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John Harbaugh is not planning changes to Ravens defensive staff

Harbaugh Keeps Ravens DC Despite Historic Defensive Collapse

Ravens coach John Harbaugh will keep DC Zach Orr after 44-10 Texans loss. Baltimore's defense allowed most points in home game history.

  • Ravens allowed 44 points in home game Sunday
  • Most points surrendered in Harbaugh's 18 year tenure
  • Zach Orr remains defensive coordinator despite poor performance
  • Baltimore on pace to break NFL points allowed record
  • Key players Hamilton Smith Humphrey Awuzie were inactive
  • Harbaugh says staff changes are not the answer
  • Ravens fell to 1-4 worst start since 2015
  • Defense ranks 31st allowing 35.4 points per game

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh announced he will retain defensive coordinator Zach Orr despite a historically poor defensive performance in the team’s 44-10 loss to the Houston Texans on October 5, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium [1][2]. The Ravens, now 1-4, allowed the most points in a home game during Harbaugh’s 18-year tenure and are on pace to surrender 534 points this season, which would break the NFL’s single-season record [3][4].

Historic Defensive Collapse Against Houston Texans

the Baltimore Ravens suffered a crushing 44-10 home loss to the Houston Texans, marking the highest number of points allowed at home during coach John Harbaugh’s 18-year tenure. The Ravens defense gave up five touchdowns to a Texans offense that previously scored only six in the entire season. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud was nearly flawless, completing 23 of 27 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns.[1]

Season-Long Defensive Breakdown

  • Ravens’ 1-4 start this season is the second worst in franchise history.[2][1]
  • The defense has allowed 177 points in five games, the most in a five-game stretch in team history.[1]
  • Ravens rank last or near last in pass defense, points allowed, third-down defense, fourth-down defense, and sacks for the 2025 NFL season.[4][2]
  • The defense is on pace to give up 534 points this season, breaking the NFL single-season record for points allowed.[2][1]

Injuries Exacerbate Defensive Issues

Several key defensive starters missed the Texans game due to injuries:

  • Safety Kyle Hamilton
  • Linebacker Roquan Smith
  • Cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Chidobe Awuzie

Offensive stars like Lamar Jackson were also sidelined, further compounding team struggles.[5][7][1]

Coaching Stability: Harbaugh’s Vote of Confidence

Despite mounting criticism and calls for change, John Harbaugh confirmed that defensive coordinator Zach Orr will retain his role, emphasizing team cohesion over coaching changes: “I do not think that’s the answer. We have to stick together… coaches and players working together”. Harbaugh acknowledged the need for improved execution and specifically targeted run defense as a critical area for improvement.[6][5][1]

Zach Orr’s Background and Challenges

  • Orr took over as defensive coordinator in February 2024, replacing Mike Macdonald, who left for a head coaching role.[7][1]
  • Former Ravens linebacker and coach, Orr has been with Baltimore since 2017 in various coaching roles, including inside linebackers coach.[8][7]
  • The defense has regressed sharply under Orr’s leadership, with notable declines in key metrics such as pass defense and overall defensive ranking.[4]
  • Issues identified include poor communication, lack of physicality, and failure to make in-game adjustments.[4]
  • Despite the struggles, Orr retains support from both the head coach and some players, who acknowledge the defense’s failings but credit Orr’s football knowledge and leadership.[6]

Player Responsibility and Team Outlook

  • Some players, notably linebacker Kyle Van Noy, have taken personal accountability, stressing the importance of execution despite coaching.[6]
  • The Ravens hope that the return of key injured players will stabilize the defense in upcoming weeks.[5][7]
  • The team faces pressure to improve rapidly to salvage a season that started with championship ambitions but now teeters on playoff exclusion.[1][2]
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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Updates

Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Elena Voren
  1. Added recent, accurate statistics from 2025 sources.
  2. Included specific player injuries and status updates.
  3. Clarified Harbaugh’s stance on coaching stability.
  4. Incorporated updated game details and performance metrics.
  5. Highlighted season-long defensive trends with precise data.
  6. Credited recent reports from strong sports and news websites.
— by Elena Voren
Edit featured article image
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Comprehensive rewrite with BLUF opening paragraph covering who, what, when, where, why, and how
  2. Added structured H2 and H3 headings for improved readability and navigation
  3. Verified all statistics from multiple sources dated Oct 5-11, 2025 including ESPN, NFL.com, CBS Sports
  4. Added comprehensive injury list with specific players and current status as of Oct 10
  5. Expanded game statistics including Stroud's performance, rushing yards, and scoring drives
  6. Added historical context comparing 1-4 start to 2015 season and franchise history
  7. Included detailed quotes from Harbaugh and Van Noy with proper attribution
  8. Added ten secondary source citations numbered through linking to recent coverage
  9. Updated meta boxes including 20-word excerpt, revised headline, summary, and 8 key points
  10. Enhanced FAQ section with three comprehensive questions and detailed answers
  11. Added season trajectory analysis with playoff implications and offensive struggles
  12. Removed unverifiable content and replaced with fact-checked information from official sources

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Nodin Laramie
  1. Corrected total points allowed by Ravens from previous reporting to updated figure of 177 through five games.
  2. Adjusted projected points allowed for the season to 534, reflecting most recent pace and NFL record context.
  3. Clarified and sourced actual list of inactive players for the Texans game, confirming with latest injury reports.
  4. Revised Zach Orr's background to accurately identify when he became DC.
  5. Checked and updated game scoring stats for C.J. Stroud and team performance figures from October 5, 2025.
  6. Removed unverifiable statements and replaced with quotes attributed to Harbaugh and Van Noy.
  7. Provided up-to-date trust score and revised Source Article URL.

FAQ

Why is Harbaugh keeping the defensive staff?

Harbaugh stated that staff changes are not the answer and the team needs to stick together. He emphasized that coaches and players must work together to improve execution and find themselves as a unit.

How did the Ravens' defense perform?

The Ravens allowed 44 points to Houston, the most in a home game during Harbaugh's 18 years. Baltimore ranks 31st in defense, surrendering 35.4 points per game while on pace to break the NFL record.

Who were the missing players for the Ravens?

Baltimore was without safety Kyle Hamilton, linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Chidobe Awuzie on defense. Offensively, quarterback Lamar Jackson, fullback Patrick Ricard, and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley were inactive due to injuries.