The 2016 season was the Baltimore Ravens' 21st in the National Football League (NFL) and their ninth under head coach John Harbaugh. With a week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens improved upon their 5âÂÂ11 record from 2015, finishing the season 8âÂÂ8. Despite the improvement, the Ravens failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day in Week 16. It was the first time the Ravens missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2004âÂÂ2005, and their first consecutive non-winning seasons since 1996âÂÂ1999. They did, however, improve their position in the division, finishing in second place after finishing in third place for the previous three seasons.
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Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
The Ravens started the season with the return of their injured starters from last season. While the offense played a fairly average game, the defense was dominant, holding former teammate Tyrod Taylor and the Bills offense to only 160 total yards. The team looked overall much better than last season, with no major injuries and few penalties (6 for 35 yards).
The Ravens traveled to their division rival Cleveland Browns for their road opener. After Browns' starting quarterback Robert Griffin III was injured in week 1, the Ravens faced Josh McCown who passed for 457 yards against them last season. After a dismal start in which the defense allowed 20 points in the first quarter, they bounced back with a blocked extra point for a safety, after which Joe Flacco and the offense finally returned with full strength, with two touchdown passes to Mike Wallace and three Justin Tucker field goals, shutting out the Browns 25âÂÂ0 in the final three-quarters.
With the win, the Ravens improved to 3âÂÂ0 and sat on top of the division with the Steelers' loss to the Eagles.
The Ravens stayed at home for a matchup against the Raiders who never won at Baltimore. Unfortunately the Ravens could not hold on to the lead after Derek Carr found Michael Crabtree in the end zone near the end of the game. Baltimore began driving down the field but the drive stalled allowing the Raiders to win at Baltimore for the first time in history dropping the Ravens 3âÂÂ1. With the Steelers win, the Ravens dropped to second place in the AFC North
After a dismal loss to the Redskins in which Joe Flacco and the offense were completely shut out in the second half, the Ravens Fired Offensive Coordinator Marc Trestman. It was their first home loss to an NFC East team since 1997, when the Arizona Cardinals won at Memorial Stadium five years before moving to the NFC West.
Trying to halt a two-game losing streak, the Ravens traveled to MetLife for one of their two straight games there. The Ravens had a chance to win the game by driving down the field in the final seconds, but the Giants defense held the Ravens back as Flacco threw an incompletion on the final play, dropping the Ravens to 3âÂÂ3 and their second three-game losing streak in a year. The Ravens defense allowed Beckham two 60+ yard touchdowns, helping the Giants win.
Trying to not fall to a four-game losing streak, the Ravens visited the New York Jets, who were also struggling. The Ravens offense did not get any better only managed a franchise record of six yards rushing in the entire game. The ineffective running game coupled with poor play from quarterback Joe Flacco resulted in the team's fourth straight loss as the team entered their bye week at 3âÂÂ4. The Ravens had a chance to tie the game but were stopped allowing the Jets to win.
With their 4th straight win over Pittsburgh the Ravens would ascend to 1st place in the AFC North.
After a Joe Flacco interception which led to the Browns 7âÂÂ6 at halftime, the Ravens dominated the rest of the game scoring 22âÂÂ0 the rest of the game and leaving the Ravens sole first place of the division.
With the commanding win, the Ravens improved to 7âÂÂ5.
With the loss, the Ravens fell to 7âÂÂ6 and 1âÂÂ8 all time against the Patriots in the regular season.
John Harbaugh faced his previous team, the Philadelphia Eagles. He was their special teams coordinator from 1998 to 2006 and their defensive backs coach in 2007. With their playoff hopes on the line, the Ravens were dealt a heavy hand against a struggling Eagles team. After giving up two scoring drives in the final six minutes, the Ravens escaped defeat when the Eagles went for two for the win and failed.
Not only did the Ravens drop to 8âÂÂ7, but their four-game winning streak over the Steelers was snapped and they were eliminated from the playoff contention for the second consecutive year.
This would be Steve Smith's Sr.'s final game in the NFL. He finished the game with three catches for 34 yards. After the game, he immediately retired, ending his 16-year career.
With the loss, the Ravens ended their season at 8âÂÂ8.