John Harbaugh remains optimistic despite Ravens' 1-4 start - ESPN

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In Sunday's 44-10 loss to the Houston Texans, the banged-up Baltimore Ravens matched their largest home loss in franchise history as well as their worst start at 1-4.

A day later, Ravens coach John Harbaugh insisted his team has what it takes to bounce back from one of the franchise's lowest points.

«You can't sit there and say all is lost. We just don't,» Harbaugh said Monday. «And we've done it before — other teams have done it before — so we're going to go to work and try to make that happen.»

The Ravens are still the betting favorite to win the AFC North, according to ESPN Bet, even though they trail the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) by 2 1/2 games. Under the current divisional format (since 2002), seven teams that have started 1-4 or worse were able to rebound to win their division, including the 2024 Los Angeles Rams.

Baltimore's schedule, which has been the second-toughest so far, gets easier. The Ravens' remaining schedule ranks 25th in the NFL, according to ESPN Analytics.

The Ravens understand their level of play has to improve, and Harbaugh said «a lot of decisions» have to be made, which could involve personnel changes. Baltimore could look to make moves with the offensive line, linebacker and secondary, all of which struggled on Sunday.

«You look at how guys did… and who else might need an opportunity,» Harbaugh said. «A lot of that's with the injuries, too, [with] getting guys back. That'll take some pressure off some guys that were thrown into a tough spot.»

Harbaugh wouldn't say whether quarterback Lamar Jackson and the other injured Pro Bowl players would return this week and play Sunday against the Rams.

Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, was sidelined last game with a