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The noise around the Ravens’ defense — and coordinator Zach Orr — was deafening to start the season, and not in a flattering way. A 1-5 start, 32 points allowed per game, two 40-point showings and a rash of injuries left Baltimore scrambling for answers. Lately, it’s been different. The Ravens have held opponents under 20 points and forced takeaways in three straight games — something they managed only once in their first five. Still, Orr isn’t easing up. “We dug ourselves into this hole,” he said. “We’ve got to keep digging ourselves out of it. “We got a long way to go.” Orr credited his unit’s ability to move on to the next play as a key factor in its recent success. Even when opponents have reached the red zone, Baltimore has held Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami to a 27.3% touchdown rate there, the second-lowest mark in the league during the span. The Ravens snuffed all three trips to the red zone against Miami, including Teddye Buchanan’s forced fumble in the fourth quarter. Orr also pointed to takeaways like Buchanan’s as evidence of the defense’s growth. The three forced against the Dolphins marked a season high, and a fumble recovery coupled with a 241-yard showing against Los Angeles kept Baltimore within reach in a 17–3 loss. “Good to see that the hard work is starting to pay off,” Orr said. “Still more work to do.” Kyle Van Noy added the unit has started to “marry up” the pass rush and coverage. Earlier in the season, one would work while the other broke down. Both have clicked over the past three games, the veteran said. Baltimore has recorded five of its 11 sacks and two of its three interceptions during the span. He said teams have been getting the ball out quickly, but the Ravens have adjusted by mixing coverages and keeping offenses off balance. “We’re there at the party — we just have to keep showing up,” Van Noy said. Rookie edge rusher Mike Green said the recent surge in Baltimore’s pass rush has come down to chemistry. After a sluggish start, he feels the group has developed a better sense of how each player works, which has led to more cohesion up front. “It’s easier to go out there and feel confident in what we’re doing when you know somebody next to you got your back,” said Green, who recorded his first 1 1/2 career sacks the past two games. In addition to better cohesion, Baltimore has enjoyed better health. Related Articles Ravens players remember late Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland Staff picks for Week 10 of 2025 NFL season: Steelers vs. Chargers, Eagles vs. Packers and more Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is elite vs. the blitz. Here comes Brian Flores. Meet the Ravens’ new pass rushers who could help defense turn a corner Ravens get a clean bill of health before traveling to Minnesota No Ravens were on the injury report either Wednesday or Thursday — a contrast with the average of six players on the injury report between Weeks 3 and 6 who didn’t participate throughout the week while the team slogged through a four-game skid. The Ravens still have Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), Broderick Washington (Achilles) and Tavius Robinson (foot) sidelined on the long-term injured reserve, but the active roster is finally healthy — a timely boost for a team hoping to climb back into the playoff race. “A healthy team, it’s a good team,” linebacker Roquon Smith said. “Best ability is your availability, as they always say. It’s about just continuing with that and going out and being ourselves.” Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Ravens linebacker Carl Lawson works out Wednesday. Lawson's addition via free agency could bolster the team's inconsistent pass rush. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

The sudden death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland reverberated throughout the Ravens’ locker room, where several players who once shared a sideline with him remembered a joyful, hardworking teammate. Kneeland, a second-year player who scored his first NFL touchdown this past weekend, died early Thursday morning from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after crashing his vehicle following a police chase, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. He was 24. The Cowboys, NFL and Kneeland’s family issued statements confirming his death. Ravens cornerback Amani Oruwariye, a member of the Cowboys in 2024, said that he first learned of the news via group text messages with former teammates. He spent much of Thursday reaching out to teammates and former coaches. “We crossed paths a lot, obviously being on defense. Marshawn always brought good energy,” Oruwariye recalled. “He loved to laugh, he always was a guy that loved to laugh, loved to just live life, always cracking jokes at the facility. It came as a shock to me. But it just goes to show you never know what somebody is going through even if they have a smile on their face, you never know what they’re dealing with deep inside. “I just want to reach out and check in on guys and tell them I love them.” Kneeland was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 draft out of Western Michigan, where he was college teammates with Ravens rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone. Kone, a 2025 sixth-round pick by Baltimore who is out for the season with a torn ligament in his knee, published on X: “Rip brother you was a big figure to me more then a teammate more then a brother you was hope! helped my dreams come to true seeing you make it. Can’t wait to make you proud to play through your energy” Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush spent seven the past seven seasons in Dallas before he joined Baltimore in free agency this past offseason. Rush remembered Kneeland as a rookie who quickly earned the respect of veterans. Kneeland logged one tackle of Ravens running back Rasheen Ali during an Aug. 15 exhibition involving the Ravens and Cowboys. “Marshawn always came off as a very mature, hard worker,” Rush said. “He was solid in the way he played with how hard he played. He was a really good guy with a good head on his shoulders. That’s why it’s just so sad because you never know what someone is going through, that’s the tragic part about all of it.” Rush also noted the importance of Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and how the organization will now navigate the days ahead as teammates and coaches process Kneeland’s death. Said Rush: “With coach Schottie, there’s probably not another better guy for that horrible situation in that organization. He can handle that in terms of how he talks to his players and cares for them because of the people-person he is. It’s unfortunate but he is the right guy for that particular job.” The NFLPA on Thursday issued a statement: “The NFL Players Association is deeply saddened by the passing of Marshawn Kneeland. His impact on those around him was immeasurable, and his loss is felt profoundly across our community. We’re working to ensure that players have the support they need, and our condolences are with Marshawn’s family and loved ones. Related Articles Ravens’ defense looks like it’s turning a corner: ‘Have to keep showing up’ Staff picks for Week 10 of 2025 NFL season: Steelers vs. Chargers, Eagles vs. Packers and more Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is elite vs. the blitz. Here comes Brian Flores. Meet the Ravens’ new pass rushers who could help defense turn a corner Ravens get a clean bill of health before traveling to Minnesota “To our player members, please remember navigating grief can be difficult. Lean on one another and take care of your well-being. We encourage you to reach out to use for wellness support or use the NFL Life Line.” Ravens outside linebacker Carl Lawson, who shared a meeting room with Kneeland last season in Dallas, struggled to describe the pain of losing someone he saw regularly. “He was always full of life,” Lawson said. “It’s a shame. He was very happy when I was with him.” Added Oruwariye: “Mental health is very important. You just never know what somebody is going through. Obviously this is a sport we’re blessed to play and we get compensated pretty well, but at the same time, sometimes fans don’t realize it’s just a game and there’s much more life to live outside of this game. I would encourage fans to use this tragedy or whatever situation they want to use as a reminder that we’re humans as well, regardless of the outcome of the games. So just check on your family. Check on your people.” Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, left, celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Cardinals in Week 9. Kneeland, who played with a few Ravens players in 2024, died Thursday. (Richard Rodriguez/AP) View the full article

