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Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Thursday’s Week 13 game between the Ravens and Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 24, Bengals 21: While Baltimore’s once-terrible defense has turned a corner and taken some big steps forward, the Bengals’ has not. Cincinnati ranks last in yards and points allowed per game, which should be a welcome tonic for the Ravens’ struggling offense. Add the Bengals being without their best pass rusher, Trey Hendrickson, along with one of the worst pressure rates in the league and things become that much easier for quarterback Lamar Jackson, no matter how banged up and inconsistent he is. Expect Baltimore to be able to move the ball well and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (who have combined for some epic performances) to keep Cincinnati in it, but the Ravens hang on for a sixth straight win. Sam Cohn, reporter Bengals 24, Ravens 23: Six weeks ago, this game had no juice. Few thought Burrow would be back this early, and Jackson’s hamstring injury raised questions about whether the clash of superstar quarterbacks might settle for a battle of the backups. Welp, here we are. Both are healthy (enough). It should be close. It should be exciting. I’m going with Cincinnati by a hair. Baltimore’s offense could flip a switch at any point and be the unstoppable force it was last year, but until that happens, I’m not convinced they can win anything resembling a shootout. If the Browns and Jets had respectable teams, the Ravens’ winning streak might’ve ended weeks ago. Burrow is the best quarterback the Ravens will have faced since — checks notes — their last loss. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 31, Bengals 27: The Bengals are ranked No. 30 in the league in rushing offense, averaging only 84.9 yards per game, and they are ranked No. 31 in run defense, allowing 156 yards per game. If you can’t run or stop the run, you probably won’t win many games in the NFL, and that’s why the Bengals are 3-8. Regardless if Joe Burrow returns at QB, the Bengals have no defense. This isn’t a great QB matchup because Burrow hasn’t played in a while and Lamar Jackson hasn’t been sharp the past three games. The team with the least amount of weaknesses usually prevails in these games, and the Ravens don’t have nearly as many as Cincinnati. Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 34, Bengals 21: Joe Burrow is attempting to play hero ball in his return from injury, but he’s walking into a Ravens pass rush that has leveled up in recent weeks. Trade deadline acquisition Dre’Mont Jones leads the team in pressures and recorded two sacks in Sunday’s win over the Jets. I’d expect rising cornerback Nate Wiggins to shadow top wideout Ja’Marr Chase, set to return from his one-game suspension, for a majority of the matchup. While the Bengals are expected to regain Burrow and Chase in the starting lineup, No. 2 WR Tee Higgins will be sidelined with a concussion. Slow starts have served as the offense’s bugaboo, but Cincinnati’s 32nd-ranked defense should represent a much-needed get-right spot for coordinator Todd Monken and quarterback Lamar Jackson. The two-time NFL MVP is dealing with up to four lower-body issues, and the injuries have clearly affected his burst and elusiveness. Regardless, the Ravens should have more than enough to maintain their spot atop the AFC North title as they inch closer toward next week’s highly anticipated matchup with the Steelers. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 33, Bengals 31: If Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense look pedestrian in this one, it’s officially time to worry. Even a less-than-100% Jackson should be able to carve up this porous Bengals defense, which ranks as the worst ever tracked by DVOA and will be without its top player in defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will be a great test for this Ravens defense, which has feasted against bad quarterbacks during its midseason turnaround. It’s worth keeping a close eye on Kyle Hamilton, who has been banged up lately playing his do-it-all role. How he holds up down the stretch and into January will be almost as important as Jackson’s health when it comes to the Ravens’ postseason dreams. Related Articles Staff picks for Week 13 of 2025 NFL season: Bears vs. Eagles, Bills vs. Steelers and more Ravens vs. Bengals scouting report for Week 13: Who has the edge? Ravens see improvement from defensive front: ‘How about the pass rush!?’ Watch Episode 13 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens injury report: Kyle Hamilton, 3 other starters return to practice Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 27, Bengals 23: The Ravens looked sluggish offensively in recent weeks, but some of that falls on playing quality defenses. The Browns and Vikings can really get after it on that side of the ball, with both teams ranking in the top 12 in yards allowed per game. As others have mentioned, Cincinnati stinks defensively. Even with Burrow back for the Bengals, it’s hard to go against Jackson in prime time. He’ll lead the Ravens to a win on Thanksgiving, and I’ll call my shot by saying that he breaks out a “head, shoulders, knees and toes” touchdown celebration to poke fun at his recent injury woes. Tim Schwartz, editor Bengals 27, Ravens 24: The Bengals have not been a very good team of late, especially on defense, but I am at a tipping point with the Ravens’ offense. Lamar Jackson has not been sharp the past two weeks as he deals with a litany of leg injuries that have clearly hampered the NFL’s most dynamic player. On the other side, Joe Burrow makes his long-awaited return after undergoing toe surgery in mid-September. And he gets Ja’Marr Chase back after he served a one-game suspension for spitting (and lying about it) on Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Baltimore has been flirting with disaster and skating past two of the league’s worst teams. Facing another one in Cincinnati, I just think these offensive issues are going to catch up with them (a hard sell with how poor this Cincinnati defense is). The Burrow-Chase connection has had some of its best performances against the Ravens, and I expect Burrow to pick up where he left off. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 34, Bengals 24: The Bengals have a high-powered offense. Joe Burrow is expected to be back, but defense wins championships, and the Bengals are at the bottom of the league. The Ravens’ defense, on the other hand, has been playing great. This is a good week for Baltimore’s offense to catch up. I think the Ravens pull it off on Thanksgiving in prime time. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

Baltimore Sun staff writers and FOX45’s Patrice Sanders pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 13: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions (Thursday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker (11-3 last week, 123-53-1 overall): Lions Sam Cohn (9-5 last week, 121-55-1 overall): Lions Mike Preston (11-3 last week, 119-57-1 overall): Lions Josh Tolentino (11-3 last week, 122-54-1 overall): Lions C.J. Doon (11-3 last week, 113-63-1 overall): Lions Bennett Conlin (12-2 last week, 118-58-1 overall): Packers Tim Schwartz (10-4 last week, 108-68-1 overall): Lions Patrice Sanders (11-3 last week, 112-62-1 overall): Lions Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.) Wacker: Chiefs Cohn: Chiefs Preston: Chiefs Tolentino: Chiefs Doon: Cowboys Conlin: Chiefs Schwartz: Chiefs Sanders: Chiefs Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Friday, 3 p.m.) Wacker: Eagles Cohn: Eagles Preston: Eagles Tolentino: Eagles Doon: Bears Conlin: Eagles Schwartz: Eagles Sanders: Eagles Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Rams Cohn: Rams Preston: Rams Tolentino: Rams Doon: Rams Conlin: Rams Schwartz: Rams Sanders: Rams San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: 49ers Cohn: 49ers Preston: 49ers Tolentino: 49ers Doon: 49ers Conlin: 49ers Schwartz: 49ers Sanders: 49ers Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Colts Cohn: Colts Preston: Colts Tolentino: Colts Doon: Colts Conlin: Texans Schwartz: Colts Sanders: Colts New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Dolphins Cohn: Dolphins Preston: Dolphins Tolentino: Dolphins Doon: Saints Conlin: Dolphins Schwartz: Dolphins Sanders: Dolphins Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Falcons Cohn: Falcons Preston: Falcons Tolentino: Jets Doon: Falcons Conlin: Falcons Schwartz: Falcons Sanders: Falcons Arizona Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Buccaneers Cohn: Cardinals Preston: Buccaneers Tolentino: Buccaneers Doon: Buccaneers Conlin: Buccaneers Schwartz: Buccaneers Sanders: Buccaneers Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Jaguars Cohn: Jaguars Preston: Jaguars Tolentino: Jaguars Doon: Jaguars Conlin: Jaguars Schwartz: Jaguars Sanders: Jaguars Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Seahawks Cohn: Seahawks Preston: Seahawks Tolentino: Seahawks Doon: Seahawks Conlin: Seahawks Schwartz: Seahawks Sanders: Seahawks Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Chargers Cohn: Chargers Preston: Chargers Tolentino: Chargers Doon: Chargers Conlin: Chargers Schwartz: Chargers Sanders: Chargers Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Bills Cohn: Bills Preston: Bills Tolentino: Bills Doon: Bills Conlin: Bills Schwartz: Bills Sanders: Bills Denver Broncos vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) Wacker: Broncos Cohn: Broncos Preston: Broncos Tolentino: Broncos Doon: Broncos Conlin: Broncos Schwartz: Broncos Sanders: Broncos New York Giants vs. New England Patriots (Monday, 8:15 p.m.) Wacker: Patriots Cohn: Patriots Preston: Patriots Tolentino: Patriots Doon: Patriots Conlin: Patriots Schwartz: Patriots Sanders: Patriots View the full article

