The Baltimore Ravens' early-season troubles can be pinned on various significant issues. The defense as a whole has looked worse than it ever has, the offense has yet to find a consistent rhythm on the ground, and poor decision-making by the coaching staff has doomed the team.
Many players, even those with All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors to their name, have fallen far short of expectations in 2025. Perhaps the most obvious position group that has contributed most to Baltimore’s abysmal start is the offensive line, more specifically, the interior.
Following the team’s beatdown loss to the Houston Texans in Week 5, Head Coach John Harbaugh made it known that any change is on the table if it can help the team win. He emphasized the offensive line as one of those variables that could need to be resolved, as they look to put this season back together.
John Harbaugh was asked if he's considered personnel changes along the offensive line:
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) October 6, 2025
"Oh, yeah. Everything is on the table. ... There are guys who are still in that area where they still have to prove themselves, and those guys are under consideration all the time. They are…
While both offensive guards have been awful, Daniel Faalele has faced the most criticism from the fanbase, and it sounds like he could be losing his job soon if the horrendous play continues. Backup linemen Ben Cleveland and Corey Bullock are becoming more worthy of reps by the week, and with just one game left before the bye week, this could be Faalele’s last chance to make a name for himself.
Daniel Faalele faces a crucial test vs. Los Angeles Rams
Faalele will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. The Ravens face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6, and while Baltimore has one of the worst offensive lines in football, the Rams carry one of the best defensive lines. Their pass rushers, Jared Verse and Byron Young, demand a ton of attention, but the dynamic duo of Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske on the interior seems poised to dominate the matchup. For Faalele, this could be a make-or-break game.
All offseason, Harbaugh and Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken commended Faalele for his progress. However, it is clear he is failing to live up to that praise. At 6-foot-8, 380 pounds, he figures to be a roadblock on the interior, but that size can only take him so far. He is one of the most unathletic players on the football field at all times, and it has made every play a struggle for the Ravens’ offense.
If Faalele plays well against the likes of Turner and Fiske, then he could finally hit a turning point in his career. It is a major opportunity to quiet noise he has heard for months, but another poor performance would only make the critics louder, and could eventually lead to his benching. Fellow guard Andrew Vorhees deserves criticism, as well, and Harbaugh could make a drastic shift during the bye week if the line continues to disappoint.