The Baltimore Ravens’ playoff hopes seemed finished early in their 2025 campaign. Heading into their Week 7 bye, they were one of the worst teams in football at 1-5, and were buried behind the competition in the AFC North, shockingly sitting in last place.
The Ravens needed nearly everyone to step up if they wanted a shot at the playoffs this year, and somehow that happened. The defense that was on a historically bad pace has turned on the jets and is one of the best units in the NFL over the last seven weeks. Offensively, the explosiveness may not be there, but with quarterback Lamar Jackson at the helm and running back Derrick Henry in the backfield, they are finding ways to get the job done.
Entering their Week 13 showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving night, they are on a five-game winning streak. They sit atop the AFC North with a 6-5 record. On Thursday, they have an opportunity to take control of the division.
With such an unbelievable turnaround, Baltimore fans have plenty to be thankful for. Here are three reasons for them to be grateful amid a shaky year.
3 reasons for Ravens fans to be thankful in 2025
Veteran Leadership
While the Ravens have a ton of fast-rising young talent, there are also several leaders on the team with plenty of experience. Most notably, Jackson and Henry have made an impact through their leadership on offense, and on defense, linebacker Roquan Smith is changing the game.
Baltimore made a polarizing move earlier in the season when it removed all “distractions” from the locker room. That included the ping pong table, video games, and a basketball hoop. It was ultimately revealed that Jackson took charge, and it is clear that it is paying off.
In Henry’s case, his experience as a top rusher in the NFL has brought life to an otherwise underwhelming rushing attack. The blocking up front has been poor, but as NFL fans know by now, when you have Henry in the backfield, anything is possible.
Smith is also the perfect player to have in the middle of your defense. When the defense was underperforming and their back was against the wall, Smith returned from injury at the perfect time to help construct a miraculous midseason shift. He has been making his presence known and is the perfect communicator for a defense that is starting three rookies. That leadership is invaluable.
Eric DeCosta’s Trade Acquisitions
Despite enduring significant struggles early on, General Manager Eric DeCosta was aggressive ahead of the trade deadline. Once again, he showed why he is respected as one of the top general managers in the league.
In early October, DeCosta traded outside linebacker Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers for safety Alohi Gilman. While a shocking trade at first, Gilman has played well in his brief time in Charm City, and more importantly, the move has allowed Hamilton to transform the defense. Since the move, the Ravens have one of the top defenses in the NFL.
The defense still needed pass-rush help, and DeCosta added just that a day before the trade deadline. He sent a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones. Baltimore’s sack numbers still are not eye-popping, but Jones continued his strong season with the Ravens and is helping unlock rookie outside linebacker Mike Green, who leads the team with 2.5 sacks.
Initially, no one thought DeCosta would buy at the deadline, but his genius has helped morph Baltimore back into a playoff contender.
The AFC North
This NFL season has been a wild one. There has been no shortage of upsets and heart attack endings in 2025. On top of it all, this year has been one of the most competitive in recent memory.
The playoff race is as deep as can be, especially in the AFC. Many of the usual top-tier contenders have had off years, putting teams like the Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Buffalo Bills in an uncertain position with six games remaining.
However, for Baltimore, they are a part of a weak AFC North this season. The division is usually one of the toughest, but entering Week 13, the Ravens’ 6-5 record is enough for the top spot. The Cleveland Browns are still in a rebuilding phase. The Cincinnati Bengals have a horrendous defense, and a turf toe injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow put them at a disadvantage all year.
That leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers, who, although also holding a 6-5 record, are still searching for their identity. On some days, their offense looks explosive, and their defense is relentless. On others, though, the offense lacks spice, and the defense is giving up plays in big moments. It has led to a bit of a downward spiral recently, and has let the Ravens sneak right back into the race for the division crown.
On Thanksgiving, Baltimore will be looking to enjoy their holiday by extending their division lead with a win over the Bengals.