The Baltimore Ravens have long been known for their impressive defense, but a troubling trend has emerged since the start of the 2022 season: a pattern of late-game collapses that has turned promising victories into heartbreaking losses. This fateful occurrence happened yet again in their recent matchup Sunday against the Cleveland Browns with a critical mistake in the final minute.
With just over a minute remaining, the Ravens appeared poised to secure the win with Kyle Hamilton having an interception in his sights. However, the ball slipped through his fingers, and moments later, the Browns capitalized with a touchdown pass that snatched victory away from Baltimore. This defeat not only extended the Ravens’ current struggles but also marked their eighth loss in games where they held a lead in the final two minutes since the beginning of the 2022 season.
As the Ravens sit at 5-3 near the midway point of the season, they find themselves grappling with an identity crisis on defense. While their offense continues to shine, the defense has faltered in critical moments. This raises questions about what went wrong in the offseason, leading to a decline from a historically dominant unit to one that currently ranks among the league’s worst.
The departure of key players and coaches has likely contributed to this downward trajectory. The Ravens lost significant talent in free agency, including pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney and linebacker Patrick Queen. Under new defensive coordinator Zach Orr, the team has struggled, particularly in pass defense, where they rank last in the league. Injuries have compounded these issues, with the team missing top cornerbacks and suffering additional setbacks during games.
Defensive players have expressed frustration over their inability to close out games. Safety Ar’Darius Washington recently noted that if the defense were performing at a higher level, the team’s record could look very different. In recent losses, the inability to execute crucial plays in the dying moments has been glaring.
The Ravens’ struggles are evident not only in their late-game performances but also in their overall statistics. They have allowed the most points in the fourth quarter this season, a trend that raises alarms as they aim for a playoff push. The talent is there; the challenge lies in translating practice success into game-time execution. The question remains: can the Ravens break free from this late-game curse and return to their defensive roots? Only time will tell.
