The Baltimore Ravens entered Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday hoping to reclaim momentum after a rough start to the season. Instead, they left with a 37-20 defeat and plenty of questions about their team. The struggles were on full display against the Kansas City Chiefs, whose high-powered attack exposed Baltimore’s inconsistencies and lack of execution.
It wasn’t just the score that raised alarms. The Ravens managed only one sustained drive after their opening series, repeatedly stalling in crucial moments and failing to convert on short-yardage situations. Turnovers compounded the problems, while the defense struggled to contain Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' explosive passing game.
Lamar Jackson’s third-quarter hamstring injury further complicated matters, but head coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the issues were deeper than injuries — and that his offense, led by offensive coordinator Todd Monken, needs to improve immediately.
Baltimore came out swinging, piecing together an impressive opening drive that ended in a touchdown. But that brief momentum evaporated. The Ravens stalled on subsequent possessions, committed costly turnovers, and failed to convert in short-yardage situations — the kinds of details that tilt a game against an opponent as polished as Kansas City.
The Chiefs capitalized with four touchdown passes from Patrick Mahomes, while Baltimore’s offense looked increasingly flat.
Harbaugh didn’t shy away from addressing what he saw as the core problem: the Ravens' offensive approach under Monken.
"In a game like this, you've got to be aggressive [in short yardage]. You've got to go for stuff."
John Harbaugh delivers clear message to Ravens' offense and Todd Monken
It was a blunt reminder that against championship-caliber teams, hesitancy can be fatal. The Ravens failed to sustain drives after their hot start, and Harbaugh suggested that it fell on execution and strategy, not just player performance.
Beyond tactical criticism, Harbaugh acknowledged a larger truth about where the Ravens stand.
"I believe we're gonna be a good football team, “ he said. We're just not a good enough football team yet."
The candid remark underscored both his confidence in Baltimore’s long-term potential and his frustration with their present shortcomings.
What must change
Harbaugh’s words send a clear directive to Monken and the offensive staff: adjust, or risk wasting another season of elite talent. Among the most pressing changes:
- Aggression in key moments: Baltimore can’t afford to play conservatively in short-yardage situations.
- Consistency after scripted plays: The offense must sustain success beyond its opening drive.
- Smarter protection of Lamar Jackson: With their quarterback running for his life the last few games, the game plan must prioritize minimizing risk.
Final snap
Now sitting at 1-3, the Ravens remain very much in the mix, but the early warning signs are clear. The offense has the talent to be among the league’s best, yet without sharper playcalling and bolder in-game decisions, Baltimore could keep falling short in big moments.
For Harbaugh, the message was simple: The Ravens offense must improve to right this ship and get back on track. It starts with calling the right plays and getting the team in the right situation to make those plays.