Baltimore Sun staff writers and FOX45’s Patrice Sanders pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 10: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos (Thursday, 8:15 p.m.) Brian Wacker (9-5 last week, 93-40-1 overall): Broncos Sam Cohn (8-6 last week, 92-41-1 overall): Broncos Mike Preston (8-6 last week, 90-43-1 overall): Broncos Josh Tolentino (8-6 last week, 91-42-1 overall): Broncos C.J. Doon (7-7 last week, 84-49-1 overall): Broncos Bennett Conlin (9-5 last week, 87-46-1 overall): Broncos Tim Schwartz (10-4 last week, 81-52-1 overall): Broncos Patrice Sanders (8-6 last week, 80-51-1 overall): Broncos Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 9:30 a.m.) Wacker: Colts Cohn: Colts Preston: Colts Tolentino: Colts Doon: Colts Conlin: Colts Schwartz: Colts Sanders: Colts New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Panthers Cohn: Saints Preston: Panthers Tolentino: Panthers Doon: Panthers Conlin: Panthers Schwartz: Panthers Sanders: Panthers New York Giants vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Bears Cohn: Bears Preston: Bears Tolentino: Bears Doon: Bears Conlin: Bears Schwartz: Bears Sanders: Bears Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Jaguars Cohn: Jaguars Preston: Jaguars Tolentino: Jaguars Doon: Jaguars Conlin: Jaguars Schwartz: Jaguars Sanders: Texans Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Bills Cohn: Bills Preston: Bills Tolentino: Bills Doon: Bills Conlin: Bills Schwartz: Bills Sanders: Bills Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Browns Cohn: Browns Preston: Browns Tolentino: Browns Doon: Browns Conlin: Browns Schwartz: Browns Sanders: Jets New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Buccaneers Cohn: Patriots Preston: Buccaneers Tolentino: Patriots Doon: Patriots Conlin: Buccaneers Schwartz: Buccaneers Sanders: Buccaneers Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Seahawks Cohn: Seahawks Preston: Seahawks Tolentino: Seahawks Doon: Seahawks Conlin: Seahawks Schwartz: Seahawks Sanders: Seahawks Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Rams Cohn: 49ers Preston: Rams Tolentino: 49ers Doon: 49ers Conlin: Rams Schwartz: Rams Sanders: Rams Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Lions Cohn: Lions Preston: Lions Tolentino: Lions Doon: Lions Conlin: Lions Schwartz: Lions Sanders: Lions Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) Wacker: Chargers Cohn: Chargers Preston: Steelers Tolentino: Chargers Doon: Steelers Conlin: Chargers Schwartz: Chargers Sanders: Chargers Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers (Monday, 8:15 p.m.) Wacker: Eagles Cohn: Eagles Preston: Eagles Tolentino: Eagles Doon: Eagles Conlin: Packers Schwartz: Packers Sanders: Eagles Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

Lamar Jackson will make his 100th career start Sunday against the Vikings in Minnesota. It will also be his first against their coach, Kevin O’Connell, a former third-round draft pick of the New England Patriots and journeyman NFL quarterback who joked with reporters earlier this week that he would play the role of the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player on the scout team during practice. It will not, however, be Jackson’s first time facing Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. In November 2021, Flores, then the coach of the Dolphins, blitzed the daylight out of Jackson en route to a 22-10 upset by Miami. In that game, Jackson completed 60% of his passes for 238 yards but threw just one touchdown pass, was intercepted once and sacked four times as Baltimore scored its fewest points all season. What do the Ravens expect in the rematch? “We’re probably focused more on the last four games than four years ago,” coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week. “But we certainly remember that game. “It definitely was a key game in the evolution of the offense, for sure, handling [cover] zero blitz, and they still run some of those blitzes, but they’re much more evolved now. They do all kinds of different things, and they disguise their blitzes probably more than they used to, and he is running different variations where he is running simulated pressures, he’s running four-man rushes with both inside backers coming, and he’s playing man or zone behind it. He still does the zero stuff, too. You have to be prepared for everything. Offensively, we have all the tools to do that.” None more important or potent than Jackson. Blitzing him this season, as in recent ones, comes with peril. Through the first nine weeks this season, no one has been more effective than Jackson, who has a league-high 136.4 passer rating against the blitz. That includes his performance in last week’s win over the Dolphins in which he was 9 of 11 for 90 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions against Miami’s blitz, per Next Gen Stats. “Early on in my career, I was getting sacked like crazy,” Jackson said Wednesday of the key to his success against pressure. “Me just getting older in my career — eighth year — it’s like, man, we have to get the ball out, have to know where the protection [is], where the hots are and just execute.” It sounds simple enough. But in the throes of a defense that blitzes more than any other in the league (42%) and with a pressure rate (46%) that’s also tops in the NFL, having success can also be easier said than done. Add in U.S. Bank Stadium being one of the loudest venues in the league, and the difficulty is exacerbated. Related Articles Staff picks for Week 10 of 2025 NFL season: Steelers vs. Chargers, Eagles vs. Packers and more Meet the Ravens’ new pass rushers who could help defense turn a corner Ravens get a clean bill of health before traveling to Minnesota Mike Preston: Ravens need rookies to avoid proverbial wall | COMMENTARY A look at moves Ravens did — and didn’t — make at NFL trade deadline “It definitely can be [confusing], especially how they bring blitzes from all over the place,” Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard said. “It’s not just one guy. You’ll play teams and it’s, This guy is the guy that always blitzes. For them, they blitz everybody.” Lions star Jared Goff, also one of the top quarterbacks in the league against the blitz this season, found out firsthand. In the Vikings’ 27-24 upset in Detroit last week, Minnesota used a series of misdirection blitzes up the middle that forced running back Jahmyr Gibbs to stay in to pass block rather than release as a receiving threat. Linebackers Eric Wilson, Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. accounted for 11 of the team’s 18 pressures, per Next Gen Stats, and Goff had a pair of touchdown passes but was sacked five times and had a negative expected points added per play of minus-0.074. In particular, Flores likes to use a lot of six- and seven-man fronts and bring pressure between the guard and center or guard and tackle while dropping defenders into a soft cover zero or split safety look with an emphasis on taking away quick throws — especially in the middle of the field — as well as deep ones. That will undoubtedly then put a spotlight on guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele, both of whom have struggled often this year in pass protection. It also means an emphasis on film study, anticipation and then communication, Ricard said. To ready for the noise, meanwhile, the Ravens have cranked up the music as loud as it can play during practice and have frequently utilized an air horn to simulate the environment they expect to encounter in Minnesota. “The whole premise of blitzing is to try to put pressure on the offense and get them on their heels,” Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum said. “We have to start the fight. We have to be the ones to dictate the game.” One way to do so is for the offensive linemen to successfully alert one another before the snap of who is where and who could be coming and of course block them. Another is for Jackson, who appears to be fully healed from the hamstring injury that kept him out of three games, to do what he has done all season. In five games this season, Lamar Jackson has completed a career-high 72.9% of his passes for 1,073 yards and 14 touchdowns with just one interception. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) In five games this season, he has completed a career-high 72.9% of his passes for 1,073 yards and 14 touchdowns with just one interception. His 136.7 passer rating leads the NFL, as does his 11.08 yards per attempt. “There’s not many quarterbacks that can do and see the things that Lamar can,” Linderbaum said. “Certain pressures, he’s going to be throwing hot. Certain pressures, he might have to extend the play. It’s a blend of everything, just pure talent and understanding of the game and seeing certain things other people can’t see and then obviously his ability to extend plays and getting out of the pocket to give our playmakers a chance.” That also takes being on the same page as the quarterback, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said, “because one mistake could be bad.” When it comes to NFC opponents, though, he has made few of them. The Ravens are 24-3 against NFC with Jackson at quarterback. In those games, he has completed 66.3% of his passes for 1,931 yards and 50 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. He has also averaged 71.5 yards rushing per game and scored nine more times. That kind of success and Jackson’s elusiveness are just two of the reasons that O’Connell is letting the scout team quarterback play “long past any whistle I would blow” to signify a sack, he told reporters this week. “There’s a reason why he’s an MVP-caliber player,” O’Connell said. “It’s not just the skill set to cause so many problems athletically, he’s an elite thrower of the football. We’re going to have to be as good as we’ve been all season. “I want to make sure the guys on the back end are plastering in coverage and understanding that some of the big plays that they make are not how they were drawn up.” While Jackson has enjoyed immense success against the NFC, his record isn’t without a few blemishes. One of those losses came earlier this year to the Lions, who used stunts, among other things, to rely mostly on a four-man rush to rack up seven sacks, tying Jackson’s career high. In all, they generated 30 pressures on 41 drop-backs, per Pro Football Focus, and they also used a spy on at least 10 occasions to keep him contained from breaking loose. Jackson still managed 288 passing yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, albeit in a 38-30 loss at home in the Week 3 contest. But that was then. Baltimore has won each of its last two games and has Jackson back. For that streak to continue, he’ll likely have to once again be magnificent against the blitz. “We’ve been locked in for the last couple of weeks, and we have to stay that way,” Jackson said. “I believe we turned a new leaf.” They’ll find out Sunday. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

A few NFL peers have already reached out to Dre’Mont Jones to commiserate about how taxing a midseason trade can be. They offered advice for what the newest Ravens edge rusher called “probably the craziest moment of my life.” The move from Tennessee to Baltimore happened quickly. Jones woke up Monday morning a Titan. General manager Mike Borgonzi called around 7 p.m. to deliver the news while Jones was home bathing his two toddlers. Baltimore traded a conditional fifth-round draft pick for him the night before deadline day. Moments later, he was on the phone with his agent, then the Ravens front office. “Next thing you know,” he said, “Baltimore.” Coach John Harbaugh expects Jones to play Sunday in Minnesota. “It’s been quick, but I’m ready for it,” Jones said, a seven-year pro coming off a hot streak of 4 1/2 sacks in four games. The Ravens need that level of pass rush help. They traded Odafe Oweh to the Chargers last month in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman. Tavius Robinson fractured his foot days later. They’re short-staffed and underperforming at the position Baltimore only dressed three outside linebackers the past two games. As a team, the Ravens have 11 sacks in eight games, tied for the second fewest in the NFL. Quarterback pressure has been a glaring shortcoming for the better part of this season. And yet, if the Ravens have it their way, Sunday would be the day they start to turn a corner, debuting Jones and recent outside linebacker signee Carl Lawson. “We’re just trying to get better all the time,” Harbaugh said, “just trying to improve all the time.” Lawson joined the Ravens at an awkward point. He stepped into a 1-5 locker room two days before Baltimore beat the Bears, so he didn’t dress on a tight turnaround. Given the short week, Lawson remained on the practice squad through their road trip to Miami. Wednesday was his first normal practice. Lawson’s main focus, he said, was to be as physical as humanly possible. Let the technique and all the studying of the past two weeks fall in line. Pass rushers have an easier time acclimating to new schemes and new teams than other positions. At the end of the day, they can lean on the same mindset Lawson had his first day wearing purple: “hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit.” The 30-year-old rusher was playing his best football by the end of last season in Dallas, where he registered five sacks in 15 games. He pancaked All-Pro offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs in late December and called it one of the highlights of his career. Lawson, who shied away from opportunities with other teams before the Ravens rang in late October, wants to be a “valuable asset” for a 3-5 team “on the rise.” Related Articles Ravens get a clean bill of health before traveling to Minnesota Mike Preston: Ravens need rookies to avoid proverbial wall | COMMENTARY A look at moves Ravens did — and didn’t — make at NFL trade deadline Instant analysis from Ravens’ 2025 trade deadline moves Maryland close to full allocation for M&T Bank Stadium upgrades Now, there’s a familiar face in similar circumstances sitting across the locker room. Another pass rusher who needs to get up to speed by Sunday. Lawson worked out in the same gym where Jones prepared for the NFL draft in 2019. Jones used to watch Lawson in Cincinnati playing alongside his former Ohio State teammate Sam Hubbard. “Carl’s a beast,” Jones said with a smile. Those two haven’t had much time to reconnect amidst Jones’ whirlwind week. But it helps to have some familiarity for the new guy. Gilman, another midseason acquisition who hasn’t yet said two words to Jones, noticed how quickly he’s getting up to speed with the playbook. Jones had positive reviews of his first meeting with the defensive coaching staff. He couldn’t say much. He barely knows all their names. But he appreciates the room’s “high energy.” Harbaugh called him a “good fit” in Baltimore, someone who can be a difference maker on passing downs and has the versatility to squeeze inside on run defense. The deal has been in the works for a while, Harbaugh said. It came together just in time, shortly after defensive lineman Broderick Washington underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon. Jones can help pick up some slack. “The Ravens are gonna get the best version of myself,” pass rusher Carl Lawson said. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Asked what he brings to Baltimore’s defensive front, Jones said that he’s someone who is “physical as hell,” taking the field with a “kill or be killed” mindset. As for Lawson, “the Ravens are gonna get the best version of myself,” he said. That’s exactly what this Ravens pass rush needs, two guys who can get up to speed and put hands on the quarterback as soon as possible. There’s confidence those two can contribute to a late-season playoff push. Gilman put it in simple terms: “Ballers will figure it out, and that’s just how it goes. You go out there on Sunday, and you just let it loose.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

