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Can the Ravens really turn their season around?

By Brett Foote

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Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) walks off the field after going three and out during the overtime against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Cleveland Browns defeated Baltimore Ravens 33-30 in over time. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Could things possibly get much worse for the Baltimore Ravens?  After a 1-4 start that is the worst in the John Harbaugh era and a deflating overtime loss to a team that hasn’t beat them at home since 2007, the answer is sadly yes.

But the real question is, will things get worse?  Only 5% of NFL teams in history have ever rebounded from a 1-4 start to make the playoffs, so the Ravens chances aren’t exactly great if you are a history buff. But there are 11 games left, so obviously a turnaround is (at least numerically) possible.

It’s also not like this team has been getting blown out of the building, either.  All four losses have come by 6 points or less, and the Ravens have had the lead in the 4th quarter of three of those games.  They could just as easily be 4-1 had they just held things together late in those contests.

The Ravens are also entering the easier part of their schedule after a brutal start.  They travel to San Francisco to face the downtrodden 49ers next week, losers of 4 in a row.  Then a brutal trip to Arizona to face the hot Cardinals followed by a 3 game home stand against the Chargers, Jaguars, and Rams.

Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a short run during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

I feel like the Ravens are good enough to win 3-4 of those 5 games, which would get them right back in the hunt for a playoff spot.  With a weak AFC South and West this year, they could easily compete for a Wild Card spot with a .500 or slightly better record.

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Things are going to have to change, obviously.  Injuries are taking their toll the last few weeks, and the defense has to learn how to stop opposing passers.  But there are also signs for optimism, like the excellent play of Justin Forsett and an improving Joe Flacco.

The NFL is a game of inches, and we can’t worry too much about the close losses that have plagued this team.  The Ravens need to simply forget how they got here and focus on how they can right the ship for the remaining 3/4’s of the 2015 season.

Next: Ravens week 5 stock report

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