After five turnovers sealed the Ravens' fate Thursday night, it's even harder to predict their future.
Are they bound for the playoffs, or for disappointment? According to the New York Times playoff simulator, the Ravens still have a 60% chance to make the postseason following a 32-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
However, what can you really count on in 2025? Teams that look terrific one week often look terrible the next. The Ravens, Detroit, and Kansas City all lost on Thanksgiving and would miss the playoffs if they began today.
Being labeled a Super Bowl contender in September means nothing now. For the Ravens, it's all about how they handle another setback, which their latest performance clearly was.
"Anybody that watches the National Football League, is a fan of the National Football League or covers the National Football League or watches the other games understands it's a week-to-week league," Head Coach John Harbaugh said after the game.
The Ravens have extra time to prepare for Week 14, and they need to take advantage of that prior to their Dec. 7 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5). It will be a rivalry game with huge postseason implications, and winning the AFC North is a guaranteed playoff ticket that Baltimore needs to punch.
Here are my thoughts on the Ravens, all in 50 words or less:
- Derrick Henry had three carries for 32 yards on Baltimore's opening drive against the Bengals, including a 28-yard touchdown. He had just seven carries the remainder of the game, despite averaging 6 yards per pop. In an offense with problems, more touches for Henry could be part of the solution.
- Why didn't Henry get more than 10 carries Thursday night? Part of the reason is he was stopped for one or zero yards three times on first-and-10 in the first half. Second-and-10 isn't a very advantageous down-and-distance for running.
- December is historically Henry's month. Asked if he wants more carries, Henry said, "I'm not one to cry to the media or complain. Whatever I get, [I] try to take advantage of it." Henry is a late-season hammer, but he can't fix anything if he's left in the toolbox.
- Keaton Mitchell needs his touches, too. He reached a top speed of 20.4 mph on his 18-yard touchdown run, according to NextGen Stats. Henry and Mitchell are a lethal thunder-lighting combo that gives the Ravens an edge many teams don't have.
- Remember when fixing the defense was the Ravens' major issue early this season? Now the offense needs to look in the mirror. Baltimore managed just 14 points against a Cincinnati defense that's still ranked last in the NFL after Thursday's performance, giving up 31.2 points per game. This has been a weird year.
- Not getting tackled for 10 days before the Steelers game will help Lamar Jackson. He's too great of a player to be contained for a prolonged stretch when healthy. Jackson said he needs to “just be me. Just be Lamar.’ Having extra rest should help Jackson feel like himself.
- Asked about Jackson's struggles, teammate Kyle Hamilton made a basketball reference, saying, "even LeBron [James] has an off night." Like James, Jackson needs to make the layups. When he returns to hitting open receivers consistently, the more spectacular completions will follow.
- Speaking of Hamilton, he played every snap against the Bengals despite dealing with an ankle issue on a short week. Hamilton is super talented, but he's also tough as nails. He's another player who will benefit from having the weekend off, and the Ravens need Hamilton healthy down the stretch.
- The Ravens giving up 32 points to Cincinnati was somewhat misleading. Turnovers frequently placed the Ravens in bad situations, and they held the Bengals to field goals until the second half when Nate Wiggins had exited. Baltimore's defense still looks playoff worthy.
- One area of concern would be the Ravens' pass rush. They are tied for 29th in sacks with 19 and only sacked Joe Burrow once on a cornerback blitz from Marlon Humphrey. Sacks aren't the only measuring stick, but the Ravens could stand to put more heat on quarterbacks.
- The Ravens started 1-5 and came back. They can recover from a subpar performance on Thanksgiving. But get your rest this weekend if you're a Ravens fan. The first 12 games have featured a rollercoaster of emotions. And with five games left, the ride isn't over.
