Stick a Fork in the Ravens — Their Season Is Done

The Baltimore Ravens season has gone from bad to worse! On Sunday they fell again to the Chiefs. The Ravens have now lost to the Chiefs (Including the playoffs) three straight times and are now an abysmal 1-3. 

Injuries

To make things worse, the injuries are starting to really pile up. We all know that All-Pro DT Nnamdi Madubuike is done for the season. However, it seems as the best QB in the league, Lamar Jackson is going to be out for a few weeks, not to mention All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, All-Pro LB Roquan Smith, CB Marlon Humprey, CB Nate Wiggins and OT Ronnie Stanley might also be out for a while. 

If that somehow doesn't seem bad, Patrick Richard, one of the best FB`s in the league, and their top edge rusher, Kyle Van Noy have still not practiced. 

Defense is bad

The Ravens defense was already a huge problem even before all the injuries. Now with most of the starters already out, it might get even worse. On top of that, the Ravens will probably find an excuse to keep defensive coordinator, Zach Orr. 

Orr might just be the WORST DC in the all of the NFL! However, Harbaugh (who should also be fired) for some reason is allowing Orr to keep coaching this defense. 

Where has King Henry Been? 👑

What made the Ravens so explosive was not just Jackson. The Louisville product is a huge reason the Ravens offense is great, but another reason why it's tough to play against is Derrick Henry. 

However, in the last three weeks, Henry has been a no show. 

It wasn't his fault though. He did not have a great game vs the Browns, but in the last two weeks, against the Lions and Chiefs, he barely got the ball. Todd Monken is a great OC, but he needs to run the ball once a while. 

The Chiefs defense was struggling to contain “King Henry”. However, when the Ravens started to trail, the offense panicked and instead tried to air it out.

Todd Monken is a great OC, but you need to stay with your plan and give the ball to Henry. What if Henry gets the ball more than 10 times vs the Chiefs. I think the game would have ended differently.

Harbaugh need to go

We hear the same thing from Harbaugh in every press conference after losses. “ A Lack of Execution". But one thing is for certain, I think, if not all the players have lost confidence in him.

It is crazy to think Harbaugh can't make adjustments. He does the same thing every time. When the Ravens play the Chiefs, Harbaugh does the same thing, every single year. 

The media wants to blame the loss on Jackson or the defense, but it really should be against the head coach. Harbaugh has been carried by Jackson ever since he became the starter. 

Back in 2018, after a loss vs the Steelers, the Ravens were 4-5. It seems their season was over and it would be the fourth straight season the Ravens didn't make the playoffs. However, Jackson became the starter and Baltimore went 6-1 with the former Heisman winner. 

It saved Harbaugh's job and every year since, he has been bailed out by the two (should be three time) MVP. When Jackson got hurt in 2021 and 2022, the Ravens were not good to say the least. They went 2-6 if you don't count the playoff loss to the Bengals. The Ravens organization needs to look at themselves and make some changes at the end of the year. Harbaugh better hope his QB gets better, because if his injury is worse than first thought, he is TOAST!

Rest of the Year

The Ravens next three games are against the Texans (1-3), Rams (3-1) and the Bears (2-2). It would be surprising if the Ravens beat the Texans on Sunday. The Texans like the Ravens have also had a rough start to the season. They are dealing with the injury bug as well. But if Jackson doesn't come back in time for the Rams, the Ravens aren't winning. Harbaugh better pray the game is at least close.

AFC

It's a shame the Ravens are struggling, because the AFC window is open, with the AFC North being very winnable. The Bengals don't have Burrow, the Steelers are not threatening and the Browns are the Browns. The team to beat in the AFC is the Bills and maybe the Chargers, with it really scarce after that. The Colts and the Jags it's tough to say judge this early and the Broncos have been a huge disappointment so far.

NFC

The NFC is stacked, unlike the AFC. They have a lot more contenders such as the Eagles, Bucs, Lions, Packers and most of the NFC West (Except the Cardinals). Even the 2-2 teams like the Commanders and Falcons could bounce back.

Hope?

The season is far from over, but the Ravens can't afford to continue to struggle. Injuries are part of football, but they have to make changes, starting with the defense. 

