Baltimore’s five-week stumble has jolted the NFL’s 2025 narrative. A 1-4 start with Lamar Jackson sidelined by a hamstring and Derrick Henry aging into a high-volume workload has left the Ravens exposed as an aging, top-heavy roster with limited depth. The offense has looked predictably run-first and wonky when Jackson isn’t Superman, while the defense has been decimated by injuries, producing blowout losses and a fragile run D.

Hopkins flashed early but has cooled, and even the splashy addition of Jaire Alexander hasn’t halted the slide. The coaching staff has endured the stress of depleted personnel, with questions about durability, playmaking balance, and how to survive without multiple cornerstone pieces. Baltimore’s playoff odds have slipped from bright hopes to must-tidy-up-now territory, especially after a string of losses to contenders like Buffalo, Detroit, Kansas City, and Houston.

Fantasy takeaway centers on the Jackson-Henry core and how secondary receivers step up when the offense is forced to improvise. Flowers and Andrews could see upticks if Jackson returns, while Hopkins’ late-career efficiency will define his value in a severely unsettled passing game. On defense, the injury wave begs for smarter scheming and smarter line play if Baltimore hopes to climb back into the race.

Week 5 knocked several fantasy managers off balance as a slate of players underperformed across QB, RB, WR, and TE. Cooper Rush and Geno Smith delivered subpar showings, while rookies and veterans at RB and WR struggled to produce consistent fantasy value. The piece flags which names are still trustable moving forward and which quantities might rebound against softer matchups in Week 6.

Targets for bounce-back potential span multiple positions, with explanations on how volume, opponent, and in-game role could shift expectations. The analysis also surfaces late-stage obvious fades and identifies sleepers who flashed upside despite disappointing Week 5 totals.

Ravens' season hit a new low with a 44-10 home loss to Houston, dropping Baltimore to 1-4 as Cooper Rush tossed three interceptions. CJ Stroud carved through the Ravens for 244 yards and four TDs on 23-of-27, while Derrick Henry managed 33 yards on 15 carries. Baltimore's defense surrendered 30+ points again, and Harbaugh called the effort a surprise and a disappointment. Houston showed efficiency on offense and a poised, balanced attack. The bye week arrives as Baltimore seeks answers and a reset, while Houston riders momentum into the next test.