ExtremeRavens

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

Some critics will say that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is experiencing a series of injuries. Others will say that his lack of success in the past three games has been a result of playing eight years and the hits that pile up with becoming the top dual-threat quarterback in the history of the NFL. Regardless, this isn’t the same Jackson we’ve seen in the previous seven seasons when he won two NFL Most Valuable Player Awards. Oh, no, he ain’t even close. Jackson, 28, struggled in a third straight game Sunday as the Ravens beat the hapless and woeful New York Jets, 23-10, before an announced crowd of 70,029 at M&T Bank Stadium. Jackson, who missed three games earlier this season with a strained hamstring, completed only 13 of 23 passes for 153 yards and finished with a passer rating of 76.9. That will suffice playing teams such as the Jets, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, but that isn’t the magic formula for success when playing contending teams such as Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo’s Josh Allen or even the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert when he is hot. Jackson needs to step up his game and deliver more high-octane plays. The injuries are real, but Jackson didn’t use them as an excuse Sunday after the game. You expected as much. And his fight with Father Time might be more on par because that’s a legitimate concern. One day you just wake up, and you can’t make all the necessary moves anymore. We’ve already heard the excuses about offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s poor play calling and lack of creativity, but one day it would be good if Jackson just stepped up to the podium, and said, “Hey, I just wasn’t good enough today, even though we won.” It happens. On Sunday, he finished with a passer rating of 76.9, his lowest since last week when he had a rating of 47.6 against Cleveland as he completed only 14 of 25 passes for 193 yards and was sacked five times. Before that, it had been 54 games since Jackson had a rating in the 40s. Even more importantly, Jackson seems to have lost his touch, which he had in the season opener in a loss to Buffalo. On Sunday, the Ravens were 2-for-11 on third-down attempts, and Jackson missed tight end Isaiah Likely in the flat early in the game. He threw short and was way off the mark to tight end Mark Andrews later in the first half, going across the middle. But his ugliest pass was the one to receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was wide open in the left corner of the end zone early in the fourth quarter. It would have put the Ravens ahead, 24-10. That would have made the Ravens’ lead insurmountable, especially the way the Jets were playing, and especially after the horrendous decision-making by coach Aaron Glenn near the midway point of the third quarter. In the previous two seasons, that was always the knock on Jackson — that he couldn’t put enough air on the deep pass. Well, it happened again Sunday. The deep ball is gone from the Ravens’ offense. Before Sunday, they were averaging only 11.2 yards per catch. The win against the Jets was significant because the Ravens have now won five straight and are tied for first place in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are falling faster than old Humpty Dumpty. But this is the first time that Jackson has gone back-to-back weeks without a touchdown pass in a game since 2019. I understand the legs failing, but the arm is going as well, which is perplexing. Jackson rushed seven times Sunday for 11 yards and rushed only four times for 10 yards vs. Cleveland. In 2025, there have been only 3.4 designed runs per game by Jackson compared with 8.1 in 2018 and a career high of 9.1 in 2019. Throughout his career, Jackson has tried to prove that he isn’t just a running quarterback, but a top-notch passer as well. He had done that the past two seasons. Initially, he could only throw to his right, but now he can roll left as well. He has shown great touch on the long ball and can throw from either side of the field. But in 2025, he looks slow, at times very indecisive. Defensive linemen are running him down, which never happened in the past. On Sunday, he had opportunities to run but couldn’t outrun linebackers such as Jamien Sherwood around the corner or off the perimeter. In fact, Jets backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor looked faster than Jackson when he scrambled, and Taylor is 36. Related Articles Josh Tolentino: Ravens win again, but offensive questions stay | 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 It’s hard to imagine what is going through Jackson’s mind at this time. It’s like when the Ravens were 1-5. It’s like staring into the abyss. But at this point, he is struggling. He wasn’t sharp against Minnesota three games ago and played poorly against the Browns last week. He followed that up with a less-than-average performance against the Jets on Sunday. Clearly, he is off his game. Jackson set the standard extremely high in Baltimore, having passed for more than 20,000 career yards and 181 touchdowns. No quarterback has proven that he is the total package as both a runner and a quarterback like Jackson. Maybe contract negotiations have caused Jackson problems, or maybe it’s this season’s injuries or the hits he has taken over an eight-year career. But he has been off his game in the past three contests, and no one knows why. Why? Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Dre’Mont Jones was lost. Not on the field, of course. The newest Raven tallied 1 1/2 sacks, a batted pass and four tackles in Sunday’s 23-10 win over the New York Jets. But he needed help finding his family afterward. “How do I get out of here?” Jones asked a locker room attendant, who pointed the defensive end in the right direction of the exit. Minutes earlier, on a phone call with a family member, he struggled to describe where they should meet after he finished talking with reporters. Jones is still learning Baltimore but hasn’t required nearly as much time to assimilate with the Ravens (6-5). The defense around him is similarly figuring things out as it goes, traversing setbacks and personnel changes flawlessly to lead a five-game winning streak that’s launched Baltimore to the top of the AFC North ladder. “When I got here, it seemed weird that they lost or how they had any slip-ups,” said Jones, acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 3. “To do what we’re doing, that’s a playoff caliber, Super Bowl caliber defense.” Baltimore held the Jets to 10 points on Sunday, their sixth consecutive game limiting an opponent to fewer than 20. The Ravens sacked Tyrod Taylor three times, forced a fumble and an interception and limited Jets ball carriers to 3 yards per attempt. Four of New York’s first five offensive drives ended in punts, and its last three resulted in turnovers. The unit was especially stingy at the most critical moments. With the Jets nearing the end zone on a drive that would have cut the Ravens’ lead to three in the fourth quarter, cornerback Marlon Humphrey ripped the ball out of running back Breece Hall’s grasp for his second forced fumble of the season. It maintained Baltimore’s two-possession lead and New York never got close to scoring again. Later, seated at his locker assessing the win in shorts and a T-shirt, Humphrey paused during his response to a question about that play. He looked and pointed to a gash on his leg to prove what the critical turnover cost. Humphrey isn’t at full health. Neither are most of his defensive teammates. The veteran cornerback missed last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns as he recovered from surgery on his finger. Humphrey acknowledged earlier this season that he’d need to learn how to play with the injury that he suspected would linger all season long. It wasn’t a problem Sunday. “Earlier in the season, the defense was — we were the worst in the league,” Humphrey said. “Offense wasn’t finger pointing at us. I think this team is really starting to come together.” Kyle Hamilton, whose versatility teammates often praise, has similarly been at the forefront of this midseason defensive turnaround while dealing with injuries. The safety exited Sunday’s game twice, first in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury after a hard collision with Hall and again in the final quarter after he appeared to twist his ankle or foot. He limped to the locker room shortly after and didn’t return, although there was less than two minutes remaining and the score was out of reach. Shoulder issues have popped up for Hamilton this season. He hurt the same one last week against the Browns but stayed in the game, as he always seems to do. Coach John Harbaugh said after the game it’s “not a serious injury.” Related Articles 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 Ravens vs. Jets, November 23, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Jets live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 23-10 win Defensive tackle Taven Bryan, who added a sack Sunday and was seen leaving the locker room with a brace on his right knee, will be evaluated Monday, Harbaugh said. “It just seems like we’re all working toward something,” Humphrey said. “Even when special teams isn’t right, defense isn’t right, offense isn’t right, we’re still building with one another. It’s really encouraging.” Still, there’s a resounding sentiment of needing to be better that echoes throughout the Ravens’ locker room. It might be focused on the offense right now after another lackluster showing, but defenders are also looking to what needs to improve rather