Home field advantage isn’t what it used to be for the Baltimore Ravens

Since Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh arrived in Baltimore in 2008, the Ravens have stood tall at M&T Bank Stadium. From 2008-2012, the Ravens had a home record of 35-7 including the playoffs. From 2008-2014, the Ravens had a home record of 47-11.

But recently over the last two seasons, the Ravens have a home record of 4-7. During the 2015 season, the Ravens finished 3-5 at home which is the worst single season home record in franchise history. M&T Bank Stadium used to be a place that intimidated the road team regardless of what kind of season the Ravens were having. Even in 2005 when the Ravens finished 6-10, the Ravens finished 6-2 at home.

Opponents would feel like the Ravens crowd is over their heads. Some people think that Ravens fans can get real nasty when they feel they have to. When it comes to the field, the intimidation of the Ravens defense was always a factor.

Now those factors are gone for the time being because now even punters feel like they have the freedom to perform the Ray Lewis dance in the middle of the field. The Ravens have a record of 8-15 since the start of last season and there is no doubt that the struggles on the field have left some Ravens fans emotionally drained. Maybe even the players and coaching staff too.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you change the field from turf to grass, you have to have an identity that fits the skill set of your players and the Ravens do not have that right now.

The Ravens have been historically known as a physical team along both sides of the line of scrimmage, but in the last couple of years teams have had their way with Baltimore due to injuries and just a lack of execution. The only way the Ravens can get back to being a good team at home is to find the identity that works best for this roster.