ExtremeRavens

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

The Ravens used defense and special teams to defeat the Jets, 23-10. Follow along here for live postgame coverage and analysis. View the full article

Maryland’s long-running investment in the Orioles and Ravens raises questions about whether the statewide benefits of professional teams match their reputations — even as reports cite hundreds of millions of dollars in annual economic activity tied to both franchises. Maryland Stadium Authority reports — obtained by The Baltimore Sun through a Public Information Act request — outline the franchises’ financial impacts in 2021, the only year for which the agency would provide data. Analyses by Crossroads Consulting found the Orioles and Ravens generated a combined $857 million in economic activity that year and supported more than 9,000 jobs. The Ravens accounted for the larger share: $603.1 million in economic output, about 6,500 jobs and $291.9 million in labor income. State tax and Baltimore admissions and amusement tax figures for the teams were redacted. The Orioles and Camden Yards generated $253.7 million in economic activity, supported roughly 2,900 jobs and produced $126.5 million in labor income — a smaller footprint attributed in part to the club’s reduced attendance of about 793,200 fans during the earlier stages of the coronavirus pandemic. Both reports relied on IMPLAN economic modeling software to estimate direct spending, including ticket sales, concessions, game-day employment and stadium operations, as well as indirect and induced spending tied to vendors, contractors and nearby businesses. Baltimore benefits, but does Maryland? Tom Rhoads, a professor in Towson University’s Department of Economics who specializes in sports business, said that although the Orioles and Ravens clearly boost spending around their stadiums, most of that activity comes from Maryland residents shifting their dollars within the state rather than generating new economic growth. “When you’re talking about statewide impact, most of the fans going to Orioles or Ravens games already live in Maryland,” Rhoads said. “The money they’re spending isn’t new to the state — it’s just being spent in Baltimore instead of somewhere else.” Rhoads said research consistently shows that stadium-related economic gains are concentrated in the blocks and neighborhoods around the facilities. Those local boosts — to bars, restaurants, hotels and vendors — might not translate into broad gains for Maryland taxpayers. “It’s really hard to justify using state dollars to fund stadiums if you’re just shifting money around,” he said. Mark Conrad, director of the sports business concentration at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, said public subsidies can deliver wider benefits when paired with broader community development, such as new housing or commercial growth around the venues. But he noted that many sports economists remain skeptical that such investments regularly produce returns that justify their public cost. “On the dollars and cents figures noted, it would seem that the area does not get the economic benefits to justify the costs,” Conrad said. “However, if you consider issues like the potential losses of the teams to other markets and the reactions of fans to the losses without these benefits, it could make these investments a better political bet. “Still, sports franchises get more subsidies than other businesses, and it raises legitimate questions of whether this is the right approach in cash-strapped cities.” Community benefits Since opening in the 1990s, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium have anchored Baltimore’s sports and entertainment district, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and supporting downtown hotels, restaurants, retail and parking operations. The MSA-funded studies reiterated the stadiums’ importance to the area’s tourism and hospitality sectors, particularly as both industries continue recovering from the pandemic. The reports also highlighted the teams’ community contributions. The Orioles’ outreach in 2021 included youth baseball and softball programs, hospital donations and volunteer work through the “Orange and Black Gives Back” initiative, as well as a vaccination campaign and the “Birdland Community Heroes” program. The Ravens Foundation supported education, housing, hunger relief and athletics through grants, mentoring programs and volunteer efforts. Last year, the foundation gave $20 million to College Track, a national college-completion program that supports students from underserved communities aiming to become the first in their families to earn bachelor’s degrees. The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation and the Ravens will contribute $10 million, and the M&T Charitable Foundation will match it, helping College Track establish a Baltimore center to guide city school students from high school through college and into their early careers. Construction of the North Plaza at M&T Bank Stadium and part of the improvement projects. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) What’s next? Maryland is preparing for major reinvestments in both venues. The state has authorized up to $1.2 billion — $600 million each — in borrowing authority for upgrades at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium as part of long-term lease agreements designed to keep both franchises in Baltimore. Rhoads said such investments inevitably raise questions about cost, value and the non-monetary benefits of keeping beloved teams in place. “There is a public good element — that sense of civic pride in your team,” he said. “But the question is, how much is that really worth? Is it worth $1.2 billion?” Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X at @ToddKarpovich. View the full article

Rashod Bateman won’t be available Sunday afternoon when the New York Jets come to town, but Ravens coach John Harbaugh said there’s a chance that he returns during the short-week turnaround in time for Thursday night’s Thanksgiving matchup against the Bengals. Bateman suffered an ankle injury in Baltimore’s Week 10 win over the Vikings. The fifth-year receiver with two touchdowns and 16 receptions this season was yanked back while extending for the goal line. A hefty fine was levied against Minnesota cornerback Isaiah Rodgers for what was later deemed a hip-drop tackle. Bateman hasn’t practiced since, but Harbaugh said that he’s “progressing well.” The Ravens are fairly healthy otherwise. Undrafted rookie cornerback Keyon Martin was the only other player ruled out this week. Martin suffered a rib injury last weekend and was held back at a Cleveland hospital to undergo further testing. Testing came back negative and Martin avoided any serious injury, Harbaugh said. Still, Martin was held out from practice all week and ruled out for Sunday. On Wednesday, Baltimore’s injury report filled up with troubling signs. Seven regular starters missed practice, including Lamar Jackson, Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith. Six returned a day later and all of them practiced in full by Friday. Bateman was the only one held out. The Jets don’t anticipate any major absences Sunday. Defensive linemen Will McDonald IV (quad) and Harrison Phillips (foot) gradually worked up to speed this week and are questionable to play. Linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball (hamstring) practiced for the better part of the week and is questionable. Third-string running back Kene Nwangwu, who scored on a kick return two weeks ago, suffered a mid-week hamstring injury and is listed as questionable. Coach Aaron Glenn said that “everybody else is just fine.” Wide receiver Isaiah Williams, who was responsible for New York’s other special teams touchdown two weeks ago, figures to backfill Nwangwu kick return duties. New York isn’t exactly a juggernaut. The Jets have two wins, are the only NFL team that hasn’t intercepted a pass, are starting a 36-year-old backup quarterback in Tyrod Taylor and most betting sites peg them as two-score underdogs. Overlooking this game would be disastrous for the Ravens’ long-term goals, but their health becomes a more pressing issue in the weeks to come. The Ravens’ final six games include four divisional matchups, two versus Cincinnati and two against Pittsburgh. Those will likely decide the AFC North, Baltimore’s only feasible path to a spot in the playoffs. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles Ravens vs. Jets staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Baltimore? Ravens vs. Jets scouting report for Week 12: Who has the edge? How injuries have slowed down Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, impacted offense Ravens DE defends timing on game-winning rush vs. Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Soccer star Lionel Messi to play at M&T Bank Stadium in 2026 View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 12 game between the Ravens and Jets at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 27, Jets 13: Even if Lamar Jackson isn’t fully healthy after hamstring, knee and ankle injuries have cropped up this season, and despite a struggling red zone offense, the Ravens have more than enough firepower on offense to handle the hapless Jets, who traded away their two best defensive players earlier this month. New York is also limited what it can do offensively, with former Raven Tyrod Taylor taking over for the benched Justin Fields in what’s already an anemic passing attack. Running back Breece Hall is a threat, but Baltimore’s defense is pointed in the right direction and Kyle Hamilton, among others, will help lay waste to any hope of an upset. Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 40, Jets 13: The Ravens haven’t hung 40 points in a win since Week 2. Sunday could be their best and last chance, with a two-win Jets coming to town weeks after dealing away two of their best players and days after announcing a quarterback change. Playing back in Baltimore for the first time in a month with a healthy roster are both obvious pluses. New York ranks poorly in goal-to-go situations and worse than seven of nine teams the Ravens have already played at stopping teams in the red zone — a headlong hitch of Baltimore’s offense. Now a .500 team again, this would be the week to prove they can dominate. