ExtremeRavens

Over the past three seasons, the Ravens have allowed an average of 20 points per game to AFC North opponents. Marlon Humphrey — Baltimore’s longest-tenured defender — said nobody in the division feared the Ravens’ defense anymore. Then, after an offseason of promises and notable offseason acquisitions, Baltimore surrendered 41 points to the Bills to open the season. Not exactly an encouraging start. But perhaps the Ravens just needed Ray Lewis in the building. On a day with several of the franchise’s legendary defenders at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore’s defense responded with one of its most encouraging efforts in recent memory. The Ravens dominated the Cleveland Browns, 41-17, in their home-opener Sunday afternoon. The Browns’ offense, led by Joe Flacco, mustered just 4.5 yards per play and had two crucial turnovers. Flacco finished the day completing 25 of 45 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was relieved late by rookie Dillon Gabriel, who was 3-for-3 for 20 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Lamar Jackson threw four touchdown passes, including two to second-year wideout Devontez Walker, en route to 31 second-half points. Roquan Smith punctuated the day with a 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Cornerback Nate Wiggins also picked off Flacco in the third quarter and nearly returned it for a score. It set up a 5-yard touchdown drive. The defense needed every early stop because the dynamic offense that tormented the Bills last week didn’t appear until the second half Sunday. Jackson and the Ravens mustered only 81 yards, four first downs and eight rushing yards by halftime. But aside from a third-quarter touchdown drive, Baltimore’s defense ensured Flacco’s return wouldn’t end in his 97th win at M&T Bank Stadium. While nobody is mistaking the Browns’ offense for the Bills’, the Ravens’ defense simply looked more cohesive at home. The pass rush pressured Flacco throughout, a revamped secondary recorded five pass breakups and the star veterans made multiple splash plays. Even the special teams — a unit that was heavily criticized for multiple miscues in Buffalo — made arguably the game’s most crucial play. Veteran Jake Hummel blocked a punt in the second quarter that set the Ravens up at the Browns’ 24-yard line. It was the team’s first blocked punt since Nov. 6, 2016. Last week’s showing wasn’t just alarming; it was a direct contradiction to everything Baltimore’s players and coaches promised in the offseason. They needed to show last Sunday was an aberration, that this year wouldn’t start like the previous one when they started 0-2. Related Articles Ravens’ Kyle Van Noy injures hamstring vs. Browns, ruled out Ravens CB Jaire Alexander inactive; Reuben Lowery making debut vs. Browns Ravens vs. Browns, September 14, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Browns live updates: Baltimore leads 20-10 in 2nd half Ravens planned to draft Shedeur Sanders before QB nixed pick, report says Cornerback Marlon Humphrey said this week the defense was “immature.” Safety Kyle Hamilton thought they were “lackadaisical.” Defensive coordinator Zach Orr said the coaching staff would bench players if necessary. They made good on their word this week, making multiple key personnel changes before the game. Cornerback Jaire Alexander was a healthy scratch in favor of undrafted rookie Reuben Lowery III, and linebacker Trenton Simpson was benched for rookie Teddye Buchanan. While Lowery didn’t play any meaningful defensive snaps, Buchanan played nearly every drive. Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and T.J. Tampa rotated opposite Nate Wiggins. But those moves involved players on the margins. Baltimore spent $116 million on their defense for their stars to play the way they did Sunday. Smith played one of his best games in a Ravens jersey. He finished with 15 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and impacted every level of the defense. In one drive, Smith pressured Flacco on a blitz then dropped a Browns receiver in the flat for a minimal gain. His three tackles for loss were nearly more than the four he had all last season. Playing next to a new running mate in Buchanan requires new communication signals and chemistry, but the two linebackers were both excellent. Ravens’ Devontez Walker celebrate with fans after scoring on a 24-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens’ Roquan Smith recovers and returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Roquan Smith recovers and returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Roquan Smith recovers and returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Roquan Smith recovers and returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Tavius Robinson sacks and causes Joe Flacco to fumble the ball which was recovered by Roquan Smith and returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Tavius Robinson sacks and causes Joe Flacco to fumble the ball which was recovered by Roquan Smith and returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson sacks and causes Browns quarterback Joe Flacco to fumble the ball in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Roquan Smith, right, scooped it up and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown in Baltimore's lopsided victory in its home opener Sunday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Devontez Walker scores on a 24-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the forth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens’ Tylan Wallace celebrate after scoring on a 15-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the secord quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens’ Nate Wiggins returns the ball after intercepting a Joe Flacco pass in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Nate Wiggins returns the ball after intercepting a Joe Flacco pass in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Chidobe Awuzie, left, jumps on Nate Wiggins to celebrate Wiggins interception