Heading into the 2025 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens felt like a team that was so close to being something special. With Lamar Jackson, who is already a two-time MVP, leading the charge, Derrick Henry, a great running back in the backfield, and a defense stacked with playmakers, the hype was real for the Ravens. Fans were excited about what they could do this season, analysts were even calling them Super Bowl favorites. On paper, they looked unstoppable, but weeks in, it’s not the season anyone expected.

From puzzling losses to inconsistent play and a string of critical injuries, the Ravens find themselves in a spiral that no one saw coming. 

“I noticed it when they got blown out against the Texans,” said fan Grant Williams. “I was like, wow, these guys suck.”

That sentiment reflects the growing frustration among the fanbase. What started as a hiccup quickly spiraled into a pattern. A week one loss to the Bills seemed forgivable. But as Jack Leicht noted, “Week 3 they lost one more, and at that point they didn’t look like their potential.”

Everyone seems to have their own take on where the blame lies. For some, it starts with coaching.

“John Harbaugh and Zach Orr have been calling some of the worst plays for defense I think I have ever seen,” said Ian Owens. “Our defensive coordinator is absolutely selling any drive that the opposing team has possession of.”

Others point fingers at the backfield, particularly Derrick Henry.

“It really hurts to say this,” said Cannon Taylor, “but it was Derrick Henry fumbling the ball against the Bills in week 1 that was the main contributor to their loss, also in week 3 against the Lions, he fumbled in the 4th quarter.”

Even fantasy football performance is being used as a metric for disappointment.

“I own Derrick Henry in fantasy,” said Leicht, “and I can tell you he has been very disappointing this year; he’s not living up to the hype.”

Of course, no conversation about the Ravens’ season is complete without discussing the injury bug.

“In week 5 alone, we had 8 Pro Bowlers on the injury report,” Owens noted. “Not including Pro Bowlers, we had a total of 18 injuries.”

Key absences like Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, and Marlon Humphrey have had a crippling effect. As Taylor says, “This Ravens team is just average or below average without these key players.”

Even amid the darkness, a few names have managed to shine.

“Lamar’s Lamar,” said Leicht. “He’s playing well, but he’s not enough to carry this team.” Grant Williams echoed that: “Lamar has still had some good stats.”

Derrick Henry, despite the criticism, is still earning some praise for effort. “Even with the worst offensive line in the entire league, Derrick Henry continues to power through and break out for a handful of yards every game,” Owens said.

Another unlikely hero? Kicker Tyler Loop. “Despite the team’s struggles,” Taylor noted, “Tyler Loop has been doing his part, going 8 for 9 in field goals and 15 for 16 in extra points.”

Despite the team’s record right now, why did so many believe this team was a lock for the Super Bowl?

“It’s Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry,” said Leicht. “And I thought the Ravens had a pretty solid defense.” Owens agreed: “Too many good players to name on both sides of the ball.”

Even Williams added, “If Mark Andrews had made that catch last year, they would have won the Super Bowl.” 

This makes the current collapse all the more shocking. “Because teams that rely on the run tend to be the most consistent,” said Williams. “This is especially surprising.”

For fans and players alike, the deeper concern lies with Lamar Jackson’s legacy.

“He will continue to be blamed for having zero rings,” said Owens. “Just because Lamar’s team is inconsistent, it gives us no reason to put our blame on one man.”

Taylor was more blunt: “It’s really putting a bad look on Lamar Jackson, especially since he’s been locked in these past years since he was drafted in 2018.”

Despite all the frustration, there’s still a flicker of hope.

“I think they can still be a playoff team and a contender this year,” Leicht said, “even with the rough first start.”

Owens was even more confident: “Overall, the Ravens are the best team in the league, and there is no question about it. We just need to be healthy and figure out what to do with our coaches and staff.”

But as things stand, the Ravens are at a crossroads. They’ve gone from being feared to being overlooked.

“They probably look at the Ravens as an easy win,” said Taylor. “Other teams might not play as hard because they think they will get a free win.”

The good thing is that the season is not over. It’s not even midway through the season, and they have plenty of time to bounce back. But this means the coaching and the players need to step up.

As it stands now, this season is a harsh reminder that talent on paper doesn’t guarantee success on the field.

But as fan Owens put it best:

“Without injuries and actual, genuine coaching, the Ravens are a serious threat to the league. Just wait for Lamar’s Super Bowl ring.”