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Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday night’s Week 18 game between the Ravens and Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh that will decide the AFC North champion: Brian Wacker, reporter Steelers 20, Ravens 17: Receiver DK Metcalf not being available for the Steelers is significant, if not game-shifting. The Ravens’ defense is also not nearly as good as the Cleveland Browns’, so Aaron Rodgers, a masterful operator, should be able to have some success against cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey as well as linebacker Trenton Simpson underneath and over the middle. If the Ravens learned anything from last week’s win over the Green Bay Packers, it’s that moments like these are why they got Derrick Henry. The bruising back ran for 162 punishing yards against the Steelers in an easy and crucial win in Baltimore last December, though Pittsburgh didn’t have stout rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon then. The return of Lamar Jackson also bolsters the offense. But weird things happen in Pittsburgh, which has been a house of horrors for the Ravens’ quarterback and a few of his teammates in recent years. The longer this game stays close and the more discordant it is, the more that favors the Steelers. The Ravens, meanwhile, have been a tease all year. Why would this be any different? Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 20, Steelers 17: A few factors that could help determine how this game goes intertwine like a loaf of challah. The Ravens have been much sharper on the road (5-2) than they are at home (3-6). They’ve also played worse in prime time games, compared with the afternoon slate. Both quarterbacks are in line for legacy games: Jackson, a quintessential final test for this bumpy regular season; and Rodgers, 42 years old looking to turn back the clock in what could be his final shot at a playoff run. The upward trend of the Ravens of late compared with the downward arrow in Pittsburgh gives me more confidence in Baltimore — by a smidge. It feels like a toss up between two teams unworthy of playoff contention. All that said, no DK Metcalf leaves a gaping hole in the Steelers’ offense. Metcalf torched the Ravens when these teams met a few weeks back. Expect Rodgers to play better than he did in Cleveland, but not by enough to overpower what is still a talented Ravens secondary. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 24, Steelers 10: Unless the Ravens turn the ball over, they should win this game, and do it fairly easily. Pittsburgh is missing two of its top receivers and doesn’t have a long ball threat in the absence of DK Metcalf, who is serving the second of a two-game suspension. Pittsburgh’s run defense is good, but the Ravens should keep pounding the ball with Derrick Henry. Not only do they control the time of possession, but they also keep their No. 25 ranked defense off the field. Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers has to have a great game, but that doesn’t seem promising without a big-time receiver on the outside. Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 24, Steelers 21: Lamar Jackson returning to practice as a full participant in all three sessions for the first time in two months might be the headliner ahead of this fascinating Week 18 showdown, but the Ravens need to run the ball again and again with Derrick Henry, who will be celebrating his 32nd birthday Sunday night. The Steelers regain key cog Derrick Harmon, a stud rookie defensive tackle who missed the first meeting involving these two teams, and might sell out to stop King Henry. But Todd Monken must lean on the team’s identity and physicality in this win-or-go home matchup. When Jackson is asked to create explosive plays, the two-time NFL MVP must prioritize ball security and not gift Pittsburgh any free possessions. The Ravens lost their first two road games at Buffalo and Kansas City, but have since rattled off five straight wins away from M&T Bank Stadium. With Baltimore riding the shoulders of Henry, plus Jackson’s pending return, Sunday night figures to be road win No. 6. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 20, Steelers 16: Lamar Jackson is available, and DK Metcalf isn’t. Need we say more? Sure, there’s a world in which Jackson is rusty and struggles against a Pittsburgh defense that has slowed him down many times before, but he has the luxury of handing it off to Derrick Henry. The Steelers’ best playmaker right now is Kenneth Gainwell. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Adam Thielen and Scotty Miller are too old, Calvin Austin III is banged up, and Roman Wilson is unproven. It would take a comedy of mistakes and missed opportunities for the Ravens to squander this opportunity that was handed to them on a silver platter thanks to the Browns’ surprising win over Pittsburgh last week. The real question to me isn’t whether the Ravens win this game, but how far they go after that. Some sportsbooks already make Baltimore a slight favorite at home against the Texans, the likely No. 5 seed, in the wild-card round. This game is a perfect test to see whether the Ravens can finally start to show that Super Bowl potential. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 23, Steelers 17: The Ravens’ biggest weakness is probably their secondary, but without DK Metcalf, can Pittsburgh really stress Baltimore’s corners? The Steelers’ injury and suspension situation looks more dire than Baltimore’s. A healthier Lamar Jackson obviously helps the Ravens, but offensive coordinator Todd Monken shouldn’t need to put the game in Jackson’s hands, especially if he’s less than 100% healthy. The plan for Baltimore should be simple: Give the ball to Derrick Henry and play decent defense against a short-handed Steelers offense. This is a de facto playoff game, but the Steelers don’t look like a playoff team with Metcalf sidelined. Tim Schwartz, reporter Ravens 28, Steelers 21: Lamar Jackson is back. Derrick Henry is rolling. The defense has turned a corner. Is that enough for the Ravens? It should be against a Steelers squad that has been reeling and looked totally lost last Sunday in Cleveland without wide receiver DK Metcalf. Baltimore rediscovered its identity without Jackson by running Henry over and over. This coaching staff should know by now that that is the Ravens’ recipe for success. Count on Jackson to manage the game and pick up some key third downs and Baltimore will win. A loss very well could spell the end of the Harbaugh-Jackson relationship, so they better show up. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 27, Steelers 24: The Ravens have come a long way since a 1-5 start to the season. It’s been a year of injuries and ups and downs, but here we are. It all comes down to this one game. If the Ravens have Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, I think they can do it. Baltimore needs to feed the ball to Henry and go for a division title. Have a news tip? Contact Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

When Saints nose tackle Broderick Bunkley suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury in 2013, he told then-teammate and rookie John Jenkins to not give New Orleans a reason to bring someone else in. Thirteen years and seven teams later, it has proven to be sage advice. On Friday, the Ravens signed Jenkins to a one-year extension, the team announced. The deal is for one year and $2.1 million, a source with direct knowledge of the contract confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. “I’m excited,” Jenkins said Friday. “Ya’ll know I been around the whole America and having my first extension in 13 years, I’m excited.” Indeed. The 6-foot-3, 360-pound defensive tackle had ostensibly been on 11 one-year deals over the course of what has been a solid if unspectacular career with seven teams. “So yeah, I was surprised,” he said. Jenkins, 36, wasn’t sure that he would be back at all. “Being in this position, 13 years, you start thinking about life after football,” he said. “So I was having some conversations with some people in the front office and things of that nature and they were like, ‘Hey listen, you still got it.’ You think so? Next thing you know, here we are.” The deal also comes after what has been a strong season for the veteran. In 16 games, Jenkins has 36 tackles, including three for loss, and two forced fumbles. His Pro Football Focus grade is also his best since 2021. And he has helped plug the middle of a run defense that over the past two months has been one of the best in the NFL. Just as importantly, he has been a dependable presence in the middle after Baltimore lost Nnamdi Madubuike to a season-ending neck injury in Week 2 and not long after veteran Broderick Washington to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury. Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson gets full week of practice; key defender missing Staff picks for Week 18 of 2025 NFL season: Panthers at Buccaneers, Seahawks at 49ers and more Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 18: Who has the edge? Why Ravens’ Travis Jones could be difference-maker vs. Steelers: ‘Like a tree stump’ With DK Metcalf suspended, Ravens aim to dictate Steelers’ offense With Madubuike’s future uncertain, the Ravens at least know they will now have Jenkins and Travis Jones for the immediate future after Jones signed a three-year extension last month. That organizational faith in Jenkins is one of the reasons the seasoned defender was more than happy to stick around. “They believed in me to not bring somebody else in,” he said. “That says a lot when things like that happen.” As for the secret to lasting that long at one of the most physically demanding positions in the sport? “Just know that it’s not very glorifying,” Jenkins said. “I make a joke with [fullback] Pat Ricard — he’s the nose tackle of the offense. We just grind, do our job and set people up to make plays.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