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 30, Jets 6: Go ahead, pick a score. Any score. The Jets must be desperate for a win, which is why they have announced Tyrod Taylor as the starting quarterback. Taylor is 36, and that’s a great achievement considering he has played for seven teams since the Ravens selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. But that tells you that Jets coach Aaron Glenn is in trouble because New York doesn’t have a quarterback for the future. I’m not sure if they have a coach for the future, either. The Ravens should win big, and if they don’t, it will be as big of a loss as the old Baltimore Colts losing to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III. Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 27, Jets 10: The Ravens should have more than enough to grind out their fifth straight win Sunday even with Jackson battling through several lower-body issues that have clearly limited his burst and willingness to run. His offensive line hasn’t helped much with the unit playing a detrimental role in the offense’s ongoing red zone woes. The Ravens haven’t asked Jackson to be superman lately, and they might not need any heroics against a Jets team that simply can’t score. New York arrives at this Week 12 matchup with one of the league’s least productive offenses and hasn’t shown any consistency (so much for a reborn Justin Fields, huh) to threaten a Ravens defense that has held five straight opponents under 20 points. Rookie Mike Green has gotten close to making impact plays … perhaps Sunday is the second-round draft pick’s breakout performance? It might be in ugly fashion again, but the Ravens should climb above .500 for the first time this season as they enter a critical stretch with two games in five days. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 26, Jets 13: For the Ravens’ sake, this win shouldn’t be as difficult as last week’s. Lamar Jackson needs a break, so look for Baltimore to make the offense as easy as possible and keep him out of harm’s way. Perhaps we finally see Derrick Henry eclipse 30 carries for the first time in a Ravens uniform. Rushing for 200-plus yards would be a nice way to silence all the criticism of the offensive line. This will be an interesting litmus test for the Ravens’ trenches, with Jets tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou going up against pass rushers Dre’Mont Jones and Mike Green and Ravens bookends Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten taking on Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson. We’ll learn plenty from how the Ravens control the line of scrimmage here. Related Articles Ravens vs. Jets scouting report for Week 12: Who has the edge? How injuries have slowed down Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, impacted offense Ravens DE defends timing on game-winning rush vs. Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Soccer star Lionel Messi to play at M&T Bank Stadium in 2026 Ravens injury report: Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith return to practice Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 31, Jets 14: The general public assumed that the Ravens would go on a run after their bye week. Well, congratulations to everyone, as Baltimore is a win over the Jets from moving over .500 for the first time this season. Baltimore should do what it can to limit Jackson’s rushing attempts and hits taken, as there are few scenarios in which the Ravens actually lose this game. The focus needs to be keeping Jackson out of harm’s way with a short week coming up. The running game, quick passes and defense should be plenty to pick up a win without needing Jackson’s heroics. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 28, Jets 10: Lamar Jackson is beat up and Baltimore barely got past the Browns last weekend, but this is the Jets we’re talking about. Jackson at half of his ability is enough for the Ravens to beat New York at home, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Tyrod Taylor looks better than Justin Fields has for the past few weeks. It’s a low bar, for sure, but Baltimore should be wary of the spark a new starter under center can bring. The Ravens’ defense needs to continue its roll since the Bengals and likely Joe Burrow await on Thanksgiving night. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 31, Jets 13: The Ravens have won four straight and finally got to .500. This is the week they go above .500. The Jets have only won two games. If Baltimore’s defense plays like it did last week, and the offense steps up its game, the Ravens should be able to pull out a win. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

