The Baltimore Ravens are entering a do-or-die matchup with the Chicago Bears on Sunday. They have quickly fallen to last place in the AFC North with a record of 1-5, and the end is already closing in on their 2025 season. Still, there is hope within the organization that they can fight their way back into the thick of the playoff race in the coming weeks.
2025 was expected to be the biggest opening in Baltimore’s Super Bowl window. On paper, they had one of the most well-constructed rosters with a ton of depth and an intriguing rookie class. However, they have fallen flat in nearly every way possible, and will be playing for their football lives in Week 8.
Of course, Sunday’s game against Chicago will be a defining moment for their season, but it could also be a defining moment for their future. Nearly every coach possible has had fans calling for their firing. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken has continuously fallen back on his ways of questionable play calling in big moments, Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr is off to a historically bad start, and most notably, Head Coach John Harbaugh has been on the hot seat in many fans’ minds since their Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
With so many questions facing their coaching staff, and a laundry list of free agents expected to hit the market in the 2026 offseason, everything Harbaugh has built could unravel versus the Bears.
Everything is on the line in Ravens’ Week 8 clash
Pretty much since the beginning of the Lamar Jackson era in Baltimore, DeCosta and the front office have consistently fielded some of the best rosters in the NFL. However, they have also had a common theme of coming up short in the playoffs. One more loss could flush this season down the drain, and Harbaugh’s future as head coach could be in jeopardy.
Sure, injuries have taken a heavy toll on the team this year, but even at the start of the season, they were putting together underwhelming performances. The habit of blowing big leads and faltering late in close games has been a common occurrence throughout Harbaugh’s career, and a season that might be Baltimore’s worst since their 2015 campaign could put the nail in the coffin on his tenure as Ravens head coach.
If Baltimore defeats the Bears, he has the perfect opportunity to prove all the doubters wrong. He has long been praised as one of the best leaders in the sport, and with a light road ahead, a turnaround is certainly possible.
As of October 24, from Week 9 to Week 15, the Ravens face just one team with a record above .500, the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is a light stretch that Harbaugh should take advantage of, but if the Ravens fumble the golden opportunity, everything could fall apart. One loss and the season would likely be over. Depending on how the year ends, there could be significant changes made to the coaching staff and roster, and one of those changes could be Harbaugh's firing.