Take a seat. Pull the lever that reclines your chair. Bury your hand into a bowl of popcorn — err, plate of turkey and mashed potatoes — because the Ravens surged to a first-place tie in the AFC North before Thanksgiving. They’re 6-5, stepping into three straight divisional games. First up is a rejuvenated Bengals (3-8) in prime time. Who will have the advantage Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium? Ravens passing game vs. Bengals pass defense Lamar Jackson is an enigma. He’s a two-time Most Valuable Player with a propensity to do the unthinkable on a football field. As such, we grade him on a ridiculous curve. Anything shy of presumed greatness feels dubious. That’s the world we live in, exacerbated by a third injury in as many weeks — listed with a hurt toe after missing previous practices for an ankle and knee. Jackson’s rushing figures are down, he’s looked uncomfortable at times in the pocket and taken more sacks than all of last year. There are warranted concerns about Jackson’s health and whether he’ll be ready to carry the Ravens down the stretch. He hasn’t needed to for a decent chunk of this win streak. The Bengals defense might buy him another week of imperfection. They own the worst defense-adjusted value over average — an advanced football metric measuring team efficiency — in NFL history. That’s according to Aaron Schatz from FTN. Two of the bottom-five teams on that list started 1-10. EDGE: Ravens Bengals passing game vs. Ravens pass defense It’s been almost three months since we’ve seen one of the most dynamic quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL. Joe Burrow will make his much-anticipated return Thursday night, in time for the NFL to lift Ja’Marr Chase’s one-game suspension for spitting on a Steeler. Burrow made it back in time for a chance at spoiling Baltimore’s playoff push — surely something he’d relish. The last time those two played in Baltimore, Chase was responsible for 264 yards and three touchdowns of Burrow’s 428 and four-score evening. This year’s Ravens defense is head and shoulders above that group, currently riding a six game streak tempering offenses to 20 points or fewer. Burrow and Chase will be their toughest task yet. EDGE: Bengals Ravens running game vs. Bengals run defense When Derrick Henry has even a sliver of space, he can make defenses pay. More often than not with that lethal jab we’ve categorized as a stiff arm. The issue is the Ravens haven’t generated much push up front. According to NextGenStats, Henry has been contacted behind the line of scrimmage on 50.8% of his carries this season, the fifth highest rate in the NFL on a minimum of 75 carries. Hall of Fame talent can mask what would otherwise be a death knell for an average running back. He’s been stuffed for no gain or a loss on only 18.7% of his carries (a tick above league average), sixth best in the NFL at yards after contact (665). Meanwhile, the Bengals rank dead last in contacting opposing running backs behind the line of scrimmage (34.6%). Their run-stuff rate is the second lowest (11.8%). And when they do get hands on a running back behind the line of scrimmage, they aren’t bringing him down efficiently, allowing the NFL’s second most yards after contact to running backs. Expect a heavy workload for Henry. EDGE: Ravens Bengals running game vs. Ravens run defense Chase Brown is on the precipice of Bengals history. A productive outing Thursday night could make him the first player in organization history to record at least 100 yards from scrimmage in six consecutive games. Thirty NFL teams have had a player record such feat. Cincinnati and Cleveland are in the minority here. Where Brown has struggled in the run game, he’s made up for as a pass catcher, logging at least 25 receiving yards in three of the five along this streak with a single-game high of 75 versus Chicago. Another dual-threat running back burnt Baltimore recently. New York’s Breece Hall, practically the only viable option on one of the NFL’s least efficient offenses, torched the Ravens for 75 through the air and 44 on the ground. Four other lead backs have logged at least 30 yards through the air against the Ravens this season. Burrow to Chase is the offense’s headliner. Burrow to Brown could be an influential undercard. EDGE: Bengals Ravens special teams vs. Bengals special teams Ravens punter Jordan Stout said Sunday night he wanted to prove that Baltimore owned the best special teams unit in the NFL. They just outplayed the Jets’ third unit, so they’re certainly in the conversation. The Ravens have a no-issues kicker, a punter riding a career year and have enjoyed pleasant contributions from a few youngsters wrapping up returners. Cincinnati hasn’t been particularly sharp in that department. EDGE: Ravens Ravens intangibles vs. Bengals intangibles This is a crucial week for the AFC North standings. By beating the Jets, the Ravens climbed into a tie with the Steelers for first place. Three wins separate the division’s top-two and bottom-two teams. In the same way eyeballs watched closely as the Steelers crumbled against Chicago late, there will be plenty of eyes on Pittsburgh’s Sunday afternoon game versus Buffalo. The Bengals don’t have much to fight for at this point, beyond spoiling the Ravens’ season. Conspiracy theorists are hypothesizing whether Burrow’s fast recovery was sped up by a motivation to crash the party. They don’t have much else to lose. Baltimore, meanwhile, is fighting to keep its season above water. When these two teams played on a Thursday night last year, Baltimore won but Orr didn’t sleep much after Burrow mowed down his defense. Only one of these teams is at any risk of losing sleep over the result. EDGE: Bengals Prediction Six weeks ago this game had no juice. Few thought Burrow would be back this early and Jackson’s hamstring injury raised questions about whether the clash of two superstar quarterbacks might settle for a battle of the backups. Welp, here we are. Both are healthy (enough). It should be close. It should be exciting. I’m going with Cincinnati by a hair. Baltimore’s offense could flip a switch at any point and be the unstoppable force it was last year but until that happens I’m not convinced they can win anything resembling a shootout. If the Browns and Jets had respectable teams, the Ravens win streak might’ve ended weeks ago. Burrow is the best quarterback the Ravens will have faced since — checks notes — their last loss. Bengals 24, Ravens 23 Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles Ravens see improvement from defensive front: ‘How about the pass rush!?’ Watch Episode 13 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens injury report: Kyle Hamilton, 3 other starters return to practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice, ready for Thanksgiving game 5 things to know for Ravens-Bengals Thanksgiving game View the full article