For the first time in two months, quarterback Lamar Jackson participated in practice all week. It couldn’t come at a better time for Baltimore, with the AFC North championship game set for Sunday night. Still, the Ravens entered the new year much as they had spent much of 2025: managing absences. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey was not at Friday’s practice despite not appearing on the injury report earlier in the week, while receiver Rashod Bateman missed his third practice this week because of an illness. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, however, returned Friday after missing time earlier in the week. Humphrey has dealt with several injuries this season. He missed Week 11 against Cleveland after having finger surgery and also sat out Week 5 against Houston with a calf injury. His absence could push Chidobe Awuzie into a starting role on the outside. Awuzie has played 436 snaps at outside corner this season, allowing 23 catches for 259 yards and one touchdown. That potential matchup would come against a Pittsburgh receiving corps without top target DK Metcalf, which struggled in his absence during last week’s 13-6 loss to Cleveland. Van Noy was seen Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday with a quad injury, a promising sign for his availability Sunday in Pittsburgh. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley was also not seen at practice, though the 10-year veteran has routinely used Fridays as a rest day. Stanley has played in all but one game this season. Bateman’s absence is familiar territory for Baltimore. The 2021 first-round draft pick missed three games earlier this year with a high ankle sprain after signing a three-year extension in June. Those injuries contrast with Jackson’s full return to the practice field — his first since Week 10 against Minnesota. During that stretch, he was listed with knee, ankle and toe injuries, along with a back contusion that caused him to miss Sunday’s 41-24 win at Green Bay. “It’s been that long ago where we get Lamar in a full week of practice and timing with the receivers and our communication,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said Thursday. Jackson said Thursday he will “100%” start against Pittsburgh and first felt confident he would play Monday. He will wear bulky padding on his back, similar to what he wore during his rookie season. At last, Baltimore’s quarterback is back. “It feels great to be out there with my guys, as always,” Jackson said Thursday. “I am looking forward to playing on Sunday.” This story will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Related Articles Ravens veteran NT John Jenkins ‘surprised’ by extension, his first in NFL Staff picks for Week 18 of 2025 NFL season: Panthers at Buccaneers, Seahawks at 49ers and more Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 18: Who has the edge? Why Ravens’ Travis Jones could be difference-maker vs. Steelers: ‘Like a tree stump’ With DK Metcalf suspended, Ravens aim to dictate Steelers’ offense 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 18: Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) Brian Wacker (8-8 last week, 166-88-1 overall): Panthers Sam Cohn (8-8 last week, 167-87-1 overall): Panthers Mike Preston (9-7 last week, 164-90-1 overall): Buccaneers Josh Tolentino (7-9 last week, 166-88-1 overall): Buccaneers C.J. Doon (12-4 last week, 164-90-1 overall): Panthers Bennett Conlin (8-8 last week, 166-88-1 overall): Panthers Tim Schwartz (9-7 last week, 153-101-1 overall): Buccaneers Patrice Sanders (11-5 last week, 159-95-1 overall): Buccaneers Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers (Saturday, 8 p.m.) Wacker: 49ers Cohn: Seahawks Preston: 49ers Tolentino: Seahawks Doon: 49ers Conlin: Seahawks Schwartz: Seahawks Sanders: 49ers New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Falcons Cohn: Falcons Preston: Falcons Tolentino: Falcons Doon: Saints Conlin: Falcons Schwartz: Saints Sanders: Falcons Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Bengals Cohn: Bengals Preston: Bengals Tolentino: Bengals Doon: Bengals Conlin: Bengals Schwartz: Bengals Sanders: Bengals Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Texans Cohn: Texans Preston: Colts Tolentino: Texans Doon: Texans Conlin: Texans Schwartz: Texans Sanders: Texans Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Jaguars Cohn: Jaguars Preston: Jaguars Tolentino: Jaguars Doon: Jaguars Conlin: Jaguars Schwartz: Jaguars Sanders: Jaguars Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Packers Cohn: Packers Preston: Packers Tolentino: Packers Doon: Vikings Conlin: Vikings Schwartz: Packers Sanders: Packers Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Cowboys Cohn: Cowboys Preston: Cowboys Tolentino: Cowboys Doon: Cowboys Conlin: Cowboys Schwartz: Cowboys Sanders: Cowboys New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Bills Cohn: Bills Preston: Bills Tolentino: Bills Doon: Bills Conlin: Bills Schwartz: Bills Sanders: Bills Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Bears Cohn: Bears Preston: Lions Tolentino: Bears Doon: Bears Conlin: Bears Schwartz: Lions Sanders: Bears Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Broncos Cohn: Broncos Preston: Broncos Tolentino: Broncos Doon: Broncos Conlin: Broncos Schwartz: Broncos Sanders: Broncos Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Rams Cohn: Rams Preston: Rams Tolentino: Rams Doon: Rams Conlin: Rams Schwartz: Rams Sanders: Rams Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Raiders Cohn: Chiefs Preston: Chiefs Tolentino: Chiefs Doon: Chiefs Conlin: Chiefs Schwartz: Chiefs Sanders: Chiefs Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Patriots Cohn: Patriots Preston: Dolphins Tolentino: Patriots Doon: Patriots Conlin: Patriots Schwartz: Patriots Sanders: Patriots Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Eagles Cohn: Eagles Preston: Eagles Tolentino: Eagles Doon: Eagles Conlin: Eagles Schwartz: Eagles Sanders: Eagles Have a news tip? Contact Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

Surprisingly, this is a new one. For the first time in their storied, decades-old rivalry, the Ravens and Steelers (9-7) will meet for a winner-take-all regular season finale. There are hats and T-shirts on the line. Baltimore (8-8) could be a playoff team by the end of the weekend. Who will have the advantage Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium? Ravens passing game vs. Steelers pass defense The Steelers have been a thorn in Lamar Jackson’s side, perhaps more than any other team over his eight-year career. He’s started eight games against Pittsburgh and lost five. Jackson’s touchdown-to-interception ratio is a putrid 11 to 10. He’s rushed for only one touchdown and coughed up three fumbles. So even though the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is healthy, returning from a back injury suffered in Week 16, there’s something about this division rival that tempers expectations for the kind of game-changing, quarterback mastery he’s capable of. Whether defensive lineman T.J. Watt can play will have major implications on Baltimore’s ability to stay on schedule. He can muck up an opposing run game, and in 17 career games against the Ravens, he has 17 sacks. “You just have to be calm,” said Jackson, who enjoyed a full week of practice for the first time in nearly two months. “You have to be calm in the storm. So, that’s my approach. And I feel like that’s the team’s approach.” EDGE: Steelers Steelers passing game vs. Ravens pass defense Last time these teams met, Aaron Rodgers had no issues picking apart the Ravens’ secondary to the tune of season-high 284 yards and a touchdown. Anyone who watched the Steelers lose in Cleveland last weekend — particularly the final two minutes — knows why this rematch might look a bit different. Rodgers didn’t have his favorite target, DK Metcalf, who’s serving a two-game suspension. It was obvious in that loss. Rodgers passed for 168 yards and never found the end zone. He’ll also be without tight end Darnell Washington, who broke his arm in Cleveland, although he could get some help from speedy Calvin Austin III returning from injury. Another plus for Baltimore: Most of the explosive plays allowed in their first meeting came by Pittsburgh exploiting one-on-one matchups. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he’s noticed that the Ravens secondary stray away from man coverage in favor of zone looks to minimize an opposing team’s air raid. “I think that our fundamentals and technique have to be better and more consistent,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “Sometimes they make plays, and it’s a good throw, good catch, and you live with that. But what’s unacceptable is playing with bad eyes, bad fundamentals and not giving yourself a chance.” EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Steelers run defense Derrick Henry. Need we say more? He’s coming off the best showing of his Ravens career: four touchdowns with 216 yards on 36 carries, all season highs. Henry wasn’t merely a one-dimensional freight train. According to Next Gen Stats, he ran for 100-plus yards between the tackles and another 100-plus out toward the boundary, the fourth such versatile game of his career. No other running back has done that once in the past decade. “It’s gonna be a challenge for us,” former Raven and current Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen said. “But I think we’re built for the challenge. I think every single guy in the locker room is fired up for the challenge.” Pittsburgh’s defense wouldn’t be the first group forced to eat such mid-week confidence. But the Steelers have more ground to stand on as the best run stoppers in the NFL over the past three weeks, allowing the fewest rushing yards per game (52) and per carry (2.9). EDGE: Steelers Steelers running game vs. Ravens run defense An unstoppable force is about to meet an immovable object. The Ravens have