The Baltimore Ravens have reached a new low in Week 5 with their 44-10 loss to the Houston Texans. The loss dropped Baltimore to just 1-4 through its first five games of 2025, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

The Ravens' 1-4 record ties their worst start through five games in franchise history, per Jeff Zrebiec of ‘The Athletic.' Baltimore's 34-point defeat also tied for its worst home loss in franchise history, per Zrebiec.

The Ravens were without Lamar Jackson in Week 5 and looked hopeless without their star quarterback. Cooper Rush led the team to just 207 yards of total offense, while the Ravens' defense allowed the Texans to rack up 417 yards.

Rush also committed three turnovers in the game, all interceptions. Aside from one deep pass to Zay Flowers, he was not on the same page with his receivers all afternoon.

Conversely, the Texans appeared to have their new offense well in hand. C.J. Stroud shredded the struggling Ravens defense with 244 passing yards and four touchdowns while avoiding an interception for the second consecutive game.

Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was the team's unsung hero of the game. Fairbairn went 3-for-3 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points, including a pair of 50-yard kicks.

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Ravens' offense in trouble without Lamar Jackson

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks down field before everyone lines up during first half action against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Sept. 7, 2025 with Bills logo in the background
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ravens certainly knew they were in trouble when Jackson went down in Week 4, but the situation could hardly be worse. Despite entering the year with Super Bowl aspirations, Baltimore is already staring down the barrel of a lost season and in a position nobody expected.

After working with journeyman Josh Johnson as their backup quarterback in 2024, the Ravens signed Rush, the longtime Dallas Cowboys backup, in free agency. Although Rush is more experienced and has a proven track record, the early returns have been horrific.

Rush presents a significantly different play style than Jackson, forcing the Ravens to adjust their entire approach with him on the field.

With Jackson likely out for at least one more game, the Ravens will hope to stay afloat in Week 6, when they take on the traveling Los Angeles Rams. The Rams just suffered an upset loss to the San Francisco 49ers, another team operating with a backup quarterback.