Ravens Suffer Historic Loss; Coach Harbaugh Vows to Rebuild
In a disheartening performance, the Baltimore Ravens were defeated 44-10 by the Houston Texans on October 1, 2023. This loss marks the team’s largest home defeat in franchise history and leaves them with a troubling record of 1-4, their worst start since the team’s inception. Following the game, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed determination to turn the season around, stating, “You can’t sit there and say all is lost. We just don’t.”
Despite their current struggles, the Ravens remain the betting favorites to win the AFC North, according to ESPN Bet. They trail the Pittsburgh Steelers, who sit at 3-1, by 2.5 games. Historically, teams that have begun a season 1-4 or worse have rebounded to win their division; this includes the 2024 Los Angeles Rams. The Ravens face a challenging schedule, currently ranked as the second toughest in the NFL, but they can expect some relief as their remaining opponents rank 25th.
Harbaugh acknowledged that the team must improve its performance moving forward. He indicated that “a lot of decisions” will need to be made, which could involve changes to the roster. Areas of concern include the offensive line, linebacker position, and secondary, all of which underperformed against the Texans. “You look at how guys did … and who else might need an opportunity,” Harbaugh noted, emphasizing that injuries have played a significant role in the team’s challenges.
The Ravens were without several key players during the loss, including their star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed the game due to a hamstring injury. The absence of other high-profile players added to the team’s woes, with safety Kyle Hamilton (groin), defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), middle linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) also sidelined. Harbaugh indicated that Hamilton and Stanley are likely to return soon.
When asked about Jackson’s potential return for the upcoming game against the Rams, Harbaugh remained non-committal, stating, “With Lamar and the other guys, I would say we’re in process of figuring that out right now. So through the week, we’ll just have to see how they progress.” The Ravens have struggled without Jackson, posting a record of 4-11 (.266) since 2018 when he has not started, including five consecutive losses.
In Jackson’s absence, quarterback Cooper Rush made his first start for the Ravens, completing 14 of 20 passes for 170 yards, but he also threw three interceptions. Harbaugh did not confirm whether Rush would continue as the starter if Jackson remains unavailable, leaving the door open for other options, including quarterback Tyler Huntley, who is currently on the practice squad.
As the Ravens prepare for the upcoming week, Harbaugh emphasized the need to “consider everything” in their pursuit of victory. “That’ll be talked about the next 24 hours,” he concluded, hinting at possible strategic shifts as the team looks to recover from this difficult phase.