Six weeks ago, the notion of Baltimore’s defensive front issues being a “quick fix,” as players and coaches insisted it was, sounded like a farce. The Ravens’ sack rate ranked 31st in the NFL seven weeks into the season. Their pressure rate was 30th. Six total sacks were tied for 29th. Their nearly four-year streak of at least one sack in 57 consecutive games, once the league’s longest active run, ended in Week 3. By Baltimore’s fifth loss, veteran Kyle Van Noy urgently pounded his fist into the lectern, “We have to get our [stuff] together.” The same team that finished top five in sacks the past three seasons plummeted — not only in sacks, but in the better part of its pass rush operation. “It has to be better,” coach John Harbaugh said in mid-October. “It has to be better on all three downs.” Oh, how the discourse has shifted. Here was a spirited Harbaugh on Sunday: “And then the pass rush; how about the pass rush!?” That came in response to a question about cornerback Marlon Humphrey’s goal-line punch in a 23-10 win over the Jets, insinuating the coach wanted to make sure he snuck in a well-deserved compliment — no matter how off course — for a group that sacked Tyrod Taylor three times, twice on third-down. This isn’t a worst-to-first turnaround like some facets of Baltimore’s defensive metrics these past two seasons. But what is clear is that the Ravens of earlier this season had trouble ever getting into the backfield. And now, they’re causing enough disruption to feed a greater defensive turnaround. They’ve turned a corner. The confidence in the pass rush room is “through the roof,” according to trade deadline acquisition Dre’Mont Jones. Jones said, “When I got here, it seemed weird that they lost or had any slip-ups, because they were just so good.” He was a significant part of the schematic rewiring. Jones is to the pass rush what Alohi Gilman was to the secondary: a quicker fixer-upper. He’s registered 1 1/2 sacks, batted a pass out of the air and logged two quarterback hits in each of his three games as a Raven. According to NextGenStats, the Ravens’ pressure rate has jumped from 26.1% to 38.6% since adding Jones. Still, Kyle Hamilton is perhaps the most glaring bonus. Gilman’s addition allowed the do-it-all safety to play in the box and give offensive lines another athlete to plan for (go back and watch Hamilton’s highlight-reel sack on Shedeur Sanders). Since Week 8, Baltimore sits second in the NFL in quarterback hits (35). Twenty-two combined at Minnesota and Cleveland marked the most by a Ravens defense in a two-game span since 2020. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr credited schematic adjustments made at the bye week, presenting offenses with new challenges. That and “guys were just relentless with their rushes.” Give plenty of kudos to the duo informally known as “Draymond Green.” Mike Green prefers they go by “Mike Jones.” Jones would rather keep it simple: “Dre’ and Mike.” Whether they’re the early 2000s rapper or a four-time NBA champ from the Golden State Warriors, the rookie and vet have become some of Baltimore’s most productive disruptors on the defensive line. “Any wisdom that I have, I give to him,” Jones said. “We can be lethal if we do it the right way.” Green brought down an NFL quarterback for the first time in Week 8. He’s done it 1 1/2 more times since, a byproduct of the game slowing down, allowing his savviness to win the “in-game ‘Tom and Jerry’ fight,” as he called it. Injuries early in the year forced major responsibility onto his plate. He’s since overcome the “beginner stage.” Now, Green has five quarterback hits in the past three games, more than his total over the first eight of his career. Harbaugh called him “one of the more advanced young all-around players, probably, that we’ve had in a while.” Related Articles Watch Episode 13 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens injury report: Kyle Hamilton, 3 other starters return to practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice, ready for Thanksgiving game 5 things to know for Ravens-Bengals Thanksgiving game This Indiana high schooler flirted with Derrick Henry’s rushing record The Ravens aren’t fielding a menacing pass rush that has risen to the elite of the league. They’re still a bottom-third squad in pass rush win rate (34%), according to ESPN metrics. Injured Tavius Robinson should provide reinforcement when he returns, either getting his hands on the quarterback or by standing out in the way he has the past two seasons by opening rush lanes for his teammates. Harbaugh expects to have Robinson, who broke his foot against the Rams, back off injured reserve soon. Whether this corner turned is enough to be a difference-maker in a playoff game remains to be seen. Yet, for a team on a five-game winning streak with holes that justify reasons for pessimism, there have been tangible steps forward from Baltimore’s pass rush. Orr called it a “building block.” “Definitely was good to affect the quarterback,” he said, “and you see what that does for the defense when you’re able to actually get pressure and hit him.” Quick fix might’ve been a stretch. But they’re starting to click just in time. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is sacked by Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton. The Ravens have generated more pressure on quarterbacks in recent weeks. (David Richard/AP) View the full article

Episode 13 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law is here. Preston and Coleman discuss the Ravens’ 23-10 win over the Jets and their upcoming Thanksgiving game against the Cincinnati Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow. You can watch it weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Kyle Hamilton has superhuman tendencies, as evidenced by his speedy return to practice Tuesday. Baltimore’s All-Pro safety limped off the field Sunday afternoon, chucking his helmet in frustration after injuring his ankle with about three minutes left in the fourth quarter. That ankle held him out of Monday’s walk-through practice. Earlier in Sunday’s win, Jets running back Breece Hall trucked Hamilton’s previously hurt shoulder — the one that dangled in pain for the final plays of a win in Cleveland. Hamilton made no more than a pit stop in the blue medical tent. He jogged right back onto the field, showing no visible shoulder pain before logging 10 total tackles versus New York. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Hamilton’s ankle injury was “not serious” and he would have a chance to play Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a limited participant on Tuesday, but Harbaugh said he had a “good practice.” Hamilton’s status will become clearer when the team’s final injury report of the week drops on Wednesday. Based on what we’ve seen lately, it seems nearly impossible to keep the guy off the field. Quarterback Lamar Jackson (toe) and nose tackle Travis Jones (ankle) returned to practice as well after both missed Monday’s walk-through. Jackson was a full participant, while Jones was limited. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who has been sidelined for two games with an ankle injury, was listed as limited Monday afternoon and rejoined his teammates for a normal practice Tuesday as a full participant. Harbaugh said Bateman “looks good.” Cornerback Keyon Martin was also a full participant, ramping back up from a rib injury he suffered in Cleveland. Running back Justice Hill and defensive tackle Taven Bryan were the team’s only two absences. Hill did not practice because of a neck injury. Bryan suffered a right knee injury in Sunday’s win over New York. He was seen wearing a brace in the locker room after the game. Harbaugh said testing revealed a “three-to-four-week type of injury” that could land him on injured reserve. As for Cincinnati, quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to make his highly anticipated return from a Week 2 turf toe injury that required surgery. He’ll have wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase back from a one-game suspension. His other top wideout, Tee Higgins, entered concussion protocol this week and won’t play Thursday. Meanwhile, starting defensive end Trey Hendrickson hasn’t played for Cincinnati since a hip injury in late October. Neither he nor Higgins practiced this week. Extra points • The New Orleans Saints invited embattled former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker for a tryout, along with former Bengals kicker Cade York. The Saints reportedly signed York to their practice squad Tuesday morning, leaving Tucker still searching for a team since his 10-game suspension by the NFL over sexual misconduct allegations ended. • Harbaugh said former third-round draft pick Adisa Isaac suffered a setback from his elbow injury. Baltimore previously had hopes of bringing the edge rusher back this season, but he’s “not closer” to returning. • Rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. was active on Sunday for the first time in his career. Harbaugh was ready to play him “if needed” and “not opposed” to rotating him in for reps. • Ravens legends Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda are semifinalists to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a second consecutive year. Both players were finalists a year ago but fell short of induction. Finalists for this year will be announced Dec. 3, and the Hall of Fame Class will be announced in February. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles Watch Episode 13 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice, ready for Thanksgiving game 5 things to know for Ravens-Bengals Thanksgiving game This Indiana high schooler flirted with Derrick Henry’s rushing record Bengals’ Joe Burrow nears his return with Ravens up next on Thanksgiving View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was back at practice Tuesday. It marked the third straight week he missed a day of practice early in the week only to return a day later. This week, it was a toe injury that kept him out of Monday’s walk-through session after ankle and knee injuries each of the past two weeks. He also missed three games earlier this season because of a hamstring injury. His appearance is a good sign for his availability for Thursday night’s showdown against the division rival Cincinnati Bengals, who will have their starting quarterback, Joe Burrow, back under center after toe surgery had kept him out since Week 2. The Ravens (6-5) are looking for their sixth straight win and to maintain the top spot in the AFC North. Jackson has struggled of late, though. Over his past three games, he is averaging just 174 yards passing and 19 yards rushing with only one passing touchdown and two interceptions during that span. Jackson, along with coach John Harbaugh, is scheduled to speak with reporters following practice. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles 5 things to know for Ravens-Bengals Thanksgiving game This Indiana high schooler flirted with Derrick Henry’s rushing record Bengals’ Joe Burrow nears his return with Ravens up next on Thanksgiving Ravens QB Lamar Jackson dealing with toe injury before Thanksgiving game READER POLL: How worried are you about Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense? View the full article

The Ravens’ Thanksgiving night game against the Cincinnati Bengals brings an unusual rhythm to the week for players, coaches and fans. From adjusted holiday plans to a full slate of local football, the prime-time matchup adds a distinctive backdrop to one of the season’s most important AFC North contests. Baltimore has played on Thanksgiving twice and won both games — a 16-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 and a 22-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013. “[There is] much to be grateful for, and the opportunity to play on Thanksgiving is something to be grateful for,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said at his Monday press conference. “It’s really an honor to be able to play on Thanksgiving and just to know that everybody’s going to be watching. It is a night game. Most of everybody doesn’t have to get up in the morning, I guess, unless you go shopping. Do people still do Black Friday shopping? … So, we’re looking forward to [playing on Thanksgiving], and obviously, it’s a very respected opponent. What questions do you have?” Here are 5 Things to Know: 1. Ravens’ holiday plans on hold Harbaugh calls Thanksgiving his “favorite holiday,” but the Ravens will postpone celebrations until after Thursday’s divisional matchup. “We’ll probably do it on Friday,” he said. “Hopefully it’ll be a happy Thanksgiving.” For several players, this will be their first time competing on the holiday. Wide receiver Zay Flowers said he is embracing the novelty and a special award for the game’s most valuable player. “I think this will be my first time playing on Thanksgiving,” Flowers said. “You can get the [NBC] Turkey leg, so that’d be exciting. Hopefully somebody gets the Turkey leg; I’m going to go over there with them.” Some players plan to mark the weekend with teammates. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley said he intends to host a Friendsgiving for the offensive line sometime over the long weekend. “We’ll host something like that during the break after the game,” he said. Bengals coach Zac Taylor has not announced his team’s holiday plans. 2. A full day of football The Ravens will not be the only team drawing local attention on Thanksgiving. Calvert Hall and Loyola Blakefield will meet for the 105th time at 10 a.m. at Towson University, continuing one of the region’s oldest football traditions. For some fans, the high school rivalry and the Ravens-Bengals game will create an all-day slate. Calvert Hall graduate Mark Maloney plans to watch the Turkey Bowl at home with his two sons — one a recent CHC graduate — before heading to M&T Bank Stadium. “My whole family is tailgating,” Maloney said. “Our Thanksgiving will be at H1.” Loyola alum Mike Dieter, whose two sons also attend the school, will be going to the Turkey Bowl at Towson, and then the family will make a 30-minute drive for dinner at a relative’s residence. “We decided we are going to enjoy the Ravens game from home with family,” he said. “It worked out well because we have friends who wanted our Ravens tickets.” 3. Adjusted routines for fans and the city The Thanksgiving night kickoff will alter the usual game-day traffic flow. Tailgates are expected to start later in the afternoon, and officials are urging fans to prepare for heavier congestion around the stadium due to holiday travel. Traffic modifications and road closures will begin at 5:20 p.m., including the temporary closure of the Ostend Street Bridge between Sharp and Warner streets. To assist with game day traffic, a special traffic pattern will be implemented along Warner Street for fans entering and leaving the stadium. Public transit will run on modified holiday schedules, and bus and light rail riders are encouraged to check updated times before traveling downtown. 4. Alternate uniforms and light show The Ravens will wear their Purple Rising alternate helmets, which debuted in 2024, paired with their all-purple Color Rush uniforms. Fans are encouraged to wear purple for the prime-time AFC North matchup. The first 30,000 fans in attendance will receive a ceramic Purple Rising gravy boat to mark the Thanksgiving holiday. For the second time this season — the first came during the Week 3 Monday Night Football game against Detroit — the stadium’s wristband system will produce coordinated in-seat light animations, including ravens flying through the crowd and other patterns designed to elevate the game-day atmosphere. 5. Lil Jon to perform Grammy Award-winning artist Lil Jon will perform from the Bud Light Touchdown Club at halftime. The rapper, producer and DJ rose to prominence as frontman of Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, helping bring Atlanta’s crunk sound to national and international audiences. He has produced hits for Usher, Ciara and Ludacris and collaborated with artists ranging from Pitbull and LMFAO to Ice Cube and DJ Snake. His 2010s anthem “Turn Down for What” cemented his reputation as a cross-genre hitmaker known for high-energy performances. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich. View the full article

Derrick Henry knows who he is. He’s seen the highlight tapes. He called Myles McLaughlin a beast and encouraged him to break the otherworldly high school rushing record Baltimore’s running back set in 2012. That all came to light in early November. Kay Adams, host of “Up and Adams,” earned a smile from the normally stoic Henry when explaining how McLaughlin was closing in on his 12,124 career rushing yards. The high school senior from Knox, Indiana, watched the viral clip while walking to English class. He was taking an interview — one of many media requests he’s filled this season — when his phone started buzzing uncontrollably. McLaughlin opened X to hear one of the greatest running backs in NFL history tell him, “Go break that record, man. Go get it.” McLaughlin hurried to show Neill Minix, Knox High School’s athletic director. Then the school’s assistant principal. Some of McLaughlin’s friends accused the video of being artificial intelligence, which to them made more sense than a future Hall of Famer getting excited over this kid from a small town in Indiana with four stop lights, a couple of restaurants and a graduating class of 120. Henry cheered him on. The lieutenant governor of Indiana shouted out McLaughlin on X. Rob Gronkowski, one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, called his film “absolutely absurd.” “None of it really feels real,” said McLaughlin, who holds national records in rushing touchdowns (71) and single-season rushing yards (4,846). For reference, Henry ran for 4,261 yards with 55 touchdowns during his senior campaign. A loss in Friday’s 3A state