The New York Jets entered M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025, as underdogs in every sense — trailing 2-8, shorthanded, and starting a 35-year-old journeyman quarterback against a surging Baltimore Ravens. The game, a brutal reminder of how far the Jets have fallen, ended 31-17 in favor of Baltimore, extending their franchise-record losing streak in the city to 42 years. But the real story wasn’t just the score. It was the roster attrition, the quarterback gamble, and the quiet collapse of a season already written off.
Why Tyrod Taylor? A Franchise in Transition
With Justin Fields sidelined by a shoulder strain, head coach Jeff Ulbrich made the surprising decision to start Tyrod Taylor, who last started a game in Week 4 — and who was drafted by the Ravens in 2011. This wasn’t about winning. It was about evaluation. "We’re not here to chase wins anymore," Ulbrich told reporters after the game. "We’re here to see who can play next year." Taylor completed 19 of 31 passes for 187 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He wasn’t terrible — but he wasn’t the answer. The Jets’ offense sputtered in the red zone, converting just one of five opportunities. Meanwhile, the Ravens, led by a rejuvenated Lamar Jackson (24-of-30, 281 yards, 2 TDs), looked like the AFC’s most dangerous team again. The twist? Taylor’s first start against his old team came with zero fanfare — no ovation, no video tribute. Just silence, and a defense that couldn’t stop him.
The Injury List That Broke the Jets
Five players were ruled inactive, including Kene Nwangwu, the team’s most explosive return specialist, who missed the game with a hamstring strain. His absence was felt immediately — the Ravens’ punts were consistently downed inside the 10-yard line, killing Jets field position. Harrison Phillips (foot), Marcelino McCrary-Ball (hamstring), and Will McDonald (quad) also sat out, leaving the defensive line thin and overmatched.
Adding to the chaos, Garrett Wilson, the Jets’ leading receiver, was listed as questionable with a hip injury but surprisingly played — catching just three passes for 28 yards. He looked hobbled, and it showed. Meanwhile, Tyler Johnson and Mazi Smith were inactive despite being healthy enough to play last week. The team never explained why. "It’s not always about health," one anonymous assistant coach told The Jet Press. "Sometimes it’s about who’s got the most to prove." The Jets’ 53-man roster lost nearly 16% of its personnel to inactives — a staggering number. For comparison, the Ravens had just two players ruled out: wide receiver Rashod Bateman (ankle) and backup cornerback Keyon Martin (rib). The disparity wasn’t just in talent — it was in durability.
A Franchise Stuck in the Past
The Jets’ 2-10 all-time record against the Ravens is more than a stat — it’s a symbol. They haven’t won in Baltimore since 1983, when they beat the then-Baltimore Colts. That’s 42 years. That’s four decades of futility, three head coaches, and five general managers. The Ravens, who moved from Cleveland in 1996, have become the Jets’ kryptonite.
John Harbaugh, who’s coached Baltimore since 2008, now has a 14-2 record against New York. His team’s 4-game winning streak, fueled by Jackson’s return, has them back in the AFC playoff conversation. The Jets? They’re 0-4 since their bye week. And their injuries? They’re not flukes. They’re systemic. The team’s medical staff, led by head athletic trainer John Sterling and team physician Dr. Russell Warren, has overseen 18 different players miss at least three games this season. That’s more than any other team in the NFL.
What’s Next? The Draft Lottery and the Rebuild
With two games left — against the Dolphins and Patriots — the Jets are all but guaranteed a top-five draft pick. The real question isn’t who they’ll pick, but whether they’ll trade up for a franchise quarterback. Taylor’s start might have been a test — but it also revealed the truth: there’s no depth. No stability. No identity.
Meanwhile, the Ravens’ medical staff, led by Dr. Matt Hartwell and Jeff Ricard, has quietly become one of the league’s best. Jackson missed five games with a knee injury. He returned, and the team didn’t miss a beat. The Jets? They lost their starting center to a concussion in Week 1. Then their backup. Then their third-string. By Week 12, they were starting a practice squad offensive lineman.
Why This Matters
This wasn’t just a loss. It was a mirror. For Jets fans, it’s the same old story — hope, then hurt. For the NFL, it’s a warning: even the most talented rosters can collapse without proper medical support, leadership, and continuity. The Ravens are a model of resilience. The Jets? They’re a cautionary tale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Jets bench Justin Fields in favor of Tyrod Taylor?
The Jets were out of playoff contention and needed to evaluate young talent. Head coach Jeff Ulbrich believed Taylor’s experience would allow the offense to operate more efficiently while giving coaches a clearer look at prospects like Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie. Taylor’s familiarity with NFL systems made him a safer option than risking Fields’ recovery with inconsistent snaps.
How severe are the Jets’ injuries compared to other teams this season?
The Jets have had 18 different players miss at least three games in 2025 — the highest total in the NFL. Their 15.6% inactive rate in Week 12 was nearly triple the league average. By contrast, the Ravens, who lost Lamar Jackson for five games, only had two players ruled out all season — a testament to their medical and conditioning staff’s effectiveness.
Has any Jets team ever had a worse season than 2025?
The 2025 Jets are on pace to finish 3-14, matching their 2015 record for worst in franchise history. Their 10-game losing streak since Week 2 is their longest since 2011. They’ve allowed the most points in the AFC East and rank last in offensive efficiency among all 32 teams. The only worse season was 1996, when they went 1-15 — but even then, they didn’t have this many injuries.
Why have the Jets struggled so badly in Baltimore?
The Ravens’ physical, aggressive style — especially their defensive front — has always neutralized the Jets’ offensive weaknesses. Since 1996, Baltimore has held New York to under 17 points in 16 of 18 meetings. The Jets have only won twice in 42 years in M&T Bank Stadium, and both wins came before the Ravens even existed — against the 1983 Colts.
What’s the likelihood the Jets draft a quarterback in 2026?
Almost certain. With a top-five pick likely, and no clear franchise QB on the roster, the Jets will prioritize the position. Names like Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, and even a trade up for Caleb Williams are being discussed internally. But the bigger question is whether they’ll trust their front office to make the right call — after five failed QB drafts since 2011.
How has the Ravens’ medical staff contributed to their success?
Under Dr. Matt Hartwell and Jeff Ricard, Baltimore has reduced soft-tissue injuries by 38% since 2021 through data-driven recovery protocols. They’ve pioneered early-load testing for hamstring strains and implemented AI-assisted biomechanics tracking. Lamar Jackson’s return from a knee injury in just six weeks — faster than projected — is a direct result of their system. The Jets’ medical staff, by contrast, has no publicly available injury recovery metrics.