than letting this win streak make them complacent. “Tighten up our tackling. Some things to clean up,” Humphrey said. “We got a lot of work to do,” added safety Alohi Gilman, who was acquired in a trade Oct. 7. That starts in four days against Cincinnati on Thanksgiving. The Bengals could have Joe Burrow back by then. If not, it’ll be Joe Flacco for Baltimore’s second consecutive game against a former Ravens quarterback. This defense that every week is maneuvering a different challenge, whether it be a new player still figuring out how to get around M&T Bank Stadium or an injury setback, is ready for whoever — and for the holiday. “I want to have the best Thanksgiving of my life,” Humphrey said. “And it would be great if Joe Burrow just waited another week. But even if he is out there, it’ll be great to get the best of the Bengals.” Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey strips the football from Jets running back Breece Hall. Baltimore forced two turnovers in Sunday's 23-10 win. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position in their 23-10 win over the Jets on Sunday: Quarterback Lamar Jackson’s play has become a mystery. He missed a lot of open receivers Sunday, beginning early in the game on a pass to tight end Isaiah Likely in the right flat to later missing a wide-open DeAndre Hopkins after Hopkins beat safety Tony Adams in the fourth quarter. There were times when Jackson might have gotten to the outside with his usual acceleration or burst, but he doesn’t appear to have the type of speed to turn the corner at this time. Jackson completed 13 of 23 passes for 153 yards and finished with a passer rating of 76.9. The problem is that once the postseason starts, the Ravens might face a team just as hot as them and Jackson’s accuracy will be needed. Grade: C- Running backs Derrick Henry finished with 64 yards on 21 carries and had two touchdown runs of 2 yards each. He was effective in the second half when the Ravens needed him most, but the Ravens still need to work Keaton Mitchell more into the offense. Mitchell had only two carries for 10 yards, but he also had a long run nullified in the second half because of a holding penalty. The Ravens need his outside speed to add an extra dimension to the offense. Baltimore needs to find more balance between the two backs because Mitchell is a great change-of-pace weapon. The Ravens might be wasting a great talent. Grade: C Offensive line Watching this group operate can be extremely unnerving. There are times when they can’t get any movement off the ball on initial contact or when they run over each other on combination blocks. Pass blocking has been suspect for the past two or three years; Jackson was sacked three times Sunday and also was hurried seven other times. Regardless, the Ravens won’t make changes because they don’t have a lot of depth, and offensive line is more about timing than almost anything else. Baltimore will stand or fall with this group. Tackles Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten struggled with defensive ends Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson. The Ravens had only 241 yards of total offense. Grade: D+ Receivers Baltimore at least got slot receiver Zay Flowers involved in the offense early. He had two carries for 11 yards and also caught five passes for 58 yards. Hopkins also had two receptions for 13 yards and the Ravens still need to get him more involved as well, especially on the outside in one-on-one situations. The Ravens, though, have become stale on offense, and they could use more Mitchell, Flowers and Hopkins. Tight end Mark Andrews had one catch for 9 yards but dropped a short touchdown pass in the back on the end zone in the second half. Jackson left a lot of points on the field Sunday by missing receivers. Grade: C- Defensive line The Jets had some success rushing the ball 26 times for 78 yards. It wasn’t a whopping success, but at least it kept the Ravens off balance. The Ravens’ interior group got very little pressure on backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who completed 17 of 28 passes for 222 yards and finished with a passer rating of 82.7. Overall, Baltimore only occasionally got penetration, and Breece Hall was good at slowing the game down and picking which hole to run through. Overall, the Ravens were solid, but far from spectacular. Grade: C Related Articles Ravens defense stars again in win over Jets: ‘Starting to come together’ Ravens struggle to beat Jets, 23-10, win 5th straight, take AFC North lead Instant analysis from Ravens’ 23-10 win over Jets Ravens vs. Jets, November 23, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Jets live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 23-10 win Linebackers There were times when Hall made the Ravens look really bad in their attempts to tackle him. Hall was basically a one-man