Baltimore Ravens Start 0-3 for 1st Time in Franchise History

The Baltimore Ravens suffered a heartbreaking 28-24 loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, marking the first time in franchise history the team has started a season with three consecutive losses, per Sportsnet Stats.

Along with the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, the Ravens have been one of the models of consistency in the modern-day NFL, reaching the playoffs six times in the last seven seasons and 10 times in the last 15 years.

Prior to Sunday, the Ravens were the NFL's only active franchise that had never started a season 0-3, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Widely viewed as a playoff contender heading into the year, the Ravens at least haven't been quite as bad as their record suggests, with the three losses coming by a combined total of 14 points.

Baltimore drove deep into Denver Broncos territory in the final minute of a 19-13 Week 1 loss, threatening to take the lead until quarterback Joe Flacco threw a game-clinching interception.

The Ravens then lost 37-33 in a Week 2 barn-burner against the Oakland Raiders, taking the lead late in the fourth quarter, then blowing it in short order.

Most frustrating of all, Baltimore came back from a 14-0 halftime deficit to take a 17-14 lead with just under seven minutes remaining in Sunday's game against the division-rival Bengals, only to allow an 80-yard touchdown to superstar wide receiver A.J. Green on Cincinnati's first play of the ensuing drive.

Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith put his team back ahead with his second touchdown catch of the second half, but Green bounced right back to score the game-winner with just over two minutes remaining.

Although they've played better than a typical winless team, the Ravens still face a difficult road to make the playoffs, as 65 squads (not including this season) have gone 0-3 since division realignment in 2002, and not a single one of those bounced back to qualify for the postseason, per Sportsnet Stats.