The Baltimore Ravens have everything they need to hoist the Lombardi Trophy: a dynamic quarterback in Lamar Jackson, a star-studded defense, and a deep, talented roster. Yet, there’s one glaring issue that could derail their championship aspirations - penalties.
Week after week, the Ravens shoot themselves in the foot with self-inflicted mistakes, and head coach John Harbaugh’s failure to enforce accountability might be the root cause.
The numbers are staggering. Baltimore leads the NFL with 92 penalties for 763 yards through 11 games, and their Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers was a prime example of the problem.
Twelve penalties for 80 yards turned manageable drives into uphill battles, wiped out big plays, and gave Pittsburgh extra opportunities. Harbaugh acknowledged the issue after the game, saying, “The buck stops here.” But fans have heard that refrain before, and the lack of tangible improvement raises questions about Harbaugh’s ability, or willingness, to fix the issue.
Dumb penalties are holding the Baltimore Ravens back
Mistakes have become a recurring theme for this Ravens team, and it’s costing them in critical moments. Against the Steelers, these penalties were particularly brutal:
- First Quarter: A holding penalty on Ronnie Stanley erased a 6-yard run by Derrick Henry, ending the drive in a punt.
- Third Quarter: Malik Harrison’s holding penalty nullified a 28-yard kickoff return by Keaton Mitchell, pinning Baltimore deep in their own territory.
- Fourth Quarter: Patrick Mekari’s two ineligible lineman downfield penalties wiped out a 15-yard screen and a 34-yard completion, stalling Baltimore’s comeback attempts.
These weren’t isolated incidents. Players like Mekari and Stanley are repeat offenders, with Mekari leading the league in holding penalties this season. Harbaugh has insisted the team is working on cleaning up these issues in practice, but the results simply aren’t there.
John Harbaugh on "way too many penalties" holding back the offense. Happened yesterday in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/Rv3ed7pDHE
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) November 18, 2024
Harbaugh’s laid-back sideline demeanor is emblematic of a larger issue. While he’s known as a "players’ coach" who fosters a positive culture, that same approach seems to leave too much room for mistakes. At some point, players need to face consequences for repeated errors, and it’s unclear if Harbaugh is willing to take that step.
The Ravens are still a Super Bowl contender, but discipline has to be a priority. Penalties like the ones seen in Pittsburgh won’t fly against top-tier teams like Kansas City, Buffalo, or Houston. In the playoffs, every yard matters, and every mistake is magnified.
Harbaugh has to take a harder stance. That might mean shaking up practice routines, holding players accountable during games, or even benching repeat offenders. Whatever it takes, the time to act is now. This roster is too talented to waste its potential because of preventable mistakes.
If Harbaugh can’t address his accountability blindspot, the Ravens might look back on this season as another "what could have been" moment. And for a team this good, that would be nothing short of a tragedy.