The Baltimore Ravens are in unfamiliar territory - and not in a good way. What began as a season filled with high expectations has quickly unraveled into one of the most frustrating campaigns of the Lamar Jackson era.
After a brutal 1-5 start, the Ravens clawed their way back to .500, sitting at 6-6 heading into last weekend. That set up a pivotal AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers - a chance to take control of the division and reassert themselves as playoff contenders.
But instead of a statement win, Baltimore came up short. The Steelers walked out of M&T Bank Stadium with a victory, dropping the Ravens to 6-7 and putting their postseason hopes on life support. With one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league, the margin for error is now razor-thin.
For Baltimore to have any shot at turning things around, Lamar Jackson will need to tap into the MVP-caliber form we’ve seen in previous seasons. But that’s easier said than done when you’re battling both physical setbacks and inconsistent protection up front.
Jackson’s health has been a lingering concern, and it’s clear that the offensive line hasn’t done him many favors this year. The unit has struggled to keep him upright, and the lack of cohesion has disrupted the rhythm of an offense that once thrived on its explosive unpredictability.
Now, the Ravens will be even thinner along the offensive line. The team announced that guard Ben Cleveland has been suspended for the next three games without pay for violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy. The suspension, confirmed in a statement from the league and shared by the team on social media, is yet another blow to a group already under the microscope.
Cleveland, a third-round pick in 2021, hasn’t been a consistent contributor this season and has recently been a healthy scratch. However, he remained a depth option - and with the line already stretched thin, losing another body at this stage of the season stings.
More details came to light following the announcement. According to reporting, Cleveland was arrested earlier this offseason on DUI charges and recently reached a plea deal that resulted in probation. While the suspension is tied to the league’s substance abuse policy, the timing adds another layer to a season that’s been riddled with off-field distractions and on-field underperformance.
The fanbase, as you might expect, is restless. Social media lit up following the news, with frustration aimed in all directions - from the coaching staff to underperforming players. Some fans questioned why certain linemen continue to see playing time, while others called for sweeping changes to the roster and coaching structure.
The reality is this: if the Ravens want to make the playoffs, they’ll likely need to win the AFC North. The wild card picture is crowded, and Baltimore’s early-season hole leaves little room for tiebreaker scenarios. That means every game from here on out is essentially a must-win - and that starts with getting the offense back on track.
For Lamar Jackson, that means finding a way to recapture the dynamic playmaking that made him one of the most feared quarterbacks in the league. For the offensive line, it means stepping up - even without a full deck - and giving their quarterback a fighting chance. And for the Ravens as a whole, it means rediscovering the identity that once made them a perennial contender.
Time is running out. The Ravens still have a path to the postseason, but it’s a narrow one - and it’s going to take a complete team effort to walk it.