Ravens Insider: For Ravens fans, apathy is setting in: ‘Vibes are just really bad’

[ExtremeRavens]

The tenor of M&T Bank Stadium was encapsulated by two fights that broke out midway through the second quarter. Ten people were ejected from the stadium, stadium employee Asut Ames said.

The fights reflected the frustration of a fan base that, for the second straight week, filed out of the stadium long before the final whistle. “Fire Harbaugh” chants broke out, boos rained down as the Ravens went into halftime tied at 3, and a loud “Tyler Huntley” chant echoed through the stands in the third quarter as Baltimore failed to score a touchdown in its 17-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon.

Even before the game, it was clear Ravens fans were growing frustrated with the team — and, at times, each other.

Paid attendance for Sunday’s game was 70,055 — the fifth-lowest at M&T Bank Stadium in the past decade — but the stands weren’t nearly that full at any point on the windy and dreary afternoon as many fans decided to stay home. A year ago, Baltimore averaged 71,052 fans per game, the ninth-highest mark in the NFL.

The fans who showed up Sunday were displeased with the team’s effort.

“The vibes are just really bad. It’s kind of like a heavy cloud over the stadium,” said 30-year-old season-ticket holder Dakota London, of Abingdon. “It’s just not good, man, there’s a bad vibe going around right now.”

Several fans said Sunday’s contest was one of the quietest atmospheres they have attended at M&T Bank Stadium. Glen Burnie native Gage Utz said the stadium “felt more empty than it usually is.” Even fans who did attend seemed not to be focused on the game, Utz said.

Season-ticket holder Luke Milliken, 25, said he typically sells his tickets for more than $140. He said the market value for Sunday’s game was much lower than usual.

“It’s the whole team. They’re not performing on either side of the ball, and they’re trading guys away,” Utz, 24, said. “You see all these other teams, like the 49ers and all these other teams have backup guys, they’re still winning games, and obviously we’re not doing that.”

The Ravens’ play did not inspire much confidence for their fan base. Baltimore’s offense was booed off the field after it failed to score from the goal line in the first half. Quarterback Cooper Rush missed several throws, and Zay Flowers fumbled the ball twice (although one was credited to Rush on the handoff).

Related Articles

• The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 17-3 loss to Rams
• What Tom Brady said about the Ravens during ugly loss to Rams
• Instant analysis from Ravens’ 17-3 loss to Rams to fall to 1-5
• Ravens’ free fall continues with embarrassing 17-3 loss to Rams
• Ravens’ Tavius Robinson breaks foot vs. Rams; Ronnie Stanley leaves early

Ontario native Tyler Morwood and his friends made the eight-hour drive from Canada to watch their annual Ravens game. The long-time fans said Sunday was a shocking atmosphere to experience, as they watched another blowout loss.

“[Teams] used to come here and know they were going to be in a dog fight. That doesn’t happen anymore,” Morwood, 35, said. “It sucks. We didn’t even get to see a touchdown.”

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen this. I’ve never seen people leaving this stadium before [fourth quarter] kicks off. I’ve never seen people leaving like this, and that’s the sign of the time. The wheels have fallen off the wagon, and the wagon’s on fire.”

For a team that started with such high expectations, a 1-5 record at the bye week is a sobering reminder of how poorly this season has gone. Running back Derrick Henry admitted the record was bad, but asked fans to stick with the team.

“We always appreciate the fans through everything. We know it’s rough right now, they want to see a good product out there, and we haven’t been displaying that,” Henry said. “Them leaving early is a given.”

Fans head toward the exits early in the fourth quarter of the Ravens' game Sunday against the Rams. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

The upper section of the stadium was nearly 80% empty by the time the game reached the fourth quarter. The concourse was filled with fans exiting early, hoping to beat the traffic instead of watching their team struggle through another loss.

Utz and Milliken left their seats in the second quarter, choosing to watch the game from the concourse instead. As the fourth quarter rolled around, they decided to leave, choosing not to spend the remainder of their weekend at M&T Bank Stadium. They made new plans.

“Probably just going to try and drown our sorrows at the bars instead of being here,” Utz said.

Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230.

Baltimore Ravens fans head down to the exits as the Los Angeles Rams continue to dominate during the fourth quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Most fans heave abandoned their seats with the Baltimore Ravens down against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Seats were empty throughout the afternoon as the Baltimore Ravens play the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Empty seats show in every section as the Baltimore Ravens play the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens fans appear stunned as their team fail to make progress against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens fans express their disappointment with not attempting a field goal or failing to convert on fourth down as a pass by quarterback Cooper Rush is overthrown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens fans are speechless after the team fail to pound the ball into the end zone against the Los Angeles Rams on four downs, failing to chalk up a single point during the second quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Empty seats in M&T Bank Stadium during Ravens Rams game in the first quarter. The Rams defeated the Ravens 17-3 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

Many empty seats can be seen throughout the seating bowl as the Los Angeles Rams kick off to the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Ravens fans leave the stadium in the fourth quarter. The Rams defeated the Ravens 17-3 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

Ravens fans sit quietly late in the fourth quarter as the Rams defeated the Ravens 17-3 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

Dejected Ravens fans late in the fourth quarter. The Rams defeated the Ravens 17-3 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

A Ravens fan Rams watches late in the fourth quarter as the Rams defeated the Ravens 17-3 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

Fans walk in the concourse at M&T Bank Stadium for the Ravens to play the Rams. (Sam Jane/Staff)

There are many empty seats at M&T Bank Stadium for the Ravens to play the Rams. (Sam Jane/Staff)

Many empty seats are visible at M&T Bank Stadium during the Baltimore Ravens’ game against the Los Angeles Rams in Baltimore, Maryland. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Many empty seats are visible at M&T Bank Stadium during the Baltimore Ravens’ game against the Los Angeles Rams in Baltimore, Maryland. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Fans shout their displeasure during the Baltimore Ravens’ game against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Show Caption

1 of 18

Baltimore Ravens fans head down to the exits as the Los Angeles Rams continue to dominate during the fourth quarter in Baltimore. The Ravens dropped to 1-5 with a 17-3 loss. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Expand

View the full article