semifinal closed the curtain on Knox’s undefeated season, one win away from the school’s first state championship appearance. McLaughlin’s fairytale season ended at 11,839 yards, according to Minix (high school stats are often imperfect, leaving some outlets reporting within a reasonable standard deviation of that figure). That’s 331 yards shy of Henry, which sounds like a lot until a quick scan of McLaughlin’s game logs shows an average of over 350 yards per game. When Henry did it for Yulee High School in Florida, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound not-so-gentle giant in hulking pads and a yellow helmet, claimed the throne on a night he rushed for 480 yards in a 42-25 playoff beatdown. “I wasn’t really chasing the record,” he told The Baltimore Sun, “I was just playing football with the guys I grew up with, playing in front of my hometown.” The Ravens running back severely downplayed the accomplishment. That record stood for 59 years before it became Henry’s. Most — if not all — high school players don’t sniff the kind of workload it took to get there. Former NFL safety Ryan Clark famously joked on the “Pivot” podcast that Henry’s coach “should be in jail” for the onus he put on the Alabama commit. Henry once carried the ball 57 times in a game. He played a bit of defense, too. Everyone in the stadium knew where the ball was going. The same went for McLaughlin, who is admirably humble considering the position he’s in. Knox’s offensive playbook unsurprisingly revolved around its superstar. He played defense, too: McLaughlin sealed a recent playoff win on a game-ending interception. Oh, and he’s the team’s kicker. There’s been more than one instance this season in which he forced a turnover, took a solo mission driving the ball to the end zone, then footed it through the uprights all by himself. “I knew that I was gonna take a lot of carries this year,” McLaughlin said, of the preparation it takes to manage an unrelenting responsibility. “It was a lot of endurance training, too, because it’s a lot to run the ball 50 times and play every snap of defense and kick the ball.” McLaughlin started playing football in preschool, taking after his father, Josh, who was a legendary Knox running back in his own right. Dad’s school record was left in the dust during his son’s sophomore season. “I like to tease him sometimes about me breaking his record,” McLaughlin said, “but he was in a different style offense. He gets a little [upset] about it, but it’s OK.” Running back was always McLaughlin’s primary position. Josh loved to show his son Walter Payton highlights. “Sweetness,” who Henry recently passed for fifth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing touchdowns leaderboard, is the running back McLaughlin models himself after. “I feel like I run with the mindset that he had,” McLaughlin said, “just the way I never go out of bounds. And I have very good balance like he had.” McLaughlin dabbled at quarterback earlier in his high school career and split time between running back and quarterback at the beginning of this season. He has since transitioned to full-time quarterback for Knox. Russ Radtke, Indiana’s second all-time coaching wins leader (426), reshaped his offense from the triple option into a heavier shotgun run game. It produced historic success for McLaughlin — still etched into the national leaderboard. Related Articles Bengals’ Joe Burrow nears his return with Ravens up next on Thanksgiving Ravens QB Lamar Jackson dealing with toe injury before Thanksgiving game READER POLL: How worried are you about Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense? Ex-Ravens kicker Justin Tucker working out for Saints on Tuesday 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 23-10 win over the Jets Growing recognition hasn’t translated directly to college interest. McLaughlin didn’t receive any FCS offers until this fall, and an FBS school didn’t come knocking until this postseason run when his mom’s alma mater, Ball State, offered. Wherever McLaughlin ends up, he’ll forever hold close the memory of Henry’s support. Henry received the same treatment when he was a high school senior. Thirteen years ago, the Ravens running back usurped a Texas legend named Ken Hall. Hall played at Sugar Land High School, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston, from 1950 to 1953. He rushed for 11,232 yards, earning the nickname “The Sugar Land Express.” Days before Henry broke the record, Hall called. “I told Derrick on the phone the other day that there are some rules with holding the record,” he told MaxPreps in 2012. “You didn’t do it alone. There are 10 guys helping. Look up the word humility. Don’t bring it up. Let others bring it up first, and then talk about it. Have a lot of respect.” That’s how Henry carried himself as a high school senior. It’s how he talks about the record now, only when others bring it up first. And it’s how McLaughlin sounds over the phone, acknowledging the offensive linemen he’s invited over for steak dinners or Saturday breakfasts as a show of gratitude. Henry said he’d “cherish” Hall’s words of wisdom for a long time. The torch still belongs to Henry — he won’t have to pass it down just yet — but that viral clip on “Up and Adams” swelled the kid from Indiana with a pride the Ravens running back knows all about. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

CINCINNATI (AP) — The only thing it looks like Joe Burrow has to play for when he returns for the Bengals this week is trying to avoid a losing record. And even that will be a tall task. With Sunday’s 26-20 loss to New England, the Bengals (3-8) have dropped eight of nine since Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in a Sept. 14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are three games behind Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North and would likely need to win out and finish 9-8 to have a chance of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Cincinnati faces Baltimore twice in three games, beginning Thursday night. In between the matchups with the Ravens is a game at Buffalo on Dec. 7. Coach Zac Taylor on Monday said he anticipates that Burrow will play this week, but he was not ready to definitively say Burrow will start. “Coming off an injury he’s done everything he could. He put himself in position to do his best to play (Sunday). We’ll continue with that mindset. He looks like he’s in good shape right now and he can be ready to go,” Taylor said. Cincinnati’s descent from playoff contender to currently having the eighth pick in next year’s draft has some wondering if it makes sense for Burrow to return this season, especially since he’s had three significant injuries during his six years in the league. Taylor said the decision to play Burrow instead of backup Joe Flacco rests on one factor above all — winning. “Winning is important. We want to win, and Joe gives us a great chance to win,” Taylor said. “Again, Flacco has given us every opportunity. We haven’t lost games because of Joe Flacco. He’s gone out there and given us everything, and he understands that.” The biggest problem is that the Bengals can’t play complementary football. Their much-maligned defense allowed only one offensive touchdown to the Patriots, but a pick-6 by Flacco in the second quarter was part of New England’s comeback from a 10-point deficit. “There’s several games I wish we would have finished, as a team. You can look at two back-to-back (against the Jets and Bears), where we were (close), just somebody in some phase making one play would have been the game and didn’t get it done,” Taylor said. What’s working The Bengals exceeded 100 yards rushing for the fourth time in five games. Chase Brown went over the century mark for the second time this season with 107 yards on 19 carries. Cincinnati is averaging 118.8 rushing yards per game in its last five games, more than double the 56.7 average it had in its first six. What needs help Fourth-quarter defense. In 16 fourth-quarter drives (not including running out the clock at the end of the game), opponents have scored 13 times, with nine touchdowns and four field goals. That includes a pair of field goals by New England’s Andy Borregales. Stock up Safety Geno Stone had his second career pick-6 and a career-high 13 tackles. The six-year veteran came into the game tied for the league lead in missed tackles with 16. Stock down Flacco. The 18-year veteran threw a pick-6 for the second straight game when he didn’t see New England cornerback Marcus Jones jump a flat route. Jones went untouched for a 33-yard TD. Flacco has five picks that have been returned for touchdowns since 2023. Injuries WR Tee Higgins (concussion), DE Trey Hendrickson (hip) and RB Tahj Brooks (concussion) have already been ruled out for Thursday. Key numbers 5 — Times in Taylor’s seven years as coach the Bengals have had a losing record through 11 games. They were 4-7 at this point last season. 3-6 — Burrow’s career record as starter vs. the Ravens. What’s next Cincinnati visits Baltimore on Thanksgiving night. It is the third straight year the Bengals and Ravens have played a prime-time game in Baltimore. The Ravens (6-5) have won five straight. View the full article

