Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Ravens’ Unprecedented Plunge – How a 1-3 Start May Affect Baltimore’s Super Bowl Dreams

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

In a brutal Week 4 demolition at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs thrashed the Baltimore Ravens 37-20, exposing the defending AFC North Champs’ unraveling defense and mounting injuries. Patrick Mahomes carved up Baltimore for 270 yards and four TDs, while Xavier Worthy’s explosive return ignited the Chiefs’ dormant offense. Lamar Jackson exited early with a hamstring strain after a turnover, leaving backup Cooper Rush to salvage scraps along with a depleted secondary and a poor defense. The Ravens had a horrible game against the Chiefs, and they could never catch on to the Chiefs, who had a 10 point lead going into halftime.

pic.twitter.com/pm8g4SWeYo
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 28, 2025

This matchup caps a nightmarish 1-3 start for Baltimore, which is one of the worst starts to their season under Lamar Jackson, following a gut-wrenching 41-40 collapse to the Bills in Week 1, where they blew a 15-point lead. Along with a shocking 38-30 home upset to the Lions in Week 3, with Jackson sacked seven times.

The problem is not with the Ravens’ offense, but rather their defense and offensive line. But there’s more. Let’s find out why their 1-3 record may put an end to their Super Bowl hopes.

Why Does a 1-3 Start Affect Baltimore Ravens’ Chances for Super Bowl?

The Ravens are now off to a 1-3 start, with their only win coming against the Cleveland Browns, where they still gave up 17 points to the Browns, who are horrible offensively. Since 1990, there have only been 35 teams that have reached the playoffs after a 1-3 start to their season. In other words, only 11 percent of teams have made the playoffs after a 1-3 start, and to reach the Super Bowl is a different challenge.

No team in the Super Bowl era, has ever won the Super Bowl after a 1-3 start to their regular season, which is why we believe that the Ravens’ chances to win the Super Bowl is extremely slim than it already was.

Injuries Have Plagued the Baltimore Ravens this Season

Going into Week 4, the Ravens were already short handed with multiple players out of the rotation. However, Lamar Jackson’s latest hamstring injury, puts the cherry on top, for a disaster of a start for the Ravens. And not only that, the Ravens have also taken more hits during the Chiefs game, thinning them out even further.

@AdamSchefter gives an injury update on Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. pic.twitter.com/9OcDwisak9
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 29, 2025

Linebacker Roquan Smith also suffered a hamstring injury, with CB Marlon Humphrey suffering a calf injury, who were ruled our after the first half. Nate Wiggin also exited the game with an elbow injury, exiting in the fourth quarter.

CB Nate Wiggins (elbow) is questionable to return.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 28, 2025

Now, Baltimore’s defense which already ranks dead last in the league, is now missing a total of seven defensive starters. Their three defensive lineman, Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, and Broderick Washington did not participate in Week 4’s action and Outside LB Kyle Van Noy missed his second straight game with hamstring injury.

What’s Next for the Ravens?

The Ravens do not have it easy for the upcoming weeks as they are going up against the Texans (shut down the Titans in Week 4) and the Rams next. To make matters worse, there is no set return timeline for Lamar Jackson for now, leaving the Ravens blind at least for some time.

The Ravens will somehow have to improve their defensive abilities, if they hope to win games in the upcoming weeks. And their offensive line has also been horrible this season, not buying their QB any time to scan the field.

Head coach John Harbaugh has a lot of decisions to make, and even though the Ravens are looked at as the most gifted offensive team, they have been very disappointing to start their season.

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.