in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Nate Wiggins returns the ball after intercepting a Joe Flacco pass in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Nate Wiggins returns the ball after intercepting a Joe Flacco pass in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Devontez Walker celebrate after scoring on a 2-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens’ Devontez Walker scores on a 2-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens’ Mark Andrews cannot hold in the ball in the end zone in third quarter against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Mark Andrews cannot hold in the ball in the end zone in third quarter against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Mark Andrews cannot hold in the ball in the end zone in third quarter against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Mark Andrews cannot hold in the ball in the end zone in third quarter against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Tylan Wallace scores on a 15-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the secord quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens’ Tylan Wallace celebrate after scoring on a 15-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the secord quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Former Colts quarterback Bret Jones is introduced during pregame ceremony at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Browns’ Jerry Jeudy leaps to catch a Joe Flacco pass in front of Ravens’ Chidobe Awuzie at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Roquan Smith tackles Browns’ Jerome Ford in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Several Ravens pressure Browns quarterback Joe Flacco to throw incomplete during game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens celebrate Tylan Wallace’s touchdown catch against the Cleveland Browns in the 2nd quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens celebrate Tylan Wallace’s touchdown catch against the Cleveland Browns in the 2nd quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Sanoussi Kane picks up the ball to return a blocked punt by Browns punter Corey Bojorquez in 2nd quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Sanoussi Kane picks up the ball to return a blocked punt by Browns punter Corey Bojorquez in 2nd quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Sanoussi Kane picks up the ball to return a blocked punt by Browns punter Corey Bojorquez in 2nd quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Jake Hummel blocks a punt by Cleveland Browns punter Corey Bojorquez, setting up Baltimore’s first touchdown of the game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Jake Hummel blocks a punt by Cleveland Browns punter Corey Bojorquez, setting up Baltimore’s first touchdown of the game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Jake Hummel blocks Browns punter Corey Bojorquez in 2nd quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Jake Hummel blocks Browns punter Corey Bojorquez in 2nd quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Tylan Wallace catches the ball for a first down against Browns’ Grant Delpit at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens HOFers’ Ray Lewis. Ozzie Newsome and Johnathan Ogden are on the field during pre game ceremony before the team takes on the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens HOFers’ Ray Lewis. Ozzie Newsome and Johnathan Ogden are on the field during pre game ceremony before the team takes on the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens HOFer Ray Lewis is on the field during pre game ceremony before the team takes on the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens HOFer Ray Lewis is on the field during pre game ceremony before the team takes on the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Tylan Wallace catches the ball for a first down against Browns’ Grant Delpit at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens’ Tylan Wallace catches the ball for a first down against Browns’ Grant Delpit at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Browns quarterback Joe Flacco visits with visits with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti during warm up before the game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens team owner, Steve Bisciotti, visits with QB Lamar Jackson during warm up before the team’s home opener with the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Cleveland Browns’ Shedeur Sanders visits with Baltimore Ravens’ LaJohntay Wester before game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Browns’ Shedeur Sanders is on the field before Ravens home opener at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, now with the Browns, warms up before game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Sep 14, 2025: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester exchanges hugs with Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester exchanges hugs with Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco practices before playing against the Baltimore Ravens during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester exchanges playful pushes with Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh greets Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco listens to Baltimore Ravens principal owner Steve Bisciotti during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)With her first NFL regular season game as a fan, Cassie Walls, 10 of Rock Hall gets an autograph on her football from Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman who enters to play the Cleveland Browns during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)With her first NFL regular season game as a fan, Cassie Walls, 10 of Rock Hall gets an autograph on her football from Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman who enters to play the Cleveland Browns during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles smiles for fans who take photos as he enters to play the Cleveland Browns