The Baltimore Ravens have found themselves in unfamiliar territory this season. Once considered a Super Bowl contender, the team now faces long-shot odds to make the playoffs after a brutal 1-5 start.
The Baltimore Ravens Must Overcome Historic Struggles to Stay in Playoff Hunt
After most games at M&T Bank Stadium, fans gather above the stairs leading to the Ravens’ home locker room — the same spot where John Harbaugh has celebrated countless wins. Earlier this month, though, the head coach walked off the field after a crushing 44-10 loss to the Houston Texans and was met with boos instead of cheers.
“When people look back and say, ‘Hey, when things were the toughest, how did you handle it?’” Harbaugh said, via ESPN. “I’m looking for people to come out fighting and give their best in those kinds of situations. That’s what you have to do. When you do that, you come out the other end.”
Only 1% of teams in NFL history have started 1-5 or worse and still reached the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics. Despite that daunting figure, the Ravens hold a 43.2% chance of winning the wide-open AFC North. Their 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 8 — with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley filling in for Lamar Jackson — showed a glimpse of the resilience Harbaugh has been preaching.
Lamar Jackson’s Return Could Spark a Ravens Rally
The Ravens enter Thursday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins with renewed hope. Baltimore sits at 2-5, but Jackson is expected to return from a hamstring injury for Week 9. The two-time MVP’s presence could be the difference between an early exit and a late-season rally.
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said the locker room hasn’t lost faith. “It’s easy to put your head down and mail it in,” he told reporters. “But we still feel like we’re talented enough to make the playoffs [and] make some magic when we do.”
Ron Rivera — whose 2020 Washington Football Team was the last to make the postseason after a 1-5 start — said he sees similar potential in Baltimore. “There’s enough guys on that team with veteran experience and pride that, if they get momentum, they can be dangerous,” Rivera said. “They’re physical, and that style wears people down later in the season.”
The team’s upcoming stretch favors a resurgence — five straight games against opponents with losing records before a Week 14 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two of those contests are against division rivals Cleveland and Cincinnati, offering Baltimore a chance to climb back into contention quickly.
Baltimore Ravens’ Playoff and Division Odds Still Within Reach
According to SportsLine’s Inside the Lines model, the Ravens’ chances to win the AFC North could increase by 11% with a victory over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. Currently, Baltimore has a 23.5% chance of winning the division, which would rise to 25.7% with a win but drop to 14.7% with a loss.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ odds would climb from 69.0% to 71.7% with a win but fall to 56.3% if they lose. The Cincinnati Bengals’ chances would rise from 6.2% to 9.0% with a win and decrease to 3.8% with a loss.
As for the Cleveland Browns, they would see only a modest bump, going from 1.3% to 2.2% with a win and dropping to 0.5% with a loss.
For now, Harbaugh’s message remains simple: fight back. “When things looked the worst, how did you respond?” he said. “That’s what defines you.”
The Ravens face the Miami Dolphins on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
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