As good as Jackson, Henry, and company are and can/have to be, this game will likely come down to Baltimore’s defensive (man) coverage. When the Ravens started in zone defense against the Bengals yesterday, they struggled. But when they played more man coverage, they seemed to settle in and buckle down. That’s notable, because while team records are quite different, the offensive personnel of Cincinnati and Green Bay are quite similar.
Prediction: Ravens 30, Packers 21
Week 18
Ravens at Steelers
Date & time TBD
Key matchup: Lamar vs. down and distance
Analysis: When these two teams played just two weeks ago, the Ravens seemed to be the better team. Baltimore had markedly more time of possession, total yards, was 3-for-4 on 4th downs, and out-scored Pittsburgh in the second half. However, Baltimore also turned the ball over once (Pittsburgh did not). Especially in this rivalry, that can be all it takes to lose.
While Lamar Jackson wasn’t totally to blame for that loss, his inexcusable interception in his own territory led to a touchdown for the Steelers midway through the second quarter. That swing of momentum is awfully hard to overcome, no matter how talented a team is.
While he was sacked “just” twice in that game, Jackson and the Ravens did well in terms of staying on schedule. Just three times did the Ravens face a situation where they needed more than 10 yards to gain for a first down (compared to five times for Pittsburgh). That may seem like an inconsequential distinction, but if just one of those plays results in a turnover or punt, that can be the difference—in the case of Week 18’s stakes—in winning a division or your season ending.
Jackson didn’t win the MVP last year when many thought he should’ve. He won’t win it this year, either. However, a stellar performance in Pittsburgh in the regular season finale is just the kind of performance that would smooth over every bump in the road Baltimore has endured thus far.
Prediction: Ravens 24, Steelers 21
Overall
The bottom line is that Baltimore’s best shot at a playoff berth this season is to win out and take the AFC North. The secondary and less likely option is for the Ravens to win one of their next two games and for the Steelers to lose two of their next three games with Baltimore beating Pittsburgh in Week 18.
All the tiebreakers favor Pittsburgh at the moment, which is why it is so critically important for the Ravens to look forward. Yes, their collective performance thus far has exhausted almost all their lifelines, but there actually is still a lot of football to play.
Hope the Lions beat the Steelers this Sunday afternoon, beat the Patriots and Packers, and then it’s winner-take-all in Week 18 in Pittsburgh.
As it should be.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.