during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles stops to autograph for young fans before entering to play the Cleveland Browns during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Show Caption1 of 62Ravens’ Devontez Walker celebrate with fans after scoring on a 24-yard pass from Lamar Jackson in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Expand In the secondary, Wiggins was criticized last week after allowing six catches on seven targets for 82 yards. The second-year cornerback responded with an interception, one pass breakup and allowed just one reception. His third-quarter interception nearly ended in a pick-six, but it set up Jackson’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Walker on fourth down for a commanding 20-3 lead. Jackson’s day was filled with inconsistencies. He missed wide receiver Zay Flowers on a few short throws and the team struggled on third down (3-for-11). Still, the star quarterback also had his typical fair share of dazzling plays — two deep balls to DeAndre Hopkins, a third-and-long conversion to Flowers — and finished the day with 225 passing yards. Fautige eventually opened up cracks in Cleveland’s defense, sealing a blowout win. Anytime a team can rest its starters in a divisional game, they’ll be pleased. Nostalgia colored Sunday: Flacco’s return, the franchise’s 30-year celebration, and appearances by Lewis, Jonathan Ogden and Ozzie Newsome. Squint, and there were echoes of those vaunted Ravens defenses in Baltimore’s performance. Now, a Lions offense that scored over 50 points in Week 2 comes to town for a prime-time test on “Monday Night Football.” Next week will reveal just how real these defensive strides are. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 41-17 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 of the NFL season on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Brian Wacker, reporter: The first half felt like a game from another era, an unintentional homage to the Baltimore Colts of old in attendance for the 30th anniversary celebration of the Ravens’ existence against the city from which they came. Perhaps it was further evidence of the strength of the Browns’ defense, which stifled the high-octane Bengals in a squeaker of a loss last week. But an offense that was the best in the NFL last season can only be locked up for so long and unsurprisingly the Ravens found enough of their footing amid Cleveland’s own offensive ineptness to pull away. Unlike last week, this one never felt in danger of another big lead blown. The final dagger came courtesy of a Tavius Robinson strip-sack of 40-year-old Joe Flacco midway through the final quarter with Roquan Smith scooping up the bouncing ball and racing 64 yards for the touchdown. Then, for good measure, Lamar Jackson hit DeAndre Hopkins with the Ravens already up 34-10 inside five minutes remaining in an effort to not take their foot off the gas. As woeful as Cleveland is, Baltimore’s defense deserves a good bit of credit for not letting Flacco to find a rhythm and return a conquering hero. He was harassed all day and when Cleveland turning to its running game found little room against the defensive line and a surging Smith, who finished with 15 tackles. The line, linebackers and secondary answered the call after getting pushed around a week ago. Mike Preston, columnist: The Ravens toyed with Cleveland for nearly a half before finally taking control of the game in the third quarter. The Ravens still play either up or down to the level of their opponents, and it showed against the Browns. This Cleveland offense is the worst since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999. The Browns were one-dimensional on offense, throwing basically nothing but short passes, and they had virtually no running game. At least on defense, the Ravens got quarterback Joe Flacco to move in the pocket and he was under constant duress. The best news for the Ravens were that they won a game, and that’s important at this point. It’s a big relief to win the first game of the year after the Ravens failed last week in the season opener against Buffalo. There were no last-minute comebacks Sunday, just a Ravens team that turned up the heat on the Browns in the second half. Josh Tolentino, columnist: Cleveland backed up its week-long trash talk by bottling up running back Derrick Henry (11 carries, 24 rushing yards). Yet Lamar Jackson still distributed the ball plenty as the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player threw four touchdown passes, tallying 225 yards across 19 completions. Defensively, the Ravens swarmed old friend Joe Flacco, recording its first two takeaways of the young season. Nate Wiggins came down with an arrant Flacco pass, while linebacker Roquan Smith’s touchdown return off Tavius Robinson’s strip-sack put the game out of reach in the second half, a signature performance for Zach Orr’s group. DeAndre Hopkins’ big-catch ability has been on display in consecutive weeks; he had two explosive catches, including his 23-yard touchdown reception, against the Browns. The accomplished veteran wideout will only continue to build up his rapport and chemistry with Jackson as the season progresses. The home opener served as the perfect get-right spot for Baltimore (1-1), which is now scheduled to play four straight 2024 playoff opponents. Sam Cohn, reporter: This was a prime example of how versatile Baltimore’s offense can be. When Derrick Henry, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman were all nonfactors, Lamar Jackson found DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace and Tez Walker — all of whom made massive contributions in small sample sizes. The Ravens were sluggish to start. Neither side of the ball showed much firepower. Even against what is considered an impressive Browns defense, Jackson found a way to cut them up in the second half. It was exactly the kind of blowout win the Ravens needed after a crushing blow in Buffalo. C.J. Doon, editor: This performance didn’t do much to quell any fears that arose in last week’s collapse. The