The Ravens 2025 season was in danger of slipping away after a 1-5 beginning and the injuries of several key players. After six weeks of fast forwarding, Sunday’s win over the New York Jets was Baltimore’s fifth consecutive victory. It also marked Baltimore’s ascent to the top spot in the AFC North. Here are five things that have contributed to this winning streak.
During the first five weeks, the Ravens defense allowed 35.4 points per game. This is the highest five-game period in the franchise’s history. During the Ravens’ winning streak, their defense allowed only 13.4 point per game – the lowest rate in the league.
The Ravens’ defense has been revamped by a number of personnel adjustments. The Ravens defense has been boosted by the additions of S Alohi Gilman, OLB Dre’Mont Jones and S Kyle Hamilton. Red zone improvements are the most notable. The Ravens were 1-5 when they started and had conceded 21 touchdowns in 30 trips to the red-zone (70%) by their opponents. In the five games that have followed, the defense only allowed four touchdowns in 13 trips to the red zone (30.7%). The defense is not only limiting the chances for opponents to reach the red zone, but they are also keeping offenses from the end zone when they do. This winning streak is a testament to the defense’s improvement at all levels, particularly since the offense did not play up to its potential.
The Ravens were 1-5 and had a turnover margin of -7 heading into their bye-week. In their last five games, they have forced 10 turnovers while committing just three. This has reset their turnover margin back to zero.
This situation can be viewed from many different angles. Cooper Rush, the backup quarterback who only started two games, is responsible for five out of 10 offense turnovers. The Ravens only have one turnover during the winning streak. However, the defense has caused a turnover every game and multiple turnovers in 3 of those games. The offense did its job of protecting the ball and the defense is now a reliable force to steal the ball from the opposing team.
Jordan Stout was not a popular Ravens player before the start of the season. Last season, the former fourth-round draft pick was 26th among punters in terms of yards per punt. This season he’s third.
Stout’s performance in the Jets win on Sunday was the best of his NFL career. Stout averaged 61.5 yard punts across four punts. He tied the franchise record in the second quarter with a punt of 74 yards. His best punt was a late fourth-quarter 67-yarder that pinned the Jets on the 5-yard line. This career day was a continuation of a standout season. Stout has always been able to flip the field for his team when they needed it. Asking Ravens fans today, most would agree that he deserves to be given a contract extension.
The rookie defense is showing why Eric DeCosta selected them for the NFL Draft in 2025. Malaki Starks (first-round safety), Mike Green (second-round outside linebacker), and Teddye Buchanan (4th-round inside linebacker) have all been given starting roles in a team that is on the rise. They are each playing an important role in their success. Starks, who has his first two career interceptions and looks very comfortable ever since Gilman joined the team, has been a major contributor to the success of this defense. Buchanan beat Trenton Simpson to snaps with All-Pro Roquan Smith. He has been a standout, earning Defensive rookie of the month honors in October. Green has been a regular in the backfields of opponents since he started. Pro Football Focus reports that Green has been under pressure 13 times in the last 5 games.
Derrick Henry surpassed expectations in his rookie season with the Ravens, rushing for an average of 113 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. Henry struggled to get off to a good start with the Ravens, as he fumbled 3 times and only averaged 63.4 yards per match. This was largely due to a 169 yard performance against Buffalo in week 1. His average is 37 yards per game aside from this game. Henry was a reliable presence during the Ravens winning streak. He averaged 86.4 yards per contest and scored five touchdowns. Henry’s efficiency may not be as high as it was in the past, but his volume is still steady. All five of his touchdowns during this winning streak have been within two yards, a place where Ravens struggle to score.