The Baltimore Ravens are staring down a brutal reality: their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after a Week 16 collapse against the New England Patriots. A game that started with promise ended in frustration, as Baltimore surrendered a significant lead and now finds itself teetering on the edge of elimination.
It’s the kind of loss that doesn’t just sting-it lingers. And for a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, the unraveling has been hard to watch.
The Ravens were projected as legitimate title contenders back in September. Fast forward to late December, and they’re now facing the very real possibility of missing the postseason altogether.
That shift in trajectory has sparked serious questions about the future of head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh, who’s been at the helm since 2008, has built an impressive résumé in Baltimore: 12 playoff appearances, a Super Bowl ring, and a culture of consistent competitiveness. But even the most decorated coaches aren’t immune to scrutiny when things go sideways.
After the loss to New England, Harbaugh addressed the media with the kind of calm resolve you’d expect from a veteran leader. When asked about his job security, he didn’t flinch.
“I try to do the job, not try to keep the job,” Harbaugh said. “My focus has been for the last 18 years here, and the last 41 years in coaching, to try to do the best job I can today and fight as hard as I can so the guys have the best chance to be successful today.
And anything after today... I’m not thinking about it because it’s not given for us to think about.”
That’s a coach who’s seen the highs and lows of the NFL grind. But make no mistake-the pressure is mounting.
Baltimore’s current situation is unfamiliar territory. This is the first time since 2015 that the Ravens are entering the final stretch of December with a losing record.
And unless they can pull off a win in Week 17 against the Packers-or get some help from the Browns against the Steelers-they could be officially out of the playoff picture before the calendar flips to 2026.
For a team built around a strong defense, dynamic quarterback play, and veteran leadership, the late-season slide has been jarring. The Ravens haven’t just lost games-they’ve lost control. Blown leads, inconsistent execution, and missed opportunities have all contributed to a season that’s veered off course.
And while Harbaugh’s track record still commands respect, the calls for change are growing louder. Eighteen years is a long time in one NFL locker room. Sometimes, even the most successful tenures can run their course-not because the coach suddenly forgot how to lead, but because the message no longer resonates the same way.
The Ravens still have a pulse, but it’s faint. Their playoff hopes hinge on a mix of performance and luck.
Beat the Packers, and they live to fight another week. Lose, and they’ll need a miracle-or at least a Browns win over Pittsburgh-to stay alive.
One thing’s for sure: this isn’t how anyone in Baltimore saw the 2025 season playing out. Expectations were sky-high. Now, the Ravens are just hoping to salvage what’s left-and figure out what comes next.