When Chicago Bears fans looked at the 2025 schedule, most circled this game as a probable loss. It made sense. The Baltimore Ravens have made the playoffs in six of the last seven years and won 12 games last season. They have one of the best quarterbacks in football and a usually tough defense. Playing them on the road wasn't something to look forward to. However, crazy things have happened. A brutal collapse on opening night against Buffalo, coupled with several injury setbacks, has resulted in Baltimore stumbling to a 1-5 record.
It is their worst start to a season in franchise history.
Still, the Ravens remain the betting favorite for Sunday, which is no surprise. They have credibility on their side and are also getting healthy. Even so, Dan Wiederer of The Athletic got some interesting responses from people around the league. There is a sense that things aren't great inside Baltimore's building. The usual sense of confidence is gone. Team leaders have cracked down by removing fun activities in the locker room, hoping to get guys more focused on the games. It hasn't worked.
Within league circles, there’s concern the Ravens never really recovered from that gut punch in Buffalo, that their 2025 season is hanging by a thread, that the search for solutions, particularly during the team’s Week 7 bye, hasn’t produced clear answers.
On paper, the Ravens still are obvious favorites (minus-6.5) for Sunday’s game. They’re at home. They’re hungry. They’re getting healthy again, even with Jackson seemingly still not 100 percent. Few around the league would be surprised if the Ravens, in this “now or never” moment, respond and record a convincing victory that revives their confidence and reroutes their season.
At the same time, unfamiliar anxiety continues percolating through team headquarters in Owings Mills, Md. The vibes aren’t great.
The Baltimore Ravens are in pure desperation mode.
They have zero room for error anymore. Only four teams in NFL history have started 1-5 and rebounded to make the playoffs. Just one did it from 1-6, and they (the 1970 Bengals) benefited from a weak division. The Baltimore Ravens are unlikely to get nearly as much help from the AFC North. They need this game in the worst way. Chicago is red-hot and eager to prove they can slug with the best teams in the league. Going into Baltimore and all but knocking the Ravens down for the count would be quite a statement.
Much of this hinges on Jackson's health. He has battled a hamstring injury for weeks. The two-time MVP finally returned to practice on Wednesday, but it's been strictly on a limited basis. Most believe he will likely play, even if he isn't 100%. The Ravens are that desperate. Will the tension boil over if things don't go well early? It sure sounds like the Bears can find out if they come out strong.