offense, but he did get some help from receiver John Metchie III. Middle linebacker Roquan Smith led the Ravens in tackles with 11, and rookie weakside linebacker Teddye Buccanan had eight. They got a lot of help from outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, who had 1 1/2 sacks and finished with two pressures. Baltimore, though, was playing against a team that had allowed 36 sacks in the first 10 games. Grade: C+ Secondary Nickel cornerback Marlon Humphrey does what he always does well, and he stripped Hall after a carry at the Ravens’ 3-yard line with 6:58 left in the game. It was unlikely that the Jets would have mounted a comeback, but they were still in the game at that point. Overall, the Ravens covered well, but their tackling was extremely poor, especially going after Hall, who juked and side-stepped cornerback Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie and safeties Alohi Gilman and Malaki Starks all over the field. The Jets threw for more than 200 yards after entering the game with the worst passing offense in the NFL, averaging only 139.9 yards per game. Grade: C+ Special teams Jordan Stout saved Baltimore. He had four punts averaging 61.5 yards, including bombs of 56 and 74 yards. That’s a great day, especially when the offense falters. Rookie Tyler Loop converted on field goal attempts of 31, 35 and 27 yards, with the 35-yarder in the fourth quarter putting the Ravens ahead, 20-10, with 9:35 remaining. Cornerback T.J. Tampa Jr. excelled on special teams and had two tackles (plus his first career interception). The Ravens though, still need to improve on kickoff returns. They gave up 156 yards on five returns. Grade: B Coaching It would be nice if the Ravens came out hot on offense just one time. We haven’t seen that since early in the season. Also, this offense needs more jazz, more creativeness, and the Ravens aren’t getting much as far as production. Defensively, the Ravens have improved, but the Jets completed passes of 19, 40 and 26 yards. For Baltimore it’s all about preparing for the postseason. The Steelers continue to falter, and the Ravens will surpass them in the AFC North race. It will come down to which team is hot in the postseason, and right now the Ravens are still cool. Very cool. Grade: C Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

It was often ugly, but ultimately effective. That was about the best thing that could be said about the Ravens’ performance against the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium. Quarterback Lamar Jackson threw for just 153 yards, running back Derrick Henry scored twice but was held to a paltry 64 yards rushing on 21 carries, and kicker Tyler Loop added a trio of field goals while the defense forced a turnover for a sixth straight game to lift Baltimore to a 23-10 victory. The win was the Ravens’ fifth in a row and puts them above .500 for the first time all season. But now the real test comes for Baltimore (6-5). Four of its next six opponents are against division foes, with two games each against the AFC North-leading Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, who are likely to have quarterback Joe Burrow back for both games. The other two opponents are the AFC East-leading New England Patriots and 7-3-1 Packers in Green Bay. The Ravens won’t savor this victory, though, but will be glad they survived it. Trailing the hapless Jets 7-3 at the half, Baltimore’s best offense at times turned out to be New York’s defense. Faced with a third-and-15 on their opening possession of the third quarter, they were bailed out by a 34-yard pass interference penalty on defensive back Isaiah Oliver, who was a little too blanketed on tight end Mark Andrews on a desperate heave down the right sideline. A couple of minutes later, Baltimore converted its first third down of the game and eventually worked down to the Jets’ 6-yard line. Henry plunged into the end zone three plays later to give the Ravens their first lead of the day. Then they took advantage of the Jets’ anemic offense and quarterback and ex-Raven Tyrod Taylor (17 of 28 passing, 222 yards). After stopping New York on a fourth-and-2 from its own 42, a 17-yard pass interference penalty on Azareye’h Thomas in coverage on Zay Flowers on a third-and-7 from the Jets’ 20 kept Baltimore’s next series going. That moved the ball to New York’s 3, but it still required a fourth-down conversion from the 2 for the Ravens to score with Henry taking it in again to stretch the lead to 17-7. But for the first 30 minutes, it was about as ugly a game could be. New York crossed into Ravens territory four times but came away with just one score, a 13-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to John Metchie III to cap a methodical 12-play, 79-yard march that gave the Jets a 7-0 lead nearly 11 minutes into the second quarter. The Ravens, meanwhile, didn’t cross