Another week, another new injury for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. This time it’s his toe. Jackson was listed with the injury on the team’s first injury report of the week, which was an estimation after Baltimore held a walk-through on Monday evening. He was one of four players not to practice and coincidentally the news comes on the same day that Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor said quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been sidelined since Week 2 with a toe injury, is expected to start Thursday night against the Ravens in Baltimore. It was also the latest in a spate of injuries for the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, who earlier this season missed three games with a hamstring injury and has since been plagued by knee and ankle injuries as well. Asked about Jackson’s health after practice but before the injury report was released, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said only, “He’s good.” Each of the past two Wednesdays Jackson missed practice with a knee and then an ankle injury but he went on to play in both wins, over the Browns in Cleveland and then this past Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium against the New York Jets. He was not sharp in either game, however. Against the Browns, Jackson completed 56% of his passes for 193 with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also sacked five times and held to just 10 yards rushing on four carries in the 23-16 victory. Versus the Jets, he completed 56.5% of his passes for 153 yards and no touchdowns and was held to 11 yards rushing on seven attempts in a 23-10 win. With just 176 yards passing and a touchdown in a 27-19 win over the Vikings in Minnesota three games ago, it marked the first time in five years that Jackson was held under 200 yards passing for three straight contests. Sunday was also the first time in six years that he has gone back-to-back games without a touchdown pass. Jackson was not available to reporters on Monday but after the win over the Jets was asked if injuries have hampered his play and he dismissed the notion, saying, “I’m out there so I feel like I should still be able to do what I do.” “I feel like we just need to execute a lot better,” Jackson said. “We get in great field position, but we’re not pulling points on the board. That has nothing to do with an injury.” He is also not the only Ravens player dealing with an injury following the Jets game. Others who did not practice Monday included defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle), safety Kyle Hamilton (ankle) and defensive tackle Taven Bryan (knee). Harbaugh said Hamilton has a chance to play Thursday but that Bryan could be a candidate for injured reserve. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who has missed each of the past two games with an ankle injury, and cornerback Keyon Martin (rib) were both limited, meanwhile. Related Articles READER POLL: How worried are you about Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense? Ex-Ravens kicker Justin Tucker working out for Saints on Tuesday 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 23-10 win over the Jets Josh Tolentino: Ravens win again, but offensive questions stay | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson doesn’t look like himself | COMMENTARY For Cincinnati (3-8), Taylor has already ruled out defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip/pelvis), wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) and running back Tahj Brooks (concussion). Cornerback Marco Wilson (hamstring) was the only other Bengals player not to practice, while defensive end Cam Sample (oblique) and quarterback Joe Flacco (right shoulder/finger) were both limited. The Ravens will have their only full practice of the week on Tuesday and that should be a good indicator for Jackson’s availability for Thursday’s game. Baltimore (6-5) is looking for its sixth straight win after moving into first place in the AFC North with its latest victory. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens won their fifth straight game Sunday. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Baltimore struggled to beat the lowly New York Jets, 23-10, at home on Sunday, and star quarterback Lamar Jackson failed to throw a touchdown pass for a second straight game for the first time since 2019. How worried are you about Jackson and the Ravens’ offense? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

Former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is working out for the New Orleans Saints on Monday, according to multiple reports. The embattled ex-Baltimore star’s 10-game suspension by the NFL over sexual misconduct allegations concluded earlier this month, clearing the way for the 35-year-old to return to the league. The workout with the Saints is his first since being reinstated. Tucker is reportedly one of two kickers New Orleans is trying out, along with veteran Cade York. The Saints’ current kicker is Blake Grupe, who has struggled mightily this season. The third-year kicker has made just 18 of 26 field goal attempts, which included 1 of 3 in a 24-10 loss on Sunday to the Atlanta Falcons. Tucker, meanwhile, is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, ranking fourth all-time with a field goal accuracy rate of 89.1%. He’s also coming off the worst season of his career, making just 73.3% of his field goal attempts and missing two extra points. The Ravens released Tucker in May, calling it a “football decision,” and general manager Eric DeCosta made no mention of the allegations in a statement at the time. In January, The Baltimore Banner first reported that six massage therapists said Tucker exposed his genitals, brushed two of them with his exposed penis and left what was believed to be ejaculate on the massage table following three treatments. More than a dozen massage therapists made similar accusations, all having allegedly taken place between 2012 and 2016, and about five months later, he was suspended by the NFL. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 23-10 win over the Jets Josh Tolentino: Ravens win again, but offensive questions stay | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson doesn’t look like himself | COMMENTARY Ravens defense stars again in win over Jets: ‘Starting to come together’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 23-10 win over Jets View the full article

A win is a win. The Ravens earned their fifth straight in a slugfest, 23-10, over the Jets on Sunday. It pulled Baltimore into a first-place tie with the Steelers atop the AFC North and sets the stage for a compelling final stretch. Here are five things we learned: Ravens’ offense is getting worse before it gets better Compared with last year’s offense, with nearly identical personnel having produced historic success, this Ravens offense is wearing a fake mustache with a new hairdo and some funky, out-of-style clothes. They look nothing like they did in 2024. Besting the two-win Jets, a game they rarely seemed in full control of, provided a damning indictment of their flaws. Lamar Jackson didn’t flash any vintage elusiveness, which seems more and more likely to be a product of injury (hamstring, knee or ankle). The few times he did get out in space, Jackson never hit a second gear. This makes two straight games without a passing touchdown, something he hasn’t done in the same season since October 2019. “The pretty games will be there,” coach John Harbaugh assured. “They’ll be there for Lamar Jackson; you can bet on that. But I’m proud of the way he’s fighting to win football games.” Jackson refuted the injury hypothesis. His ankle was “pretty solid,” and as long as he’s out there, he said, “I should still be able to do what I do.” Still, Baltimore’s two touchdown drives required a helping hand. On third-and-15, Jackson floated a prayer to Mark Andrews, who was defended by a straitjacket. Defensive pass interference picked up 30 yards. Shortly after, cornerback Nate Wiggins forced the Jets into a fourth-down blunder. That gifted the Ravens the ball across midfield, too. They still needed a third-down DPI to