Let’s Rediscover Our Mojo Together

Baltimore Ravens fans left M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday feeling deflated after the team suffered a disappointing 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. This defeat came just months after the Ravens fell short in the AFC Championship Game, one step away from the Super Bowl.

With this latest loss, the Ravens find themselves in a particularly tough spot, having started the season 0-2 for the first time in nine years. This marks only the fifth time in the team’s 29-year history that they have begun a season without a win after two games. Historically, previous seasons that began with an 0-2 record have resulted in the Ravens missing the playoffs.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson expressed his frustration, acknowledging the need for his team to regain their groove. “We’ve got to find our mojo,” he said, emphasizing that the current performance did not reflect their capabilities.

The Ravens’ chances of victory slipped away in the closing moments of the game against the Raiders, where a late 38-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson clinched the win for Las Vegas. Earlier in the season opener, Baltimore suffered a heart-wrenching defeat in which tight end Isaiah Likely’s toe grazed the back of the end zone, preventing a game-winning touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Since the beginning of the season, the Ravens have seen their status shift dramatically from being one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl to sitting at the bottom of the AFC North division. The last time the team began 0-2 under head coach John Harbaugh was in 2015—their worst finishing record in his tenure at 5-11.

Despite the criticisms and doubts surrounding the team, Coach Harbaugh remains resolute. “We’re not going to be defined by everyone who’s saying we’re not any good, that we’re good [or] that the season is over after two games,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of staying focused on improvement and letting their performance on the field determine their season’s narrative.

This season marks a challenging time for Jackson as well. He is one of the few NFL MVP winners to begin the season with two losses, a feat not recorded since Kurt Warner in 2002. Jackson noted, “I’m not used to being 0-2,” and pointed out the importance of gaining momentum quickly.

The defeat against the Raiders is particularly troubling, as they entered the game as 8.5-point favorites and were leading 23-13 with just 10 minutes remaining. This game added to the Ravens’ troubling trend of faltering after establishing double-digit leads late in games. They now share the longest active streak in the NFL with four losses in such scenarios since the beginning of last season.

Offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley echoed the thoughts of his teammates, acknowledging that these are the types of games the Ravens cannot afford to lose. He expressed confidence in their talent, insisting that they will learn from this experience.

Currently, the Ravens are contending with a mixture of obstacles, including issues with a newly revamped offensive line, undisciplined penalties (they committed 11 on Sunday), and kicker Justin Tucker’s struggle with long-distance kicks. Stanley remarked, “I think it’s our own lack of discipline that’s causing these problems on ourselves.” He remains optimistic, however, that the issues can be resolved and the team can regroup.

This summer has not been easy for the Ravens, facing the loss of long-time offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris and incidents involving four players in car accidents, including first-round pick Nate Wiggins just earlier this week.

The schedule looming ahead is daunting, as Baltimore prepares to face two defending division champions—first in Dallas and then a home game against Buffalo—before heading to Cincinnati. ESPN Analytics projects that the Ravens have a 50% or lower chance of winning in each of these tough matchups.

As linebacker Roquan Smith summed it up, it’s crucial for the team to showcase their resilience during challenging moments. “What [defines] each and every human being—how you [are] defined in adverse moments,” he stated, underlining the team’s commitment to overcoming their current obstacles.