Baltimoreans can wipe aside that bead of sweat from their foreheads. For a second consecutive week, on the heels of a two-game winning streak while clinging to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Ravens are healthy. All 53 players on the active roster practiced Wednesday in what was a rare empty injury report. Quarterback Lamar Jackson left little to the imagination when he emerged from massive steel gates prancing onto the field behind his two backups. Jackson missed three games with a hamstring injury and returned last Thursday in a victory over the Miami Dolphins, putting on a performance worthy of being crowned AFC Offensive Player of the Week. His name didn’t even grace the injury report. Coach John Harbaugh was asked how satisfying it is to have such a clean bill of health after so many weeks of injury-related woes. “Well, it’ll be satisfying if we win the game and play great football,” he said. “That’s really — the result is what you feel the most satisfaction with. But it is something that I think is definitely notable. It’s different, and it’s a good thing.” Baltimore’s injury report included as many as seven regular starters earlier this season, featuring its six highest-paid players. The Ravens are still without Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), Broderick Washington (Achilles tendon) and Tavius Robinson (foot), all on long-term injured reserve stints. But the players on the 53 are in good shape, right in time for what they hope will be a push back into the playoff picture. It’s tougher sledding in Minnesota. Star running back Aaron Jones did not practice. The 30-year-old has been held back by injuries for most of this season. He went down in Week 2 for a hamstring injury that put him on injured reserve until Week 8 against the Chargers. Jones made his return in earnest last week against the Lions, taking nine carries for 78 yards, but suffered shoulder and toe injuries. Jones’ status could have major implications in how Sunday afternoon unfolds. Defensive backs Theo Jackson and Jeff Okudah both missed practice with concussions. Tight end Josh Oliver, a former Raven, was absent for a foot injury. And safety Harrison Smith missed practiced for a rest day. Four other Vikings were limited: guard Will Fries (calf), fullback C.J. Ham (hand), safety Josh Metellus (foot) and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (shin). Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens need rookies to avoid proverbial wall | COMMENTARY A look at moves Ravens did — and didn’t — make at NFL trade deadline Instant analysis from Ravens’ 2025 trade deadline moves Maryland close to full allocation for M&T Bank Stadium upgrades 5 things to know about Ravens’ new edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones View the full article

The initial plan was to possibly work rookies Teddye Buchanan, Mike Green and Malaki Starks into the starting lineup. Now, as the Ravens begin the second half of the 2025 season against the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday, it’s to get all three through the proverbial wall. The wall is one part mental exhaustion, and the other physical fatigue. At some point, most rookies experience it as a result of them preparing and playing in their final college season. They start physical preparation in the summer and then go to some sort of bowl game, which is followed by the annual NFL scouting combine. Then once the draft is completed, they go to various minicamps in preparation for training camp. As their rookie season unfolds, some become complacent from either the mental or physical fatigue. Ravens coach John Harbaugh says that he hasn’t seen any of it in his trio of starters: Buchanan, a weakside linebacker, Green an edge rusher, or Starks, a safety and the team’s last line of defense. The observations, though, will continue in the team’s last nine games as the Ravens pursue a third straight AFC North title and a possible playoff bid. “I am not too worried about it. I think those guys are in great shape; very focused, determined guys who bring it every day,” Harbaugh said. “I see them continuing to ascend. All of those guys are getting better every day. You can see it in this last game as well. “So, I’m pretty confident. I’m very confident, actually, that those guys are going to keep improving and just be better players for us as the season goes on.” Harbaugh is correct, all three have improved. The most intriguing has been Buchanan, a fourth-round pick from the University of California. Coming out of college, some considered his arms too short to shed blockers and there were problems covering running backs and tight ends downfield. Those were clearly evident in training camp because Buchanan looked lost at times dropping into coverage. He still struggles in that area as well as middle linebacker Roquan Smith, but when weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson struggled early in the season, the Ravens didn’t hesitate replacing him with Buchanan. Even when Smith was sidelined for two games with hamstring problems, Buchanan became the starter in the middle. The rookie is the team’s leading tackler with 63, having played on 76% of the defensive snaps. That’s impressive. More importantly, that’s progress. “He’s another guy who continues to improve,” Harbaugh said. “He had the three weeks there when ‘Ro’ was hurt, and he was playing every snap, and he was playing special teams. So, he’s actually had a little bit of a break in the last couple of games since ‘Ro’ got back. And even with that, I think he’s made a lot of progress. “He had the green dot [to relay the play calls] for a couple of games, which is a lot of pressure. He’s probably happy to have that off right now, but, again, he’s another guy that learns. He doesn’t make mistakes twice, and he continues to get better for that reason.” Ravens inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan catches up to Bears running back Kyle Monangai in Week 8. Buchanan leads the Ravens with 63 tackles.(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Starks has played 538 snaps, more than anyone else on defense. He is third on the team in tackles with 49, and with the addition of safety Alohi Gilman, acquired in a trade for Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh on Oct. 27, he appears to have more freedom to roam in the secondary. With Gilman, the Ravens have moved fellow safety Kyle Hamilton up near the line of scrimmage more. Starks, though, should and needs to be playing well. He was the Ravens’ first-round draft pick in April out of Georgia, the 27th overall player selected. “We play them in the reps that they’ve earned and the reps that they can help us win,” Harbaugh said. “But to your point, I mean Malaki is playing a lot. He’s a starter, and Mike Green’s kind of taking a full-time role now, and I think he’s handling it really well. So, we’ll have to watch it [and] see how they do, but I haven’t seen any signs yet of those guys having any issues with that.” The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Green was relentless in training camp, but it was easy to tell he needed to learn a lot. Like most young players coming out of college, he relied more on speed than power. That could work at Marshall, where he became the Ravens’ second-round pick in April after leading the FBS with 17 sacks, but Green needed to develop more counter moves. He hasn’t yet, but has recorded 20 tackles, including 1 1/2 sacks, while playing 63% of the Ravens’ defensive snaps. Like Buchanan, Green had trouble dropping into coverage as well. It’s part of the adjustment of playing in the NFL, which features as many as five secondary players on the back end because the league has become so pass happy. In a way, that’s good for the Ravens with a surplus of defensive backs. “It’s always a challenge for those linebackers out there, because people try to match him up with a good back, receiving back, or a No. 2 receiver into the boundary — if you keep your nickel to the field,” Harbaugh said. Then he explains the difficulties for Buchanan. Related Articles A look at moves Ravens did — and didn’t — make at NFL trade deadline Instant analysis from Ravens’ 2025 trade deadline moves Maryland close to full allocation for M&T Bank Stadium upgrades 5 things to know about Ravens’ new edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones Ravens trade for Titans OLB Dre’Mont Jones, give up conditional 5th-round pick “[Buchanan will] get matched up in some of those jobs, those coverage jobs — zone and man — that are challenging, matchup-type jobs,” Harbaugh said. “So, I think that’s probably the biggest issue for the WILL linebackers now in the nickel world of defensive football. But he’s gotten way better at it. He did a good job last week, and those guys — the Dolphins stress that position quite a bit. They throw it right in there behind off play action, right behind that spot quite a bit, and I thought he did a pretty good job.” When a team starts three rookies on defense, consistency will always be a concern. The Ravens were exploited in the early part of the season against teams like Buffalo, Kansas City and Detroit. Let’s call them growing pains. But now with a weak second-half schedule coming up, they should show a little more against teams like Minnesota, Cleveland and the New York Jets. The rookies have to show up and play well. And hopefully, not run into the wall. It has and will always remain a concern. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline featured a few blockbuster deals amid a flurry of moves by teams. The Ravens were not among them. As 4 p.m. came and went, they stayed put without any additional moves, their lone deal in the past 24 hours being the acquisition of veteran outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones from the Tennessee Titans for a conditional 2026 fifth-round draft pick — a pick that would turn into a fourth-rounder if Jones has two sacks the rest of the regular season and Baltimore makes the playoffs. The New York Jets, meanwhile, made the biggest splash, sending two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round draft picks and second-year wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Then they made another one, unloading three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in return for a first- and second-round pick. The latter was a player Baltimore perhaps could have used for a defensive line that lacks depth and production after tackle Nnamdi Madubuike was lost for the season following Week 2 with a neck injury. But general manager Eric DeCosta likes to hoard draft picks and clearly believed the prices being asked for any players he was potentially interested in were too high. The Ravens are currently slated to have seven draft picks and could get two additional compensatory picks in the fifth round. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones unsurprisingly had a different take and thought it was worth it for a three-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro who has racked up 40 sacks in seven seasons (albeit just one so far this year). DeCosta, by contrast, made smaller moves. On Saturday, Baltimore sent little-used cornerback Jaire Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Last month, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers last month in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman that included a draft pick swap, a move that has allowed the Ravens to return to the three-safety looks they prefer to move safety Kyle Hamilton all over the field but also cost them a pass rusher. That the Ravens didn’t address needs along the interior of the defensive and offensive lines, however, was at least mildly surprising, especially amid one of the busiest NFL trade deadlines in three decades. With Madubuike out and Broderick Washington having recently undergone surgery for an Achilles tendon “issue,” according to coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens remain thin up front. Travis Jones and John Jenkins have been getting the bulk of the work, with only Taven Bryan and C.J. Okoye to spell them. How significant an impact Jones has also remains to be seen, though he at the very least provides depth to a unit that was thin and lacking production after Oweh was dealt and Tavius Robinson broke his foot last month and is expected to be out at least six to eight weeks. Related Articles Instant analysis from Ravens’ 2025 trade deadline moves Maryland close to full allocation for M&T Bank Stadium upgrades 5 things to know about Ravens’ new edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones Ravens trade for Titans OLB Dre’Mont Jones, give up conditional 5th-round pick READER POLL: Will Maryland men’s basketball make the NCAA Tournament? The Ravens dressed just three outside linebackers in each of the past two games and no player on the roster had more than 1 1/2 sacks. Their 11 sacks are also the second-fewest in the NFL behind only the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 10. Still, per Pro Football Focus, Jones ranks 48th out of 93 edge rushers in win rate on true pass sets. He joins a group that includes veteran Kyle Van Noy, rookie first-round pick Mike Green and fourth-year pro David Ojabo, all of whom rank even lower. Baltimore is also likely to elevate veteran defensive end Carl Lawson from the practice squad this week, which could provide another boost. The 30-year-old has 32 career sacks across seven seasons, which included five in 15 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year. On offense, guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele have struggled, particularly in pass protection. Rookie third-round draft pick Emery Jones could be ready to contribute soon, but after missing all of spring and summer because of a shoulder surgery, he’s still unproven. There also weren’t a lot of offensive linemen dealt Tuesday — struggling guard/tackle Trevor Penning was the only one moved, getting dealt from the New Orleans Saints to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick after L.A. lost starting left tackle Joe Alt to a season-ending ankle injury this week. Yet, with more than $13 million in salary cap space and holes to fill, it was surprising that the Ravens didn’t do more. Newly acquired outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones ranks 48th out of 93 edge rushers in win rate on true pass sets. (AP Photo/Stew Milne) Other options also included possibly trading one or more of their two dozen impending free agents. Instead, they’ll move forward with the roster at hand, though they could still make another move or two. Any player that is released is subject to waivers. Before the deadline, that only applied to players with fewer than four accrued seasons. With the Ravens sitting at 3-5, they have one of the higher priorities in the pecking order. Three moves Baltimore did make Monday included releasing second-year safety Sanoussi Kane, signing undrafted rookie safety Keondre Jackson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and signing tight end Scotty Washington to the practice squad. Those decisions came after Kane, a 2024 seventh-round draft pick out of Purdue who was a core special teamer each of his first two years, was a healthy scratch the past two games. Jackson was out of practice squad elevations after being elevated for special teams each of the past three games. Kane appeared in 21 games for Baltimore, mostly on special teams with 465 snaps to go with 34 defensive snaps. 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 NFL’s trade deadline passed. The Ravens added outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones from the Titans on Monday, giving up a conditional fifth-round pick to bring in the pass rusher. The Ravens also moved cornerback Jaire Alexander and a seventh-round pick to the Eagles on Saturday for a sixth-round pick. Baltimore opted not to bring in additional defensive help or any interior offensive linemen ahead of Tuesday afternoon’s deadline, although the Ravens did trade edge rusher Odafe Oweh for Chargers safety Alohi Gilman in early October. Brian Wacker, reporter Head scratching is about the best way to summarize the Ravens’ inactivity as Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline came and went without any additional moves. On Monday night, they acquired outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones for a fifth-round pick, a modest and low-risk move that adds depth and some production to a group in desperate need of both. Jones has 4 1/2 sacks this season — all coming in the past four games — and he should provide a little boost in the pass rush. But it was surprising that Baltimore did not address its needs on the interior defensive line or along the offensive line, particularly at guard. General manager Eric DeCosta likes to hoard draft picks, so while others like the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys made blockbuster moves, Baltimore sat tight. Still, this was one of the busiest deadline days in more than three decades but the Ravens apparently didn’t like any potential deals that were in the works and instead chose to roll with their current roster along with any moves they could look to make on the waiver wire. Sam Cohn, reporter Can you blame a Ravens fan for waking up Tuesday morning clutching their pearls, praying the front office might take a swing, only to be left feeling like an outsider as push notifications announced big-name moves for other teams? Tuesday tied the second most trades on any deadline day in 35 years. The Ravens were quiet, only coming away with a short-term fix Monday night in the form of a physical power rusher on a hot streak. Still, this feels like the Ravens either wanted to strike gold but wouldn’t meet the demands or have seen enough through this two-game win streak to feel confident in the current