Ravens’ defense certainly played much better, but when considering the opposition, it wasn’t that impressive. Joe Flacco gave Baltimore a homecoming gift with his third-quarter interception that Nate Wiggins nearly returned for a touchdown. He should have thrown another pick near the goal line, but his pass inexplicably bounced off Marlon Humphrey’s hands and into the waiting arms of Cedric Tillman in the end zone. Then Flacco sealed the game with a fumble that Roquan Smith returned for a touchdown. He might not be wearing purple anymore, but he helped the Ravens almost as much as any player on the Baltimore sideline Sunday. The Browns’ top offensive threats are Jerry Jeudy, who catches the ball about as well as he talks trash; rookie running back Qunishon Judkins, who’s had one padded practice since June; and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who played in his second career game. Baltimore still allowed more than 300 total yards. The Ravens might not be so fortunate against Jared Goff, Patrick Mahomes, C.J. Stroud and Matthew Stafford over the next few weeks. Until they face another elite offense, we just don’t know how good the defense can be. The Ravens’ offense, based on its own lofty standards when Lamar Jackson is healthy, was disappointing. The offensive line struggled to keep Jackson clean, allowing three sacks. The Ravens went three-and-out on three straight possessions to end the first half. Baltimore took advantage of some good field position before turning it on in the second half. The running game was surprisingly nonexistent, totaling just 16 carries for 48 yards before garbage time. Jackson was his usual efficient self, Zay Flowers continued to stand out, DeAndre Hopkins turned back the clock and Devontez Walker announced himself as a big-play threat with two TD catches, but it was far from a complete performance. Mark Andrews looked shaky and Zaire Mitchell-Paden had a rough sequence near the goal line early in the game. Isaiah Likely and Pat Ricard can’t come back soon enough. Related Articles Ravens’ Kyle Van Noy injures hamstring vs. Browns, ruled out Ravens CB Jaire Alexander inactive; Reuben Lowery making debut vs. Browns Ravens vs. Browns, September 14, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Browns live updates: Baltimore leads 20-10 in 2nd half Ravens planned to draft Shedeur Sanders before QB nixed pick, report says Tim Schwartz, editor: I didn’t learn much from this one, aside from two things: The Ravens will have no problem pressuring stationary quarterbacks, and their wide receiver depth behind Zay Flowers is about as good as it’s been in franchise history. Baltimore’s defense nearly outscored Cleveland — Nate Wiggins will surely hear from teammates after falling a few yards shy of a pick-six — but this is the Browns with a 40-year-old Joe Flacco under center. And they still outgained the Ravens, who could not establish their rushing attack with the game still within reach in the first half. This went about as expected. The Lions on “Monday Night Football” will be a great barometer for good this team really is right now. Bennett Conlin, editor: A win is a win in the NFL, even against the lowly Browns. A season ago, the Ravens suffered a stunning Week 2 home loss to the Raiders. They avoided that fate this year against a Cleveland team expected to lose in bunches. It was far from perfect offensively, though. The offensive line struggled to protect Lamar Jackson, and the running game wasn’t as dynamic as usual with Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield. Still, Jackson made plays when the pocket collapsed and Zay Flowers looked amazing yet again. Devontez Walker, Tylan Wallace and DeAndre Hopkins contributed, too. It was more than enough to win the home opener, as the Ravens dominated defensively — aside from Marlon Humphrey dropping an interception that fell into the arms of Cedric Tillman for a Browns touchdown. He’ll want that play back. A blocked punt helped create a first-half double-digit lead, and the Ravens’ defense handled the rest. A week after being embarrassed by Buffalo, the Ravens took advantage of an aging Joe Flacco to boost their confidence. It was a solid win for Baltimore given the defensive dominance, but there’s not a ton to take from this game. The Browns are deeply flawed, and the Ravens face the Lions, Chiefs, Texans and Rams in the next four weeks. The Ravens avoided disaster Sunday, but we’ll learn way more about Baltimore in the 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

The Ravens lost outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy during Sunday’s home opener against the Browns. Van Noy, 34, left the game with a hamstring injury in the second quarter and did not return. He was ruled out early in the third quarter. The veteran led Baltimore in sacks last season with 12 1/2. How long he’ll be sidelined for remains to be seen. Van Noy had one tackle and a quarterback hit before leaving and has three tackles and no sacks on the season. The Ravens can also ill afford to be without him for a significant length of time with a pass rush that after Week 1 was near the bottom of the league in pass rush win rate. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens CB Jaire Alexander inactive; Reuben Lowery making debut vs. Browns Ravens vs. Browns, September 14, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Browns live updates: Baltimore leads 20-10 in 2nd half Ravens planned to draft Shedeur Sanders before QB nixed pick, report says Browns RB Quinshon Judkins on track to make NFL debut vs. Ravens View the full article

Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander is inactive for Baltimore’s home opener against the Browns on Sunday. The move comes after the two-time Pro Bowl selection struggled in his Ravens debut in last week’s 41-40 loss to the Bills. Alexander, 28, came into that game off just a few days of practice after missing three weeks because of a knee injury. It was also not surprising after a few clues during the week that he might not play. “Practice is important, especially at that position [for] just being exactly right,” coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week. “So he and I have had that conversation. I recognize it and the main thing right now is just to get him right. He’s healthy enough, but we have to get him right so we can go out there and play like Jaire Alexander, which I fully expect him to do. We’ll just give him an opportunity to do that.” Over the past two seasons with the Packers, Alexander appeared in just 16 games because of injuries, including to his knee, quadriceps, back and shoulder. With Alexander inactive, that also means that undrafted rookie free agent safety Reuben Lowery will be making his NFL debut. Lowery, who was a healthy scratch last week, played at Tennessee-Chattanooga. He was also a standout during training camp, regularly making plays on the ball to land a spot on the 53-man roster. The remainder of the Ravens’ inactive players were less surprising. Running back Keaton Mitchell is a healthy scratch for a second straight week, as are outside linebacker David Ojabo and rookie offensive tackle Carson Vinson. Fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) and tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) were ruled out Friday. The Browns, meanwhile, are without starting right tackle Jack Conklin (eye, elbow), who was made inactive after being listed as questionable on Friday. Also inactive are rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, running back Raheim Sanders, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., and guard Zac Zinter. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens vs. Browns, September 14, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Browns live updates: Baltimore hosts rival in home opener Ravens planned to draft Shedeur Sanders before QB nixed pick, report says Browns RB Quinshon Judkins on track to make NFL debut vs. Ravens MTA adds shuttles, alters service for Ravens opener View the full article

Ravens team owner, Steve Bisciotti, visits with QB Lamar Jackson during warm up before the team’s home opener with the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Browns quarterback Joe Flacco visits with visits with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti during warm up before the game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester exchanges hugs with Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Cleveland Browns’ Shedeur Sanders visits with Baltimore Ravens’ LaJohntay Wester before game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh greets Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco listens to Baltimore Ravens principal owner Steve Bisciotti during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles smiles for fans who take photos as he enters to play the Cleveland Browns during Baltimore’s 2025 NFL home opener. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

Football is back in Baltimore. The Ravens host their home opener Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Cleveland Browns in what will mark not only the 30th season of the Ravens in Charm City but the return of former star quarterback Joe Flacco to M&T Bank Stadium. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis. Wrinkle on first drive View the full article

Shedeur Sanders, Baltimore Raven? It almost happened, according to a new report. The Ravens were planning to pick the former Colorado quarterback in the fifth round with the 141st overall selection before Sanders let it be known that he didn’t want to be on a roster with superstar Lamar Jackson and not have a path to playing time, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter citing anonymous league sources. Baltimore instead drafted Alabama A&M offensive lineman Carson Vinson. Three picks later, Cleveland ended Sanders’ stunning fall by selecting him 144th overall, two rounds after picking former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Sanders, who played for his father and Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders at Colorado, is currently listed third on the Browns’ depth chart behind Gabriel and 40-year-old former Ravens star Joe Flacco, who will start Sunday in his return to Baltimore. Sanders likely would have been QB3 as well in Baltimore, which signed former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush before the draft to a two-year, $6.2 million deal to be Jackson’s backup. “If this is true, I think this is crazy,” former NFL quarterback Alex Smith said of Schefter’s report during ESPN’s “NFL Countdown” on Sunday. “You’re in the fifth round. I understand you had higher hopes, but you dropped to the fifth round, and you’re thinking about being a starting quarterback the next year? I think this is incredibly short-sighted. If you’re in this situation, you want to go to an organization that is going to develop you. “Here we have the Baltimore Ravens, the model of stability in the NFL. This regime’s been together for how many decades now, and actually has a track record to develop quarterbacks. Joe Flacco, Lamar. Instead you choose the Cleveland Browns, because you think you have a chance to start the next year? And, mind you, the Cleveland Browns, who are on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to stability. This is the same organization that walked away from Baker Mayfield as the No. 1 pick in the draft. … There’s been 700 starting quarterbacks in the last 20 years for the Cleveland Browns. This makes zero sense.” Sanders had an up-and-down training camp and preseason with Cleveland, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in an impressive debut Aug. 8 against the Carolina Panthers before suffering an oblique injury Aug. 13 during a joint workout with the Philadelphia Eagles that kept him out for an extended period of time. He then struggled in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, which prompted a defense from coach Kevin Stefanski on his handling of Sanders’ development. Stefanski addressed claims that he was deliberately hindering Sanders’ progress, particularly