The 32-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving Night was a disappointing performance, but I’m not sure any Ravens fans were feeling great heading into that game.
Coming in to Thursday night, the Ravens had won their last five, but the offense was not clicking and there was apprehension of facing a returning Joe Burrow – a different caliber of QB than they had faced during their winning streak (with all respect to Caleb Williams).
Then the Ravens went out there and turn the ball over 5 times, and effectively gave away any opportunity of extending their winning streak to six.
My primary take there?
Put that game in the rearview.
Get healthier over the mini-bye.
All attention turns to Pittsburgh at home on December 7th.
My rationale with the above is there no point ruminating over Thursday’s loss. That game is over, and you have to move on. There just isn’t a lot to take from a game with that many turnovers.
There are no do overs, but the Ravens do get to see the Bengals in Cincinnati soon. But no point in even thinking of that game if you don’t take care of business vs. the Steelers.
Quick Hits:
1) At Cleveland, and at home vs. the Jets; I thought Lamar Jackson looked physically compromised. That concern was lowered against the Bengals, as I thought Jackson was moving better. It was just a bad performance. He missed throws. His mechanics weren’t great. Jackson is a 2x League MVP, and was 1st Team All-Pro last year. I don’t think it’s a secret or surprise that the Ravens will go as Jackson goes. When the Ravens entered this ’25 season as the prohibitive Super Bowl favorite; that’s built on an expectation of Jackson regularly putting on his Superman cape and elevating everyone around him. If the MVP isn’t playing at an MVP level, there is no answer for that. He’s got 1 passing TD over his last four games. The Ravens are hoping to have a big December, and play games that matter in January. That only happens if Jackson gets hot. During this year, we’ve seen him hurt in Training Camp. We’ve seen a lack of designed runs. We’ve seen him hesitate when seemingly there were running lanes available. Again, he seemed more decisive and improved physically against Cincinnati. Maybe after the mini-bye he will look right.
2) The defense was rough to start the year. That improved in recent weeks against some limited offenses. Even without Nnamdi Madubuike, I think the remaining personnel is good enough where they should at-least be adequate. There are viable pieces at all three levels. The Secondary should be excellent. Probably their biggest issue is a lack of consistent pass rush in-front of them. They’d also be better if the offense was playing better, giving them leads, and better field position. The Ravens defense is allowing 118 yards per game on the ground, which is middle of the pack. I’d like to see some improvement there. It’s an issue that the Ravens have to scheme pressure. My suggestions with the defense would be to reduce some of the exotic looks, and have more basic formations. The communication seemed to improve with the addition of Alohi Gilman. The defense seemed to improve with Kyle Hamilton being used as the swiss army knife. Last year the defense improved when they pulled Hamilton away from the line of scrimmage. I know that feels counter-productive given Hamilton’s ability to get after the QB; but that might be a move to make now as well. He’s banged up. Could have him, Gilman, and Malaki Starks back keeping everything in-front of them. Make teams work the field. If the Ravens were built to line up and get pressure without bringing extra defenders; I’d love to have corners on an Island playing more press man. When this team stacks the line, and makes it clear they’re coming after the QB; they still seem to be in-trouble against any QB capable of reading the defense and making a quick release. If you aren’t going to get QBs to the ground, maybe you concentrate on taking away the run, and making teams one-dimensional. Make them drive vs. getting beat over the top. Admittedly, this goes against my nature. I prefer aggression and chaos. I think defense’s perform better attacking vs. playing on their heels. I’m just overly confident this group can consistently attack and win. I guess I could get on-board with an approach of pure aggression, and if you get beat on certain plays, you get beat.