roster. Either way, Baltimore already brought in a needle mover in Gilman and should have defensive lineman Carl Lawson available this weekend. So don’t think of this deadline as a quiet Tuesday – DeCosta was never going to shell out desperate amounts of cash, anyway. Hit the pillow Tuesday night wondering if Gilman, Lawson and Jones were the right additions. The 3-5 Ravens don’t have any other choices now. C.J. Doon, editor If the Ravens had traded for both safety Alohi Gilman and pass rusher Dre’Mont Jones on deadline day, we might feel a little differently about this haul. Such is the instant gratification of the hot stove. But as a package deal, those are two pretty solid additions. We’ve already seen how important Gilman is for the structure of the defense, allowing Kyle Hamilton to wreak havoc closer to the line of scrimmage. Jones’ resume is promising, especially considering the run of sacks he’s been on lately. The Ravens’ track record when acquiring pass rushers is spotty (see: Yannick Ngakoue), but Jones has a chance to elevate a unit that has been a disappointment thus far because of underperformance and injuries. That leads us to Nnamdi Madubuike. Even if his neck injury is something the star defensive tackle can eventually come back from, the Ravens should be thinking about both a near- and long-term replacement for the two-time Pro Bowl selection. The price for the Jets’ Quinnen Williams (DT Mazi Smith, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 first-round pick) was a dramatic overpay for the Cowboys — that’s not something the draft-minded Ravens would ever do. But surely there was a starter-level interior defensive linemen to be acquired somewhere … right? It’s easy to sit back and say the Ravens should have been more aggressive to repair a beat up and underperforming roster during Lamar Jackson’s prime, especially when the needs were so obvious along the trenches. But rival front offices know what the Ravens need, too, perhaps making a fair deal hard to put together. The Ravens have always preached “right player, right price,” and for the most part, those logical transactions don’t happen at the deadline. You have to pay to play, and the Ravens are still weighing the future and health of the organization above any immediate win-now moves. That’s both admirable and frustrating for a fan base with such high expectations. Bennett Conlin, editor The NFL trade deadline is exciting on paper, but it usually pales in comparison to the drama seen at the NBA and MLB trade deadlines. This year brought a few blockbuster deals, though. They didn’t happen in Baltimore. While the Ravens didn’t make any splashy moves — tight end Mark Andrews will stay in Baltimore and the Ravens didn’t overspend to add an offensive lineman or defensive tackle — they did add a valuable defensive piece via outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones. He helps fill the pass rusher role opened when they dealt Oweh to the Chargers for Gilman. Getting Gilman has been a huge plus so far, and Jones should add value, too. The Ravens are better defensively than they were a month ago. Are they good enough to win the Super Bowl? I’m skeptical, especially with weaknesses along the interior offensive and defensive lines. They’ll have to hope Jackson can mask those issues come January — assuming the Ravens even make the postseason. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. Related Articles A look at moves Ravens did — and didn’t — make at NFL trade deadline Maryland close to full allocation for M&T Bank Stadium upgrades 5 things to know about Ravens’ new edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones Ravens trade for Titans OLB Dre’Mont Jones, give up conditional 5th-round pick READER POLL: Will Maryland men’s basketball make the NCAA Tournament? View the full article

The state of Maryland has spent more than $400 million on improvements to M&T Bank Stadium and is nearing full allocation of its $434 million commitment to the project, according to Al Tyler, vice president of the Capital Projects Development Group at the Maryland Stadium Authority. The Ravens are contributing an additional $55 million to cover cost overruns, with the stadium authority set to reimburse the team up to $35 million of that amount. “We’re almost there with a full program,” Tyler said during the authority’s monthly meeting on Tuesday. Projects eligible for reimbursement include concourse improvements, such as expanded restroom facilities, according to the contract between the team and the authority. Recent upgrades for this season included more than 12,000 square feet of new videoboards on the main concourses, five new venues within the north plaza — among them a sports bar and concert space — and the “Flock Friendly Fare” menu offering 11 items priced under $5. Phase three renovations, expected to be completed in 2026, will add a concert venue and open-air tailgate area, further positioning M&T Bank Stadium as a year-round entertainment destination. The use of public funds for stadium luxury upgrades mirrors trends in other NFL cities. The Jacksonville Jaguars are investing $775 million in stadium improvements, while the Carolina Panthers are undertaking a $650 million publicly funded renovation. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X at @ToddKarpovich. View the full article

Roughly 20 hours before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline, the Ravens made an unsurprising move to bolster their defensive front. They traded for Tennessee Titans edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones in exchange for a conditional fifth-round draft pick. Here are five things to know about Baltimore’s new player: Jones brings versatility up front The 6-foot-3, 281-pound Jones is in his second season as a full-time edge rusher. That’s after playing more interior defensive lineman early in his career, as he did in college. Jones can do both, playing up on two feet or with a hand in the dirt. The Ravens need that versatility, with long-term injuries to Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington on the inside and Tavius Robinson on the outside. Former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who coached Jones in Seattle for one season, had this to say last summer: “I think his skill set lends to trying to play a little matchup ball with him or setting another guy up. He can do a lot of things. We’ve talked about it, but we’re really excited about Dre’Mont.” Jones had four sacks in 2024 while playing through a shoulder injury. He started slow this season, then rattled off 4 1/2 sacks in four games before being dealt to the team tied for the second fewest sacks in the NFL (11). Jones’ 19 pressures this season are four more than Travis Jones, who leads the Ravens, according to Pro Football Focus. Jones arrived in Tennessee with a chip on his shoulder When the Seahawks signed Jones in 2023, his three-year deal worth up to $51 million became the largest contract in terms of annual average value Seattle had agreed to with another team’s free agent under coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider. They waived him two years later to create cap space. Jones has said that he has no hard feelings about how his time in Seattle ended. He landed in Tennessee with a chip on his shoulder. “I am seven years in now,” he said in August. “I need to be a tone-setter, I need to be a leader. It’s what I want to do, and it’s what I want to be — I want to be that guy. I am ready to embrace it. “I am not old; I am 28. It’s not like I am 32, heck, 32 isn’t old. I’m not 36 or 37. But I definitely want to prove myself, and I want to remind other teams who didn’t want me anymore that I am still a hell of a player.” Related Articles Ravens trade for Titans OLB Dre’Mont Jones, give up conditional 5th-round pick READER POLL: Will Maryland men’s basketball make the NCAA Tournament? Mike Preston: The Ravens are in must-win mode. That could be a good thing. | COMMENTARY How new Ravens safety Alohi Gilman has ‘unleashed’ Kyle Hamilton Jaguars’ Cam Little kicks 68-yard field goal, breaks Justin Tucker’s NFL record Baltimore’s deal comes with a twist The Ravens sent Tennessee a 2026 conditional fifth-round pick in exchange for Jones. That pick was originally the New York Jets’ fifth-rounder. But if the Ravens make the playoffs, completing a turnaround after their 1-5 start, and Jones contributes at least two sacks in the final nine games of the regular season, it will reportedly become a fourth-round pick for the Titans. On Monday, hours before the deal