A Season in Review: What the Ravens Can Learn During Their Bye Week
The Ravens enter their Week 14 bye week with an 8-5 record, which is good for second place in the AFC North Division, trailing the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, who sit at 9-3. The Ravens currently hold the sixth seed through 13 weeks in the battle for a playoff spot. While the Ravens’ resilience has been on full display this season after dropping to 0-2 before rattling off five straight wins, their season has been filled with ups and downs, with plenty of issues and areas of concern that head coach John Harbaugh and his staff will address during the bye week. As the team takes a much-needed break, being one of six remaining teams not to have had their bye week, they will also have the opportunity to closely examine the strengths and weaknesses of the roster as they prepare for their four remaining regular-season games, aiming to clinch a playoff spot and make a Super Bowl run.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Ravens offense has largely been the team's engine through the first 13 weeks of the season, carrying them to victory in most weeks. Meanwhile, the Ravens' defense has faced significant challenges defending the pass and maintaining consistent performance. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson is having his best season yet in his sixth year as the Ravens' starter. Jackson ranks second in the NFL with 3,290 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes while throwing only three interceptions. His QB rating of 73.4% is the fourth-highest in the league.
However, since their Week Nine blowout win over the Denver Broncos, the Ravens' offense has encountered new problems, including slow starts and self-inflicted errors. In their recent loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ravens started strong but faltered after taking a 9-0 lead. The offense struggled with overthrown passes, third-down conversions, and poor offensive line play, allowing 16 pressures, according to PFF. For the Ravens to return to their dominant offensive form and make a deep playoff run, they must address these issues. As Jackson stated in his post-game conference, "We are beating ourselves out there. There are opportunities, [but] we're not making them happen. We need to make those critical situations happen, and we're not doing it."
The season has been filled with tough game-day decisions regarding the Ravens' defense, as their pass defense has struggled to limit opponents' passing attacks, ranking in the bottom five in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. This persistent issue led coach Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Zach Orr to bench veteran safety Marcus Williams, who, since signing in 2022, has been hampered by injuries and unreliable performances. Williams, one of the lowest-ranked safeties in the league, was a healthy scratch against the Eagles. As a result, trade deadline acquisition from the Rams, cornerback Tre’Davious White, and fourth-year safety Ar’Darius Washington have gotten more playing time in place of Williams.
However, despite their struggles in the first 10 weeks, the Ravens’ defense has improved significantly over the past three weeks. Following Sunday's game, Ravens' veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey discussed what has gone behind the recent improvements for the defense. He stated, "The biggest thing after whatever game that was, Cincinnati, it was time to play Ravens defense. The message kind of became a little bit clear: 'If you want to play ball, then we'll get you out there, but if you don't, you're going to have to sit on the sideline.' I think guys responded really well to what was being preached amongst the coaches, amongst the players, and we're holding guys more accountable now." With that, they have now allowed just one touchdown pass in games against the Steelers, Chargers, and Eagles and have given up the fewest passing yards during that stretch, 165.0 per game, compared to their season average of 264.9 yards, which ranks second-worst. If the Ravens can continue building on these improved performances down the stretch, they could set themselves up for success after starting the season seemingly lost and without answers.
When the Ravens return from their bye next week, they will face a difficult stretch to close out the regular season with four remaining games. The Ravens' next three opponents, including the Giants away, the Steelers at home, and the Texans on the road on Christmas Day, will all come within the span of 10 days. As a result, the timing of the bye couldn't be more perfect, allowing players dealing with lingering injuries to get as healthy as possible during an NFL season. If the Ravens hope to reclaim the AFC North title for a second straight season, they'll need to stay united and tackle the challenge ahead, including a crucial rematch against the Steelers, while also hoping Pittsburgh drops a game or two down the stretch. Regardless of whether they win the division, if the Ravens want to make it to the Super Bowl for the first time in the Lamar Jackson era, it will take a team effort the rest of the way, with the offense, defense, and special teams all needing to click on all cylinders.