after replacing him with Tyler Huntley, who led the game-winning drive. “I don’t concern myself with outside types of things, but I’m committed to his development, just like all of our rookies,” Stefanski said. “We’ll continue to focus on getting our guys better, and that’s what we’ll stay committed to, and that’s what’s important to me.” Cameras caught Sanders frustrated on the Browns’ sideline after being told he was done for the day. He asked to return, but Stefanski shook his head, adding to the controversy. Related Articles Ravens CB Jaire Alexander inactive; Reuben Lowery making debut vs. Browns Ravens vs. Browns, September 14, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Browns live updates: Baltimore hosts rival in home opener Browns RB Quinshon Judkins on track to make NFL debut vs. Ravens MTA adds shuttles, alters service for Ravens opener “I think all of our guys are extremely competitive and want to be out there for every play. So, I never want a player to be less competitive,” Stefanski said. Sanders, Gabriel and practice squad quarterback Bailey Zappe all have been running Cleveland’s scout team in practice, quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said Friday. While Rush is entrenched as the backup quarterback in Baltimore because of his contract and performance, he’s 31 years old, leaving room for a developmental prospect behind him. The Ravens drafted quarterback Devin Leary in the sixth round in 2024, but he struggled and was released at the end of training camp last month, prompting the Ravens to bring Huntley back to the practice squad. The Associated Press contributed to this article. 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

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was activated to the active roster Saturday, clearing the way for him to make his NFL debut against the Ravens. The second-round draft pick was on a roster exemption after signing his contract on Sept. 6. To make room for Judkins, Cleveland waived wide receiver Gage Larvadain. “I feel good. Just still taking day by day in the playbook, learning everything I need to know in case I have to play,” Judkins said on Friday. “As a competitor, you want to go out there and do your best every single day you step on the field. So if I have to play, I’m going to give it my all.” Judkins missed all of training camp after he was accused of domestic violence in Florida in July. Prosecutors declined to pursue a case against him on Aug. 14 following a state attorney’s office investigation that found inconsistencies in the accuser’s story. Coach Kevin Stefanski said that Judkins has done a nice job trying to get up to speed, but wanted to see how he progressed throughout the week before making a determination on his status. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do up to this point,” Stefanski said. “There’s football shape, and once you get in pads and get hit a little bit, that’s different than working out prior. But I do think he’s in good shape.” Stefanski and the Browns are looking for improvement in the run game after gaining only 49 yards on 24 carries in last week’s 17-16 loss to Cincinnati. The Browns drafted Judkins with the 36th overall pick in hopes he could become their main running back after he helped the Buckeyes win the national championship last season. Judkins rushed for 1,060 yards and had 16 total touchdowns. Cleveland also has fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson and four-year veteran Jerome Ford in the backfield. The Browns will face a Baltimore defense on Sunday that allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league last season at 80.1 yards per game. However, Cleveland has rushed for at least 100 yards in six of 10 meetings against the Ravens since Stefanski became coach in 2020. Baltimore is also 0-1 after a 41-40 loss at Buffalo last week. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said that Judkins has done a good job of retaining knowledge of the playbook from spring workouts, but one advantage is that things are limited once teams get into game weeks. “You have a finite number of plays within a game plan, there will be carryover in terms of the terminology,” Rees said. “So, for him it’s really focused on, all right, we have a new playbook for this week’s opponent, let’s try to master that instead of saying, here’s our seven installs at training camp. That’s a little bit more daunting than one game plan.” View the full article

The Maryland Transit Administration will operate all available trains on a regular Sunday schedule for the Ravens’ home opener against the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. as downtown continues to experience service disruptions tied to the ongoing demolition of three buildings on North Howard Street. Light Rail service through downtown remains suspended, with shuttle buses running between North Avenue and Camden Station. Riders traveling from Glen Burnie or BWI Airport are advised to allow for extra travel time due to limited train availability. Travelers from Hunt Valley should also plan ahead, as they will need to transfer to shuttle buses between North Avenue and Camden. To ease congestion and accommodate game day travel, beginning at 10:30 a.m. MTA will operate Express Shuttle Buses from Glen Burnie/Cromwell and Timonium Fairgrounds directly to the Convention Center Light Rail stop at Howard and Camden streets. Following the game, Express Shuttles will also run directly back to Glen Burnie/Cromwell and Timonium Fairgrounds. Other transit options remain available: Metro Subway: Riders can take the Metro to Charles Center station, exit via the West entrance escalator, and continue along Baltimore Street to CFG Arena before heading toward Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. Local Bus: CityLinks Navy, Yellow, and Brown, along with LocalLinks 51, 54, 73, 76, and 94, all provide service to or near the stadium. MARC Train: The Penn Line will operate on its regular weekend schedule. Passengers arriving at Penn Station may take the Penn-Camden shuttle train to the Mt. Royal/MICA Light Rail stop and then transfer to a shuttle bus bound for Camden Station. MTA officials encourage riders to plan and allow for additional travel time when making their way downtown. View the full article

