Ravens' Harbaugh optimistic despite struggles: "You can't sit there and say all is lost."

The Baltimore Ravens are facing a crisis after suffering a historic 44-10 loss to the Houston Texans, marking their worst start in franchise history at 1-4.

Why it matters: This defeat not only reflects the team’s current struggles but also raises questions about its ability to rebound in a competitive AFC North division.

• With injuries plaguing key players like quarterback Lamar Jackson and linebacker Roquan Smith, the Ravens find themselves in an uphill battle.
• Despite trailing the Pittsburgh Steelers by 2.5 games, historical data suggests that recovery is possible; seven teams that started 1-4 or worse have rebounded to win their division since 2002.

What’s new: The Ravens performance against the Texans underscores the challenges they face without Jackson.

• In his absence, Cooper Rush made his first start, completing 14 of 20 passes for 170 yards but threw three interceptions, showcasing the offensive struggles.
• The Ravens have a poor record without Jackson, going 4-11 since 2018 when he does not start, having lost five straight games under such circumstances.

Yes, but: Head coach John Harbaugh remains optimistic and insists that all is not lost.

• "You can't sit there and say all is lost. We just don't," said Harbaugh, emphasizing a commitment to improvement and potential personnel changes.
• The team's remaining schedule ranks 25th in difficulty, suggesting a more favorable path ahead compared to their past opponents, who presented the second toughest slate.

What to watch: The status of injured players will be crucial as the Ravens look to turn their season around.

• Key players sidelined include Jackson (hamstring), safety Kyle Hamilton (groin), and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle).
• Harbaugh noted that decisions regarding these players are still in process, stating, "With Lamar and the other guys, I would say we're in process of figuring that out right now."

The bottom line: The Ravens must adapt quickly if they hope to stay in contention for the AFC North title.

• The urgency is heightened by their recent performance and the need for effective quarterbacking, whether from Rush or practice squad QB Tyler Huntley.
• As Harbaugh remarked, “We’ll consider everything, every part of it to try to get the win,” indicating that all options are on the table moving forward.

In summary, while the Ravens are in a precarious position, their upcoming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether they can pivot from this disheartening start into a playoff-contending team.