The Ravens are in uncharted territory.
For the first time since Head Coach John Harbaugh came to Baltimore, the Ravens have started the season 0-2 after dropping Sunday's game to the Raiders 37-33. The last time the Ravens found themselves in this position was in 2005.
"It's very disappointing, and we're going to have to just regroup and going to have to find a way to improve as a football team," Harbaugh said. "We have to play all three phases well together, and to be honest, we haven't done that in these two games out West. We have to go back to work and we have to improve."
The losses to Oakland and Denver have come in crushing fashion. The Ravens had opportunities to win close matchups on the road in both contests, but ultimately came up short.
Dropping Sunday's game to Oakland was particularly frustrating, as the Ravens were heavy favorites coming into the weekend and had a late lead until the Raiders marched down the field for a game-winning touchdown in the final two minutes.
"We have to fix it," veteran defensive lineman Chris Canty said. "We've got to get better in a hurry. Nobody is going to feel sorry for us. We have to realize that we have to earn our victories in this league on Sundays."
The issues have occurred on both sides of the ball, but in different games.
Last week, the offense didn't score a touchdown and had one of the worst overall showings in recent team history. The offense started to click against Oakland, but that's when the defense lost its footing. In their first outing since losing outside linebacker and team leader Terrell Suggs for the season with a torn Achilles, the defense generated little pass rush and got picked apart by second-year quarterback Derek Carr.
When the offense had a final chance to mount a miracle comeback with 26 seconds left, quarterback Joe Flacco's first pass was intercepted to seal the game.
"When you have a chance of winning and you come up a little bit short, it's obviously hits you a bit," Flacco said. "It stinks."
"Everybody has to look in the mirror and we all have to get better as a group – as an offense, as a defense and as special teams," right guard Marshal Yanda said. "We all go up and down together."
Players in the locker room sat quietly and talked in hushed tones as they packed their bags after the game, but they didn't make excuses for the disappointing start. Several veteran players made a point to say the Ravens have to rebound, and expressed confidence it could happen.
"There is no magical formula. We all have to take this thing head-on," Yanda said. "We have to get this thing turned around. And we know that. And we have the leaders and guys to do it. We're definitely going to work."
"It's a big test," wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. said. "Despite our record, our opponents and our dates are set. And we have to show up. We can't pack it in. We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We have to go out there and make plays. We have to play better and be grown men."
To make matters worse for the Ravens, their rivals have started the season on a strong note. The Bengals are 2-0, and they beat the Raiders 33-13 to open the season. The Steelers and Browns are also 1-1 after victories Sunday.
The Ravens now return to Baltimore for their home opener in a critical matchup against the Bengals that could either propel them back into the division race or put them into a deep early-season hole that would require near perfection and help from rivals to overcome.
"Obviously the games don't get easier. We have Cincinnati coming to town and they're playing good football," Yanda said. "I just know we're 0-2 and we have to get better, and we're going to attack when we get back to Baltimore. Don't make it that complicated.
"We just all have to get better as a team. And fast."
