Picture this: a team that's been tipped as a Super Bowl contender crashing to a dismal 1-5 start. That's the Baltimore Ravens right now, and it's got fans, players, and coaches alike grappling with a mix of frustration and heartache. But could Head Coach John Harbaugh steer them back to glory? One expert thinks yes – and it's sparking some heated debates. Stick around, because this turnaround tale might surprise you more than you expect.
When a squad expected to hoist the Lombardi Trophy early in the season finds itself with more losses than wins, as the Ravens have, emotions run high – disappointment, anger, and a whole lot of second-guessing. The locker room, the coaching staff, and the front office are all feeling the sting. Even the die-hard supporters in Baltimore are vocal about their discontent. Coach John Harbaugh gets it; he's tuned into the vibe.
'[Our fans] are amazing because of how deeply they care and how badly they want us to succeed – even when they're upset and say things that sting a bit,' Harbaugh shared in a Monday interview. 'But that's part of our role on the team. And it'll be incredible when things click again, letting them bask in the joy they're meant to have. That's exactly why we're grinding so hard to make it happen.'
ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell (link: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46573291/2025-nfl-week-6-hot-seat-watch-coaches-players-mcdaniel-fields-harbaugh-callahan) is optimistic that brighter times lie ahead for Baltimore as key players heal up and their upcoming games get a tad easier. He points out that Harbaugh, boasting a solid .613 win rate over 18 seasons with the team, has earned plenty of leeway because he's 'among the top coaches in the NFL.'
'I truly see Harbaugh as an elite coach,' Barnwell penned. 'The Ravens' 1-5 record stems from a nasty combo of unlucky bounces in tight games against tough foes and a barrage of injuries. Imagine if that pass hadn't ricocheted into Keon Coleman's hands or Derrick Henry hadn't slipped on that fumble late in Week 1 – does that make Harbaugh any less skilled? Sure, their rookie group hasn't dazzled yet, but the Ravens have a track record of developing young stars successfully under him for years. That speaks volumes.'
Barnwell reminds us that even legendary coaches like Bill Belichick and Andy Reid have faced intense criticism. He draws parallels between Harbaugh's current predicament and Reid's time with the Eagles. The Ravens have been consistent contenders since Lamar Jackson's arrival, yet they've never crossed that Super Bowl finish line. Reid's Eagles made the playoffs nine out of 14 seasons in Philly but only reached one Super Bowl, which they lost.
But here's where it gets controversial – is there an inherent flaw in Harbaugh that keeps the Ravens from claiming the big prize? Barnwell questions whether that same criticism applies to coaches like Reid or others who made the playoffs regularly but fell short without quarterbacks like Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes. 'Regardless, it definitely doesn't fit Harbaugh, who has already won a Super Bowl. And unlike Reid, who hit his stride after getting a Hall-of-Fame QB, Harbaugh clinched his championship with a Ravens squad that wasn't even at peak strength. His 10-6 team charged through the AFC as a fourth seed, knocking off opponents on the road in places like Denver and New England.'
Speaking of the future, the Ravens' storied success means they're used to selecting late in the first round. But this season might change that, depending on how things unfold. NFL.com draft expert Chad Reuter (link: https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-order-biggest-needs-for-every-team) crunched the numbers using team records and schedule strength as the tiebreaker. Under this system, Baltimore would snag the No. 2 overall pick – the highest in franchise history. For context, their previous best was No. 4, back in 1996 and 1997, when they drafted standout offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and linebacker Peter Boulware.
Reuter notes it's unlikely they'll hold onto a top-five pick by season's end, assuming Lamar Jackson is back after their bye week. He identifies their top needs as edge rushers (think guys who pressure the quarterback from the outside), interior offensive linemen (the big blockers up front for the QB), tight ends (versatile receivers who can block and catch), defensive linemen (the frontline stoppers), and cornerbacks (defenders who shadow wide receivers).
As Barnwell hinted, the Ravens' rocky beginning boils down to a triple threat: injuries, a grueling schedule, and some rotten luck. Baltimore Sun writer Josh Tolentino (link: https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/14/ravens-5-stats-explain-troubling-start-josh-tolentino-commentary/) spotlighted five key stats shedding light on their 1-5 skid. Let's dive into two of them, with a bit more explanation to make it clear for newcomers to the game.
First, zero: That's the number of quarterback hits from the Ravens' edge rushers. Just after shipping Odafe Oweh to the Chargers, Baltimore's thinned-out pass-rush crew delivered... well, zilch. Over 54 combined snaps pressuring the passer in their 17-3 defeat to the Rams, players like Kyle Van Noy, Mike Green, David Ojabo, and Tavius Robinson couldn't land a single hit on veteran QB Matthew Stafford. To add insult to injury, Robinson – who was tied for the team lead in sacks with two – broke his foot in the second quarter and is sidelined for 6-8 weeks, per Harbaugh. Now, their already struggling group is even more stretched thin. Of the remaining three healthy rushers, only Van Noy has a sack so far. His pass-rush win rate – basically, how often he disrupts the QB by getting pressure – sits at 14.3%, ranking 42nd in the NFL according to TruMedia.
Second, ten: That's the total turnovers, putting them tied for second-worst in the league. In that Rams game, where they finally broke a four-week drought of takeaways, the offense squandered the opportunity with careless plays and critical errors. These kinds of miscues are a big factor in their disappointing campaign.
Heading into Week 7, the Steelers are the heavy favorites to take the AFC North, according to ESPN Analytics:
Steelers: 77.5%
Ravens: 17.2%
Bengals: 4.3%
Browns: 1%
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 13, 2025 (link: https://twitter.com/jamisonhensley/status/1977787272159277155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Per @EliasSports (link: https://twitter.com/EliasSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw): The Aaron Rodgers vs. Joe Flacco matchup will be only the third time in NFL history where two quarterbacks over 40 years old face off. Brady and Brees did it twice in 2020.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) October 13, 2025 (link: https://twitter.com/gerrydulac/status/1977841084949840154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
PressBox chatted with ex-Ravens wide receiver Derrick Alexander about his early Baltimore days, his current gig as head coach at Avila University, and plenty more. Check it out: link: https://t.co/1VwAJZXSU1
— PressBox (@PressBoxOnline) October 13, 2025 (link: https://twitter.com/PressBoxOnline/status/1977745137691476394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
And this is the part most people miss – could there be a counterpoint here? Some might argue that past success doesn't guarantee future results, especially with an aging QB like Jackson and no Super Bowl win in his era. Is Harbaugh's championship from 2012 still relevant, or is it time to question if the Ravens need a fresh approach? What do you think – does Barnwell's faith in Harbaugh hold water, or are the Ravens doomed to repeat their playoff frustrations? Do you believe injuries and luck are the main culprits, or is there more to it? Drop your opinions in the comments below – let's debate!
