Pundits Weigh in on Ravens' Fall From Super Bowl Favorite to Playoff Longshot
The Ravens entered this season as a Super Bowl favorite. With two games remaining, their odds to make the playoffs are less than 10 percent.
Baltimore (7-8) could finish with a losing record for the first time since 2021 and just the second time in 18 seasons under Head Coach John Harbaugh.
Given the high expectations, ESPN's Dan Orlovsky said the Ravens are "the most disappointing team in the NFL this season."
"This team, unequivocally, was the most talented roster in the AFC, and, rightfully so, the AFC Super Bowl pick," ESPN's Dan Orlovsky said on “Get Up.”
That's an interesting take considering the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs have already been eliminated from playoff contention and the Ravens are still fighting to get in.
Alas, the only way the Ravens can make the playoffs is if they win in Green Bay on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers lose in Cleveland on Sunday, and Baltimore wins in Pittsburgh in the season finale.
Even if all of that happened, The Baltimore Banner’s Childs Walker doesn't think the Ravens could make a deep playoff run.
"Nothing in the Ravens' record — they're not notably efficient on offense or defense, they've mostly beaten losing teams and rarely decisively — suggests they're some slumbering giant," Walker wrote. "Their mediocrity is at odds with the powerhouse we saw last season, and it's difficult to let go of the notion that that team still lives inside this one."
NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha, who was among the many pundits who picked the Ravens to win the Super Bowl in the preseason, expressed a similar opinion.
"Baltimore has spent this entire season trying to make up for major setbacks, the first being a shocking 1-5 start and the second being all the health issues that have hobbled Lamar Jackson," Chadiha wrote. "It's time to admit this just wasn't the Ravens' year."
It goes without saying that the Ravens aren't conceding anything, but Harbaugh said it anyway Sunday night after the loss to the New England Patriots.
"I know we'll come out fighting, because that's what we've done all year," Harbaugh said. "We've been in tough circumstances all year. It's been a grind, for sure. And we've come out and fought every single game."
Pundit Says Jackson Is 'Beginning to Enter Different Stage of His Career'
As Chadiha noted, Jackson's health issues have played a role in the Ravens' difficulties this season.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame contended that because of the injuries – and the fact that Jackson turns 29 next month – the two-time MVP is "beginning to enter a different stage of his career, one that will force him to rely more on pocket passing and less on those cheat-code legs."
"This season, Jackson has missed three games with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 4, and is now hurt again with a back ailment," Verderame wrote. "He's also consistently missed practice, having been out at least one day during the week each of the past six weeks, listed with knee, toe and ankle designations in four of them. It's notable that all of them, along with the three major injuries of his career, are all lower-body.
"Coming into Sunday night, Jackson was rushing for 30.3 yards per game this season, easily the lowest figure of his career. As the future Hall of Famer ages, his legs aren't going to regenerate."
Even if Jackson's rushing stats going forward aren't as prolific as in years past, Jackson will continue to be an elite quarterback because he has developed into a strong passer.
He had one of the best seasons ever for a quarterback in 2024 and is No. 2 in career passer rating behind Aaron Rodgers. Jackson was playing at a high level this season before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4 that sidelined him for three games and he was cooking before taking a knee to the back on Sunday night.
Malaki Starks Named Ravens' Top Rookie, But Had Stiff Competition
The Ravens felt good about their draft class before the season, and their confidence has proved to be well-founded. Several of Baltimore's 2025 draft picks have been significant contributors.
That's why choosing which rookie has been the Ravens' best wasn't easy for ESPN’s Jamison Hensley when posed with the question. He ultimately went with first-round safety Malaki Starks.
"Starks has lived up to the expectations of being the No. 27 pick," Hensley wrote. "He is one of three rookie defensive backs to record over 70 tackles and multiple interceptions this season. The Ravens have been impressed with his maturity and awareness.
"It's a difficult decision to choose Baltimore's top rookie, considering the team drafted three immediate starters in 2025 -- Starks, edge rusher Mike Green (second round) and inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (fourth round). On special teams, kicker Tyler Loop (sixth round) and return specialist LaJohntay Wester (sixth round) have also been impactful."
