The Baltimore Ravens are sitting at 6-6 after a Thanksgiving night loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and with just five games left, the margin for error has all but vanished. There's talent on this roster, no doubt.
But talent alone won’t punch a playoff ticket. The Ravens have some real issues to clean up - and fast - if they’re going to be playing meaningful football in January.
Let’s break down what’s gone wrong, what’s still fixable, and why this team’s season is at a crossroads.
Lamar Jackson: Still the heartbeat, but clearly not at full strength
When Lamar Jackson is at his best, the Ravens are electric. He’s the engine, the spark, and the identity of this team. But lately, that version of Jackson has been missing in action.
On Thanksgiving, he looked off - and not just statistically. He finished 17-of-32 for 246 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, two fumbles, and a passer rating of 65.4.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. Jackson didn’t look comfortable in the pocket, struggled to plant his feet, and couldn’t extend plays the way we’re used to seeing.
This isn’t an isolated performance, either. Over the last four games since returning from a hamstring injury, Jackson has looked like a shadow of his MVP self.
The November numbers are concerning: just one passing touchdown, two interceptions, and a completion rate under 60%. Add in knee soreness, ankle issues, and a toe injury, and it’s clear the physical toll is catching up.
Even his legs - the part of his game that’s always been the great equalizer - aren’t bailing him out right now. Six carries for 27 yards against Cincinnati is a far cry from the dynamic rushing threat we’ve come to expect.
How to fix it: Protect him. Period.
Jackson’s been sacked 27 times this season despite missing multiple games. The offensive line has shuffled pieces around, including swapping Andrew Vorhees for rookie Emery Jones at left guard, but the protection still isn’t holding up.
Both guards are grading out in the bottom half of the league, and the pressure is clearly affecting Jackson’s mechanics and confidence. If the Ravens want to see a healthier, sharper Lamar down the stretch, it starts with giving him time and space to operate.
Turnovers are derailing everything
You can’t win in the NFL if you don’t take care of the football - and the Ravens haven’t. The Bengals feasted on five Baltimore turnovers on Thanksgiving, and it wasn’t an anomaly. This has become a pattern.
Baltimore has now had multiple-turnover games against the Browns, Rams, Texans, Chiefs, and Bengals. That’s five games with at least two giveaways - and not surprisingly, they’ve lost most of them.
How to fix it: Ball security has to become a non-negotiable. The fundamentals matter, especially when you’re facing elite defenders who make a living punching the ball out.
That means going back to the basics: five points of contact, tighter technique, and smarter decision-making from Jackson and the skill players. It’s not about reinventing the offense - it’s about executing the little things that prevent big mistakes.
Fourth-down woes highlight bigger defensive issues
The Ravens are allowing opponents to convert 57.1% of their fourth-down attempts - 18th in the league. That number doesn’t scream disaster, but it does point to a defense that’s struggling to get off the field in key moments.
Much of that comes down to a pass defense that’s been exposed. Baltimore ranks 25th in passing yards allowed, and the injuries haven’t helped. Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and Kyle Hamilton have all missed time, forcing the Ravens to dig deep into the depth chart.
But it’s not just the secondary. The pass rush has been nearly non-existent.
Baltimore is 29th in sacks per game (1.6), trailing only a few struggling defenses like Cincinnati and Carolina. That lack of pressure is giving opposing quarterbacks too much time to pick apart a banged-up secondary.
How to fix it: The cavalry might be on the way. Edge rusher Tavius Robinson (foot) and safety Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles) could be returning soon, and their presence would go a long way. Robinson had two sacks in five games before his injury, and Washington’s versatility could allow defensive coordinator Zachary Orr to get more creative with his coverage packages - especially with Alohi Gilman now in the mix after being acquired from the Chargers.
Getting Hamilton back into more nickel situations would also be a game-changer. He’s a Swiss Army knife in the secondary, and when he’s healthy, he unlocks a lot of flexibility for this defense.
Time of possession: The hidden killer
Baltimore’s offense has always had quick-strike potential, but lately, it’s been too feast-or-famine. The Ravens rank 26th in average drive time (2:39) and 30th in plays per drive (5.38). That’s a recipe for wearing out your own defense - especially when the offense isn’t consistently finishing drives.
There have been too many drive-killing mistakes: Isaiah Likely’s fumble out of the end zone against the Bengals, Derrick Henry’s ball security issues in previous games, mistimed throws by Jackson, and penalties by the offensive line. All of it adds up.
Yet when this offense clicks, it can be explosive. Henry has a 59-yard run this season.
Keaton Mitchell has ripped off a 25-yarder. Zay Flowers, DeAndre Hopkins, Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, and Likely have all posted receptions of 30+ yards.
The big-play ability is there - it just hasn’t translated into sustained success.
How to fix it: Run the ball. And then run it some more.
Henry had just 10 carries against Cincinnati but still managed 60 yards. That’s six yards a pop.
As a team, Baltimore averaged 5.59 yards per carry in that game - and still only ran the ball 22 times.
When the ground game is working that well, abandoning it makes little sense. The Ravens need to lean into their strength, especially with a quarterback who’s not 100%. Running the ball not only controls the clock, it sets up play-action and gives the defense a chance to breathe.
Fourth-down offense: Room for improvement, but trending up
The Ravens are converting 52.63% of their fourth-down attempts - good for 17th in the league. That’s not elite, but it’s not disastrous either. And with five games left, there’s time to fine-tune those situational calls and execution.
The bottom line
Baltimore’s season isn’t over, but it’s hanging in the balance. The Ravens still have the pieces to make a playoff push - a two-time MVP quarterback, a punishing run game, and a defense that, when healthy, can be disruptive.
But the margin for error is gone. Clean up the turnovers.
Protect Lamar. Commit to the run.
Get healthy on defense and start winning the battles on third and fourth down.
There’s still time to turn this thing around. But the clock is ticking.