They aren’t still celebrating their most recent close call with death, of course—they’re preparing to face the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium. The team, for what it’s worth, currently sits at 3-5 at home. They are dangerously close to setting a new single-season record for losses at home. The stakes couldn’t be higher! They’ll need to win their final three games of the season to clinch the AFC North crown, and it starts with New England on Sunday.
The Ravens have been a completely different team at home this season. Looking at their rampant recent form, well, more like their awful recent form. This outburst included a remarkable 17-3 defeat to the league-leading Los Angeles Rams, tying for the second-fewest points the team has ever scored at home. Earlier in the season, they allowed multiple 95-yard touchdown drives for the first time during a home game in a 38-30 defeat against the Detroit Lions.
The team bounced back after an embarrassing home blowout loss 44-10 to the Houston Texans. This defeat signified the most points given up on home soil since John Harbaugh was hired as head coach in 2008. This was especially concerning given that the Texans were playing without seven Pro Bowl caliber players, including quarterback Lamar Jackson. Local sports fans were still reeling from the Ravens’ embarrassing 32-14 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. This disaster was their first five-turnover game in 18 years.
At home, the Ravens have crushed the competition, posting a ridiculous .717 winning percentage at M&T Bank Stadium. That success has been visible ever since Harbaugh started calling the shots in 2008. This season, the team is experiencing a new, formidable challenge. It would be just their third losing mark at home in 30 years and they’ve lost to teams that together have a 40-30 won-lost record.
As they approach their crucial matchup against the Patriots, Ravens players are expressing determination to turn things around. Safety Alohi Gilman mentioned that there has been ongoing discussion in the locker room about playing better in their final regular-season game at home.
“So that’s kind of been our focus, and we want to leave our home fans and this Baltimore Ravens community and go out with a bang,” – Alohi Gilman
“Every game we’ve lost, our guys were fighting like crazy to win it. So no, there’s no frustration. To me, that’s made up,” – John Harbaugh
The Ravens have managed to secure victories at home against three teams: the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears. All of these wins have not been enough to make up for the depressing home record. With their support dwindling, today the team faces a pivotal moment as they strive to avoid falling victim to their home sixth loss of the season.
To seize control of the AFC North, the Ravens must win their remaining games against the Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. With limited playoff spots and berths the stakes are high and players are playing like it’s “do or die” with respect to these must-win games.
“If this is going to be our last one, let’s go all in. So, we have the same mentality, ‘do or die trying,’ and this is it,” – Alohi Gilman
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