The first seven weeks of the Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 season have been disappointing in pretty much every way imaginable. They sit at 1-5, and have many flaws throughout their team. Even areas where they have All-Pro and Pro Bowl-level talent have fallen short of expectations.
Many of those players who should be All-Pros and Pro Bowlers have not looked the part in 2025. Only contributors like quarterback Lamar Jackson, wide receiver Zay Flowers, and safety Kyle Hamilton have truly taken off in the way people had hoped this season, while other stars are struggling to find their footing coming out of the bye week.
If the Ravens want to make the most of what is left of their playoff hopes, they will need various key members of the team to start producing. Here are two players who must come out firing in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
2 Ravens who must come out firing after the bye
Marlon Humphrey
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey was an All-Pro in 2024, but has struggled out of the gate in 2025. He has been dealing with a calf injury that he suffered in Baltimore’s Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but even when healthy, he was putting together an abysmal season.
In five games, Humphrey has posted a 38.6 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). That ranks 163rd among 171 qualifying cornerbacks. Sure, he is facing off against the league’s best wide receivers week in and week out, but he has fallen short in each of those battles.
Week 8 could be a turning point for Humphrey, though. He gets another week of rest from his calf injury, and he can prove himself in a do-or-die matchup against Chicago, who sports one of the best wideout groups in the NFL.
Isaiah Likely
Tight end Isaiah Likely has not put up the numbers many were hoping to see since returning from the foot fracture he suffered in training camp. In three games, Likely has totaled just three receptions for 18 yards. He is not alone, though, as Baltimore’s offense as a whole has had troubles since Jackson injured his hamstring in Week 4. Still, he registered just a 41.9 PFF grade thus far.
It is understandable to see Likely struggle early in his return, especially coming off such a serious injury. Regardless, he will need to come to play against the Bears.
With Jackson coming off an injury, Likely’s presence as a security blanket will become crucial. The team’s offensive line has been horrendous, so Jackson may have to turn to Likely early and often. He also needs to return to being a consistently strong run blocker for Henry and company.
Week 8 is a must-win game for Baltimore, and the breakouts of Humphrey, Likely, and many others are necessary if they want to turn around their season.