The Ravens have reached a five-game stretch that will determine whether their 4-4 start becomes a temporary setback or the beginning of a lost season.

Baltimore hosts Jacksonville on Thursday, then has 10 days to prepare for the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night. The Ravens then travel to Carolina and Houston, reach their Week 13 bye, and return home against Tampa Bay. Four of those opponents reached the playoffs last season.

The immediate priority is Jacksonville. Baltimore has lost three consecutive games, and Lamar Jackson is headed to injured reserve following thumb surgery. Tyler Huntley’s toe injury further complicates the quarterback situation, leaving Joe Fagnano, Austin Reed and Kedon Slovis among the available options.

A Thursday win would let the Ravens enter their extended break at 5-4 and give the coaching staff time to build a more functional offense around its replacement quarterback. A fourth straight loss would leave Baltimore below .500, with Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Cleveland already ahead in the AFC North.

The Chargers matchup will test Baltimore’s pass protection and Jesse Minter’s ability to prepare against his former team. Road games against Carolina and Houston will carry significant conference implications before the Ravens finally reach their bye.

Baltimore’s closing schedule contains four consecutive AFC North games, including two against Pittsburgh. The Ravens cannot wait until December to repair their season. The path remains available, but it begins with surviving Jackson’s absence and returning to the bye with a winning record. Baltimore probably needs to win at least three of its next four games to make the divisional closing stretch meaningful.