keep the drive alive. And for the second time, Derrick Henry punched it in, which can be enough against the Jets but won’t keep pace with any team they might face in January. By halftime, New York, with one of the least efficient offenses in the NFL, had more points, more first downs, more third-down conversions, more rushing yards, more passing yards, more total yards, more total plays and were winning time of possession. Baltimore barely did enough in the second half to separate on the scoreboard. “I feel that we’re clicking enough to win,” wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said, “and that’s all that matters, man.” Dre’Mont Jones was exactly what the Ravens needed Dre’Mont Jones had the kind of performance that gets you drug tested by the NFL: 1 1/2 disruptive sacks while showing off extra athleticism by swatting a pass at the line of scrimmage for good measure. “Like, it’s a coincidence?” Jones side-eyed with a grin. The urine test prolonged his wait to see family. Jones shrugged, “Guess it happens.” Jones felt like he was close in his first two games as Raven. Close to playing at the level he impressed with in Tennessee before the midseason trade. “Annoyed the [crap] out of me,” he said. This one, Sunday afternoon in his first home game at M&T Bank Stadium, justified a deadline deal some thought wouldn’t move the needle. The Ravens needed it to — they were in dire straits. Two pass rushers suffered season-ending injuries. Days after Odafe Oweh was traded to the West Coast, Tavius Robinson broke his foot. Neither Kyle Van Noy nor Travis Jones played like game wreckers through 10 weeks. Rookie Mike Green was still getting acclimated, too. Related Articles Josh Tolentino: Ravens win again, but offensive questions stay | COMMENTARY Mike Preston: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson doesn’t look like himself | COMMENTARY Ravens defense stars again in win over Jets: ‘Starting to come together’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 23-10 win over Jets Ravens struggle to beat Jets, 23-10, win 5th straight, take AFC North lead When the Ravens traded for Jones earlier this month, he confidently vowed his new team would be getting “somebody who is physical as hell, who is going to attack every play.” Jones would “kill or be killed.” He’s done more of the latter since the trade deadline, clicking into place with a group that has turned a corner. On Sunday, in the final minute before halftime, Jones curled around a 330-pound first-round pick and snatched Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s foot. One hand clutched his shoe and the other pawed at Taylor’s leg until officials ruled him down, pushing the Jets out of field goal range. The other was a half-sack split with Taven Bryan, halting another drive on third down in the fourth quarter. General manager Eric DeCosta fit into the deal that if Jones registered two sacks and the Ravens made the playoffs, the conditional fifth-round pick they sent to Tennessee would become a fourth-rounder. Jones checked the first box. He’ll be crucial in checking the second. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey said Jones has fit seamlessly into their defensive culture. Green gushed about his versatility to line up anywhere along the defensive front and still be a difference-maker. “Getting them on the ground late,” Harbaugh said, “that was huge.” As the locker room cleared out, Jones wanted to find his family. He bugged three people for help finding the exit. Jones is still getting acclimated. The self-proclaimed “pretty angry person” has had no issue adjusting on the front lines. Jordan Stout is making an All-Pro case Take a bow, Jordan Stout. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore’s punter deposited the ball at the 5-yard line at just the right angle that his 67-yard drive skipped out of bounds. Any chance at late-game heroics from the Jets would start pinned against the fringe of their own end zone. How’d it feel? Stout couldn’t really put words to it. The adrenaline blacked out his memory of the moment; he laughed, “I lost control of my body.” Stout flared his arms out wide like Leonardo DiCaprio in a scene from “The Wolf of Wall Street.” M&T Bank Stadium’s big screen gave Stout his moment to relish. Everyone loved it. Ravens punter Jordan Stout, right, celebrates with fullback Patrick Ricard after a punt. Stout hit four punts for an average of just over 61 yards per kick. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Jones said he’d never seen a punter strike with such accuracy in a high-leverage moment like that. Harbaugh called the punt team difference-makers. As for Stout, “I think he’s kind of found himself,” Harbaugh said. “Sometimes you have to figure out, what type of a punter am I going to be? And I think he’s really punting to his strengths.” The fourth-quarter boot wasn’t even his best of the day. Before halftime, Stout launched the ball 74 yards. That set a new career long and tied the franchise record, held by his predecessor, Sam Koch. Koch has been a sounding board along Stout’s development into one of the league’s best during a career year, which became obvious in this win. But Stout knew most NFL watchers considered New York to own the league’s best special teams unit. “We knew that,” he said. “So we all were going out there trying to prove that it was us.” More specifically, in this one, it was Stout. It’s a rarity that punters hold court in the postgame locker room. In some cases, his voice might help explain why the kicker did well. Or his perspective can provide color about a teammate’s highlight. Punters are the one position in football whose job it is to give the other team the ball. In this ugly win over the lowly Jets, on a day when the offense wasn’t quite clicking, plenty of attention was left for the punter. Takeaways really are the secret sauce This is what they were saying all along, right? Win the turnover battle, and the math says you’re basically a shoe-in to win. Well, no matter how ugly, wonky, or confounding this winning streak has been, takeaways have made the difference. In every Ravens loss this season, they lost the turnover battle. And all but one win, last week versus Cleveland, they’ve forced more takeaways than they’ve coughed up. Sunday fed the sample size. Baltimore built a 10-point lead. New York responded with as efficient an offensive drive as we’d seen all day. Four plays went 74 yards. Breece Hall was responsible for 55 of them, knifing through the Ravens’ defense like tinfoil. He picked up another 10 yards, churning down to the 2-yard line, when Humphrey — who’s playing with a cast engulfing three fingers on his left hand — jolted the ball loose. Alohi Gilman pounced on it. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey rips the ball away from Jets running back Breece Hall. Baltimore forced two second-half turnovers in the 13-point victory. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “We were reeling a little bit; they had us on our heels,” Harbaugh said. “They were running the ball, they had made some plays, and we’d missed some tackles. And then he comes up — he comes up just huge. To me, that’s the lion spike right there.” The lion spike is a biblical reference to a football kill shot. Starting in December 2018, Harbaugh has, at times, awarded a physical spike to the player who makes such a defining play. The one, as he says, who metaphorically administers the knife into the lion’s mouth — or in this case, Jets’ exhaust — to decide a football game. Sunday, that was Humphrey. And then it was cornerback T.J. Tampa, his first career pick, with 13 seconds left. Both upheld Baltimore’s newfound takeaway streak. The Ravens forced two through five games, each in Week 2 versus Cleveland. They’ve forced 11 in six outings since. It has fueled another streak: six straight games holding opponents under 20 points. Defensive efforts have helped swing much of this winning streak, with the offense still finding its footing. Takeaways deserve a fair chunk of credit. From 1-5 to division leader Days after the Ravens lost a heartbreaker in Buffalo, Humphrey passed along a message from his former NFL running back father. Bobby Humphrey called his son, who reiterated the message to his teammates, “Don’t be surprised if y’all don’t lose another game.” The Ravens lost four of their next five. Rah-rah speeches and get-on-the-same-page meetings never translated to Sundays. It seemed Baltimore blew its championship window. Three months later, that championship window creaked back open. Bobby’s forecast for a winning streak came two months premature, but the Ravens are now on a five-game heater. They’re a game above .500 for the first time this season, having surged from last place in the AFC North to a tie with Pittsburgh for the division lead. How healthy the Ravens are will help decide how long that window stays open. Jackson hasn’t looked like himself but insists it’s not injury-related. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton exited early with a shoulder injury that Harbaugh said is not serious. His availability is about as crucial to their plans as the starting quarterback’s. “The season is not over,” Harbaugh said. “We play the Steelers twice, and we play the Bengals twice in the next few weeks. So, that’s going to be it right there. And it’s starting Thursday night, we have no time, really, to rest. We’ve got to go to work on the Bengals, and we know what that’s like — how challenging that is — so we’ll be ready to go.” Now, is when the intrigue really begins. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy pressures Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Baltimore held New York to one touchdown and fewer than 300 total yards. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