an elite run defense; one the best in the NFL. Across the line, Pittsburgh owns the league’s second best rushing attack over the past month (165.3), second only to Baltimore. Harbaugh called Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell “top of the line running backs.” The question here is whether the Ravens’ secondary can hold up enough that the Steelers aren’t able to follow in Green Bay’s footsteps, abandon the run and lean into a pass-heavy offense. EDGE: Ravens Ravens special teams vs. Steelers special teams The Steelers’ special teams unit was once among the most consistent in the NFL. They’ve been shaky lately. Kicker Chris Boswell has a miss in each of the past two weeks. Long snapper Christian Kuntz has had multiple poor snaps lately. A divisional rivalry in murky conditions could feasibly come down to a few innocuous special teams plays, and the Ravens have been the more reliable group. Related Articles Why Ravens’ Travis Jones could be difference-maker vs. Steelers: ‘Like a tree stump’ With DK Metcalf suspended, Ravens aim to dictate Steelers’ offense Ravens vs. Steelers Week 18 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Ravens’ Derrick Henry is no stranger to pummeling Pittsburgh: ‘Do my job’ Ravens’ Lamar Jackson responds to questions about injury, future: ‘Be calm in a storm’ EDGE: Ravens Ravens intangibles vs. Steelers intangibles Calls for heads to roll have grown louder with disappointing seasons in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The narrative heading into Sunday is that both Harbaugh and Tomlin, whether it’s rooted in fact or not (it’s likely still undecided and both are still under contract), are coaching for their jobs. They’re the two longest-tenured active coaches in the NFL. Each has a Super Bowl ring. Each has been booed by their home fans at some point this season. If one side comes out flat on Sunday, calls for a firing will only grow louder. The other might save themselves — at least from continued discourse — by earning a home playoff game. So the edge here goes ever so slightly to the betting line road favorites. And who knows, maybe both jobs are safe no matter what happens because they’re two of the most consistently successful coaches in the NFL and this has been a weird year across the league. EDGE: Ravens Prediction A few factors that could help determine how this game goes intertwine like a loaf of challah. The Ravens have been much sharper on the road (5-2) than they are at home (3-6). They’ve also played worse in prime-time games compared with the afternoon slate. Both quarterbacks are in line for legacy games: Jackson, a quintessential final test for this bumpy regular season; and Rodgers, 42 years old looking to turn back the clock in what could be his final shot at a playoff run. The upward trend of the Ravens of late compared with the downward arrow in Pittsburgh provides more confidence in Baltimore — by a smidge. It feels like a toss up between two teams unworthy of playoff contention. That all said, no DK Metcalf leaves a gaping hole in the Steelers’ offense. Metcalf torched the Ravens when these teams met a few weeks back. Expect Rodgers to play better than he did in Cleveland, but not by enough to overpower what is still a talented Ravens secondary. Ravens 20, Steelers 17. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Ravens coach John Harbaugh speaks to the media after practice. Baltimore needs a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday to make the postseason. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

The first person Ravens right tackle Roger Rosengarten saw when he arrived at the team’s facility in Owings Mills after being drafted in April 2024 was defensive tackle Travis Jones. “I remember it was a time where not everyone’s back but some guys are back here doing offseason stuff,” Rosengarten said. “I saw him and, man, my heart sank a little bit. “I was like, ‘Dude, is this how everyone looks in the NFL? I started asking around, ‘Does everyone look like this? No, that guy’s just a freak.’” Fours years into his NFL career, Jones, a third-round pick out of Connecticut has also blossomed into one of the NFL’s top nose tackles. It’s why Baltimore signed him to a three-year, $40.5 million contract extension earlier this season before he had a chance to hit free agency this offseason. With a win-or-go-home game against the Steelers on Sunday night in Pittsburgh, the Ravens are also counting on him to be the type of disruptive force he has been much of the season — and especially of late. Last week against the Green Bay Packers — another contest Baltimore had to win to keep its postseason pulse going — Jones had two sacks to go with seven quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus, on Malik Willis at Lambeau Field. The week before in a loss to the New England Patriots, another seven pressures on Drake Maye. And the week before that, in a 24-0 shutout of the Cincinnati Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow, four pressures, a sack and two tackles. The ascendance has been coming. It was also borne out of epic weight room sessions, say those around the laconic 6-foot-4, 341-pound New Haven, Connecticut, native, along with becoming a master of his craft. “He can do … in terms of weight that he can move, he’ll be moving weight that guys can’t even back squat in the bench press,” says center Tyler Linderbaum, pausing momentarily at the outset with a sadistic laugh. “What he’s doing, I don’t know, but guys should probably get on that routine.” During the throes of the season, players are only required to log a modest two weightlifting sessions a week. Then there’s Jones. He lifts four or five times a week. “He’s an extremely hard worker,” Rosengarten said. “Guy’s in the weight room every day and it shows. The guy’s super athletic for how big he is and in my opinion he’s one of the best game-wrecking nose three-techniques in the NFL.” Of course, there are plenty of players around the league who live in the weight room, are sculpted like Michelangelo’s David and as sturdy as the Carrara marble from which he was carved. Jones is also different. “I don’t know if I’ve faced someone with that brute strength,” said Linderbaum, who was drafted the same year as Jones and has spent the past four summers and falls going against him in training camp and practice. “The things he’s able to do in the weight room clearly transitions over to the field. He’s one of the strongest guys I’ve ever seen and he plays like it on the field.” Linderbaum also compared him with Steelers veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. “When you play him, you get a feel how strong he is,” he said. “Guys like that you can feel how strong they play the game.” Rosengarten had a different comparison. “Guy’s like a tree stump,” he said. “It’s hard to move him. Related Articles With DK Metcalf suspended, Ravens aim to dictate Steelers’ offense Ravens vs. Steelers Week 18 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Ravens’ Derrick Henry is no stranger to pummeling Pittsburgh: ‘Do my job’ Ravens’ Lamar Jackson responds to questions about injury, future: ‘Be calm in a storm’ Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension “Super strong, very technical player with his hands, understands leverage and double teams. You mix those combinations together you’re going to make a really good three-technique nose tackle.” The statistics don’t jump off the page the way those of some interior linemen around the NFL do. They also paint only a partial picture of his disruption. In 15 games this season, Jones leads the Ravens with four sacks, though that ranks just 23rd among interior defenders, per PFF. His 45 pressures are tops on the team, but rank just 14th among others at his position. Jones also has 42 tackles, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. There are two notable reasons why his numbers might not stand out more. First, the Ravens have been without his interior running mate, Nnamdi Madubuike since Week 2, when he suffered a season-ending neck injury. Second, and not unrelated, Jones is consequently one of the most double-teamed defensive tackles in the league. According to PFF, he has been double-teamed on 64.9% of his pass rush snaps this season as well as being chip-blocked at one of the highest rates in the NFL among interior linemen. Add that to playing a career-high 69% of defensive snaps — a 16% jump from last season and an impressive rate for a man of his size — and the picture of Jones’ ability becomes that much clearer. “I think [he’s] one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the National Football League,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said last month, adding, like everyone else, that Jones is one of the strongest players on the team and deceptively quick and fast for his massive frame. “For what he does, the amount of snaps he plays, he’s a force in there.” Not that Jones will ever talk much about being one. He hardly talks at all, which is just the way he prefers it. After signing his extension in December, Jones said that it was an exciting moment for him and that he was happy to get the deal done. He also said he planned to buy his mom a new house. In all, eight questions were asked. His eight responses totaled 175 words. Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones, shown in 2024, has developed into one of the NFL's most disruptive interior linemen. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Afterward, he retreated to his preferred confines, the Ravens locker room, sat at his stall, smiled and again pointed out that he prefers to do less talking off the field and let his play on it speak for him. Now comes another opportunity to do so. The last time Jones faced the Steelers, he had just two pressures and one tackle. He was also flagged for unnecessary roughness, helping turn a field goal into a costly touchdown, though the NFL later admitted the official blew the call and Jones should not have been flagged. Needless to say, getting to Aaron Rodgers will be paramount to the Ravens’ chances. “Obviously they have a big, physical offensive line and a really good, young center, but for any quarterback, for Aaron, just like for any quarterback, that interior pressure kind of sets the tone for everything,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “So, Travis is a big part of that and a really important part of that.” Bigger — and stronger — than most. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens knew who was getting the ball in their Week 14 loss to Pittsburgh — and still couldn’t stop it. After receiver DK Metcalf scorched Baltimore’s secondary for seven catches and 148 yards, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that he “just had to keep feeding him.” The Steelers won’t have that option Sunday. Pittsburgh will be without its top receiver for what amounts to a de facto AFC North championship game, as Metcalf serves the second and final game of a suspension stemming from an altercation with a fan during the Steelers’ 29-24 win over Detroit on Dec. 21. Baltimore could benefit. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr, however, isn’t expecting much to change. And Baltimore still needs to make Metcalf’s absence matter. “Obviously, DK, he’s a heck of a player, one of the top receivers in the league. But Aaron Rodgers and [offensive coordinator] Arthur Smith, they’re running the same offense,” Orr said. “You’re [still] going against a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers who can pinpoint the ball where he wants.” Metcalf’s 148 yards and seven catches were both season highs. He also was the only receiver to be targeted more than three times, finishing the game with 12 targets. His 850 yards and eight touchdowns are also team bests. The loss of Metcalf was felt last Sunday during a 13-6 loss to the Browns to force Sunday night’s divisional title match. Rodgers averaged a season-low 4.3 yards per attempt with 168 passing yards. He also completed just 3 of 10 passes of more than 10 yards. Pittsburgh tried to replicate the 6-foot-4, 229-pound receiver with fellow big-bodied wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, with dissimilar results. Rodgers targeted Valdes-Scantling a game-high nine times, only connecting three times for 21 yards. Three targets came in the red zone on Pittsburgh’s final drive, all falling incomplete. It was the most targets for the 31-year-old since the 2021 season with Rodgers in Green Bay, and a mark he’s only hit six times in an eight-year career. “I don’t see anything changing much, and they have capable receivers,” Orr said. “I don’t think the preparation changes at all.” Orr still expects the Steelers to take deep shots on the outside in one-on-one scenarios. Coach John Harbaugh has respect for the Steelers’ running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, who have combined for 100 receptions and 722 receiving yards this year. The pair had nine catches for 66 yards in their last meeting, with Warren recording a touchdown reception. “They’ll have like a — we call it an escort-type of a flare pass — and really, it’s a run play if they dump it out there,” Harbaugh said. “Aaron does an incredible job of sorting all that stuff out [and] screens.” Related Articles Why Ravens’ Travis Jones could be difference-maker vs. Steelers: ‘Like a tree stump’ Ravens vs. Steelers Week 18 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Ravens’ Derrick Henry is no stranger to pummeling Pittsburgh: ‘Do my job’ Ravens’ Lamar Jackson responds to questions about injury, future: ‘Be calm in a storm’ Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension Outside of tight end Pat Freiermuth, the options thin quickly. He finished with three receptions for 63 yards against Cleveland. Receiver Calvin Austin III is next in line, though production has been modest — 28 catches for 317 yards this season. He’s managing a hamstring injury, too. Scotty Miller is a possibility. He has just seven receptions this year, three of them coming against the Browns. Tight end Jonnu Smith could see an expanded role after Darnell Washington was placed on injured reserve with a broken arm. Smith has 22 receptions. There’s also Adam Thielen, 35, signed by Pittsburgh in early December, though production has been limited. Roman Wilson, a 2024 third-round draft pick, has just 21 catches this year. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes that with an extra week of preparation without his top receiver, Pittsburgh can generate more downfield plays against Baltimore. “It’s a reasonable expectation, from my perspective, particularly with an additional week to prepare, that we put together a thoughtful plan and that we our guys to take advantage of our opportunities, and if and when they do present themselves, that we make the plays,” Tomlin said. Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf catches the ball against Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins earlier this season. Metcalf won't play in Sunday's Week 18 game. (Terrance Williams/AP) Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith was more dismissive when asked about facing a Metcalf-less Steelers offense Sunday: “Can’t worry about who’s not out there. It don’t matter.” Smith’s sentiment matters for the Ravens. Especially after allowing Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis to pass for 288 yards last weekend. Green Bay’s Christian Watson finished with 113 receiving yards, the third-highest total of his career. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed added 62 and 41 yards, respectively. None are A-tier receivers in the mold of Metcalf — a similar, patchwork group Rodgers will throw to Sunday. Smith expects the Steelers to lean more heavily on the run without Metcalf and attempt to control the game script. For him, the key will be stopping the run and forcing Pittsburgh to throw. “We stop the run, make them one-dimensional and know that you can get predictable in that sense,” Smith said. Stop the run and force Rodgers into predictable passing situations, and the Ravens could dictate the night. They believe, at least. Fail to do so, and Baltimore risks letting the Steelers control the script — again. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article

The Ravens visit the Steelers on Sunday with the AFC North title on the line. For the winner, their season stays alive. The loser’s Super Bowl dreams evaporate. It’s a high-stakes game for the two bitter rivals. Here’s a closer look at what sports betting odds tell us about the matchup. What are the odds? Baltimore is on the road, but with Lamar Jackson expected to play, the Ravens are the favorite. Spread: Ravens by 3 1/2 points (FanDuel) Total: 41.5 points Moneyline: Ravens -184, Steelers +154 “The early movement in the market indicates that bettors believe Jackson is playing, with the spread jumping from Ravens -3 to -3.5,” Covers senior sports betting analyst Jason Logan told The Baltimore Sun via email. “That half point move is more significant than you would think, due to the spread cross the key number of a field goal. If and when Lamar is cleared, that could prompt more money on Baltimore and perhaps push this spread to Ravens -4, which would likely draw some buyback on the Steelers, who are always live underdogs.” Could either team make a playoff run? The winner of the game will make the postseason. But is either of the two squads actually capable of making a run to the Super Bowl? Each team holds Super Bowl odds of +2000 or longer entering this weekend’s games. Logan offered some insights into the Ravens’ Super Bowl odds, which on the surface suggest they’re a long shot compared with other playoff-bound teams. Baltimore is +2000 to win the Super Bowl, and the Steelers are +10000. “NFL futures, like odds to win the Super Bowl, aren’t an accurate reflection of a team’s chances to hoist the Lombardi Trophy,” Logan said. “Those odds vary from sportsbook to sportsbook and reflect the liability those books have on certain teams over the course of the season. “If one shop has taken a lot of money on the Ravens to win the Super Bowl at higher odds, meaning they would pay out a lot if Baltimore won, they likely don’t want to draw any more money on the Ravens. They’ll adjust their futures book accordingly, jacking up the ask on Baltimore and hoping to entice action elsewhere to help soften their liability.” While the odds might not be a perfect representation of Baltimore’s Super Bowl chances, other predictive metrics paint a similar picture. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Ravens just a 4.4% chance to win it all. Getting into the playoffs would help the cause, but Baltimore has shown plenty of shortcomings throughout the year. Jackson’s injuries have hampered his performance, and the defense ranks 30th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. Most numbers don’t suggest the Ravens are ready for a Super Bowl run. Related Articles Why Ravens’ Travis Jones could be difference-maker vs. Steelers: ‘Like a tree stump’ With DK Metcalf suspended, Ravens aim to dictate Steelers’ offense Ravens’ Derrick Henry is no stranger to pummeling Pittsburgh: ‘Do my job’ Ravens’ Lamar Jackson responds to questions about injury, future: ‘Be calm in a storm’ Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension But games are decided on the field, not spreadsheets. “You don’t always get to pick your path,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday. “And many times, the path isn’t what you would have picked, what you would have chosen, but it might be exactly what you needed, and I hope that’s the case.” The pick Before the Ravens can think about the Super Bowl, they need to win Sunday. Most analysts are in agreement that Baltimore’s best path to an AFC North title comes on the ground. Perhaps the most intriguing bet of the game comes via a prop bet related to Derrick Henry. The over/under for Henry’s carries is 18.5 on FanDuel. DraftKings has the line at 19.5 and BetMGM makes it 20.5. In Week 17, Baltimore gave him the ball 36 times. In the first meeting between the Ravens and Steelers, Henry ran the ball 25 times. If the game remains close and the Ravens aren’t forced to abandon the running game, Henry should clear 20 carries. Best bet: Henry over 18.5 carries Have a news tip? Contact Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

