We’re reaching shocking levels of frustration in Charm City this year and there couldn’t have been a better time for the BYE Week this season.
It’s officially been 1 month (9/14/2025) since the Ravens last won a football game.
— Samuel Njoku (@RavensTalkPod) October 14, 2025
The BYE allows Ravens fans – and more importantly Ravens brass – to take a step back and evaluate things. While I’m sure GM Eric DeCosta has been doing that in recent weeks, this is when major changes need to take place. So what needs to happen?
Well, that depends on your outlook for the rest of the season. On one hand, Baltimore is 1-5 and has looked downright awful doing it. Could it be time to rebuild?
Ravens Super Bowl window is closed. Until they rebuild the OL and DL good luck. Maybe 2028 if you draft well and hit on some keys FAs. New coach. New systems. 2025 is all about learning from mistakes. Will you learn or repeat ? #ravensflock
— Dennard Melton (@dennard13) October 14, 2025
On the other hand, the Ravens technically still have a chance, especially in an AFC (and, frankly, an NFL) where each team seems to have questions. Could they make a push?
If there was a season for the Ravens to start 1-5 and still make the playoffs it’s this season
The AFC is a blunder
— Garrett Ferguson (@GarrettSprints) October 14, 2025
The AFC playoff picture entering Week 7 pic.twitter.com/xuMZPW5mLh
— PFF (@PFF) October 14, 2025
The Ravens are currently just 3 games out from the Buffalo Bills, who are sitting 5th in the AFC right now.
Baltimore also has the tiebreaker edge over both Tennessee and Miami for seeding at the moment.
Baltimore’s hopes for a playoff run is wide open. pic.twitter.com/0xC6mz7Xh6
— Ravens Nation 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) October 14, 2025
NFL Power Rankings
10. 20 teams tied
25. 12 teams tied
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) October 14, 2025
The problem with Ravens Nation Live’s tweet is that having tie-breakers over Tennessee and Miami is moot. That said, the Ravens still have two games against Pittsburgh, and three against the Browns and Bengals. Overall, Baltimore’s schedule gets a lot easier.
The struggling Ravens (1-5) go from having the toughest schedule through the first six weeks of the season to playing one of the easiest the rest of the way.
SOS (First 6 weeks): 1st
SOS (Final 12 weeks): 27thSource: ESPN Analytics
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 13, 2025
Yet, the Steelers have finally taken over as favorites for the AFC North:
Entering Week 7, the Steelers are the overwhelming favorite to win the AFC North, per ESPN Analytics:
Steelers 77.5%
Ravens 17.2%
Bengals 4.3%
Browns 1%— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 13, 2025
If it were me, I’d go for it. You only get a handful of chances to compete with QB Lamar Jackson, so I don’t think you can blow things up. With that in mind, let’s walk through my plan for a Ravens turnaround.
First and foremost, the defense must be addressed. They looked improved against the Rams on Sunday, but I feel that was largely due to game flow and weather.
The #Ravens defense in week 6:
Points allowed | 17 (8th)
Yards allowed | 241 (4th)
Yards per play | 4.7 (9th)
EPA per play | -0.11 (10th)What is your confidence level in this unit going forward? #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/KbOZUiKhWx
— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) October 14, 2025
Ultimately, there’s no getting around the need for pass rush and D-Line support:
Top NFL defenses in "Havoc" which is the % of plays a defense gets a pressure, TFL, forced fumble, INT, or pass breakup:
1. Broncos (44.8%)
2. Buccaneers (42.9%)
3. Steelers (42.2%)
4. Falcons (40.8%)
T5. Chiefs (39.9%)
T5. Texans (39.9%)
7. Rams (39.4%)
8. Packers (39.2%)
9.…— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 14, 2025
Average pass rush rates generated by each individual defensive lineman (per-player stats)
– True pass sets only pic.twitter.com/Wc1odtwwm9— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) October 13, 2025
Yuck pic.twitter.com/mxh3LvecDC
— Yuri (@Yuri_Ravens) October 14, 2025
Are we even on pace for 11 sacks on the season? https://t.co/MyYdHEgMRN
— Lou (@be_like__Lou) October 14, 2025
Can the Ravens rely on Mike Green to take the next step? Will C.J. Okoye’s continued development help solidify the interior? Is Trenton Simpson breakout out in his new role?
Chuck Smith on Mike Green: “His days will come. His sacks will come.”
