The Ravens have gotten away from their identity

The NFL has become a fast-paced game with high scores and quarterbacks who are either pocket passers or scramblers. Few have both, with the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen, and the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson being the best. 

The game used to be about balance, with a great offense and a sturdy defense, which the Ravens made a staple of their franchise since their inception in 1996. However, that too has changed for the Ravens, leaving Dan Patrick to wonder “where did the Ravens defense go?” 

“Watching the game last night and watching what the Lions did to the Ravens made me wonder, where did the Ravens' defense go?" Patrick said on "The Dan Patrick Show." "Because it used to be the Ravens had a great defense. They always had a great defense and an opportunistic defense. They forced turnovers, they got sacks and they led with their defense. Now they're an offensive-minded team, which is fine unless the offense you're facing is better than your offense. And the Lions' offense last night was that when you have two drives over 95 yards, you're sending a real loud message to the other team.” 

The Ravens' defense in 2025 is not what it used to be

The Ravens won their first Super Bowl (XXXV) over the New York Giants because of their defense, led by 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker and two-time Super Bowl Champion Ray Lewis. A historic defense, the Ravens' 2000 defense allowed an all-time low 10.3 points per game and 970 total rushing yards, per NFL.com. 

In the Ravens' 38-30 loss to the Lions, the Ravens allowed 224 yards rushing to the Lions, the most the defense has given up in a game since 2017. 

Compared to last season, the Ravens are not off to a great start defensively, ranked dead last in total defense per game (415 yards allowed), 31st in passing yards allowed per game (266 yards) and 30th in rushing yards allowed per game (149 yards), per Fox Sports. 

The Ravens will need to rely on Lamar Jackson and their offense moving forward

The defense for the Ravens can’t be relied on to win them a game, which means Jackson, Derrick Henry and the rest of the offense will need to step up. 

Jackson showed his usual MVP (2019, 2023) form versus the Lions' defense, throwing for 288 yards and three touchdowns. However, he was contained to the pocket and tied his career high in sacks in a game at seven.

It also didn’t help that Henry fumbled with under nine minutes left, which allowed the Lions to extend their lead. This was his third straight game with a fumble, already matching his number for the entire 2024 season and halfway to his career-high of six (2022).

Both will bounce back, as they are the best or one of the best at their respective positions. With a long season ahead, the Ravens' defense could catch up and become somewhat viable to help win them a Super Bowl, but for now they've strayed away from the identity that has defined them as a franchise.