The Baltimore Ravens suffered a stunning collapse in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, fumbling a 15-point lead and ultimately losing 41-40. It was a game Baltimore had in its lap, and with proper game management and player execution down the stretch, it would have been an easy win. However, with head coach John Harbaugh at the helm, nothing comes easy.
Whether it was Derrick Henry fumbling, bad playcalling, or poor defensive execution down the stretch, it seems everything went wrong in that disastrous fourth quarter on Sunday night. For Baltimore fans, this is nothing new. The inability to close out a game has been a consistent downfall for the Ravens, especially on the defensive side. What has been the common factor over the past several years? John Harbaugh.
John Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/QP2pF3GGqq
— Yuri (@Yuri_Ravens) September 8, 2025
John Harbaugh learned absolutely nothing in the epic Week 1 collapse vs Bills
The Bills needed several miraculous plays to squeeze out the win, including a touchdown to wide receiver Keon Coleman off a crazy tipped pass, where Baltimore defenders could be seen standing around uninterested. After the Henry fumble, the Ravens' secondary was once again caught acting lackadaisically, getting picked apart play after play. Those defensive struggles continued into the final drive, allowing Buffalo to drive deep into their territory for the game-winning kick.
The offense had several opportunities to put the game away, even after Henry’s fumble. However, they became complacent and failed to make any sort of noise. The Zay Flowers jet sweep on 2nd and 9 may have been the worst play of all, going for no gain; a leading factor in that drive stalling.
Harbaugh has blown seven double-digit leads over the last 10 seasons. Those late-game mishaps were a common theme of the team’s 2024 campaign. In their slow start to the season, countless boneheaded errors cost Baltimore, leading to their 0-2 start.
The most unbelievable loss of the whole season came in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. After having a 10-point lead with less than 10 minutes to go, the Raiders, led by quarterback Gardner Minshew, rallied to score 13 straight and steal the game.
The Ravens likely should have started 0-3, as well, after a heart attack matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. They held a 28-6 lead in Dallas late in the fourth quarter, but once again, the opposing offense stormed back with three straight touchdowns for 19 points. Baltimore eventually won, but needed an onside kick recovery to seal a game that should have been a blowout.
Harbaugh seems to have a lack of control over his team down the stretch, and it continues to hurt them into the 2025 season. The team lets its foot off the gas every time, and Harbaugh should be on the hot seat for it.