for Jones crossed the finish line, Harbaugh was asked whether the defensive line would be an area he’d like to add depth. He was curt, saying, “Yes, we’ll see.” A freak injury brought Jones back to Ohio State for an extra year After one Buckeyes practice in 2017, Jones was partaking in what he called “normal after-practice shenanigans.” The roughhousing ended when Ohio State’s star defensive lineman ran into a nail jetting out from a locker that tore into his leg so deeply that the bone became visible. Jones needed 50 stitches and missed three games. He returned to finish out the season and was still a projected top-50 draft pick. But the freak injury complicated his draft stock. Losing his grandmother that same year made a hard season that much tougher. Jones chose to stay for a third and final season at Ohio State, where he played primarily as an interior defensive lineman between two elite pass rushers, Nick Bosa and Chase Young. Jones finished the year with 43 total tackles and 8 1/2 sacks. He capped his college career with a Rose Bowl win on New Year’s Day 2019 and was drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos a few months later. Jones is very, very strong In December 2024, the Seahawks posted a clip on social media following what became a popular trend around the NFL: testing players’ grip strength. One Seattle tight end was hyped to hit 112 pounds. An offensive tackle got 146. A defensive tackle needed two hands to reach 170. Then Jones stepped up, put all his might into that little machine and cleared 200. For reference, the Ravens did the same trivial challenge last August. Washington touched 180 and Robinson got to 169. Ben Cleveland was the only one to top 190. No one matched Jones’ grip strength. Surely that helps in evading offensive linemen to get hands on the quarterback. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. The Ravens sent the Titans a 2026 conditional fifth-round pick in exchange for Dre'Mont Jones. (Michael Conroy/AP) View the full article

The Ravens are getting some much-needed pass rush help. Baltimore has traded for Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones in exchanged for a conditional fifth-round draft pick, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. Jones, 28, is a former third-round pick of the Denver Broncos who has 35 career sacks including 4 1/2 this season, his first in Tennessee after signing with the Titans as a free agent. 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

A new-look Maryland men’s basketball begins its season Monday night. A year after making a run to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, first-year coach Buzz Williams, who replaced Kevin Willard, remade the roster from top to bottom. Will the Terps make the NCAA Tournament in Williams’ first year? 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

This new sense of urgency works for the Ravens, and could be the best thing for this franchise. But hopefully two future opponents delivered wake up calls to the Ravens (3-5) on Sunday. In the past, a “style” preference was preferred late in the season, as the Ravens needed to roll over teams to build momentum. It happened in 2000 when the Ravens had perhaps the best defense ever and combined with running back Jamal Lewis, the Ravens seemed destined to at least win the AFC championship and later Super Bowl XXXV. In 2012, the Ravens lost four of their last five regular-season games but quarterback Joe Flacco became unbelievably hot in the playoffs. The Ravens won four straight, including a 34-31 win against San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII. But now, the Ravens have to go on a roll or hope Pittsburgh will do its annual end-of-the-season fold, allowing the Ravens to win their third straight AFC North title. The Steelers folding is more likely, even though Pittsburgh (5-3) upset the Indianapolis Colts, 27-20, Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Ravens need to go into the second half of the year and postseason with a mindset of being “one and done,” which forces them to play their A-game, which they haven’t done in two years in the playoffs. Let’s not kid ourselves. In 2023, the Ravens had the best regular-season record at 13-4 and lost, 17-10, to Kansas City in the AFC title game. Worst yet, it was played in Baltimore where the Ravens were considered nearly unbeatable. Then last year, they lost to Buffalo, 27-25, in a divisional playoff game that the Ravens should have won based on them annihilating the Bills, 35-10, months earlier. The Ravens talked a lot during the offseason about beating Buffalo in the 2025 season opener, but were shocked by the Bills’ fourth-quarter comeback led by quarterback Josh Allen, resulting in a 41-40 Bills win. Now, it’s no longer about style points, just wins. Only four teams have gone on to the playoffs starting the season at 1-5 since the 1970 merger of the AFL and NFL, so the Ravens have to focus on winning now. That’s encouraging. The style points can come later with about a month remaining in the regular season. The pressure is on now, and that might be enough to carry this team. The AFC North is in a sorry state, even though Pittsburgh beat the Colts to solidify a two-game lead in the division. But the belief here is that the Steelers will still fall apart like they did last year, when they lost four straight at the end of the season. The Ravens have won two straight beating both Chicago and Miami, and they next play Sunday in Minnesota. Chicago had won four games before coming to Baltimore on Oct. 26, but the Bears weren’t serious contenders, not with second year player Caleb Williams as a starting quarterback. The Ravens beat Miami, 28-6, Thursday night, but the Dolphins might be the worst team in the NFL with possibly the worst starting quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa. The last two wins haven’t been pretty. On a scale of 1-10 on style points, they might get a three or four. But in the words of late Las Vegas and Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, just win baby. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, shown avoiding pressure in a win over the Dolphins, gives Baltimore a realistic chance to make a push for the AFC North title despite starting 1-5. (Lynne Sladky/AP) “It just shows you who we are, but I’ve never had any doubt in my mind on who we are,” Ravens middle linebacker Roquan Smith said. “I said it weeks ago; I’m an optimist myself, and each and every guy knows the process that each and every guy has fought through, and we knew where we were going to be, and we knew we were going to be in this position on how we were going to respond after the bye week. “I feel like we’re showing exactly how we’re responding, and it’s just a part of the process. That was just two [wins], and we’re on our way to many more.” At this point, that’s all that really matters. The Ravens still have to play Pittsburgh and Cincinnati twice. The Steelers, traditionally known for having a tough defense, gave up nearly 400 to the Colts in total offense, and both franchises have quarterbacks who are virtual statues. Cleveland doesn’t have a proven quarterback, and Minnesota didn’t until Sunday when J.J. McCarthy was back as the starter. The Vikings are to be feared because of receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and their defense played well Sunday as Minnesota upset the Lions in Detroit, 27-24. The Ravens can answer Minnesota in offensive firepower, though, especially with quarterback Lamar Jackson returning Thursday night against Miami. Regardless, the Ravens need to improve. They’ve run the ball well in the past two weeks but fullback Patrick Ricard was off his game against the Dolphins, and the offensive line has struggled with consistency, especially in pass protection. Coordinator Todd Monken has done well using halfback Keaton Mitchell to replace Henry on outside runs to keep defenses spread out, and Jackson has used all three tight ends as weapons, including Mark Andrews, Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely. Related Articles How new Ravens safety Alohi Gilman has ‘unleashed’ Kyle Hamilton Jaguars’ Cam Little kicks 68-yard field goal, breaks Justin Tucker’s NFL record Ravens trade CB Jaire Alexander to Eagles in draft pick swap Watch ‘Overtime’ of Ep. 10 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Watch Episode 10 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law As for defense, the Ravens still have problems. They gave up 285 passing yards to Chicago and 245 to Miami, and there were some glaring lapses as far as coverages in the secondary on intermediate and deep passing routes. The old problem of not providing pressure on opposing quarterbacks is still clearly evident, and the Ravens had only two sacks and five hurries on Tagovailoa, who is as immobile as both Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers and Flacco, now a starter with Cincinnati. But at least the Ravens have a little wiggle room to improve. The situation isn’t as grave as it was earlier in the year when they were shuffling nine starters in and out of the lineup because of injuries, and fans were calling for the firing of coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens still have to get better. They can’t win like this in the postseason against teams like Kansas City, Buffalo or even possibly Denver with their erratic play. We may not find out if the Ravens are really good until they play Green Bay on December 27th or 28th even though the Packers were upset, 16-13, by Carolina on Sunday. Go figure. Maybe it’s time to change that “locked in” phrase that is thrown around the NFL these days. For two years, the Ravens were reportedly “locked in” and never got to the Super Bowl. Maybe this new sense of urgency changes the outcome. