Baltimore Ravens’ Lingering Issues on Offense and Defensive Depth Could Spark Yet Another Painful and Premature NFL Playoff Exit
The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the NFL’s most consistently competitive teams over the past decade. With a respected front office, a dynamic head coach in John Harbaugh, and a former MVP quarterback in Lamar Jackson, the franchise has maintained its spot near the top of the AFC standings year after year. Yet despite their regular-season dominance, one troubling pattern persists—early playoff exits. For a team that always seems primed for a deep postseason run, the Ravens have too often fallen short of expectations once the playoffs arrive.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, optimism remains high in Baltimore, especially after another double-digit win season and strong offseason acquisitions. But beneath the surface, a familiar concern is threatening to derail another promising year. The red flag? A lack of offensive identity under pressure, paired with key question marks on defense. These issues have haunted the team in recent years, and unless addressed with urgency, they could lead to yet another abrupt playoff ending.
The Ravens have retooled their offensive personnel over the past few seasons in hopes of providing Lamar Jackson with the tools necessary to evolve as a passer. From acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting Zay Flowers to signing veterans like Nelson Agholor and extending tight end Mark Andrews, Baltimore has invested heavily in the passing game. On paper, the weapons are there. In practice, however, the offense has struggled to find balance when it matters most.
Baltimore has long been known for its bruising run game. But as Jackson’s career has progressed, there’s been an increasing push to mold the Ravens into a more traditional passing offense—often at the expense of what made them successful in the first place. In key playoff games, the Ravens have failed to establish rhythm, often abandoning the run too early or becoming overly predictable. Their playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last season was a glaring example. Jackson threw a costly interception, the run game was neutralized, and the Ravens managed just 10 points at home in the AFC Championship.
Todd Monken, the team’s offensive coordinator, has brought more complexity and variation to the passing scheme, which has helped Jackson post strong numbers during the regular season. But in crunch time, the offense has lacked a go-to identity. When the pressure mounts and defenses clamp down, the Ravens often appear unsure whether to lean on Jackson’s legs, trust their backs, or spread it out and pass. This indecisiveness breeds inefficiency—and in the playoffs, inefficiency is a death sentence.
Lamar Jackson is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. His legs are unmatched, his arm has continued to improve, and his leadership has never been in question. But when the playoffs arrive, his record becomes harder to defend. Jackson is 2-4 in postseason play, with both wins coming against inferior opponents. In losses, he’s averaged just 15 points per game and has been turnover-prone, especially when asked to drop back repeatedly without the benefit of a dominant run game.
Critics argue that Jackson still hasn’t proven he can win a shootout against elite competition, and while that may be overly simplistic, it reflects a deeper truth. The Ravens haven’t consistently put Jackson in positions to succeed in January. Whether it’s the game plan, protection, or play-calling, something seems to falter when the stakes are highest. As the quarterback entering his prime and being paid accordingly, Jackson bears part of the burden. But if Baltimore doesn’t build a scheme that maximizes his strengths instead of trying to turn him into a pure pocket passer, they risk squandering his best years.
One of the least discussed but most pressing concerns for Baltimore heading into this season is the state of their offensive line. Longtime stalwart Ronnie Stanley has struggled to stay healthy, and while the Ravens have invested in depth, continuity is lacking. The interior of the line is still in flux, which poses a serious threat to the timing and efficiency of the offense. Without consistent protection, Jackson’s ability to operate from the pocket and make reads diminishes—especially against top-tier playoff defenses.
Equally concerning is the uncertainty in the backfield. The Ravens lost J.K. Dobbins to injury once again last season and have been relying on a committee of journeymen and rookies to carry the load. While Justice Hill and Gus Edwards have provided flashes, neither has proven to be a true game-changer. With no consistent bell cow to rely on, the Ravens face a tough task in controlling the tempo of playoff games—something that’s crucial against AFC juggernauts like the Chiefs or Bills.
The Ravens’ defense has traditionally been a strength, and last year it was among the best in the NFL in scoring defense and takeaways. However, the loss of key veterans like Patrick Queen and potential regression in the secondary are cause for concern. The cornerback position, in particular, is thin beyond Marlon Humphrey. Injuries exposed their lack of depth in critical moments, and playoff-caliber offenses will target that weakness.
Baltimore’s pass rush is also top-heavy. While Justin Madubuike is emerging as a force on the interior, and Roquan Smith is a game-changer at linebacker, the Ravens lack consistent pressure from the edge. In the playoffs, getting after the quarterback is paramount—especially against elite QBs like Mahomes, Allen, or Burrow. If Baltimore can’t collapse the pocket consistently, their defense may not hold up against the league’s best.
Moreover, the Ravens’ aggressive style of defense often leads to players wearing down late in the season. Last year, fatigue was evident during their playoff loss, with missed tackles and communication breakdowns cropping up at the worst times. Baltimore’s depth will need to improve dramatically if they hope to make it through the grind of a long season and deep playoff run.
John Harbaugh is one of the most respected coaches in football. A Super Bowl winner and longtime leader of the Ravens, he brings toughness, preparation, and culture. But some critics have started to question whether the message is growing stale. Baltimore’s repeated playoff failures, particularly when holding leads or playing at home, raise questions about in-game adjustments and overall team psychology.
The Ravens often come out strong but fail to adapt when the game doesn’t go their way. This could be due to rigid game planning or simply a lack of poise from key decision-makers on the sidelines. For Baltimore to finally take the next step, Harbaugh and his staff need to show more flexibility—on both sides of the ball—and avoid falling into the same traps that have ended their playoff runs early in the past.
Even if the Ravens manage to correct their internal flaws, the path through the AFC remains brutally difficult. The Chiefs remain the gold standard, with Patrick Mahomes still in his prime. The Bills, Bengals, and Texans are all playoff-caliber with dangerous offenses and improved defenses. The Jets and Dolphins are also looming as potential dark horses, particularly if their quarterbacks stay healthy.
Baltimore has the talent to beat any of these teams—but they’ll need to play a near-perfect game to do so. That means no turnovers, smart clock management, consistent pressure on opposing QBs, and an offense that knows exactly who it is. In recent years, the Ravens have often failed to meet that standard when it mattered most.
The Ravens are too talented, too well-run, and too well-coached to be written off. But talent alone doesn’t win championships. The margin for error in the playoffs is razor thin, and unless Baltimore addresses its lingering issues—particularly offensive inconsistency and defensive depth—they could be heading for another heartbreaking January.
Lamar Jackson is entering the prime years of his career. The front office has done its best to surround him with talent. But unless the Ravens rediscover their identity, commit to physicality, and execute under pressure, the story of another promising season cut short may be all too familiar to Ravens fans. The time to fix it is now—before the red flags become fatal flaws once again.
