The Baltimore Ravens are facing some pressure entering the 2026 season. Many wonder where the Ravens will end up by the end of the 2026 season.
According to a USA today article, the Baltimore Ravens are predicted to finish 7th in the AFC playoff race, squeezing into the playoffs with a 10-7 record. Nate Davis from USA Today details the reasons why.
“A hugely disappointing 2025 campaign left them out of the playoffs and John Harbaugh, at least temporarily, without a job,” the USA today article says. “But, aside from backing out of March’s trade for DE Maxx Crosby, the vibes have been pretty good here since the hiring of rookie HC Jesse Minter and his staff.”
All Things New For the Baltimore Ravens
This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens revamped their entire coaching staff after moving on from John Harbaugh. The team hired head coach Jesse Minter along with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver to address the team’s struggling defense.
The Ravens ranked 24th in total defense during the 2025 season. Baltimore was the 10th ranked defense against the run. They were the 30th ranked defense against the pass. Though the team was talented on both sides of the ball, they failed to live up to the high expectations of the 2025 season.
Defensively, the Ravens had trouble generating pressure with a 30% pass rush win rate in 2025. According to ESPN, the win rate ranked 28th in the league.
Offensively, the Ravens moved on from Todd Monken, who is now the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore hired offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to turn the Ravens offense around after a disastrous 2025 season.
One could argue that the Baltimore Ravens are a completely different team with Jackson on the field. He has been the focal point and heartbeat of the Baltimore Ravens since 2018.
Injuries played a role in the Ravens’ lack of success during the 2025 season. Lamar Jackson missing a few games early in the season hurt the franchise’s chances at the playoffs.
Ravens Offense Expected to Look Different
“Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson has been especially enthused about rookie coordinator Declan Doyle’s offense,” Davis wrote. “Still, with so many moving parts – including an all-new interior O-line – plus a trip to Brazil early in the season, it could take some time for this team to jell in what’s almost always a highly-competitive division. Might help that schedule is backloaded, the Ravens’ last four games all against AFC North foes.”
According to another ESPN article, one of Doyle’s tactics for the 2026 season will be to call more play-action plays.
“New Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle spent time with both Ben Johnson and Sean Payton over the past three seasons, so we will see elements of those systems in his playcalling,” Matt Bowen wrote in the ESPN article. “And the key here is the passing game with Jackson, which will feature more play-action throws.”
A play-action scheme with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry is dangerous. Considering Doyle’s rushing success with the Bears, having Henry in the backfield will do wonders for his play-action scheme.
Lamar Jackson is healthy now. That means the Ravens are in prime position to compete. The team’s defense is expected to be better in 2026 as well. No matter if they are a 7-seed or a 1-seed, can they get over the hump and reach the Super Bowl?
Ravens Predicted to Finish 2026 Season With Average Record