The Baltimore Ravens’ season has hit a critical low, falling to a dismal 1-5 record. Without their dynamic quarterback Lamar Jackson, the offense has sputtered, scoring only 13 points in the last two games under backup Cooper Rush. This alarming downturn has ignited intense debate among the fan community: is this simply a backup problem, or does it expose deeper cracks in the team’s offensive strategy?
Owings Mills, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens’ decision to sign Cooper Rush was meant as an insurance policy, an emergency plan for when their star signal-caller Lamar Jackson was unavailable. However, that plan has veered sharply off course. The past two games, with Rush at the helm, have seen the Ravens’ offense collapse, managing a mere 13 points and cementing a frustrating 1-5 start to the season.
Even with a bye week ahead and the hope of Jackson’s return, the team’s inability to secure even a single victory in his absence casts a long shadow over their playoff aspirations. For a franchise built around Jackson’s unique talent, these struggles illuminate a critical dependency that may haunt them for the remainder of 2025.
The Quarterback Conundrum: Rush, Huntley, and Harbaugh’s Deliberation
The performance of Cooper Rush has been a central point of concern and fan frustration. Acquired in the offseason to serve as Jackson’s primary backup, Rush has turned the ball over five times in just two starts. While not every turnover was solely his fault, the general functionality of Baltimore’s passing game has been severely hampered.
Following the 17-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, which dropped the Ravens to 1-5, coach John Harbaugh was questioned about Rush’s future as the No. 2 quarterback. Harbaugh affirmed Rush as the backup but notably added, “I believe that. And we’re going to have to see how we want to (manage) the roster.” This statement signals potential flexibility, especially given that Tyler Huntley, elevated from the practice squad, replaced Rush in the fourth quarter against the Rams. Many fans have openly advocated for Huntley, who has shown greater mobility and ability to extend plays in previous stints backing up Jackson, aligning more closely with the Ravens’ offensive identity.
The team’s reliance on Jackson is starkly evident in their record without him. Baltimore has now lost 11 of its last 13 games when Jackson has not played, a statistic that underscores the immense void he leaves in the offense.
Glimmers of Hope and Pressing Concerns
Despite the offensive woes, there were some positive takeaways from the Rams game. Running back Derrick Henry, after a few quiet outings, roared to life with 122 rushing yards on a season-high 24 carries. This resurgence from Henry suggests that Baltimore’s potent running game could return to fearsome form once Lamar Jackson is back, creating balance and opening up passing lanes. The Ravens also demonstrated increased physicality at the line of scrimmage, out-rushing the Rams 179 yards to 74.
However, the list of areas needing help is substantial:
- Goal-Line Offense: The Ravens’ red-zone and goal-line efficiency has plummeted. After ranking third in goal-to-go efficiency last season, they have fallen to 28th in 2025, scoring touchdowns only 57% of the time. Against the Rams, they were famously stopped on four straight runs near the end of the first half, including two failed “tush pushes,” highlighting a surprising inability to punch the ball in.
- Passing Game Reliability: Beyond turnovers, the overall flow and execution of the passing game have been poor without Jackson, preventing drives from sustaining momentum.
- Receiver Struggles: Wide receiver Zay Flowers, typically a bright spot, endured a rough outing against the Rams. His third-quarter fumble directly led to a touchdown, extending the Rams’ lead to 17-3, and another fumble on a handoff exchange further derailed a promising drive.
Historical Precedent and the Road Ahead
Coach Harbaugh, ever the optimist, maintains belief in his team’s playoff chances despite their grim 1-5 start. “Our focus is going forward and what we can accomplish for the next 11 games to try to earn our way into the playoffs,” he stated, acknowledging the difficulty of the task. Historically, making the playoffs from a 1-5 record is a monumental feat. Only four teams since the NFL-AFL merger have accomplished it:
- Cincinnati Bengals in 1970
- Kansas City Chiefs in 2015
- Indianapolis Colts in 2018
- Washington Football Team in 2020
This exclusive club highlights the steep climb ahead for Baltimore. The underlying issue, as pointed out by the Associated Press, is that the Ravens have been held without a touchdown only three times since Lamar Jackson was drafted in 2018, and Jackson played very little in the other two instances. This statistic powerfully illustrates his impact on the team’s scoring ability and overall offensive health.
The schedule, however, offers a glimmer of hope after the bye. The Ravens will face the Chicago Bears on October 26th, a team with a 2-2 record. More encouragingly, Baltimore’s subsequent five opponents currently hold a combined record of 7-22, presenting a more favorable stretch of games. This upcoming period could be crucial for a turnaround, especially if Lamar Jackson is back and the team can iron out its glaring goal-line inefficiencies. Fans will be watching intently to see if the Ravens can leverage this opportunity to salvage their season and make a historic run. More details on the Ravens-Rams game can be found via AP News, and NFL historical data for playoff qualification can be accessed through NFL.com.
