In a surprising turn of events, the Baltimore Ravens are 0-2 to start the season and the Ravens' loss on Sunday marked the first time the reigning MVP started the next season 0-2. Unfortunately, the games have happened and the results can't be changed so is it time for Ravens fans to panic yet?
Short answer: No.
More Ravens news
I know it seems easy to panic considering how much difficult it is to make the season when a team starts 0-2 but fans can maybe take a deep breath and not fully panic yet. Bill Barnwell of ESPN ranked every 0-2 team by their chances of making the playoffs and the Ravens were second on Barnwell's rankings. ESPN FPI gave the Ravens a 40.2% chance of making the playoffs, which is only slightly lower than the Browns' chances and Cleveland is 1-1 on the year.
Barnwell points out that this is the first time since 2020 that the Ravens have lost two straight games and the Cowboys looming in Week 3 is going to make things even trickier. That being said, he argued that the Ravens lost three straight games in the middle of the 2020 season but ended up sliding into the playoffs so anything is possible here.
It's not time to panic yet, Ravens fans.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Bengals are also 0-2 and hanging out in the cellar of the division with the Ravens. The only thing here that could be troubling for the Ravens is that Cincinnati has a much easier schedule, which was a result of their last place finish a season ago. Baltimore doesn't have that same luck and will play Dallas, Buffalo, and Cincinnati in their next three games.
If the Ravens lose to the Cowboys next week, then yes, it's time to panic. For now though, let's trust in John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson, and the rest of this Ravens squad that won 14 games a season ago to right the ship and get the guys in prime position to make the playoffs.