If the Ravens can’t pressure or move Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco in the pocket on Sunday, they are in trouble. Big trouble. A week ago, Bills quarterback Josh Allen tortured the Ravens’ secondary, completing 33 of 46 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns in Buffalo’s 41-40 come-from-behind victory. In that game, in which the Ravens had a 15-point lead with four minutes remaining, Allen was sacked only once. But the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player is part of the new wave of quarterbacks who are mobile and can improvise. Flacco, 40, is part of the old guard that has to stand in the pocket to be successful. Let’s be more specific. He’s a statue. But this is a Ravens squad that doesn’t have a dominant pass rusher. In the early days after the team moved here from Cleveland, Baltimore had outside linebacker Peter Boulware and later defensive end Michael McCrary. Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs was one of the most dominant players in the NFL from 2003 to 2018 and holds the club record with 139 sacks. So, maybe Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens can get to Flacco, forcing him to move in the pocket. In a 17-16 loss to Cincinnati last week, Flacco completed 31 of 45 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown. He also had two interceptions, but those were both catchable passes. “It’s crazy that he’s still playing, and he’s still playing at a high level,” Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “The challenges he does pose is that he’s a veteran, so there is not a lot of stuff you’re going to be able to throw at him that he hasn’t seen. You have to make it as difficult as possible for him. And then, there is a reason why he’s still in this league. “His arm talent is still legit. He can still push the ball down the field at a very accurate and dangerous rate. So, we have to do everything we can to make him uncomfortable and get after him.” Translation: The Ravens have to mix coverages and pass-rushing responsibilities better. A week ago, they weren’t very aggressive. Actually, passive is a better word. Very seldom did the Ravens blitz safety Kyle Hamilton or nickel cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Both Orr and coach John Harbaugh talked about the Ravens being more disciplined in their rushing lanes because they allowed Allen to get outside and throw. Cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Nate Wiggins seemed to be stuck in last year’s early season time warp as far as knowing when to go into press coverage or when to back off. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr, left, and coach John Harbaugh watch practice last week. "You have to have good rush lanes to ‘muddy up’ the picture for the quarterback so he can't step up cleanly and get in the rhythm," Orr said. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) To be honest, this was expected. There is a difference between practice and game speed. This group didn’t play together in a preseason game, so there was going to be some miscommunication. “Yes, well that was the biggest issue,” Harbaugh said of containing Allen. “We understand Josh Allen; we have played him quite a few times. We had a little more success here at our place last year. The last two times there, not quite as much, but we had a plan, and we just didn’t get it done. We weren’t able to execute; we couldn’t keep him in the pocket.” “That’s probably the No. 1 disappointment for me,” Harbaugh added. “I think when you let him extend plays like that, he’ll run for yards, but he’ll also find receivers downfield, and they do a good job of getting open. It’s just hard to extend that coverage long enough with his arm strength and accuracy on the move. So that’s the No. 1 thing.” The Ravens have needed a dominant pass rusher for years, someone in the Lawrence Taylor or Von Miller mold, and it’s one aspect that is missing. Regardless if that player is double teamed or chipped by a tight end, his presence will cause a disturbance. Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green, the second-round draft pick from Marshall, might be that guy one day, but not in his first season. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy plays well and was strong against the run versus Buffalo, but the 34-year-old was not much of a factor against the Bills’ offensive line, which surrendered only 14 sacks last season. As for fifth-year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, stories have come out of training camp every year on how he has improved, but he had only one tackle and one hurry against Allen. Green had one tackle and was a nonfactor as well. “Like I said, you have to give credit to [Buffalo], but our rush lanes — when you talk about defense — it all has to work together,” Orr said. “You have to have good rush lanes to ‘muddy up’ the picture for the quarterback so he can’t step up cleanly and get in the rhythm. At times when we did that, we were just a little bit off in the coverage. At times when the coverage was really nice and tight, what happened? He got out of the pocket and extended plays, and that was a point of emphasis that we didn’t want to allow happen.” Related Articles MTA makes adjustments for Ravens opener Ravens injury report: Isaiah Likely closer to return; 2 Browns questionable Ravens vs. Browns staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s home opener in Baltimore? Ravens vs. Browns scouting report for Week 2: Who has the edge? Joe Flacco’s return to Baltimore: Ravens celebration and a critical game Flacco can’t move as well as Allen. Few can. But he still has that strong arm. In 11 seasons in Baltimore, Flacco was 96-67 as a starter and was 10-5 in the playoffs before being traded to Denver in 2019. Cleveland still has a good offensive line with tackles Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin and left guard Joel Bitonio, but it’s not the same group without star running back Nick Chubb, who rushed for 6,843 yards and 51 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Browns before signing with the Houston Texans. Sunday’s outcome might come down to Flacco. The Browns don’t have a lot of weapons offensively, and their defense is ranked a respectable No. 13 overall. Some Browns fans have complained about the Ravens celebrating 30 years in Baltimore while facing the franchise that moved here for the start of the 1996 season. They are minor issues. The Ravens have to make Flacco unhappy in the pocket. If they can flush him, they’ll win. If not … Oh well, they are in trouble. Big trouble. