The Baltimore Ravens are 2-1 to start the 2026 season. On the one hand, they're level with the other three teams in the AFC North, as all four teams in the division are sitting at 2-1. On the other hand, this team could easily be 3-0 but also could easily be 1-2. There's been a lot to unpack through the month of September.
Cody Williams of FanSided gave every NFL team a grade for how their September unfolded and he gave the Ravens a very fair grade of a C+. People might think that's a harsh grade given that Baltimore has a winning record, but, again, they very well could be sitting with just one win, or, had things played out better for them, three wins.
"While the Baltimore Ravens are 2-1 just like everyone else in the AFC North to start the season, it does feel like there are some reasons to be concerned. Had the Cowboys not shot themselves in the foot in Brazil, this team would either be 1-2 or have an overtime victory over Dallas. But more importantly, the offense is still figuring itself out to a level of consistency, and the defense has given up 23+ points in every game to this point."
Baltimore Ravens might be 2-1 but it's not all sunshine and rainbows
All very true points. The Ravens' defense, despite being led by a defensive-minded head coach in Jesse Minter, hasn't been much of a strength early in the season. Sure, it takes time to mold units so hopefully that's simply all this group needs before it looks more like how Minter's Chargers defenses looked.
It's hard not to look at the Cowboys game though and think to how poorly that could have ended for the Ravens. They truly are fortunate that Dallas made the boneheaded decisions that they made because otherwise, Baltimore would be in the basement of the AFC North right now.
The Saints game was also a point of frustration for this team, as the Ravens were massive favorites in that one but couldn't get the job done. To make matters worse, they were the home team. That shouldn't have ended the way that it did.
So, yeah, when you factor all of these issues in, it makes perfect sense why Baltimore got just above an average grade. A 3-0 start could have put them on the perfect track to reclaiming the AFC North and getting back to the postseason but the kinks clearly still need to be worked out.
Fortunately, the Ravens have some "easier" games coming up with a home game against the winless Titans up next and a road game against the Falcons the following week. They have to win those games because then it's back-to-back battles against AFC North squads (Browns and Bengals) and then a road game in Buffalo, and a home game against the Jaguars. That schedule is not for the faint of heart, so to speak.
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