Where Do the Ravens Go from Here?

Something has to change. Now.

From the offensive failures in short yardage situations to the incessant lack of pressure on the opposing quarterback to routinely giving the ball to the other team, the 2025 Baltimore Ravens are running out of time, support, and answers.

There’s nothing the team can do about their horrendous 1-5 start. Those six games are over and done with. The team can, however, take a look at the film and personnel usage to calibrate their approach going forward.

Regarding personnel, any conversation about the Ravens season starts with Lamar Jackson, who won’t be back until after the bye week. If the team had a different bye week, would Jackson be available? We don’t know.

However, with Lamar Jackson as their starting quarterback, the Ravens are 71-27. Furthermore, Jackson has thrown seven touchdowns, no interceptions, and has rushed for seven yards per carry this season at home. That’s the kind of effectiveness the Ravens are without.

Would the Ravens have won Sunday if Jackson was active? I think so. But even if they won yesterday, they’d be 2-4. Not good. In other words, their problems wouldn’t have been solved just by beating the Rams.

Baltimore’s biggest issue is that they’re not feared right now. For so long, whether Ray Lewis or Lamar Jackson was the leader, opposing teams knew they’d be in for a long day when they drew the Ravens on their schedule. Now, it seems like teams are looking forward to playing the Ravens, as Baltimore is one game better than being winless. Wildly, even with a healthy Derrick Henry, Kyle Hamilton, and Isaiah Likely—three dynamic difference-makers, it seems like teams expect to roll over the Ravens and rest their starters in the 4th quarter. As one fan told me yesterday, “It’s embarrassing [to be a fan].”

Not only that, but don’t forget the tens of millions of dollars the Ravens recently invested into stadium renovations. Let’s just say that a return on investment isn’t coming in the foreseeable future. If fans are calling for the firing of the head coach and coordinators, they’re not in the mood to keep spending money.

So, the Ravens have a performance problem and, potentially, a revenue problem. But the problem most-plaguing Baltimore at the moment is a lack of confidence. Players and coaches seem defeated. As sports often shows us, once your confidence goes, a loss is soon to follow.

What’s the next step? Where does the team go from here? How do you fix a lack of confidence (if that is the case in the Ravens’ locker room)?

The first step is to, as Nick Saban once said, “Get the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus.” Scheme changes are pointless if you don’t self-scout with complete honesty and elevate the people making plays and scale back the players who are making mistakes—regardless of prior achievement.

From there, it’s usually a sound decision to pair down verbiage and trim the playbook. Simplify. Dominate the details and drill down on what you do well. Back to basics. Normally that may seem like you’re giving up, but with the talent this team has, it’s actually a wise move.

All members of the Ravens organization have to resolve that their next play, call, article, field setup, equipment cleaning will be their best of the season. Make up your mind that you will succeed. Don’t think about the past or the future. Be in the now.

What do the Ravens do well? Generally, they’re very good at running the ball and pressuring the quarterback. Problem: the team is without Lamar Jackson, Patrick Ricard, Roquan Smith, and Nnamdi Madubuike. Those are four impactful players that are all vital cogs in the operation of the team’s success.

In 2024, the Ravens ranked 1st in rushing yards and rushing yards/attempt. Now, in those same categories, Baltimore ranks 9th and 2nd. Last year, defensively, the Ravens ranked 2nd in sacks (54, 3.2 per game). Now, they rank 28th (8, 1.3 per game).

Baltimore’s offense has been unrecognizable as of late. Through six weeks, the Ravens have turned the ball over 10 times—2nd most in the league. That said, most of the onus here is on the defense. Getting bullied up front, bad pursuit angles, poor coverage technique, and just an overall lack of focus—that’s the absolute antithesis of the ferocious defense Baltimore made popular.

The Ravens are on pace to give up 550 points this season. Think about that! In their previous three seasons, they finished 9th, 1st, and 3rd respectively in points allowed. Now, they’re on pace to break the all-time record for most points allowed in a single season.

While offense is mostly about scheme, defense is mostly about mindset. These Ravens defenders have tremendous talent, which is why their season to date has been so aggravating. We’re at the point where this Bears game is a make-or-break game. Say what you want about Chicago, but they’re an NFL team and they will, absolutely, embarrass Baltimore if it doesn’t get its act together.

Now is the time. If Harbaugh is going to make coaching changes, now is the time. If Eric DeCosta is going to make a splash in the trade market, now is the year to do it. If these players don’t want to keep losing, they should make up their mind to win their 1-on-1 assignment, every play, and do so for the team.

Overhauling a team midseason doesn’t usually work, in any sport. For the most part, this collection of Ravens are the ones who will be there at the end of the year. While you can adjust the roster in certain ways, a mass change isn’t feasible. Same with coaches. One or two changes can be made, but the best time to make any kind of change is in the offseason.

Yes, the 2012 Ravens changed offensive coordinators midseason and won the Super Bowl. That was an exception, not the rule.

Where do the Ravens go from here? Honestly, that’s completely up to them.

 

This article is courtesy of The Womb Room – “The Womb Room supports growing families in person and online with expert doulas, therapists, yoga, groups, and classes for every stage of parenthood.”