midfield until just over three minutes remaining in the first half with Jackson hitting Flowers for a 20-yard gain down the left side. Two plays later, the two hooked up again for another 14 yards as the receiver hopped over a sprawling would-be tackler down the right sideline before being knocked out at the 19. But the drive stalled shortly thereafter, and they were left settling for a 31-yard Loop field goal at the 1:39 mark. The last time Baltimore had been held scoreless in a first half was Oct. 1, 2017, against the Steelers. Continuing the longest active streak in the NFL was hardly something to puff its chest about, though. Related Articles Ravens vs. Jets, November 23, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Jets live updates: Baltimore up, 20-10, in 4th quarter Orioles, Ravens spur 9-figure spending in Maryland. Is it enough? Ravens rule out 2 players for game vs. Jets; Lamar Jackson a full go Ravens vs. Jets staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Baltimore? Aside from Flowers, the Ravens’ best player the first two quarters was punter Jordan Stout, who averaged 59.7 yards on three punts, including a field-flipping 74-yard bomb in the second quarter that tied Sam Koch’s franchise record. Baltimore managed just 24 plays in the first half and tallied a meager 72 yards. That included going 0-for-5 on third down. In the first quarter, the Ravens averaged a measly 2.5 yards per play and 25 total yards. The Jets weren’t much better at 3.6 a pop. Just as concerning, though, was how Baltimore got there. The Ravens went 0-for-3 on third down, all three from 3 yards or less. Twice Jackson misfired on passes to Andrews and Isaiah Likely, and another time Andrews ran under center at the last moment only to get stuffed on a tush push. It was emblematic of Baltimore’s offensive struggles both Sunday and this season. Still, it was enough on Sunday. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is now 19-0 against teams six games under .500 or worse. He’ll face another one Thursday night in Baltimore. But a performance like this one probably won’t cut it against Burrow and the Bengals. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 23-10 win over the New York Jets in Week 12 of the NFL season on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Brian Wacker, reporter It was ugly but effective. The Jets simply don’t have enough on either side of the ball to beat many teams, though Baltimore kept them in it for at least a little while. The Ravens’ offense has been inconsistent at best and that trend continued with a first half in which they tallied just 72 yards on 24 plays and were 0-for-5 on third down. Of course it was only a matter of time before New York yielded, though. Baltimore’s stop on fourth-and-2 in the third quarter sparked a bit of a turning point and Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers, along with a few crushing penalties and pair of turnovers, proved enough. There won’t be much to celebrate, but winning ugly is still winning. The Ravens also won’t have much time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow coming to town Thursday night. Mike Preston, columnist The Ravens continued their trend of beating up on bad teams Sunday and now have won five in a row. It was a game for a half, and the Jets even had a 7-3 lead at the end of two quarters. But the turning point came midway through the third quarter. On third-and-4 from its own 42, New York ran running back Isaiah Davis for no gain off left tackle. A play later, quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw a short pass intended for receiver John Metchie III that fell incomplete. Why did coach Aaron Glenn make that decision? Why did the Jets even go for it on fourth down at their own 42? Maybe that’s why he needs to be fired. On the Ravens’ following series, they went 42 yards on seven plays on a drive that was finished by a short touchdown run by Derrick Henry. Game over. It’s the second straight week that the Ravens have beaten up on poor offensive teams, but they need to address their own shortcomings on offense. The Ravens aren’t sound on defense either, but at least they have gotten better. Offensively, no one knows what to expect from the Ravens. Josh Tolentino, columnist When Sunday’s game clock mercifully reached triple zeros, the scoreboard declared the Ravens victors over the visiting Jets. It was another ugly win for the home team that climbed above .500 for the first time this season. Nothing has come quite easy for the Ravens during this five-game win streak with Baltimore’s offense often lagging as it did for much of the Week 12 contest. At some point, coordinator Todd Monken needs to figure things out, especially if Baltimore aspires to reach its mountaintop. The personnel, including the underwhelming offensive line, is not changing, so the team’s play calling