Ravens alive in AFC North after 1-5 start: why they still have playoff hope

The Baltimore Ravens’ season entered October with questions swirling, but a weekend victory breathed unexpected life into a squad many wrote off. After snapping a multi-game skid, Baltimore now finds itself still very much in the AFC North conversation — thanks as much to its rivals’ stumbles as to its own recent rebound.

A win in Miami on Thursday would reshape the narrative further. With key opponents faltering and a stretch of winnable matchups ahead, the Ravens’ path back to contention is clearer than it looked a month ago.

Division volatility gives Ravens a second chance

The AFC North has become a wide-open scramble. Pittsburgh’s once-steady start hit a major speed bump when the Steelers surrendered a fourth-quarter collapse to Green Bay, giving up 21 points in a 35-25 loss. Cincinnati’s season took another hit as well — the Bengals squandered sizable leads and fell 39-38 to the Jets, leaving them off the pace. Cleveland, still rebuilding, was routed in New England and now sits near the bottom of the league.

That chaos matters for Baltimore. The Ravens, who just shut down a rallying Chicago Bears squad with a 30-16 victory, are within striking distance of the division lead. Despite earlier prognostications, the AFC North race is far from decided.

Recent game that flipped the script

Baltimore’s win over the Bears felt like a reset. Tyler Huntley stepped in and delivered an efficient performance — completing 17 of 22 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown — and the team halted a damaging four-game skid that included sweatsome home losses to Houston and Los Angeles.

That victory wasn’t just about the scoreboard. It was a sign that the Ravens can still win while managing injuries and internal friction, and it underscored the roster’s depth when starters are sidelined.

Injury toll and internal pressure

The early schedule exposed a vulnerability: injuries. A hamstring problem suffered by Lamar Jackson in Kansas City coincided with a litany of other losses on the depth chart. Among those sidelined this season are safety Kyle Hamilton, linebacker Roquan Smith, tackle Ronnie Stanley and cornerback Marlon Humphrey — a string that amounts to nine Pro Bowl contributors from last year’s 12-5 roster dealing with injury setbacks.

• Key injuries: Lamar Jackson (hamstring), Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey, plus others.
• Lost for the season on the defensive front: Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington Jr.

Frustration filtered into the locker room. Some players voiced objections to play-calling and scheme choices, publicly pointing to offensive coordinator Todd Monken and defensive coordinator Zach Orr during the rough stretch. That kind of scrutiny can fracture a team or, if managed well, spur adjustments.

Leadership, culture and coaching under pressure

John Harbaugh’s steady presence is a fulcrum for the franchise. As one of the NFL’s longest-tenured head coaches, he’s built an environment where veteran leaders are expected to police standards internally.

“It was challenging because you haven’t won games, and you want to win games,” Harbaugh said. “And we understand – we were fighting. I was proud of the guys when we didn’t win the games. Our guys fought like crazy against the Texans – the guys that were out there – and they fought like crazy against the Rams. And we turned the ball over. We didn’t make the plays we needed to make (or) get the stops we needed to make, but they’re fighting, and they’re competing.”

Those words matter because, beyond schemes and X’s-and-O’s, the Ravens’ identity is built on resilience. Harbaugh and his coaching staff will be judged on whether they can translate that grit into consistent wins down the stretch.

Schedule outlook: a favorable run before the holidays

The remaining slate offers opportunities. Over the next stretch Baltimore faces several opponents currently under .500, both at home and on the road. The sequence includes:

• at Miami Dolphins
• at Minnesota Vikings
• at Cleveland Browns
• vs. New York Jets
• vs. Cincinnati Bengals

All five teams have losing records today, and three of them (Minnesota, Cleveland and the Jets) are sitting at the bottom of their divisions. Importantly for tiebreaker scenarios, the Ravens still have all four remaining head-to-head matchups against division rivals Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

If Baltimore can navigate this stretch successfully, the team could close the gap in the standings and set up a meaningful second half of the season.

Front office options as trade deadline approaches

Owner Stephen Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta have a history of making pragmatic moves to keep the roster competitive. With the deadline looming, upgrades along the defensive line are likely a priority after season-ending injuries to key pieces.

Possible actions include:

• targeting veteran defensive linemen via trade
• promoting depth from the practice squad or signing free agents
• remaining patient and banking on returning health

The front office’s next moves will signal whether Baltimore views this season as a push for the playoffs or a longer-term rebuild. For now, the roster appears poised to push.

Historical context and what success would look like

Historically, teams that begin 1-5 seldom turn their seasons into division titles. If the Ravens manage to recover and win the AFC North after such a start, they would join an exclusive group — becoming the fifth team since the 1970 merger to do so. The franchise’s pedigree, capped by two Super Bowl championships and a two-time MVP at quarterback in Lamar Jackson, gives them the résumé to believe.

Health and momentum will be the deciding factors. If Jackson returns to top form and the defense stabilizes, Baltimore could ride a midseason surge into playoff contention. If injuries persist and inconsistency lingers, the margin for error will shrink quickly.

You might also like:

• Ravens playoff hopes alive after win, now need Browns to save season
• Dolphins must-win vs. Ravens puts Mike McDaniel’s job on the line
• Bengals 2025 season in crisis as playoff hopes fade despite Burrow’s return
• Aaron Rodgers wrist injury could derail Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff hopes
• Ravens vs. Steelers coach faces firing after loss

John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.