The Baltimore Ravens have found some momentum after their horrendous 1-5 start. After stumbling out of the gates and looking inept on both offense and defense, the team has put together a two-game winning streak.
While neither of their wins were against big-time playoff threats, the Chicago Bears in Week 8 and Miami Dolphins in Week 9, Baltimore is starting to look like the complete team everyone was expecting heading into 2025. The offense is firing on all cylinders and will continue to do so with quarterback Lamar Jackson back on the field. The defense is emerging as a stingy unit that might give up yards, but is limiting points. The offense has scored 58 points over its last two outings, and the defense has allowed just 22 points in that span.
Still, the Ravens are treating every game like it is a playoff matchup. Sure, they are favored to win the AFC North, but realistically, they have a long uphill climb ahead if they want to reemerge as true playoff contenders.
General Manager Eric DeCosta did his best to make those hopes a reality ahead of the trade deadline. His acquisition of safety Alohi Gilman from the Los Angeles Chargers in the Odafe Oweh trade is already paying off, and the more recent deal for outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones should help diminish the pass-rush struggles they have endured this season.
However, many fans were asking if the trades DeCosta made were enough, and in what could be another must-win matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10, everything he built at the trade deadline might be on the line.
Ravens enter pivotal post-deadline game in Minnesota
Despite a strong three-game stretch, all of Baltimore’s concerns still lie on the defensive side of the football. The secondary has settled into a rhythm since Gilman entered the starting lineup, but the defensive front has significant issues. The Ravens have tallied 11 sacks in 2025, a mark that ranks tied 31st in the NFL in team sack totals. Jones needs to help turn that around.
Jones is not a premier pass rusher, but he has had an electric stretch of games in the past four weeks. All 4.5 of his sacks this year have come during that stretch, including 1.5 in the Tennessee Titans’ Week 9 loss to the Chargers. As a Raven, Jones will transition from outside linebacker back to the interior defensive line, bringing together a starting line that includes the likes of Travis Jones, Dre’Mont Jones, Kyle Van Noy, and Mike Green.
Baltimore’s defensive line will play a crucial role on Sunday. Minnesota’s rookie quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, has not been incredible by any means, but he put together a winning performance over the Detroit Lions last week. Jones and company cannot let McCarthy get comfortable, and pressure from the team’s defensive front will help continue to force turnovers.
Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit has only forced seven takeaways this season, but they have tallied five in their last three games. Pressure up front in Week 10 can lead to more of those.
If the defense fails to apply consistent pressure, the 4-4 Vikings could throw a massive wrench in Baltimore’s playoff hopes.