Always the bridesmaid, never the bride—that’s become the defining narrative for the Baltimore Ravens, a franchise perpetually knocking on the door of greatness but unable to kick it down. Preseason rankings had Baltimore as the No. 1 roster in the NFL heading into 2025, driven by Lamar Jackson off a near-MVP 2024 campaign and what looked like the most complete lineup in football. Instead, they finished 8–9, missed the playoffs entirely, and watched their Super Bowl dreams evaporate before the snow had even begun to settle.
When Hype Met Hard Reality
In 2024, Baltimore went 12–5, won the AFC North, and advanced to the Divisional Round after dispatching Pittsburgh in the Wild Card.