3) As mentioned, Jackson was a 1st team All-Pro last year. The skill position talent around him hasn’t changed. Some have suggested the skill talent has fallen off. I don’t think that’s true. I think the blocking has been a problem, and Jackson has largely been unavailable or hurt / below expectations when available. When assigning blame, Jackson’s health / performance gets some of the pie chart, and the blocking gets some. Lots of talk about the Ravens Guards, but what about Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum? They were both Pro Bowlers last year. I don’t know how PFF has graded them this year, but I know Stanley had one of his better games of the year recently vs. the Jets. Linderbaum one of his better games of the year vs. Cleveland. Certainly neither one are a problem. But they’ve got to play their best ball consistently down the stretch, and help bring up the guards around them. Ravens also Roger Rosengarten to find another gear down the stretch of his second season. 2025 Rookie Emery Jones got his first action of the year vs. Cincinnati. Maybe he’ll provide a lift down the stretch. Overall, I think it’s agreed by all the line hasn’t been good enough. So, how do you compensate? Seems to me, you go with lots of 22 personnel with 2 TE’s and Patrick Ricard at FB. Maybe this Ravens team isn’t capable of throwing the ball all over the field. When are O-Lineman most comfortable? When you run the ball. Get 3.4 yards per carry in your power sets, and move the chains. Everything with the passing game should be quick hits. 1, 2, ball out. Yes, Jackson historically has been at his best extending plays as only he can, and finding opportunities. Right now I think the best chance for him and the Ravens finishing hot, is if the Ravens fully commit to a running identity. “We are going to run the ball. Try to stop us.” If defenses are stacking the line, and you can’t run out of your JUMBO / Power sets; then the alternative is spreading the field and trying to pull defenders from the box. Even if you are doing that, you’ve got to get rid of the ball quicker.
4) Sometimes this year Ravens fans have said there is not enough speed on the field beyond Zay Flowers. The Ravens are clearly looking for more opportunities for Keaton Mitchell. Maybe there is opportunity for Devontez Walker and Tylan Wallace to see more time down the stretch.
5) John Harbaugh has been the Head Coach since 2008. When you enter the year as the Super Bowl favorite, and you enter December at 6-6; there is finger-pointing to be found. You don’t have too look hard to find people questioning if Harbaugh’s messaging has gone stale. My take there is that’s overblown. Large portions of the locker-room turn over annually. I’ve always been lukewarm with Harbaugh. I think he’s very good during the week, keeping the Ravens focused and on-message. I’m sure he’s an effective communicator with his players. He does a good job as the de facto spokesperson for the organization. He has an effective relationship with the Front Office and Ownership. There is value in consistency. I’ve always been less impressed by Harbaugh during games. I question some of the decision making. Overall, I think what happens during the week matters more. He’s been at the helm of some excellent teams the last few years. He gets credit for their excellence, and like everyone else – he has to take some blame of the lack of postseason results. There have been lots of Offensive and Defensive Coordinators during his tenure. Those Coordinators have often shielded him from heavy direct criticism. My guess is that he will be back next year, as that’s how the organization works. I’m not sure that’s the wrong decision. Again, I do value organization consistency. That said, it’s not inconceivable these are the last games with Harbaugh as the Ravens HC. If the Ravens get hot, get into the playoffs, and do damage; maybe he goes out on a relative high (how high depending on just how successful the post-season was)? If December goes poorly, and the Ravens don’t make the playoffs, or they do; but go out in the Wild Card round – does Eric DeCosta or Steve Bisciotti decide it’s time for a change? Regardless, it continues to feel like the Ravens missed an opportunity by not elevating Mike Macdonald to the position after the ’23 season, and finding another internal FO position for Harbaugh.
6) The Ravens have 5 games left. December 7th vs. Pittsburgh, December 14th at Cincinnati, December 21st vs. New England, TBD at Green Bay, TBD at Pittsburgh. They can still win the AFC North. If you get to the playoffs, and Jackson is looking like Jackson; then all of the goals you had before the season remain possible. You get to the playoffs, and Jackson looks like Jackson; they’ve got much more than a puncher’s chance vs. the Patriots, Colts, and Broncos. Now if you are skeptical about the Ravens figuring things out these last 5 games, or Jackson getting ‘right’ this year; I get that. We will see what happens. The only thing that matters right now is beating Pittsburgh a week from tomorrow. If you win that game, maybe you can build from there. Don’t win that game, and there is nothing else to discuss with this ’25 season.
Chris Stoner
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.