The formerly 1-5 Ravens swam furiously up from the ocean floor, reaching sea level at 5-5 to keep pace with the first-place Steelers. Their heads are “just above water,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We’re breathing.” Climbing back toward postseason relevance continues Sunday against the lowly Jets in the first of Baltimore’s three-game home stand. Who will have the advantage this weekend at M&T Bank Stadium? Ravens passing game vs. Jets pass defense Lamar Jackson did something last Sunday he’s never done. Usually, that sentence indicates some superhuman feat, something perhaps no quarterback has ever done. Not this time. In a win over the Browns, Jackson threw a pair of interceptions without a passing touchdown. Neither pick was entirely his fault, both skipping into the wrong hands. New York could be the perfect bounce-back opportunity. The Jets have not recorded an interception, the only NFL team with a goose egg on the leaderboard. They’re 27th in scoring and 20th in yards allowed per game (329.7). To make matters worse, the Jets traded away their top defensive lineman and top cornerback at the deadline, leaving an unimpressive defense on the verge of flatlining. EDGE: Ravens Jets passing game vs. Ravens pass defense Jets coach Aaron Glenn is willing to try anything to get his flailing club going offensively. Anything to inject life into the league’s least efficient passing attack (139.9 yards per game). This week, that means a change at quarterback. Glenn confirmed that he’s benching Justin Fields in favor of Tyrod Taylor, the 15-year veteran drafted by Baltimore in 2011. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said that he didn’t think it would be a “major difference.” In three games this season, Taylor has thrown three touchdown passes and three interceptions with a 62.3% completion rate. He’ll be tasked with facing a defense that is finally “playing to our potential,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. Since Week 8, the Ravens have one of the best defenses in football — which feels like déjà vu from a similar worst-to-first turnaround last year. Since Week 8, when they downed Chicago to kickstart this win streak, the Ravens have forced eight turnovers and sacked the quarterback seven times. They’ve allowed one passing touchdown in that stretch. Taylor has his hands full playing in Baltimore for the first time since 2016 with Buffalo. EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Jets run defense The rushing play that captured the hearts of Ravens fans this week didn’t feature lead back Derrick Henry. It was “Hurricane” — the Mark Andrews fake tush push that helped decide a win in Cleveland. That accounted for 35 of a collective 184-yard day. Henry contributed 103, his fourth best showing of the year. All told, the Ravens have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL, even though it’s lacking familiar dominance in short-yardage or red zone situations. New York’s defense held up OK against the run last week in a loss to New England. Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson scored three touchdowns (two on the ground) but ran for just 62 yards on 19 carries. The door is cracked open for Henry to have a big day. EDGE: Ravens Jets running game vs. Ravens run defense New York’s ground game ranks near the top of the NFL, even if it hasn’t produced wins. The Jets are third in yards per play (5.02) and fifth in yards per game (141.6). Much of that is a credit to the offensive line opening lanes for Breece Hall. But Hall has only rushed for two touchdowns this season, both against a porous Bengals defense in Week 8. The dual-threat Fields was also a key cog in opening up the ground game. He kept defenses honest with his 5.4 rushing yards per attempt. An age-36 Taylor won’t break out in space as effectively. Keying in on one rushing threat should be plenty to temper New York on the ground. Against the Browns last week, rookie Quinshon Judkins burned Baltimore in the first half but went nowhere on six carries after halftime. Baltimore is wreaking as much havoc up front as it has all season. EDGE: Ravens Ravens special teams vs. Jets special teams A pair of third-phase mistakes nearly cost the Ravens in Cleveland. Rookie LaJohntay Wester muffed a punt near the end zone. And special teams ace Jake Hummel jumped offsides to give the Browns a first down. Both blunders led to field goals, not touchdowns, thanks to an admirable effort from the Ravens’ defense. The Jets made Cleveland pay for special teams lapses, returning a pair of kicks back for touchdowns. Special teams is the one unit the Jets have been able to hang their hat on under first-year coordinator Chris Banjo. Punter Austin McNamara has the best average hang time in the league (4.76 seconds) and Nick Folk is the only full-time kicker who hasn’t missed a field goal or a extra point attempt. EDGE: Jets Ravens intangibles vs. Jets intangibles Related Articles Ravens vs. Jets staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Baltimore? How injuries have slowed down Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, impacted offense Ravens DE defends timing on game-winning rush vs. Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Soccer star Lionel Messi to play at M&T Bank Stadium in 2026 Ravens injury report: Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith return to practice It’s Week 12. Lamar Jackson has played in seven games. And he’s already matched his sack total from 2024. Opposing defenses have brought him down 23 times, marking what has been a troubling year for the Ravens’ offensive line and the slightly hurt quarterback. Detroit sacked Jackson seven times, Cleveland did it five. Each of those are tied for most and second most in a single game over his eight-year career. The Jets aren’t exactly the team to take advantage. They’re 25th in sack percentage per pass attempt, averaging 1.8 per game, while 10 of their 18 sacks were recorded in two games. So yes, Jackson and company have struggled to keep him on his feet, but the Jets aren’t likely to exacerbate that issue. EDGE: Ravens Prediction The Ravens haven’t hung 40 points in a win since Week 2. Sunday could be their best and last chance, with the two-win Jets coming to town weeks after dealing away two of their best players and days after announcing a quarterback change. Playing back in Baltimore for the first time in a month with a healthy roster are both obvious pluses. New York ranks poorly in goal-to-go situations and worse than seven of nine teams the Ravens have already played at stopping teams in the red zone — a headlong hitch of Baltimore’s offense. Now a .500 team again, this would be the week for the Ravens to prove they can dominate. Ravens 40, Jets 13 Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

Lamar Jackson winced and reached for his back Thursday afternoon in Owings Mills. He wasn’t hurt, just reliving the moment Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner crunched him to the Minnesota turf with the full weight of his hulking 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame two weeks ago. “God,” the Ravens quarterback said Thursday. “He got me. I wasn’t expecting that at all.” Even Superman has his weakness. In previous years, Jackson’s kryptonite has most often been opponents such as the Pittsburgh Steelers or Kansas City Chiefs. This season, it has been something far more capricious: injuries. Hamstring. Knee. Now his ankle. “I’m good,” Jackson said of his latest trauma after missing the previous day’s practice, later removing a heavy dose of tape from around his right ankle and foot. Asked if the spate of injuries has impeded his performance, he offered only, “If it just happened in the game probably. But if you was injured, took some time off and you’re able to come back, I doubt it.” Perhaps, though two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s metrics paint a different picture with Jackson not as explosive as he has been in the previous chapters of a career that will one day land him a gold jacket and a bust in Canton, Ohio. Jackson’s 32.3 rushing yards per game are the fewest of his career and his 5.8 yards per carry the third-lowest. Per Pro Football Focus, his tackle avoidance rate of 17.9% along with his averages of 1.9 yards before contact and 1.5 yards against eight-man boxes are also the lowest rates compared to any of his first seven seasons in the NFL. He is still averaging 3.9 yards after first contact — a career-high — so it’s not as if the gas tank is nearing empty, but since suffering a hamstring injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, Jackson has averaged just 20 yards rushing per game and a 3.3 per-carry average, both more than a 50% decline from the first few weeks of the season. It, of course, also caused him to miss the next three games. There have been other, more tangible examples of his mortality, too. In last week’s win in Cleveland over the Browns, Jackson was sacked five times and ran just four times for only 10 yards. Two of those runs were kneel downs at the end of the 23-16 victory, with the two actual carries tying for the second-fewest of his career as a starter. He was also chased down twice by rookie inside linebacker Carson Schwesinger on the Ravens’ opening series, first on a read-option to the right in which Jackson appeared to have the angle but was dropped for a 1-yard loss, then on a 13-yard scramble up the middle when he was dropped at Cleveland’s 4-yard line. Two weeks before that, in a Thursday night game against the Miami Dolphins and in his first game back from the hamstring injury, he again was surprisingly corralled. Faced with a third-and-6 from the left hash on his own 36 early in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium, Jackson dropped back to pass and with Miami blitzing five, no one open and nothing but green grass in front of him, tucked the ball and quickly took off. Only one defender — cornerback Rasul Douglas — was on the left side of the field, but he was locked in tight man-to-man pass coverage. As Jackson raced upfield, the vastness appeared to provide a pathway to go the distance or at least a long way. Instead, linebacker Tyrel Dodson slipped away from right guard Daniel Faalele and tripped Jackson from behind, limiting him to a 13-yard gain. Jackson’s longest carry of this season is just 19 yards, which came in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. He had eight carries longer than that just last season. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sacks Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in a 23-16 Baltimore win. Jackson was sacked five times in the victory. (David Richard/AP) Former NFL running back Damien Harris, who spent four years with the New England Patriots and one with the Bills and is now an analyst for CBS Sports, said earlier this week that he believes Jackson is playing “scared” and “hesitant” as well as being “frustrated.” “When I talk about him playing timid, he wasn’t climbing the pocket today,” Harris said. “He wasn’t extending plays with his legs and letting his receivers uncover. We were sitting there asking each other ‘Why?’ There were lanes. There were opportunities for him to tuck and run. Is he still worried about the hamstring? Are there other things going on? “I don’t want to use this opportunity to bash Lamar. I just genuinely want to know what’s going on.” The reasons are myriad. In addition to Jackson running less often and not being as explosive as he has been in the past, he has faced eight-man fronts on 25% of his runs, the highest mark of his career. Some teams have also used a spy along with a heavy dose of pressure to keep Jackson in check. The Detroit Lions were one of them and consequently generated a whopping 30 pressures and sacked him seven times, matching his career high. Baltimore’s porous offensive line has also been problematic. The Ravens rank 26th in pass blocking and 10th in run blocking, per PFF, and Jackson has been pressured on 43% of his drop-backs and sacked on 12% of them, both career highs. Against the Browns, Myles Garrett continually bullied his way through them and sacked Jackson four times. Through 10 games, Jackson has been sacked 23 times, tying his total from all of last season. “God[dang],” Jackson said when informed of the total. “I’m gonna have to talk to my guys about that.” All of it has taken a toll, on the Ravens’ offense, which ranks 21st in yards and 28th in red zone scoring, and on its quarterback’s body. Related Articles Ravens DE defends timing on game-winning rush vs. Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Soccer star Lionel Messi to play at M&T Bank Stadium in 2026 Ravens injury report: Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith return to practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is full practice participant day after absence Staff picks for Week 12 of 2025 NFL season: Colts vs. Chiefs, Eagles vs. Cowboys and more When offensive coordinator Todd Monken was asked Thursday if Jackson’s injuries have affected his play-calling, he offered a blunt retort: “Nope.” Perhaps not, but it’s hard to say it hasn’t impacted the man executing the offense. Already, Jackson has missed three games because of injuries and practice each of the past two Wednesdays, the latter he acknowledged a potential new routine to allow his body a weekly rest day, something that is rare for quarterbacks. And as for if he feels the weight of facing all that pressure and taking all those hits? “It’s part of football,” he said. “Sometimes guys will get you; sometimes they won’t.” The same thing could be said about injuries. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The debate hasn’t exactly died down. In the days following the Ravens’ fourth straight win, highlighted by a final defensive stand Sunday against Cleveland, Browns players and some national talking heads have argued that defensive end Dre’Mont Jones jumped early and into the neutral zone on the game-sealing play. On fourth-and-5, with rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders replacing injured starter Dillon Gabriel and making his NFL debut, Jones exploded out of his stance, whipped past Wyatt Teller’s outside shoulder and forced Sanders into an off-balance incompletion. Game over. Teller and Cleveland’s offensive line unsuccessfully pleaded to officials that Jones was in the neutral zone. The sequence sparked reactions across social media. ESPN’s Mike Greenberg posted on X: “Were the Ravens not blatantly offsides on that fourth down?? #Browns” NFL analyst Emmanuel Acho quoted Greenberg’s post: “Correct, Ravens jumped on the last play. Refs missed it.” Jones insists he executed perfect timing in a critical moment. “I was trying to get a feel for his cadence just based on how his demeanor was throughout the game and how he was saying it,” Jones told The Baltimore Sun on Thursday evening, settling in front of his locker while taking a sip from his post-practice mixed-berries smoothie. “So, I knew it was coming up and I got a great jump start. You know what I mean? Plain and simple.” Jones said he began tracking Sanders’ rhythm as soon as the rookie entered in the second half, paying close attention to his slight pause before the snap from center Ethan Pocic. By the Browns’ final offensive play, he felt almost certain of what was coming. “This