The 1-5 Baltimore Ravens are attempting to defy the odds and sprint their way into a playoff spot.
Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, only four teams have made the postseason after starting 1-5. The positive: It’s happened three times since 2015.
- 1970 Bengals: 8-6, won division
- 2015 Chiefs: 11-5, second in division
- 2018 Colts: 10-6, second in division
- 2020 Washington: 7-9, won division
John Harbaugh and his Ravens are attempting to do a Han Solo and navigate an asteroid field to survive.
“Our focus is going forward and what we can accomplish for the next 11 games to try to earn our way into the playoffs, which obviously, as [it was] pointed out last night, has not been done very often with the record we have; but, we still believe we can do it,” the coach said Monday, via the team’s official transcript.
The Ravens' only win came in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns. In the past four weeks, Baltimore has been outscored 136-63.
The defense has been shredded, with injuries sapping them of playmakers. The offense couldn’t operate without Lamar Jackson last week in a 17-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Harbaugh expects Jackson to return post-bye in Week 8 against Chicago. The Ravens are counting on the two-time NFL MVP to lead the turnaround
“If I was on the couch with a psychiatrist right now, if I was spilling it, I would have to say I'm leaning really hard into that, really hard,” he said when asked about how much he’s counting on Jackson to keep the postseason hopes alive. “For any kind of psychological wellbeing, spiritual wellbeing, I'm leaning hard on that happening. So, I'm very hopeful that that happens.”
With Pittsburgh off to a 4-1 start, the Ravens need some help to muddle the division or open up a wild-card spot. The first step, however, comes with winning their own games.
We’ve seen slow starts turn around in the past -- including last year’s 0-2 beginning. However, at this stage, Harbaugh’s club has almost zero room for error.
“It's been a test. It's been a test of faith,” Harbaugh said. “And your family, obviously, it's a test for your family and a test for everybody in the building. And I think what I really try to be intentional about is continuing to respect people and to treat people the right way on our team, in the building, and our coaching staff who are giving everything they've got every single day to be the very best they can be.”