The 2015 season was the Baltimore Ravens' 20th in the National Football League (NFL) and their eighth under head coach John Harbaugh. Although picked by some, including Sports Illustrated Peter King, to reach the Super Bowl, they had a disappointing season due to devastating injuries to team starters. 14 of their games were decided by 8 points or less and Joe Flacco, Justin Forsett, Steve Smith, Sr., and Terrell Suggs all suffered season ending injuries. They were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14 with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, in which they also suffered their ninth loss, resulting their first losing season in the Harbaugh era and first since the collapse of the Brian Billick era. Ultimately the Ravens finished with a 5âÂÂ11 record and twenty-two players ended the season on Injured Reserve. The 5âÂÂ11 record is their worst since the 2007 season. This was the Ravens' only losing season from 2008 to 2020. Despite the poor 2015 season, one of the few bright spots for the Ravens was when they swept the Pittsburgh Steelers, which prevented the Steelers from winning the AFC North.
The Ravens lost to the Falcons, 20âÂÂ19, in a preseason game on September 3. This is notable because they would go on an NFL-record 24-game winning streak in the preseason afterwards.
Notes
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
The Ravens opened the season in Denver. Joe Flacco and the offense struggled through the entire game. Not only did the Ravens lose 19âÂÂ13 and start the season 0âÂÂ1, but they also lost Terrell Suggs to a torn achilles. It was later announced that Suggs would miss the entire 2015 season, jeopardizing the Ravens defense for the rest of the season.
With the tough loss, the Ravens dropped to 0âÂÂ2, the first such start to a season since 2005. The team also dropped to 7âÂÂ2 all-time against the Raiders. With wins by both the Steelers and the Browns, the Ravens remain in the AFC North basement.
With their fourth straight loss to the Bengals, the Ravens dropped to 0âÂÂ3 and started the season with such a record for the first time in franchise history.
The Ravens finally produced a win against their archrival the Steelers to improve to 1âÂÂ3. With the Browns' loss to the Chargers on Sunday, both teams remain in last place in the division.
The Ravens couldn't use the momentum from the Pittsburgh win to beat their division rival the Browns, losing in overtime 33âÂÂ30, dropping to 1âÂÂ4 for the first time in franchise history. They fell back to solo last place in the division and also lost their first game to the Browns at home since 2007. Harbaugh and Flacco's records dropped to 13âÂÂ2 against the Browns as well.
In a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII, the Ravens' defense was unable to keep up with San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick and their former teammates Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith.
The Ravens, hoping to stop a five-game losing streak, travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. The defense struggled to contain the Cardinals explosive receiving corps. Late in the fourth quarter, Joe Flacco attempted to mount a comeback, but an interception in the end zone by the Cardinals sealed the loss. With the loss, the Ravens go to 1âÂÂ6, tied for the worst record in the league with the Detroit Lions.
The Ravens were finally able to win a back and forth game, despite a poor showing from the defense, on a game-winning field goal from Justin Tucker. They improved to 2âÂÂ6, but are still in last place in the AFC North because of their week 5 loss to the Browns.
Already missing Terrell Suggs for the season, the Ravens suffered another setback and this time Steve Smith, Sr. left the game with a ruptured Achilles tendon. The Ravens later announced that the injury will keep him out for the rest of the season.
No game. Baltimore had a bye week.
The Ravens were on the cusp of victory despite giving up the ball on three consecutive drives by two Joe Flacco interceptions and a Flacco lost fumble. However, on the last play of the game Elvis Dumervil sacked Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles by grabbing onto his face mask, putting them into field goal range with one more play, which kicker Jason Myers converted to win the game, sending the Ravens to 2âÂÂ7. It was later revealed that in fact, the Jaguars had not set before the aforementioned play, in which case they would have been penalized for a false start, and the ensuing ten-second runoff would have ended the game with the Ravens winning 20âÂÂ19.
In another close game, the Ravens finally pulled together a win, despite another 2 missed field goals by Justin Tucker, on a game winning try from 41 yards. All three Ravens wins have now come from game ending scores by Tucker. Late in the first quarter, running back Justin Forsett broke his right arm, ending his season. On the final drive of the game, Flacco suffered a season ending knee injury.
In another wild game, the Ravens' second string offense, forced into starting roles due to mounting injuries, managed a win against the Browns, avoiding a season sweep which hasn't happened since 2007. The game was won on the last play of regulation, when defensive end Brent Urban blocked a Travis Coons 51-yard field goal attempt, which safety Will Hill returned 64 yards for a touchdown.
In another disappointing loss, the Ravensâ offense failed to capitalize on a fantastic defensive performance, with Schaub throwing another pick six along with another interception which also led to Miami's other touchdown. Another Justin Tucker missed field goal from 54 yards was the Ravensâ last chance at a comeback.
Entering a game in which they were forced to start third-string quarterback Jimmy Clausen, the Ravens were outmaneuvered at every turn against a superior Seahawks team. The loss, combined with the wins by the Steelers and Jets, the Ravens were eliminated from postseason contention. The team dropped to 4-9 and faced their first losing season since 2007. The Ravens also finished 1-3 against the NFC West.
This was the Ravens' first game of the season which was decided by more than one possession as the team's first 12 games were all decided by eight points or less.
The Ravens unexpectedly wore gold pants for this game. This drew criticism from their fan base and it hasnâÂÂt been used since. With the loss, the Ravens fell to 4-10 and finished 1-3 against the AFC West.
With the win, the Ravens improved to 5âÂÂ10, and they swept the Steelers for the first time since their 2011 season. Baltimore finished 3-5 at home.
The Ravens suffered their fifth straight loss to the Bengals, this time led by second year quarterback A. J. McCarron, who threw two touchdowns while Ravens starter Ryan Mallett was intercepted twice. The loss dropped the Ravens to 5âÂÂ11, their worst record since their 2007 season and they finished 3-3 against the AFC North and 1-7 on the road. This was the final game for cornerback Tray Walker, as he died on March 18, 2016. This would be the Ravens last losing season until 2021.