In the waning moments of the Ravens’ latest victory, the big screens at M&T Bank Stadium rolled through Derrick Henry’s latest career feats — his 30th multitouchdown game and his rise past Marcus Allen and Edgerrin James in all-time rushing yards — all while displaying a live close-up of the future Hall of Famer in purple. The fans roared, but Henry, seated on the home bench, didn’t look up or acknowledge his latest accomplishments. As Henry kept his head bowed, his nonresponse represented the body language of one of the team’s top playmakers measuring the offense against a higher internal standard. Sure, the Ravens keep winning. Their 23-10 victory over the Jets represented their fifth straight as they climbed above .500 for the first time this season. But the Ravens are striving for much more, especially on offense — a unit that hasn’t scored an opening-drive touchdown since Sept. 28 at Kansas City. Ask anyone about the state of the offense inside the celebratory home locker room, where Henry’s postgame interview lasted all of one minute, and you’ll receive a similar response. “Good we won. Looking forward to Thursday,” Henry said. “We’ve got to be better. We’ve got to be better on offense.” Asked to elaborate on what the offense can improve on, Henry replied: “Play better. Execute. I don’t know what else to say. We just need to play better and get all 11 to execute and play together, put drives together and put up points.” Center Tyler Linderbaum shared similar frustration to Henry’s: “We still need to improve. You’ve got to find ways to win ball games. It certainly helps when you have a good defense, they’re certainly playing at a high level. Obviously, we want to play to play at a higher level, too. We’re going to keep searching and keep trying to improve.” The Ravens failed on all five of their third-down attempts in the first half Sunday and registered just 72 total yards on 24 plays, marking their lowest yardage output in a single half this season. They eventually mustered enough key plays to crawl to victory. Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 13 of 23 passes for just 153 yards; the Ravens now have 10 games this season with fewer than 200 passing yards, compared with just five in all of 2024. Jackson has also recorded his lowest and second-lowest passer ratings of the season in back-to-back weeks. Jackson refuses to concede that he’s slowed or that his multiple lower-body injuries are affecting him. When you watch the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, though, it’s obvious that Jackson is playing with some sort of limitation that is affecting his feared elusiveness and speed. Said Jackson: “We just need to execute a lot better. We get in great field position, but we’re not putting points on the board.” What’s it going to take for a sluggish unit to flip the switch? With six regular-season games remaining, coordinator Todd Monken needs to adjust to personnel limitations. He doesn’t have a healthy Jackson right now and continues to work around a disappointing offensive line that ranks 27th in pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus. Baltimore’s run blocking ranks ninth in the NFL, yet Henry averaged just 3 yards per carry against the Jets, his third-lowest mark of the season. Sunday also marked Henry’s fourth game this season with less than 4 yards per carry. In stark comparison, Henry registered a single-game rushing average lower than 4 yards just once all of last season. Woof. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, shown during training camp, hasn't generated the same success for his unit this season as he did during an incredible 2024 campaign. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) After acquiring defensive end Dre’Mont Jones and safety Alohi Gilman before the trade deadline, general manager Eric DeCosta did not make any additions to support the offense, representing his similar approach to this past offseason. The lone reinforcement was fullback Patrick Ricard’s return from a calf injury; he made his season debut in late October, and the Ravens are 5-0 since. Even with Ricard’s impact in the run game, the offense hasn’t found a consistent rhythm. It’s especially surprising given that the Ravens have relied on continuity in the trenches. Aside from allowing Patrick Mekari to walk in free agency and swapping him with Andrew Vorhees at left guard, the Ravens continue to trot out the same returning starters in left tackle Ronnie Stanley, Linderbaum, right guard Daniel Faalele and right tackle Roger Rosengarten. “We need to be on the same page, be super efficient on first down,” Rosengarten said. “So many things go into [offensive success], but getting the play call in, doing your job and doing it with a high level of physicality.” Veteran defensive back Marlon Humphrey insists that the team’s mindset remains strong, even if the offensive execution isn’t. “Earlier in the season, the defense, we were the worst in the league, and the offense wasn’t really finger-pointing at us,” said Humphrey, who had a touchdown-saving forced fumble on Jets running back Breece Hall. “I think this team is really starting to come together. … It seems like we’re all working toward something, even when something’s not right, if offense isn’t right, we’re still building with one another. So, it’s really encouraging.” Another veteran, wideout DeAndre Hopkins, offered his perspective: “I find satisfaction in the wins still. It’s the NFL. A win is a win, so it doesn’t matter how it happens. I came here because I knew they had Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry here. Those guys are playing for something. I feel like we’re clicking enough to win and that’s all that matters, man. You look at teams around the league whose record isn’t what ours is, but they could be statistically ranked as one of the highest offenses. I’d rather be in this position than statistically the best on paper.” Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson doesn’t look like himself | COMMENTARY Ravens defense stars again in win over Jets: ‘Starting to come together’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 23-10 win over Jets Ravens struggle to beat Jets, 23-10, win 5th straight, take AFC North lead Instant analysis from Ravens’ 23-10 win over Jets The Ravens’ offense, headlined by playmakers including Jackson, Henry, wide receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Hopkins, and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, right now feels unreliable. Baltimore will display flashes in spurts, but the Ravens, more often in recent weeks, have shown a sense of sloppiness that won’t disappear. It’s quite maddening, especially considering we witnessed the unit’s ceiling in Week 1. Those first three quarters in the season opener at Buffalo showed an offensive juggernaut. However, defenses have adapted to the Jackson-Henry duo. Monken must do the same. The Ravens have won five in a row, but the structural challenges of an offense that struggles in the red zone and on critical downs linger. Up next comes an ever-important closing stretch. Of its six remaining games, Baltimore has four divisional contests against the Bengals and Steelers. Which version of this offense will surface when the stakes rise in January? Will the Ravens put together a complete four-quarter performance before then? This season still holds enormous promise. But sooner than later, the offense needs to stop leaning on potential and start producing results that match the standard held by Henry and his teammates. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article