News Summary
The Baltimore Ravens face a challenging 1-4 start to the 2023 season, their worst in a decade. Key injuries, particularly to quarterback Lamar Jackson, have hampered their performance. The team suffered a heavy loss to the Texans, highlighting issues in both offense and defense while facing calls for improvements. With upcoming games, there’s cautious optimism regarding Jackson’s return and the team’s potential to turn the season around as they address their ongoing difficulties.
Baltimore – The Baltimore Ravens are facing a disappointing start to their 2023 season, currently holding a record of 1-4, marking their worst beginning in a decade. This struggle has been exacerbated by a series of significant injuries affecting key players on the roster, particularly quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was sidelined during the recent game against the Houston Texans due to a hamstring injury sustained in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their most recent matchup, the Ravens suffered a heavy defeat, losing to the Texans by a score of 44-10. This 34-point loss ties the franchise record for the worst home loss in Ravens history, underscoring the team’s ongoing troubles. In the absence of Jackson, backup quarterback Cooper Rush tried to step in but struggled significantly, completing 179 passing yards without any touchdowns and throwing three interceptions.
The Ravens’ defense has also been a major concern, currently ranked 31st in the league for points allowed, as they have given up substantial scores: 40, 38, 37, and now 44 points this season. The Texans demonstrated their offensive prowess by accumulating a total of 417 yards against Baltimore, including 167 rushing yards, further exposing the gaps in the Ravens’ defensive strategies.
Injuries and Impact
Besides Jackson, the Ravens also played without several other key starters in the game against Houston. Notable absentees included fullback Patrick Ricard, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, linebacker Roquan Smith, and defensive backs Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey. Each injury has contributed to the overall inconsistency that the team has experienced this season.
Calls for Improvement
Team members are aware of the need for better execution on the field. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy emphasized the importance of adhering to the game plan developed by the coaching staff. Despite the injury challenges, head coach John Harbaugh insisted that the Ravens have enough capable players on the team to perform better than their recent performances suggest.
Historical Context
The Ravens have struggled historically when Jackson is absent. Since 2018, the team has not maintained a winning record without him, posting a record of 4-10 in the games he has missed. The last time the Ravens began a season with a 1-4 record was in 2015, concluding that season with a disappointing 5-11 record.
Looking Ahead
With their next game approaching, there is cautious optimism among the players and coaching staff regarding the potential return of Lamar Jackson for Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush remains hopeful that with teamwork and determination, the Ravens can turn this challenging season around.
Standout Opponent Performance
In their victory against the Ravens, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud delivered an impressive performance, completing 23 of 27 passes for 244 yards and throwing four touchdowns. Stroud’s efficiency highlighted the stark difference in execution and performance between the two teams during the game.
As the Ravens confront their ongoing struggles, the team faces a critical juncture in their season, striving to overcome adversity and improve their performance on the field.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Ravens Suffer Heavy Defeat Against Texans, 44-10
Ravens Prepare for Texans Without Lamar Jackson
Ravens Struggle with Injuries and Poor Defense
Ravens Suffer Defeat Against Chiefs Amid Injuries
Lamar Jackson Suffers Hamstring Injury in Ravens’ Loss
Ravens Suffer Major Setback Against Chiefs in Week 4
Baltimore Ravens Struggle with Injury-Heavy Roster in NFL Season
Baltimore Sees Historic Surge in 311 Service Requests
Baltimore’s Pie Time Closes After Years of Service
Ravens vs. Chiefs: A Crucial Week 4 Showdown
Additional Resources
- Baltimore Beatdown
- Newsweek
- Sporting News
- ESPN
- Baltimore Ravens Official Site
- Wikipedia: Lamar Jackson
- Google Search: Baltimore Ravens injuries
- Google Scholar: Lamar Jackson injury
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baltimore Ravens
- Google News: Baltimore Ravens latest news
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
