The Baltimore Ravens looked like a team on a mission Sunday, delivering a dominant 24-0 shutout against the Bengals that not only kept their playoff hopes alive but also sent a clear message to the rest of the AFC: they’re not done yet. The defense swarmed, the offense found rhythm, and perhaps most notably, they seemed to rattle Joe Burrow in a way few teams have managed.
But amid the celebration, there’s a cloud of concern hanging over Baltimore - and it centers on left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
Stanley, the cornerstone of the Ravens’ offensive line, limped off the field in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. After the game, head coach John Harbaugh offered only a vague update, saying Stanley is dealing with “some soreness” and will be evaluated throughout the week. That’s not exactly reassuring, especially considering what Stanley means to this team’s success down the stretch.
This season, Stanley has been a model of durability - a major storyline in its own right. After years of battling injuries, he played all 17 games in 2024, the first time he’s done that in his 10-year NFL career.
He’s also appeared in 13 of 14 games so far this year, anchoring a line that’s been key to Baltimore’s offensive resurgence. If he’s forced to miss time, it’s not just a personnel issue - it’s a potential shift in the entire offensive dynamic.
Harbaugh did try to calm nerves postgame, saying, “Ronnie looks fine,” while also noting that more would be known about cornerback Chidobe Awuzie’s status on Monday. Still, with the Ravens entering the most critical stretch of their season, even a minor setback for Stanley could have major implications.
Adding another wrinkle to the situation: Stanley was involved in a play where he appeared to inadvertently knock over an official. There’s some question about whether that might result in a fine. Stanley’s already been fined three times in his career, totaling over $60,000, so it’s something the league may take a closer look at.
Looking ahead, the Ravens’ path to the postseason is anything but easy. They host the 11-3 Patriots next - a team that’s been one of the league’s most consistent performers this season.
After that, it’s a road trip to Green Bay to face a 9-4-1 Packers squad that’s been tough at home. And then, the regular-season finale: a divisional showdown with the first-place Steelers.
If things break right, that game could decide the AFC North crown.
It’s been a rollercoaster season for Baltimore. They started 1-5 and looked like a team headed for an early offseason.
Then came a five-game winning streak that flipped the narrative. Just when momentum was building, they were blindsided by a loss to these same Bengals and followed that with a defeat at the hands of the Steelers.
But Sunday’s bounce-back win was as convincing as they come - a shutout, on the road, against a division rival with a franchise quarterback.
Now, the Ravens are back in the mix. But to stay there, they’ll need Ronnie Stanley on the field. His health - and availability - could be the difference between a playoff run and another early exit.