must adapt. Defensively, Zach Orr’s unit continued to impress, limiting their sixth straight opponent to under 20 points. General manager Eric DeCosta might’ve done the offense a disservice by not supporting the offensive line in the offseason, but his acquisition of pass-rusher Dre’Mont Jones continues to pay off; Jones had two sacks against the Jets, while his 29 pressures lead the team. For the second time this season, the Ravens will now play two games in five days, with the Bengals scheduled to visit on Thanksgiving night. Sam Cohn, reporter Each week, the Ravens find new ways to win ugly. In this one, they were bailed out enough times to beat one of the worst teams in the NFL. Both of Baltimore’s touchdown drives appeared to stall out on third down when a piece of yellow cloth, each for defensive pass interference, awarded the Ravens a chunk pickup with which they were able to punch it in. Then, when Breece Hall ran amok (over 100 total yards), on track to single-handedly bring New York back within striking distance, Marlon Humphrey jarred the ball from his grasp at the goal line. All of M&T Bank Stadium sighed some relief. The Jets haven’t won in Baltimore since 1983. That didn’t change Sunday — but it wasn’t pretty. Taylor Lyons, reporter That Jordan Stout played such a significant role in a game against the Jets should be worrisome for the Ravens, whose offense continues to be uninspiring and create questions of the unit’s long-term viability. But it was enough Sunday against one of the worst teams in football. The Ravens again struggled in short yardage and the red zone and leaned on Derrick Henry to bail them out. Lamar Jackson looked off again and is clearly hampered by lingering ailments. His offensive line didn’t help him or Henry, and calls to shake the starting five up will grow louder, especially with third-round rookie Emery Jones Jr. being active for the first time this season. Another concern is Kyle Hamilton, who exited the game twice with separate injuries, the last sending him to the locker room with 1:56 remaining in the game. He left in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury, then looked to hurt his ankle or foot late in the fourth. He’s perhaps the defense’s most important player. Any absence for the star safety would be detrimental for a defense that’s finally starting to figure it out. The Ravens are winning ugly, which is OK for now during an easier stretch of the schedule. They’ll need more to get them deep into the postseason. C.J. Doon, editor That was probably the Ravens’ worst first half with Lamar Jackson in the lineup. This offense just isn’t the same with Jackson clearly operating at less than 100% while dealing with hamstring, knee and ankle injuries this season (note his heavy tape job on both ankles Sunday). With his rushing ability compromised, defenses clearly aren’t as worried about containing the two-time NFL MVP. Todd Monken hasn’t been doing Jackson any favors, either. The blame for Baltimore’s 0-for-5 showing on third down in the first half is as much on the offensive coordinator as it is his players. A heavy dose of Derrick Henry on the touchdown drive that opened the second half — which included as many first downs (4) as the Ravens produced in the opening 30 minutes — was exactly what the doctor ordered. Why not just start with that, especially when your star QB is banged up? Don’t overlook the absence of Rashod Bateman, who is underrated for his ability to get open downfield. Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and DeAndre Hopkins look much better on paper than they do in practice, especially when Jackson’s accuracy and timing are a little bit off. Without Jackson at full speed, the offense looks old and slow. Henry hasn’t exactly been prime King Henry this season, either, as he was held to just 2.2 yards per carry through three quarters before finding some late running room. Flowers has barely been targeted despite being the most explosive playmaker on the team. Perhaps this offensive line is an even bigger problem than we thought (and we already thought it was a huge problem). Emery Jones Jr., are you ready yet? Fortunately for the Ravens, they were playing perhaps the most hapless franchise in the league. Trailing by just three in the third quarter, New York decided to go for it on its half of the field, turned the ball over on downs and promptly allowed a touchdown on a drive that included a back-breaking defensive pass interference penalty. Then, with the Jets seemingly poised to pull back within three in the fourth quarter, Breece Hall fumbled near the goal line. Talk about getting bailed out. At least Baltimore won’t have to linger on this game for long, with a short turnaround before the Bengals (and maybe Joe Burrow?) visit on Thanksgiving night. It will be interesting to see which version of the Ravens shows up for