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Ravens Star Made Troubling Admission Following Monday Night's Loss

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 2:09 PM ET

For decades now the Baltimore Ravens had been built on two things: toughness and defense. But after losing to the Lions 38-30 on Monday night, it's clear that the team has a major issue on that side of the ball.

The Ravens have given up close to 40 points or more to every team not named the Browns thus far and are 1-2 to start the year.

Last night, the Ravens' D surrendered 224 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to Detroit — something unthinkable in the days of Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

And after the game, one of Baltimore's defensive stars had an unfortunate truth for fans as to why things have gone so poorly for them over the first month of the season.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 01: Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)Michael Owens/Getty Images

'We're not very good'

Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of another disappointing loss, four-time Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey sulkily revealed that Baltimore just isn't "very good" on defense right now.

“We’re not very good,” Humphrey admitted, via Ravens reporter Giana Han. “The organization, the fans, they’ve seen greatness… Anything other than [great] is below the standard. Right now, I do know that we got guys who want to compete, who want to get the job done. I feel like we are close, but we just gotta all come together— we've gotta just finish those third downs."

"We just can't expect our offense to score 28 points in a game, [30] points in a game... it's putting unfair expectations on our offense. So we gotta get some stops and some turnovers and if there's a week that we can turn things around, it can be this week.”

Marlon Humphrey struggled when asked to assess the defense before settling on “We’re just not very good.” pic.twitter.com/htFQAY2RbY
— Giana Han (@giana_jade) September 23, 2025

Lamar Jackson speaks

During his postgame media availability, Lamar Jackson kept his message short and sweet. Jackson threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns against Dan Campbell and Detroit but was sacked seven times trying to make plays for his team.

He also added 35 yards on seven carries in a game that saw the Ravens throw the ball more than they ran it.

"We've got a lot of work to do," the two-time MVP said. "We just gotta execute."

They'll get that chance against a similarly struggling Kansas City Chiefs team that's yet to really find its footing in 2025. But after beating the Giants on Sunday night, the back-to-back-to-back defending AFC champs could be starting to put things together just head of 2023's title game rematch.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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