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Derrek Hamilton was on his way to the airport Friday morning, the optimism in his voice radiating through the phone like the bright, warm Florida sunshine. His son, Kyle, had just put together another dynamic if not prolific performance for a Ravens defense that harassed Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa much of Thursday night and helped lead Baltimore to a much-needed 28-6 victory. The safety — if you could call him that — was, in his father’s words, “having fun playing football now.” A big part of the reason: His reunion with former Notre Dame teammate and fellow safety Alohi Gilman, whom Baltimore traded for last month to be able to deploy the three-safety looks its defense covets but has been missing this season to maximize Hamilton’s unicorn skills. “I think Kyle was about to jump off the edge,” Derrek said of his son’s 2019 freshman year at Notre Dame, where Gilman was a senior at the time. “They were pushing him, a lot of screaming at him and Alohi took the big brother role and it was ‘You’re gonna be fine, do this, eat here, stretch here, get your rest there, study film like this,’ and Kyle just bloomed.” He is blossoming again. With the addition of Gilman alongside rookie first-round safety Malaki Starks on the back end, the Ravens over the past three games have been able to confuse and terrorize offenses by moving the 6-foot-4, 218-pound Hamilton around with the flexibility of a queen on a chess board. Since Gilman’s arrival, Hamilton has logged 78 of his 179 defensive snaps at slot corner, compared with just 38 through the first four games, per Pro Football Focus. The rest of the time, he has lined up on the defensive line, in the box, at wide corner and at free safety. In that span, he has generated four pressures across three games compared to just two the first four. Unsurprisingly, he’s the highest-graded safety in the NFL with a mark of 81, which includes having the best cover grade (86.1), too. But there has perhaps been no better pièce de résistance to date this season than his play against the abysmal Dolphins. Per Next Gen Stats, through the first 15 snaps Hamilton did not line up at safety once and instead was at outside linebacker for seven snaps, in the slot for four, on the edge for two and at inside linebacker for two. The trend continued for much of the game and he finished with six tackles, including one for loss. The statistics also belied his impact as a Swiss Army knife defender that Miami struggled to handle. Among the myriad skills on display was a middle blitz in which he hit the guard, thus confusing speedy running back De’Von Achane in pass protection just long enough that he was able to race in on the quarterback. He did the same thing last week against the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams, leading to an intentional grounding penalty that was effectively the same as a sack for a pass rush in desperate need of them, however they can get them. It means taking on more responsibility, something Hamilton says that he doesn’t look forward to but acknowledges is fun. Related Articles Jaguars’ Cam Little kicks 68-yard field goal, breaks Justin Tucker’s NFL record Ravens trade CB Jaire Alexander to Eagles in draft pick swap Watch ‘Overtime’ of Ep. 10 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Watch Episode 10 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens fined $100K by NFL for handling of Lamar Jackson’s practice report “I feel like I’m able to do it, mentally and physically,” he said last week. “Thank God I have the ability to be able to do so, but I don’t necessarily relish in the fact that I have more responsibilities on my plate. At nickel, obviously, you’re [the one] talking, but the safety is also back there making the calls ultimately, so I’m listening to Malaki and ‘Lo’ back there. It’s just the same game from a different perspective.” Of course, the symbiotic relationship between the two doesn’t work without Gilman playing well. Thursday night, he had four tackles as well as a forced fumble and recovery deep in Miami’s end that helped sway the momentum in the opening quarter after the Dolphins had swiftly moved the ball and taken a 3-0 lead. A week earlier, in a convincing win over the Bears, he again had four tackles along with a pass breakup. “That play got them stopped,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Gilman’s strip on Thursday. “It didn’t feel like we were stopping them at that point. “You have to come up with some plays, and there he came up with a play. … He really is that kind of a player, but also, the fact that he’s so aware. He understands the defense so well. He’s so darn smart. He makes a lot of calls and adjustments. He kind of calms everything down out there and gets us in the right spot – especially with an offense like that with all those motions. You have to have guys [like] him and Kyle [Hamilton] and Marlon [Humphrey]; they do a great job in the back end.” Maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Gilman was Hamilton’s roommate during the latter’s freshman camp at Notre Dame. “Kyle was Lo’s guy,” Derrek said. “Lo made sure Kyle was always on point. He told me when Kyle was at Notre Dame, ‘Bro, he’s it.’” Alohi Gilman, left, was Kyle Hamilton’s roommate during the latter’s freshman camp at Notre Dame in 2019. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) So, apparently, is the connection between the two, even all these years later. “It’s like riding a bike,” Gilman said of their symbiotic relationship. “It’s like two homeboys playing pickup at the YMCA, so me and ‘K-Ham’ just picked up where we left off. We obviously connect on a different level because we have some experiences together. We have similar personalities. I don’t know if it’s the Notre Dame in us, but that connection is easy, and I’m just happy to be around him.” The feeling is mutual, for Hamilton and Gilman as well as the rest of the Ravens’ defense. Through the first five games of the season, Baltimore had allowed an NFL-worst 35.4 points per game. Since Gilman’s arrival, it has surrendered just 13 per game. It perhaps helps, too, that Gilman was not in Baltimore for the woebegone start to the season and had no such baggage to add to an already heavy load. “I came in at a weird time, and I wasn’t able to experience the first chapter, but it has been cool to be here and see everyone shift in their mindset to winning football, which is what is ingrained in this place,” he said. “I think it definitely gives me a different perspective. I’m coming in with a whole other perspective. I didn’t experience those same experiences they experienced earlier, so the way I’m approaching it is, ‘How can I make this team the best that I can be? What is my role, and how do I do it the best that I can to bring this whole thing to life?’ I think that’s where we’re at right now. We’re in a good trajectory, and we have a lot of ball left, but we’re going to celebrate this one and just keep rolling from here.” And for Hamilton and Gilman, rolling together again. “They verbally don’t have to talk,” Derrek Hamilton said. “I just see the interactions. I don’t talk to him about it, but I know what Alohi has done for my son, again. He’s unleashed him.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article