After a 1-5 start and injuries to several key players, the Ravens’ 2025 season seemed to be slipping away from them. Fast forward six weeks, and Sunday’s 23-10 win over the New York Jets marked Baltimore’s
fifth straight victory and ascendance to the top of the AFC North. Here are five factors that have helped drive this winning streak.
The defense limited opponents to fewer than 20 points in each game.
Through the first five weeks of the season, the Ravens’ defense allowed 35.4 points per game — the highest in any five-game span in franchise history. During their winning streak, the defense has allowed only 13.4 points per game — the lowest in the league during this period.
A number of personnel changes have revamped the Ravens defense. The acquisitions of S Alohi Gilman and OLB Dre’Mont Jones have boosted the unit, and moving S Kyle Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage has allowed him to wreak havoc across the field. The most noticeable improvements are in the red zone. When the Ravens started at 1-5, they had allowed 21 touchdowns on 30 opponent trips (70%) to the red zone. In the five games since, the defense has surrendered only four touchdowns on 13 red-zone trips (30.7%). They are not only limiting opponents’ chances of reaching the red zone but also keeping offenses out of the end zone once they get there. The defense has improved at every level and deserves significant credit for this winning streak, especially since the offense has not played to its full potential.
The Ravens have a +7 turnover margin during this streak.
Heading into their bye week, the Ravens had a 1-5 record and a -7 turnover margin. In the last five games, the Ravens have forced 10 turnovers and committed just three, resetting their turnover margin to 0.
There are multiple angles to take here. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush is responsible for five of the offense’s 10 turnovers, and he only started two games. During the win streak, the Ravens have only turned the ball over in one of their five games, while the defense has forced a turnover in every game, with multiple turnovers in three of them. The offense has done its job in protecting the ball, and the defense has become a reliable threat to take the ball away from the other team.
Jordan Stout has performed at an All-Pro level.
If you asked a Ravens fan before the season, very few would have had positive things to say about Jordan Stout. The former fourth-round pick was 26th in the league last season in yards per punt, but he is currently third in the league this season.
Stout played the best game of his NFL career in Sunday’s victory over the Jets. He averaged 61.5 yards across his four punts, tied the franchise record with a 74-yard punt in the second quarter, and saved his best punt for last when he pinned the Jets at the five-yard line with a 67-yard punt late in the fourth quarter. The career day marked a continuation of his standout season. Stout has consistently flipped the field when his team has needed it. If you ask a Ravens fan today, almost everyone would say he deserves a contract extension.
Ravens’ rookies are getting comfortable at the right time.
A group of rookie defenders is proving why general manager Eric DeCosta chose them in the 2025 NFL Draft. First-round safety Malaki Starks, second-round outside linebacker Mike Green, and fourth-round inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan have secured starting roles on a rising defense, each playing a major part in the team’s success. Starks has the first two interceptions of his career and has looked very comfortable since Gilman arrived. Buchanan won the battle against Trenton Simpson for snaps alongside All-Pro LB Roquan Smith and has excelled, even earning Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for October. Green started slowly but has recently made a living in opposing backfields. Green has 13 pressures in the last five games, according to Pro Football Focus.
Derrick Henry is back on track.
Derrick Henry exceeded expectations in his first season with the Ravens last year, rushing for 113 yards per game and scoring 18 touchdowns. During the Ravens’ tough start to the season, Henry fumbled three times and averaged only 63.4 yards per game, skewed mainly by a 169-yard performance in Buffalo during week one. Aside from that game, his average drops to 37 yards per game. During the Ravens’ winning streak, Henry has been a dependable presence, averaging 86.4 yards per game and scoring five touchdowns. Although his efficiency isn’t quite where it was last year, his volume has stayed steady, and all five of his touchdowns in this stretch have been two yards or less, an area where the Ravens have struggled to score.
