Revealed: November 2, 2025
The Baltimore Ravens had a nightmarish begin to the 12 months. Shedding to the Buffalo Payments after holding a double-digit lead very late within the fourth quarter appeared to interrupt them, and so they’d go on to lose 5 in a row and their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson. All appeared misplaced, however that was two weeks in the past. There’s a really completely different vibe with higher well being, Jackson again, and two straight wins. However will it even matter?
Can the Ravens make historical past this 12 months?
In your entire historical past of the NFL, simply 1.1% of the time does a 1-5 crew make the playoffs. It has solely occurred 4 instances ever. The excellent news for Ravens followers is that three of these examples have come since 2015. The newest instance was the 2020 Washington Commanders, who snuck in at 7-9 due to a dreadful division.
The Ravens don’t have that luxurious, because the AFC North is fairly strong, and the AFC as a complete may be very deep. However they’ve reeled off two wins, had a bye week to relaxation, and obtained Lamar Jackson again. He casually tossed 4 touchdowns in a blowout win final night time. With him, something is feasible, however do the Ravens have an precise path to the playoffs?
At 3-5, the Ravens sit 1.5 video games again of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and so they play the NFL-leading Indianapolis Colts this week, so a loss is very doubtless. That’d trim the hole to at least one recreation, making it totally plausible that the division title may return to Baltimore. The Cincinnati Bengals are tied with the Ravens within the standings, however they’re lacking Joe Burrow proper now. All indicators level to a Ravens comeback.
Nevertheless, with 5 losses already, they’ll in poor health afford to lose many extra. It’s extremely unlikely that something greater than seven losses will probably be sufficient to maintain them out. Going 9-8 after their begin could be good, but it surely’s not going to get them into the playoffs.
Thankfully, the schedule isn’t all that unhealthy. Trying forward, there are two video games with groups which might be at present higher than the Ravens: the New England Patriots and Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Ravens are going to have to separate these video games, which occur to come back in Weeks 16 and 17. That stretch goes to outline this season. Shedding each could be catastrophic. The Patriots are good, however they’ve additionally had a reasonably simple schedule this 12 months. By then, we’ll know extra about how good they’re, however Drake Maye is prone to shred Baltimore’s secondary both approach. The Packers look well-rounded, however they’re not wildly dominant on both facet of the ball.
The Ravens even have 5 divisional video games left, and people will be wholly unpredictable, particularly if the Bengals get Burrow again. We will assume they’ll beat the Briwns, however the different 4 are arduous. The Ravens are higher, however going 5-0 in these contests is a giant ask. The Athletic’s playoff predictor expects them to win the division at 9-8, however that is perhaps a stretch. The predictor offers them a 71% likelihood to make the playoffs, and a 69% likelihood to win the North. The Steelers are the one menace right here at 26% to win the division. So, for now, the chances are surprisingly good for a playoff run, however the margin for error is dangerously skinny. Shedding video games they need to win, which is a staple of the John Harbaugh period and 2025, could be vastly detrimental, so they should utterly lock in the remainder of the way in which. To date, they’ve completed that, though the Bears and Dolphins usually are not elite. The true check nonetheless awaits.