On a chilly January evening, around this time last year, Lamar Jackson gave his most descriptive account of what it’s like watching Derrick Henry run with the football. His lips crinkled to make a whooshing sound. Jackson said that Henry runs like the aptly named Lightning McQueen drives. Jackson invoked the Disney movie “Cars” after having watched Henry torch Baltimore’s most vexing rival for 186 yards and two touchdowns off the strength of 26 carries in the wild-card round. “It’s making my job a lot easier,” the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player said at the time. That was the last time the Ravens and Steelers played a win-or-go-home affair. This next meeting Sunday night in Pittsburgh isn’t officially a playoff game. But for all intents and purposes, it is. Week 18’s winner claims the AFC North division title and a trip to the playoffs, while the loser enters a long offseason of questions concerning organizational hierarchy. Henry figures to be the key to Baltimore prolonging this confounding season. With temperatures expected below freezing this weekend and potential for snow, he’s that much tougher to tackle. In a matchup fulfilling every cliché about the physicality of this rivalry, Henry is the one best equipped to land punches, particularly with Jackson recovering from a back contusion for a can’t-lose game against a team that cornerback Marlon Humphrey described as historically being a “knife in their side.” “When you have the best back in the game,” center Tyler Linderbaum said, “sometimes there’s not an issue with just giving 22 the ball and seeing what happens.” Henry is coming off “one of the greatest performances” his coach has ever seen. John Harbaugh said that it’s always in the game plan to involve their Mack Truck of a running back, but against an understaffed Packers defense, the Ravens were more intentional. According to Next Gen Stats, Henry rushed for 165 of his 216 yards out of the I formation. That’s the most by any player in a single game since at least 2016. It was also his fourth career game with 100-plus rushing yards inside the tackles and another 100-plus outside the numbers, a feat no other running back has touched in a decade. Henry’s four touchdowns (a first-half hat trick and fourth-quarter knockout blow) tied his career high. “We have the best job in the world blocking for someone like that,” Linderbaum said. Wide receiver Zay Flowers beamed with his boyish grin: “I said give it to him every play. Fourth-and-10? Give it to him. We don’t even need to throw it.” Henry was handed the ball 36 times in the season-saving win over Green Bay. That’s the most carries of any NFL running back since 2023. It was a career-high mark and the most times Henry ran the ball since in his football life since 2016, when he led Alabama to a national championship win over Clemson. Even Henry, who invests considerable time and money into his body, appeared to be huffing at times. “There were a couple of those where he was kind of tapping out and I said, ‘No, get him back in there. Get his [butt] back in there,’” offensive coordinator Todd Monken joked. “At the end of games, you’re gonna need him.” Monken and Harbaugh have taken flack — some fair, some not — for how they’ve handled Henry’s workload of late. Related Articles Why Ravens’ Travis Jones could be difference-maker vs. Steelers: ‘Like a tree stump’ With DK Metcalf suspended, Ravens aim to dictate Steelers’ offense Ravens vs. Steelers Week 18 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Ravens’ Lamar Jackson responds to questions about injury, future: ‘Be calm in a storm’ Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension He was barely on the field during a Thanksgiving night loss to Cincinnati and he was on the sideline for each of Baltimore’s final two drives despite a two-touchdown outing against the Patriots. Some of that is a byproduct of game flow. But pummeling the Packers seemed to justify much of the criticism. Henry preferred to not spend much time dwelling on the past. A world-class performance in Green Bay, to him, is nothing more than “a game to build off of.” Henry has two thoughts front of mind: “[Pittsburgh] got the upper hand on me last time,” he said, and this weekend is a chance to improbably punch Baltimore’s ticket to the postseason. He’s the guy to do it. Against the Steelers in December 2024, he turned 24 carries into 162 yards. Three weeks later, in the playoffs, he sent Pittsburgh packing with his second best performance of that season. Tomlin hadn’t stepped into the shower after that game before he was already thinking about an aggressive offseason approach to mitigate a player like Henry. It’s well documented that those two performances hung around the Steelers’ draft war room like a thick cloud. The Steelers selected Derrick Harmon with their first-round pick. Harmon didn’t suit up in the first meeting because of a knee injury. He’s expected to play Sunday alongside star edge defender T.J. Watt (another game wrecker who missed the first meeting). Harmon’s impact is bolded and underlined on the stat sheet. Since his return three weeks ago, the Steelers have allowed 52 rushing yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry, both NFL lows. They’re also the only team to have not allowed a rushing score. Harmon isn’t shy about the expectation. “It’s what they [brought] me here for,” he told local reporters, “for these type of games.” Same could be said for Henry, who turns 32 on Sunday and forged a career bound for the Hall of Fame with a reputation of playing his best football in the consequential games with below-freezing temperatures — another truism Henry won’t give credence. “I don’t really get into the, ‘Oh, this is when I’m going to be Macho Man or something like that,'” Henry said. “I just try to go out there and do my job.” His job on Sunday against the Steelers is to run like Lightning McQueen and carry the Ravens to the playoffs. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hands the ball to running back Derrick Henry during practice this week. Henry ran for 94 yards in the first meeting with the Steelers this season, a 27-22 Pittsburgh win. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson emerged from the field house like a phoenix Thursday in Owings Mills, his back contusion protected by a flak jacket and teammates and coaches energized by his presence on an otherwise bitterly cold afternoon. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s full participation in practice for a second straight day was a welcome sight for a season that hangs in the balance. Jackson said that he will “100%” play in Sunday night’s regular-season finale against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, where the winner will be crowned AFC North champs and advance to the playoffs and the loser’s season will be over. “I feel great,” he said. Certainly better than he did two weeks ago. Jackson called the back contusion that he suffered in a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots that knocked him out of that game and caused him to miss last week’s must-win contest against the Green Bay Packers “extremely nasty” and added that he was “in pain.” He also dismissed any notion that he was faking or overdramatizing his latest malady. “I always want to play football,” he said Thursday in Owings Mills, where he was a full participant in practice for a second straight day. “I was really hurt. I don’t know why I have to get questioned about or I hear things about, ‘Oh I don’t know if he really hurt.’ I never quit on my team before. I’ve never quit anything, to be honest with y’all. I don’t know where that noise came from. “Some people probably think I’m a robot, but I’m a human being too. Unfortunately, I couldn’t avoid that injury.” Assuming he practices Friday as expected, it will also mark the first time that Jackson will have a full week of practice in two months. “It’s the closest we’ve been,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said when asked how confident he is that Jackson will have his full complement of skills for what is a de facto playoff game for Baltimore in what has been a topsy-turvy season filled with injuries, questions and criticisms. “So, we’re excited. You like having your quarterback out there every day.” Jackson, unsurprisingly, has been at the nexus of many of the questions in what has been an incongruent and tumultuous season amid a series of afflictions for one of the game’s typically most dynamic and explosive players. Related Articles Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension Ravens’ Lamar Jackson practices Thursday, says he will ‘100%’ start Sunday READERS RESPOND: Some Ravens fans want QB Lamar Jackson traded NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake First, there was the hamstring injury he suffered during a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that knocked him from that game and kept him out of the next three as well, two of which were losses. Jackson returned in Week 9, threw four touchdown passes and had a near-perfect passer rating in a rout over the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Then a week later, he operated the offense smoothly in the noisy confines of U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota and navigated the blitz-happy Vikings defense with aplomb, guiding the Ravens to another victory. Wins over the hapless Cleveland Browns and New York Jets followed to mark five straight victories as Baltimore climbed back from the abyss of a 1-5 start to the top of the division, but the list of physical ailments continued to grow. Knee, ankle and toe issues were pesky inhibitors, though Jackson did not blame his poor play this season on any physical problems, even as the Ravens lost their next two at home, first to the Steelers, then the Cincinnati Bengals in a Thanksgiving night fiasco. Then came the Patriots game. With the score tied at 7 late in the second quarter and Baltimore driving toward another score, Jackson scrambled for 3 yards up the middle, but as he went down safety Craig Woodson’s knee drove into his back. Jackson winced and heaved as he went to the sideline and then the locker room. There, he was administered an injection of the anti-inflammatory drug Toradol, to no avail. He tried to throw a few passes to trainers, but the pain was too much and he didn’t return. With Jackson out against the Packers, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley filled the void and helped lead the Ravens to the 42-24 victory at Lambeau Field, where Derrick Henry rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns. Two days later, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that he was optimistic that Jackson would be able to play this week against Pittsburgh. For the quarterback, it became clear, he said, on Monday after undergoing more rehab, working out and throwing more passes. