The Baltimore Ravens needed a tone-setting win on Sunday after getting off to a 1-5 start. With time ticking on their playoff hopes in 2025, it was a do-or-die matchup in Week 8. Thankfully, they got exactly what they needed, defeating the Chicago Bears, 30-16.
Despite not having star quarterback Lamar Jackson, Tyer Huntley and company were still able to get the job done on offense, and on defense, the unit put together another encouraging performance after a horrendous five-week stretch to begin the season.
It was nearly a complete 180 from what Baltimore fans have grown accustomed to seeing in 2025, and much of that can be connected to the return of linebacker Roquan Smith. Sure, Smith was struggling at the start of the year, but he came into Sunday looking to make a statement against his former team, and he did just that.
For a defense that has struggled wrapping up and making tackles, Smith brought the energy with his sure-fire tackling ability. He led the team in tackles with 12 and held it down in the middle of the field, helping limit the Bears’ rushing attack, especially in red zone opportunities.
Roquan Smith delivers powerful message after win
Following the game, Smith noted the importance of Sunday’s win and the team’s mentality entering a short week with their Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
“We got a shot to do whatever we want, and I know the type of guys we got in the locker room, so it’s more so about going out and doing that,” Smith said. “This week it’s like new energy. I feel like the team got a fresh start, but it just started this week. We’re 1-0 this week, and we gotta get to 2-0 this week because it’s a short week and it’s on to Miami.”
It can be easy for a team’s morale to deflate after sitting in a deep hole like the Ravens were in, but Baltimore played with the exact intensity needed to dig out of such a hole. They flew to the football on defense, ran the rock well, and won the turnover and time of possession battles. They also made the big plays when the moment called for them, and it is clear they are catching fire at the perfect moment with a critical stretch ahead.
After a rough start, the coaching staff is starting to pull the right strings in all three phases, and with another game just four days away, they will have to treat it like another playoff game if they want a shot at making the playoffs.