Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Ravens sticking with DC despite shockingly poor defensive performance

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 10:31 AM ET

The Baltimore Ravens' season continued to get worse after they took a 44-10 walloping from the Houston Texans, who took advantage of a terrible Ravens defense. The offense couldn't muster any answer, as backup Cooper Rush threw three interceptions and took a sack, while running back Derrick Henry scored the lone touchdown for the Ravens.

The Ravens' defense has allowed 30+ points four of five games this season, and 40+ points twice. The Ravens are 1-4 to start their season for the first time in 10 years, when they finished the 2015 season 5-11, per the Associated Press.

This terrible start, compounded by having a historically awful defense, could prompt head coach John Harbaugh to make a change at defensive coordinator and let Zachary Orr go. However, Harbaugh has no intentions of doing so.

Harbaugh is determined to stick with Orr as the Ravens' DC

When asked if there would be a change at defensive coordinator Harbaugh dismissed the idea.

"I do not think that that's the answer," Harbaugh said. "We have to go to work, is what we need to do. We need to stick together, is what we need to do. We need to find ourselves. And that has to do with coaches and players [working] together."

Allowing 44 points to the Texans at home has only happened once in Harbaugh's 18 seasons as the Ravens head coach. This embarrassment, along with the season-long embarrassing moments on defense, has put Orr on the hot seat, with ESPN’s Jamison Hensley noting that his defense has allowed 177 points this season, the most during a five-game span in their history.

Frustrations are mounting for the Ravens

When all three phases of the team struggling, frustrations are building in Baltimore. Rush noted that it's time for the Ravens prove they're better than what they've shown so far in 2025.

"No one wants to be here, but it's where we're at and we've got to dig ourselves out of it," Rush said. "We have the guys that can do it, we have the staff that can do it. You just have to do it now. You kind of get tired of saying it every week. Time to get on it."

Things won't get easier for the Ravens in Week 6, when they host the 3-2 Los Angeles Rams. Matthew Stafford is having a fantastic year, throwing for 1,503 yards (leads the NFL), 11 touchdowns (second in the NFL), and two interceptions.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. You can find my other work on Southside Showdown from FanSided and at Chicitysports where I cover all Chicago sports. When not watching sports, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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