is how I look at it … offensive tackles and guards move early all the time and that don’t get called,” Jones said. “So it’s the same type of bang-bang situation. It was really close. It looked good to me.” Teller’s postgame explanation added fuel to the debate. The veteran guard told reporters Cleveland’s offensive line heard Sanders’ cadence only “two or three times” before he entered, indicating a sense of unfamiliarity played a role in the breakdown. Jones, a seventh-year pass rusher whom general manager Eric DeCosta acquired at the trade deadline earlier in the month, wasn’t moved. “That’s their problem,” Jones said. “If they don’t want to put their people in to get meaningful reps in, that’s on them. It sucks for Sanders, but that’s the reality.” Like most of the second half, Sanders was unsettled by Zach Orr’s pressure calls and his hurried throw toward tight end David Njoku never stood a chance. Linebacker Roquan Smith blanketed Njoku and knocked the pass attempt away, sealing the 23-16 victory. “No extra momentum,” Jones said of Sanders replacing Gabriel. “The momentum was already there. ‘Ro’ did a good job of bringing us together and relaying the message that everything is the same. You want to go out there and just kill. I thought the defense played great.” Sanders finished 4-for-16 for 47 yards with one interception. He was sacked twice and hit three times over 28 snaps in his debut. Jones, 28, delivered three pressures and two quarterback hits across 23 pass-rush snaps against the Browns. Since joining the Ravens 2 1/2 weeks ago, he already leads the team with 26 total pressures this season. Defensive lineman Travis Jones ranks second with 23, followed by outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy (17) and rookie Mike Green (14). For Jones, the final play carried extra weight because it happened in his native Cleveland with his parents Schontina Jones and Sanderline Williams and many of his childhood friends in attendance at Huntington Bank Stadium. “I was lit,” he said. “Being back home and having basically a game-winning play, that felt good. I feel great [in Baltimore]. The guys in the locker room are good people. Only been here for two weeks, still getting to know more people. But five straight games [holding opponents] under 20 points — that’s an elite stat. [Stuff] like that, you appreciate.” Related Articles How injuries have slowed down Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, impacted offense Soccer star Lionel Messi to play at M&T Bank Stadium in 2026 Ravens injury report: Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith return to practice Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is full practice participant day after absence Staff picks for Week 12 of 2025 NFL season: Colts vs. Chiefs, Eagles vs. Cowboys and more The Ravens reportedly wanted to select Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, but Sanders communicated he didn’t want them to select him. The Ravens drafted offensive tackle Carson Vinson instead with pick No. 141, while Sanders was taken by the Browns three picks later at No. 144. The final play of Sanders’ NFL debut remains a sticking point as the popular rookie quarterback prepares for his first career start Sunday against the Raiders. Meanwhile, as the Ravens aspire to reach five straight wins Sunday versus the Jets at M&T Bank Stadium, Jones’ view hasn’t changed. “It looked good to me,” he said. “I was happy to make that game-winning play.” 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

Soccer fans in Baltimore got excited Thursday. Major League Soccer announced D.C. United and Inter Miami CF will play at the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium on March 7, 2026. 38-year-old Lionel Messi will headline the game for Miami in what will be his fourth season with the club. D.C. United said in a press release it hopes to expand soccer viewership across the DMV and in Baltimore. “M&T Bank Stadium gives us the opportunity to welcome even more supporters and share what makes D.C. United special with our neighbors to the north,” said Danita Johnson, D.C. United president of business operations. “Our fans drive everything we do, and we’re looking forward to creating another memorable experience for them during a landmark season.” Perhaps the greatest soccer player ever, Messi will be in his 23rd season and currently leads MLS in goals (29) and assists (19). Inter Miami currently awaits a conference semifinals matchup against Cincinnati and claimed the Leagues Cup in Messi’s 2023 debut season with the club. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Related Articles No. 9 Maryland women’s basketball routs Bethune-Cookman, 95-49 How injuries have slowed down Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, impacted offense Ravens DE defends timing on game-winning rush vs. Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Ravens injury report: Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith return to practice Trinity Rodman’s free agency puts focus on the NWSL’s salary cap View the full article