The Ravens have a bye next weekend and they need the break to rest and regroup.
Baltimore (8-5) dropped a 24-19 decision Sunday to the Philadelphia Eagles (10-2), who were the stronger team in the second half and rolled to their eighth straight victory.
In a game featuring the NFL's top two running backs, Saquon Barkley (23 carries, 107 yards, one touchdown) extended his rushing lead over Derrick Henry (19 carries, 82 yards), as Philadelphia's swarming defense didn't allow Henry or Lamar Jackson to dominate.
Here are my five thoughts on the Ravens' defeat, with just four games left in the regular season:
Justin Tucker needs to start kicking like the G.O.A.T.
It's going to be difficult for the Ravens to make a deep playoff run unless Justin Tucker snaps out of his slump. He was off target on two field goals (53 and 47 yards) and an extra point against the Eagles, missing three kicks in a game for the first time in his career.
Tucker is having the most difficult season of his illustrious career and clearly has not found the key to solving his issues.
"I just left the points out there," Tucker said. "I feel like I cost us this one.
"It's crushing. But at the end of the day, my feelings don't really matter. What matters is getting back to work and doing everything I can to help this football team win games down stretch."
Tucker's teammates and coaches have his back, and for good reason. He's been a clutch kicker since his rookie year when he helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl. But right now, the Ravens are in unchartered territory, watching perhaps the greatest kicker of all time struggle and hoping that he snaps out of it after the bye.
Baltimore's offense is trending in the wrong direction.
Baltimore's two lowest-scoring games of the season have occurred during the last three weeks, including their 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11.
The Ravens will do some necessary self-scouting during the bye, looking to recapture the form they showed during their five-game winning streak when they averaged 35 points per game. Philadelphia's defense pressured Jackson and sacked him three times, but he also missed a few throws that could have extended drives. Mark Andrews (six catches, 67 yards, one touchdown) was a major offensive presence, but Jackson – the league's leading passer entering the game – was held to 237 yards passing.
The Eagles are an excellent defensive team, but it's troubling that Baltimore was nearly shut out in the second half before scoring with just seven seconds left in the game. Assuming the Ravens make the playoffs, they're going to have to score more than they have recently to defeat some of the AFC's top teams.
The Ravens' defensive improvement is a positive sign.
This was the third straight solid defensive performance from the Ravens, even though they've lost two of those games.
The Ravens have stopped giving up big plays in the passing game and their secondary play is much improved since Ar'Darius Washington became a starting safety. Roquan Smith led the Ravens with 12 tackles and showed no sign of the hamstring injury that forced him out of the lineup for one game.
Barkley finally busted loose for a 25-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to give Philadelphia a nine-point lead. However, the Ravens appear to have found some answers defensively, which will help them win games down the stretch if the offense finds its rhythm.
"After whatever game that was (Cincinnati), it was time to play Ravens defense, and 'defense' and 'Ravens defense,' there's a big gap between that," cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. "The message kind of became a little bit clear; 'If you want to play ball, then we'll get you out there, but if you don't, you're going to have to sit on the sidelines.'
"I think guys responded really well to what was being preached amongst the coaches, amongst the players, and we're holding guys more accountable now."
Winning the AFC North looks tougher for the Ravens, but not impossible.
This loss dropped the Ravens one and a half games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) in the AFC North. Even if the Ravens win their Week 16 rematch against the Steelers, they'll need help to catch them.
The Ravens dug themselves into a hole by starting 0-2, and it's been a grind to reach 8-5 before the bye.
Jackson made it clear he still believes in the Ravens' chances to win the division and the Super Bowl, but he knows they need to play more consistently to make a postseason run. He was candid during his postgame press conference, and one of his most honest comments came near the end.
"We don't need to worry about the Steelers," Jackson said. "We need to worry about us."
Extra points:
- The Ravens' special teams issues weren't limited to Tucker. Tylan Wallace muffed a punt return and fumbled another. He recovered both, but he also let two punts bounce without fielding them that allowed the Eagles to pin Baltimore inside the 10.
- The loss dropped Jackson's stellar career record to 23-2 against the NFC as a starter. Both losses have come against Saquon Barkley, who still called Jackson the best player he’s seen.
- Mark Andrews moved into a tie with Jamal Lewis for the most career touchdowns (47) in franchise history. Andrews made two spectacular leaping catches, including one for a touchdown between multiple defenders.
- Rashod Bateman limped off with a knee injury in third quarter and was ruled out. Rookie safety Sanoussi Kane (hamstring) did not return after leaving the game in the second quarter.
- The Ravens' five losses this season have come by a combined 22 points.