Zach Orr needs to go. Even that doesn't help, it's Harbaugh that should be next. This seems to be an article about how Harbaugh should be fired, but it's not. This is just to show how the blame should not be on Jackson, but rather at the top, starting with the HC.

Todd Monken also needs to give the ball to Henry more as mentioned early. However, with Jackson out the next few weeks, maybe he does give the ball to Henry more.       

 The Baltimore Ravens season has gone from bad to worse! On Sunday they dropped another one to the Chiefs. The Ravens have now fallen to the Chiefs (Including the playoffs) three straight games and are sitting at a dreadful 1-3.

Injuries

To make matters worse, the injuries are beginning to stack up quickly. Everyone knows that All-Pro DT Nnamdi Madubuike is out for the year. But now, the league’s best QB, Lamar Jackson, is sidelined for a few weeks, and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, All-Pro LB Roquan Smith, CB Marlon Humphrey, CB Nate Wiggins and OT Ronnie Stanley might also miss time.

If that somehow isn’t enough, Patrick Richard, one of the best FB`s in football, and their top pass rusher, Kyle Van Noy still have not practiced.

Defense is bad

The Ravens defense was already a glaring issue even before all these injuries. Now with most of the key starters unavailable, it could get uglier. On top of that, the Ravens will likely make excuses to keep defensive coordinator, Zach Orr.

Orr might truly be the WORST DC in the entire NFL! But Harbaugh (who also deserves to be fired) continues to let Orr run this struggling defense.

Where has King Henry Been? 👑

What gave the Ravens their explosiveness wasn’t only Jackson. The Louisville standout is the main reason Baltimore’s offense is elite, but another weapon that makes them dangerous is Derrick Henry.

Yet, over the last three weeks, Henry has been invisible.

It’s not all on him though. He had a poor outing against the Browns, but in the last two games, against the Lions and Chiefs, he barely saw touches. Todd Monken is a solid OC, but he must establish the run once in a while.

The Chiefs defense was having trouble containing “King Henry”. But when Baltimore fell behind, the offense panicked and abandoned the ground game.

Todd Monken is a strong OC, but he has to stay committed and give Henry the ball. If Henry had carried it more than 10 times vs the Chiefs, I believe the outcome would have been different.

Harbaugh needs to go

We keep hearing the same excuse from Harbaugh after every loss. “A Lack of Execution". But truth be told, I think, nearly all of the players no longer believe in him.

It’s insane to think Harbaugh cannot adjust. He repeats the same mistakes every time. When Baltimore faces Kansas City, Harbaugh handles it the same way, year after year.

The media blames these losses on Jackson or the defense, but the blame really falls on the head coach. Harbaugh has been riding Jackson’s success since he became the starter.

Back in 2018, following a Steelers loss, the Ravens were 4-5. It looked like their season was finished and would mark the fourth straight year missing the postseason. But Jackson took over and went 6-1 with the former Heisman winner.

That saved Harbaugh’s job, and every season since, he’s been carried by the two (should be three time) MVP. When Jackson got injured in 2021 and 2022, Baltimore collapsed. They went 2-6 not including the playoff loss against Cincinnati. This franchise must look hard in the mirror and consider changes after this year. Harbaugh better pray his QB heals fast, because if the injury lingers, he is TOAST!

Rest of the Year

The Ravens’ next three matchups are against the Texans (1-3), Rams (3-1) and the Bears (2-2). It would be shocking if Baltimore beat Houston on Sunday. Like the Ravens, the Texans have had a rocky start. They also have been hit by the injury bug. But if Jackson isn’t back for the Rams game, Baltimore doesn’t stand a chance. Harbaugh better pray it’s at least competitive.

AFC

It’s frustrating the Ravens are faltering, because the AFC window is wide open, with the AFC North completely up for grabs. The Bengals don’t have Burrow, the Steelers aren’t scary and the Browns are still the Browns. The biggest threats in the AFC are the Bills and maybe the Chargers, with very little depth after that. The Colts and Jags are tough to evaluate so early, while the Broncos have been a massive flop.