Smith noted that Green is basically a starter, and doing what not a lot of other rookies are asked to do. pic.twitter.com/N7VwIUnXea
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) October 14, 2025
I meant to talk about this as well…..
Another perfect example of young player just needing actual real live time….. It’s not going to look pretty out the gate every time, but you need to stack actual games instead of going off moments.
We are the same fanbase that wanted to… https://t.co/sDF7JjxJnL
— GARNET WEST (@Garnet478) October 14, 2025
Zach Orr said Trenton Simpson has had two of his best games the past couple weeks and has “earned” snaps in a versatile role even once Roquan Smith returns from injury.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) October 14, 2025
It’s possible, but I don’t think EDC can count on any, much less all three, working out.
We know how important getting pressure and stopping the run is in terms of overall defensive success, and it’s showing:
Falcons defense looks strong pic.twitter.com/nN6xwGpNMV
— Timo Riske (@PFF_Moo) October 14, 2025
Honestly, I don’t think the secondary needs much help (other than getting healthy). The Alohi Gilman trade seems to have helped free up Kyle Hamilton, and I continue to feel CB Nate Wiggins is a stud:
Orr called Alohi Gilman “a beast.” He said that Gilman took every rep in practice last week and was directing traffic from the moment he arrived.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 14, 2025
It’s clear #Ravens adding Alohi Gilman — whom Orr called a beast — has them excited about being able to deploy Hamilton near line of scrimmage and that defenses have to know where Hamilton is and whether he’s blitzing or not.
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) October 14, 2025
Kyle Hamilton back near the line of scrimmage you love to see it pic.twitter.com/eQH86p53QP
— Yuri (@Yuri_Ravens) October 14, 2025
Chuck Pagano said moving Kyle Hamilton to the nickel creates “a little bit different picture for the offense. They have to know exactly where he’s at. It felt different.” pic.twitter.com/1Kp1bAE7Jc
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 14, 2025
Outside CB coverage plot!
We're looking at yards allowed per coverage snap vs. zone (x) and vs. man (y).
This uses @NextGenStats' new coverage responsibility (as opposed to the old nearest defender system).
Up and right is good! pic.twitter.com/1KrsP99dKh
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 14, 2025
Chuck Pagano said Nate Wiggins asked cosches to travel with Davante Adams in Sunday’s game.
Had some wins and losses against one of the best, but a look into Nate’s mindset.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) October 14, 2025
Altogether, to fix this defense, it’s about winning up-front. As a result, I feel the Ravens should make a move for EDGEs Bradley Chubb, Cameron Jordan, or Jermaine Johnson, and for DTs Sebastian Joseph-Day or Shelby Harris. Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons would be a dream, but it wouldn’t make sense with Baltimore’s record.
On the offensive side, Jackson’s return will help, and I think it’s all about play calling and the O-Line. Starting with the former, I think we just need to trust OC Todd Monken:
Ravens OC Todd Monken on short-yardage woes: “Scheme it better. Call it better. Execute it better.”
Admits he second guessed himself for goal-line play calling Sunday. pic.twitter.com/JdWwACxap1— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 14, 2025
As Pedro H. Rhormes explains, the O-Line is the bigger problem:
The issues with the offensive line are not new. When Marshal Yanda retired, he was replaced by D.J. Fluker and Tyre Phillips. When Kevin Zeitler left, they replaced him with Daniel Faalele. Front office didn't make an effort to retain Ben Powers when he was at his best form.…
— Pedro H. Rhormes (@rhormes_) October 14, 2025
Specifically, the issue is at Guard, where both spots are concerns. That said, Emery Jones could be coming back soon:
Warhop said that today was Emery Jones’ first day in pass protection and only seventh practice overall. Said he’s worked extremely hard but it’s still too early to make any progressions.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 14, 2025
Jones won’t solve the OG problems alone, but if they target a trustworthy veteran to man one side, could they make one of Jones, Vorhees, and Faalele playable on the other? Enter Kevin Zeitler.
The Titans are 1-5 and just fired their head coach
It’s time for the Ravens to bring Kevin Zeitler home pic.twitter.com/hXbQvsQdN4
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 13, 2025
Obviously, there’s a big gap Baltimore must overcome. As a result, these moves simply can’t mortgage too much draft or financial capital. But could a Lamar Jackson return and a few cunning moves help the Ravens find their stride at the right time?
I think it’s worth a shot.
The post OTL: Ravens Face Crossroads at Bye Week in a Weak AFC appeared first on Russell Street Report.