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a pass during practice this week in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Jackson returned to the practice field Wednesday sporting a flak jacket to protect his low back. He said he will wear the extra padding for the game as well, though he said it doesn’t affect his ability to throw or do the things he normally does. He also said the criticism he has endured during what has been perhaps the worst of his eight seasons doesn’t provide any added motivation. “I just want to win,” he said. “I don’t really care about the criticism, it’s going to be that way, especially with how the season was going and stuff like that. When you’re winning, there’s no noise, but soon as you lose, or things don’t look right, all types of noise come out of nowhere. So, it is what it is.” He also disputed suggestions raised in a column by Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston that he stays up until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. playing video games or that he has fallen asleep in team meetings — though he did say he was sleeping during this past Sunday’s Browns-Steelers game as part of his rehab and that he didn’t want to “jinx” the outcome, with Pittsburgh needing to lose to keep the Ravens’ season alive. Likewise, Jackson insisted that he has a good relationship with Harbaugh. “Yeah, I believe so,” he said. “Like I said, I don’t know where the noise come from.” Teammates in recent days have likewise backed Jackson’s competitiveness. “I can’t really speak on motivating Lamar,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “I think Lamar is very self-motivated. I don’t know if he lets external factors really motivate him, but I do know that if he’s out there, he’ll be ready to go.” Added safety Kyle Hamilton: “I don’t think it’s ever a matter of, does he want to? I think it’s just a matter of, is he physically able to do so? … I’ve been around this dude for the past four years, and I know what he’s about. I know that he practices what he preaches, and if he’s able to go out there, play and practice, he will do so. He’s a warrior, and I respect him. I respect who he is as a person and as a player. But yes, he’s a two-time MVP and the face of the franchise; people are probably going to talk a little bit. But it’s not with any negative connotation attached to it.” But with a prohibitive $74.5 million salary cap hit looming each of the next two seasons and a lack of clarity over current contract extension talks, questions about Jackson, who will turn 29 next week, and his future have arisen, particularly after what has been perhaps the worst of his eight seasons that still includes just one AFC championship game appearance. Long reluctant to discuss his contract during the season, Jackson when asked said that he “absolutely” wants to be in Baltimore. It was only two years ago, however, when he requested to be traded as the NFL’s owners meetings kicked off. He later said that was simply part of doing business while negotiating his first contract extension, which he did without an agent. Yet many of the same narratives that spilled over from the 2022 season — from a season-ending knee injury to contentious negotiations — have resurfaced again. Though Jackson doesn’t quite view the two years through the same lens. “It’s different in a way because we have a chance to make the playoffs and I can actually play,” he said. “Then, I couldn’t play, so it’s different.” For now, the only question that remains is whether the outcome in Pittsburgh will be any different than it has been of late. Jackson has been on the losing end in three of his past four starts at Acrisure Stadium. During that span, he has been sacked 18 times, thrown six interceptions and has just three touchdown passes. Now comes another opportunity, in what will be the first win-or-go-home game in the final week of the regular season for the storied rivalry. “You have to be calm in the storm,” he said. “So, that’s my approach. And I feel like that’s the team’s approach.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens on Thursday waived guard Ben Cleveland, who was set to return from a three-game suspension this week. A 2021 third-round draft pick by Baltimore, Cleveland played just three snaps this season and was a healthy scratch in three games. On Dec. 8, he was suspended three games without pay for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The 27-year-old from Georgia was re-signed by the Ravens in March to a one-year, $1.17 million dollar deal after making seven starts between 2021 and 2023. He appeared in 64 games with Baltimore but never managed to get a foothold among the starting five or in the rotation. In February, Cleveland was cited on suspicion of driving under the influence in his native Georgia after he had a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .178, over twice the legal limit of .08, according to police. His suspension was lifted on Dec. 29. He pleaded guilty on Nov. 4 to one count of driving under the influence. The charge resulted in a one-year probation. Coach John Harbaugh had previously spoken publicly about Cleveland’s difficulty securing a starting role in Baltimore. Harbaugh said that starting right guard Daniel Faalele “just a fact, straight up, matter of fact” beat him out. “Ben knows what he needs to do. If he wants playing time, he knows how he needs to play and how he needs to practice when he gets that chance,” Harbaugh said in September 2024. Cleveland pinned the struggles more on injuries forcing him to move around the offensive line than routinely play right guard. “It’s been a struggle having to move around positions with injuries and stuff like that,” Cleveland told The Baltimore Sun in 2024. “But as far as adapting to other positions and just playing where I’m asked, I feel like I’ve been extremely consistent and competitive.” Cleveland’s disappointing tenure in Baltimore now comes to an end, and it remains to be seen whether another team will claim the former first-team All-SEC lineman entering the postseason. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Related Articles Ravens’ Lamar Jackson practices Thursday, says he will ‘100%’ start Sunday READERS RESPOND: Some Ravens fans want QB Lamar Jackson traded NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned for a second consecutive practice Thursday, but Baltimore still had notable absences. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy both missed a second consecutive day. Bateman was out with an illness, while Van Noy is dealing with a quad injury. Jackson said that he will “100%” start Sunday after missing last week’s 41-24 win over Green Bay with what the team described as a deep back contusion. Jackson was seen wearing bulky padding around his back during Wednesday’s session. “I’m doing a lot of treatment,” Jackson said. “Trying [to get] the contusion out of there as much as possible. But I feel great right now.” Jackson also said that he will wear the padding to keep his back protected, and that he wore something similar during his rookie season. Van Noy was seen in the locker room after Wednesday’s practice, but his continued absence Thursday casts doubt on the 12-year veteran’s availability for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins returned Thursday in a limited capacity after resting Wednesday, leaving Bateman as the only one of Jackson’s targets yet to practice this week. Bateman has appeared in 13 games this season, totaling 38 receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns after missing time earlier in the year with a high ankle sprain. Five players who were limited participants Wednesday, including linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), were all present at Thursday’s practice. Smith was still a limited participant, while tight end Charlie Kolar (nose), fullback Patrick Ricard (ankle), guard Andrew Vorhees (foot) and left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) were full participants. Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was again a limited participant while recovering from a punctured lung from dry needling. Watt has missed the past three games after undergoing surgery to stabilize the lung. Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin hinted that Watt will be back Sunday, but he said that the capacity he’d return in is unknown. The 31-year-old Watt has seven sacks and three forced fumbles this season. “It’ll be great to have him back,” Austin said. “In what capacity we’ll find out really, not until Sunday. But it’ll be great to have him back.” Cornerback James Pierre was Pittsburgh’s only player absent from Thursday’s practice, listed with a calf injury and illness. Pierre has started four games and appeared in 13 this season, recording one interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. He was limited Wednesday. Cornerback Brandin Echols was again limited Thursday with a groin injury, while linebacker Malik Harrison was limited with a knee ailment. Echols has six pass breakups this season, and Harrison has started eight games, totaling 36 tackles. Like Wednesday, wide receiver Calvin Austin III was limited with a hamstring injury. Guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) was a full participant Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Related Articles Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension READERS RESPOND: Some Ravens fans want QB Lamar Jackson traded NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY View the full article