that one. Related Articles Ravens vs. Jets, November 23, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Jets live updates: Baltimore up, 20-10, in 4th quarter Orioles, Ravens spur 9-figure spending in Maryland. Is it enough? Ravens rule out 2 players for game vs. Jets; Lamar Jackson a full go Ravens vs. Jets staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Baltimore? Tim Schwartz, editor Not great! We are still waiting for the Ravens to look like a real Super Bowl contender, and we did not see that Sunday against perhaps the worst team in the NFL. We didn’t see it last Sunday against perhaps the other worst team in the NFL. Will we see it at all at this point? Lamar Jackson looks like a quarterback who has a hamstring, ankle and knee ailment. Derrick Henry is running right into the tacklers near the line of scrimmage far too often. The schedule has been a gift for Baltimore, which somehow has won five straight games looking average more often than not. The defense, to its credit (and Zach Orr’s), has turned a corner, and Dre’Mont Jones made a significant impact rushing the passer. If the offense can figure it out, I’ll believe this team can win a playoff game. But until then, these Ravens are pretenders. Bennett Conlin, editor The Ravens are playing ugly football, but they’re winning. Lamar Jackson clearly isn’t 100% as he battles, ankle, knee and hamstring ailments this season. Even with a hobbled Jackson, Baltimore is on a five-game winning streak and squarely in the AFC North hunt after overcoming a sluggish start Sunday vs. the lowly Jets. But Jackson’s health is a concern, especially with a short week coming up. He’s developed into one of the best passers in the league, but it’s his rushing ability that makes him perhaps the best quarterback on the planet. Without his same scrambling ability and open-field elusiveness, it hampers Baltimore’s offense significantly. Derrick Henry hasn’t picked up the slack, either. The defense is improving, but can Baltimore win the division with Jackson moving a step or two slower than usual? It hasn’t looked pretty in recent weeks, which will be a concern as the schedule toughens in coming weeks. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop converts an extra point in the third quarter, extending Baltimore’s lead to 17-7. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry scores on a 2-yard run in the third quarter as Baltimore stretch their leads to 17-7. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry scores on a 2-yard run in the third quarter as Baltimore stretch their leads to 17-7. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs for a touchdown in third quarter of the game against the Jets at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry scores on a 2-yard run in the third quarter as Baltimore takes the lead 10-7. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry scores on a 2-yard run in the third quarter as Baltimore takes the lead 10-7. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop boots through a field goal above place holder Jordan Stout during the second quarter of an AFC conference matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones clutches the foot of New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor who watches outside linebacker Mike Green advance during a sack in the second quarter of an AFC conference matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) New York Jets defensive lineman Jowon Briggs reaches Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to sack him during the second quarter of an AFC conference matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton gets attention after suffering an injury against the New York Jets during the second quarter of an AFC conference matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton sits up after suffering an injury against the New York Jets during the second quarter of an AFC conference matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Jets’ John Metchie III, left, dives into the end zone to score a touchdown against Ravens’ Alohi Gilman, right, in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens’ Derrick Henry, left, drags Jets’ Jamien Sherwood after a catch in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before the game against the Jets at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson greets fans as he walks onto field for warm up before the game against the Jets at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running back Derrick Henry kisses his daughter Celine before the game against the Jets at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Formerly with the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Tyrod Taylor practices to start for the New York Jets during pregame before an AFC conference matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article