The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the best teams over the past several seasons, but they have also been one of the most disappointing. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has continued to lead a prolific offense, and the defense, albeit an off-year in 2024, is one of the fiercest units in football. However, time and time again, the team falls short in the playoffs.
January football has been Baltimore’s kryptonite. Whether it is Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews, wide receiver Zay Flowers, or another playmaker, it feels like everyone has fallen victim to crumbling under the playoff pressure. Heading into 2025, it is time for Baltimore to tame the demons that have tormented them for the duration of the Lamar Jackson era. It could also be the team’s best chance to capture the Super Bowl crown they have been so desperately after for the past few years.
In a recent article, Lou Scatagalia of NFL Spin Zone ranked the top five teams under the most pressure in 2025. Topping the list at number one were the Baltimore Ravens. Scatagalia wrote:
“Not having won multiple games in the postseason since 2012, the Baltimore Ravens have done everything there is to do since then. They've seen Lamar Jackson win multiple MVPs and have fielded top offenses and defenses. The one thing that has plagued this franchise is the playoffs.”
Ravens are under the most pressure in 2025
It is crazy to hear that Baltimore has not won multiple playoff games in a year since 2012. The front office has consistently built some of the most talented rosters in the NFL each year, but somehow cannot put it together when it matters most. The struggles are becoming a common theme with their two-time MVP Jackson.
While the past few playoff showings have seen Jackson play closer to his regular-season self, his turnover rate remains alarmingly high. In 2023 and 2024 combined, Jackson has played four playoff games and has thrown for seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Those numbers are not bad, but he has also lost two fumbles in those years. For a player of Jackson’s caliber, who has only thrown 11 interceptions in the past two regular seasons, he simply needs to be better.
Others need to improve, too. Andrews cost them severely in the Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills, losing a fumble and dropping the game-tying two-point conversion. In the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, Flowers lost a fumble on the goal line on a drive that was sure to produce a touchdown. In both games, Jackson could not shake the turnovers either, but the team needs to find a rhythm in the postseason, and that includes the coaching staff.
Head Coach John Harbaugh and the team's coordinators have not been free from error either. They have made countless questionable gambles that fail to pay off. While it is the playoffs and teams play with a higher intensity, straying away from what got the team to the playoffs or taking high risks comes back to bite them more often than not.
It is clear the team, top to bottom, needs to take a look in the mirror and adjust what needs to be fixed come playoff time. With many star players set to hit the free agent market in the next two offseasons, 2025 may be their best chance to win the Lombardi Trophy.