We asked readers what the Ravens should do with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Columnist Mike Preston recently wrote that Jackson and the Ravens are at a crossroads, and that something needs to change for the star quarterback and his team to reach a Super Bowl together. Here are the results from our online poll: Trade him for draft picks/players — 48.6% (1,703 votes) Negotiate a new contract with a lower cap hit — 43.8% (1,535 votes) Make him the NFL’s highest-paid QB — 7.6% (264 votes) Here’s what some fans have said about the Ravens’ quarterback (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): You re-sign him … end of story. — Mark G. Lamar Jackson is a two-time MVP, and a once-in-a-generation talent. Trading him shouldn’t even be in any sane conversation. That being said, he definitely should either allow for a restructuring of his contract or even take a pay cut so the team can build a solid offensive line to protect him and increase our odds of winning a Super Bowl. The bottom line is that the Ravens must figure out a way to further build the team around the best QB in the NFL. — Chris McGloin Jackson doesn’t seem to be capable of finishing a season. He’s not the same hot-shot QB as when he started. We need a player to go the distance, playoffs included. — Robin Lamar is on the downside. Whatever it is, age, injuries or punishment he has taken, he is not the same. Even when healthy, his playoff performance is poor. Take a page from the Patriots’ book — trade a player before his performance completely deteriorates. He would be hard to replace but it is inevitable. Plus his cap hit would harm the rest of the team. I just feel it is time. The Ravens will never get to the Super Bowl with him. Trade him while his value is high. Let another team deal with his agent (mother), contract, moodiness and injuries. — Robert I contend, as many others, that Lamar has done his job and done it exceedingly well. How many times have his passes been dropped or fumbled away after catches in crucial situations, or coaching decisions destroyed the tempo of the game, to name a few? Yes, Lamar makes the big bucks and is now eight years after league entry and starting to break down, but those can’t necessarily be the points that call for a trade or lower his salary. What has the front office done to give him more protection, to get an elite pass rusher to give the defense more rest? What has been done to correct poor coaching decisions that ultimately rest on the shoulders of the head coach? NOTHING. So, I think a total objective evaluation of the team is in order before making any hurried decision about Lamar’s future. I can’t imagine how many years the organization would be set back trying to break in a draftee quarterback. Those who have been around long enough to remember the struggles before Flacco can bear witness. — Bill He will always have the reputation of not being able to win the big game and that will stay with him the rest of his career and is justified. The time has come to cut bait with him and get as much as you can, this whole organization needs a complete makeover including the head coach. — Bob lancione I think Jackson is very much affected by cold weather and as he ages the cold bothers him more, He has been the most entertaining QB I’ve ever seen, but as a Florida resident his reaction to cold is observable to me. And as he ages it becomes more problematic. — Terence Bosley It’s been a rough season all around. Injuries early. No pass rush. Turnovers on offense. Unfortunate calls going against them. Perplexing coaching decisions. And the regression of Lamar. But I think he can bounce back and be one of the best ever again. He needs a reset both physically and through coaching changes. Restructure his contract and start over with new leadership. — Mark H. Lamar’s legacy as one of the greats to ever play the game has already been cemented but let’s hope the cement doesn’t cure entirely prior to hoisting that elusive Lombardi Trophy in Baltimore. — Michael Pierce Related Articles Ravens waive guard Ben Cleveland amid looming return from suspension Ravens’ Lamar Jackson practices Thursday, says he will ‘100%’ start Sunday NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY A healthy Lamar and productive running backs both require a top-shelf offensive line. We’ve had something less than that. With protection, Lamar turned into the most efficient, least error-prone QB in the NFL. — Tim N. The question should be what should the Ravens do with John Harbaugh? — Fred Sanford Trade him to the Jets for two first-round picks and a case of Nathan’s hot dogs. — Chris Lamar Jackson will never get to the Super Bowl wearing a Ravens jersey. The Ravens have made a fundamental organizational miscalculation by placing an individual in a leadership role that does not have the attributes of a leader. That scenario always leads to a breakdown in commitment, discipline and dedication. — Charles The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article

It all comes down to this. After a season filled with twists and turns, the Ravens face the Steelers on Sunday night in Pittsburgh with a chance to win a third straight AFC North title and secure a spot in the playoffs for the seventh time in the past eight seasons. All eyes will be on Lamar Jackson’s availability heading into the pivotal matchup, but signs point toward the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player returning from a back injury after he practiced Wednesday. Jackson has missed four games because of injuries in what has been an up-and-down season that has been under the microscope of late because of his availability and unsettled contract status entering next year. But those are discussions for another day. Right now, the Ravens are entering the tail end of a campaign that began with Super Bowl aspirations, and those championship dreams are still right in front of them. Everyone knows that Sunday night’s game is win-and-in for the playoffs, but who will the winner face in the wild-card round? And what teams are lurking down the road? Here’s an updated look at the playoff picture: Wild-card matchups Jan. 10, 11 and 12 at higher seeds The winner of Ravens vs. Steelers will secure the No. 4 seed in the AFC by virtue of having the worst record among the four division champions. But division winners are guaranteed a home playoff game, which means the Ravens or Steelers will host a team with a better regular-season record. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats playoff probability model, here are the teams most likely to earn the No. 5 seed and make a trip to Baltimore or Pittsburgh in the wild-card round: Texans (11-5) — 68% Bills (11-5) — 21% Jaguars (12-4) — 6% Chargers (11-5) — 5% The Texans and Jaguars are still battling for the AFC South title, which will be decided in Week 18. Jacksonville can clinch the AFC South and the AFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye and home-field advantage with a win Sunday over the Tennessee Titans (3-13), a Broncos loss to the Chargers and a New England Patriots (13-3) loss to the Miami Dolphins (7-9). Jacksonville can also clinch the AFC South title with a win or tie, or a Texans loss or tie against the Indianapolis Colts (8-8), who will be starting rookie quarterback Riley Leonard instead of 44-year-old Philip Rivers. The Texans need a win over the Colts and a Jaguars loss to claim the division title. Related Articles Ravens’ defense eager for ‘dream scenario’ vs. Steelers with season at stake Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY NFL pundits analyze Ravens vs. Steelers: ‘40-touch game for Derrick Henry’ Ravens injury report: 2 WRs and Kyle Van Noy miss Wednesday’s practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice ahead of Steelers game: ‘Very optimistic’ The Patriots and Denver Broncos (13-3) have already secured the AFC East and AFC West titles, respectively, so the Bills and Chargers are unable to climb higher than the fifth seed and thus don’t have much to play for this weekend. Denver clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win over the Chargers, or a tie and a Patriots loss to the Dolphins, or a Patriots loss and a Jaguars loss or tie. New England clinches the No. 1 seed with a win over Miami and a Broncos loss or tie, or a tie against the Dolphins and a Broncos loss. The Next Gen Stats model gives Denver an 82% chance to claim the top seed with the Patriots more likely to finish No. 2 (69%). But in the event of a Broncos loss to the Chargers, Denver is more likely to finish in third place (12%) than in second (6%). The Jags can rise as high as No. 1 in the conference or fall as far as No. 7, depending on how the weekend plays out. But their most likely outcome is to clinch the AFC South (86%). Buffalo is more likely to get the No. 6 (40%) or No. 7 (39%) seed, according to the Next Gen Stats model. Quarterback Josh Allen is dealing with a foot injury and might not play against the New York Jets (3-13) in the regular-season finale with the Bills’ playoff spot already secured. The Chargers and coach Jim Harbaugh are most likely to land the No. 7 seed (57%), followed by the No. 6 spot (38%). Quarterback Justin Herbert, who’s been dealing with a fractured left hand, will sit out Sunday’s game. The Ravens already faced the Texans earlier this season, suffering a 44-10 loss in Week 5 in one of the worst home defeats in franchise history. Cooper Rush started for an injured Jackson and threw three interceptions, while C.J. Stroud threw four touchdown passes and Houston piled up 417 total yards. Since its 0-3 start, Houston has been one of the hottest teams in the NFL, winning eight straight games behind one of the league’s best defenses. Zay Flowers and the Ravens could see the Patriots again in the divisional round — assuming they beat the Steelers on Sunday and win their home wild-card game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Divisional round matchups Jan. 17 and 18 at higher seeds If the Ravens get past the Steelers and win their wild-card matchup, they have an outside chance of hosting a divisional round game. For that to happen, the No. 6 and/or No. 7 seeds would need to pull upsets in the wild-card round. Entering Week 18, the projected wild-card matchups are the No. 7 Chargers at the No. 2 Patriots and the No. 6 Bills at the No. 3 AFC South winner (Jaguars or Texans). If the higher-seeded Ravens, Patriots and Jaguars/Texans all win, Baltimore would face the projected No. 1 seed Broncos in Denver while the Patriots and Jaguars/Texans face off in New England. Wins by the Ravens, Patriots and Bills would send Buffalo to Denver and pit the Ravens and Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in a rematch of a Week 16 “Sunday Night Football” showdown won by New England. A pair of upsets by the Chargers and Bills would send Los Angeles to Denver in an AFC West matchup, while the Ravens would host Buffalo in a rematch of last year’s divisional round and subsequent Week 1 thriller. Conference championship weekend Jan. 25 at higher seeds Normally, this spot is reserved for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who have appeared in seven straight AFC title games. But the Chiefs are 6-10 and out of playoff contention while Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL. That means a golden opportunity for a new contender to emerge. The New York Times’ playoff simulator — which estimates odds by randomly simulating the remainder of the season thousands of times while using a statistical forecast that incorporates a host of data — gives the Broncos the best odds to win the Super Bowl among AFC teams at 14%, followed by the Patriots (10%), Jaguars (7%), Texans (6%) and Bills (6%). The Ravens — who still need to win Sunday to get into the field — are at 3%. ESPN’s Football Power Index is similarly skeptical of the Ravens, putting their odds of winning the Super Bowl at 4.4% and their chance to make the AFC title game at 16.9%. The Broncos (46.6%) and Patriots (32.4%) are the clear favorites to make it to championship weekend in ESPN’s model, followed by the Jaguars (25.9%), Bills (24.4%), Texans (24.1%) and Chargers (22.1%). Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California Well, what about the NFC? In a cruel twist for Ravens fans, former Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks are the favorites to emerge in the NFC with 17% odds of winning the Super Bowl, per the New York Times simulator. But much of that promise hinges on a Week 18 matchup Saturday night at San Francisco, as the winner clinches the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye, home-field advantage throughout and the NFC West title. A loss by Seattle would lock in the No. 5 seed and a road wild-card game against the NFC South champions, which will either be the Panthers (8-8) or Buccaneers (7-9). Strangely enough, the three NFC teams with the highest odds of winning the Super Bowl, according to the New York Times simulator, reside in the NFC West. The Rams (9%) have a prolific offense and the 49ers (8%) might be peaking at the perfect time with Brock Purdy back healthy. The Eagles (8%) and Bears (4%) have been equally impressive and frustrating at times this season, but both carry plenty of star power. The Packers (2%) have wilted down the stretch because of injuries and inconsistent play, but Jordan Love was putting together a Pro Bowl-caliber season before his Week 16 concussion. If the Bears or Packers emerge in the NFC and meet the Super Bowl-bound Ravens, it would be an interesting scenario considering Jackson sat out against both of those teams earlier this season. But the star quarterback has been dominant against the other conference, going 25-5 against the NFC in his career. Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

In the words of Marlon Humphrey, Sunday night is a “dream scenario.” The veteran Ravens cornerback jokingly applauded NFL script writers for any part they might have played in facilitating this weekend’s game in Pittsburgh, with the AFC North division title on the line. Two hated rivals meeting in the regular season finale — winner earns a playoff bid, loser heads home — will “probably get a little chippy,” Humphrey said. That’s the dream. Kyle Hamilton told the entire Ravens defense that it will be the kind of game that lives on for years to come. This Ravens defense has been shown just about every highlight clip in the rivalry. History lessons have been a theme of this season and a pillar of defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s motivational tactics. “You see the clips all the time,” Hamilton said, invoking the punishing hits and clutch takeaways from Hall of Famers Ray Lewis or Troy Polamalu. “This is gonna be one of those games and we need to make sure we’re on the right side of history.” Over the past month, the Ravens’ defense, particularly the secondary, has covered every nook and cranny, top, bottom and side of history. When the Steelers came to Baltimore, quarterback Aaron Rodgers passed for his season-high 284 yards and a touchdown. Humphrey thought that Rodgers “etched himself into the rivalry” with gusto. A week later in frigid Cincinnati, the Ravens pitched the organization’s first shutout since 2018. Then New England’s Drake Maye torched Baltimore for a career-high 380 yards. And Green Bay backup Malik Willis, albeit in his sixth career start, passed for a personal-best 288 yards. After Maye authored a masterful fourth quarter, Hamilton said that it felt as if the secondary was “taking on water” until the dam finally broke. Willis left the Ravens defense “bleeding” half the night, Hamilton said, switching metaphors, until Baltimore finally got on the same page and helped shut the door on a season-saving win. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that he picked up on a few changes watching Ravens film of the past few weeks. He noticed Baltimore’s secondary “minimizing” some of its one-on-one matchups to temper explosive plays. More zone, less isolation, was Tomlin’s main takeaway. The Ravens’ defense has certainly taken their lumps. At times, the Ravens have struggled in pass rush and had trouble containing top-tier quarterback-receiver duos. They’ve been at their worst in prime time, and curiously closer to their best on the road. Their secondary has allowed 245.3 yards per game, which is tied for third-worst in the NFL. The Ravens are also bottom three in sack percentage per pass attempt. But on third down, they’re top 10 in the league at getting off the field and top five in the red zone. So the message going into Sunday is one that’s come up throughout the year: “Play smart but not play timid,” Hamilton said. “I think there’s a fine line, especially in this game. You can’t go out there holding any of your bullets in your gun ‘cause it’s win or go home.” Related Articles NFL playoff picture: If Ravens get in, what does their path look like? Mike Preston: Ravens must stop Aaron Rodgers. He’s Pittsburgh’s only hope. | COMMENTARY NFL pundits analyze Ravens vs. Steelers: ‘40-touch game for Derrick Henry’ Ravens injury report: 2 WRs and Kyle Van Noy miss Wednesday’s practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice ahead of Steelers game: ‘Very optimistic’ In early December, before the first iteration of Ravens versus Steelers, Humphrey said that he’d question the manhood of any defensive player unable to show up for what was also a must-win game. In the rematch, only so much needs to be verbalized about Sunday night’s significance. The Steelers will be without top-end receiver DK Metcalf, who was suspended for the final two games of the regular season for an altercation with a fan in Detroit. That’s a plus for Baltimore considering Metcalf was responsible for 148 yards on seven catches last time they played. The Steelers won’t have tight end Darnell Washington (broken arm) either but could get back speedy playmaker Calvin Austin III, who’s working back from a hamstring injury. Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked Wednesday what decides games with such slim margins this late in the season. When every team is dealing with some physical and mental ailments in the home stretch of a long season, but both sides are fighting for their playoff lives, what does Harbaugh see as deciding factors? “It’s securing the football, taking the football away,” Harbaugh said, in part. That first meeting with Pittsburgh was the only game since Week 5 that the Ravens failed to force a turnover. Rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan nearly stole the ball from Rodgers before officials ruled the quarterback down. Then a fourth-down stop was negated for an incorrect unnecessary roughness call against defensive tackle Travis Jones. Still, the Ravens’ defense is set up for a dream scenario of a second chance — both to beat their hated rivals and to atone for what has been perhaps the most disappointing season in franchise history up to this point. “Let it rip at the end of the day,” Hamilton said. “Whatever the outcome, you don’t want to be sitting in the locker room saying you could have done more.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article