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The Ravens’ Isaiah Likely was in uniform on the practice field Friday in Owings Mills for the first time since undergoing foot surgery on Aug. 2, signaling that a return to the lineup for the ascendant fourth-year tight end could potentially come as soon as Week 3. As for this week’s home opener against the Cleveland Browns, Likely was unsurprisingly ruled out. He’s also just one of two players who won’t suit up for Baltimore this week, with fullback Pat Ricard (calf) the other. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman (personal) was also absent from practice Friday but is expected to play Sunday. A largely healthy roster bodes well for the Ravens, who are coming off a crushing 41-40 defeat to the Buffalo Bills and are already a game behind the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals as the AFC North rival Browns come to town. Cleveland, meanwhile, could be without right tackle Jack Conklin (eye, elbow), who is listed as questionable after being limited in practice for a third straight day. Coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that Conklin has a “50-50” chance to play. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins (personal) is also questionable, albeit for a far different reason. The second-round draft pick out of Ohio State met with the NFL earlier this week as part of an investigation into a potential violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Judkins missed all of training camp and practiced Thursday for the first time since mandatory minicamp in June after being accused of domestic violence in Florida. However, prosecutors declined to pursue a case against him on Aug. 14 after a state attorney’s office investigation. Judkins was one of the top running backs in the draft after rushing for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns and catching 59 passes for 442 yards over three college seasons between Ole Miss and then Ohio State. Related Articles Ravens vs. Browns staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s home opener in Baltimore? Ravens vs. Browns scouting report for Week 2: Who has the edge? Joe Flacco’s return to Baltimore: Ravens celebration and a critical game How players-only dinner set stage for Ravens’ defense response to collapse ‘Not hard’ to tackle? Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s play says otherwise. | COMMENTARY The only player ruled out for the Browns is reserve defensive tackle Michael Hall (knee). Cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder, Achilles tendon), offensive tackle Dawand Jones (knee) and guard Joel Bitonio (rest) were all full participants in practice Friday after being limited earlier in the week and do not have an injury designation for the game. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 2 game between the Ravens and Browns at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 24, Browns 13: Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy might think the Ravens’ secondary presents “no challenges,” as he told reporters earlier this week, but Cleveland’s offense as a whole doesn’t, either. Outside of Jeudy, tight end David Njoku and 41-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco, the Browns simply don’t have enough firepower to keep up with a Baltimore offense that racked up 432 yards against the Bills last week. Cleveland’s defense presents a different challenge with star edge rusher Myles Garrett, cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome and safety Grant Delpit, but the Ravens should be able to move the ball. Expect Baltimore’s defense to be more aggressive, too, as it looks to wash the stench emanating from last week’s collapse. Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 35, Browns 21: The Browns are doing their best to stir the pot. Safety Grant Delpit said it’s “not hard” to tackle Derrick Henry. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy said there’s “no challenge” in facing the Ravens secondary. The difference between these two teams is that one was projected to win five games and the other, despite a mystifying Week 1 loss, can contend for a Super Bowl. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was dismissive of the so-called bulletin board material. It won’t change how they play. They’re motivated enough by an 0-1 start. Expect Baltimore to play angry — not because of the comments coming out of Browns practice, but because of how their season opener unfolded. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 28, Browns 21: The Browns don’t have enough quality players to pull an upset. Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco is playing reasonably well, but the Browns don’t have a strong enough running game to complement him or the passing game. In the end, their defense will wear down. The Browns usually play well in Cleveland, but they get the Ravens on the road. Ravens, Browns: Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 31, Browns 13: Expect Baltimore to lean on a bruising attack led by Lamar Jackson’s option game and Derrick Henry’s freshly motivated downhill runs. With the M&T Bank Stadium crowd juiced for the home opener and the team’s 30th anniversary celebration, Zach Orr’s defense can dictate terms with a much-improved performance from its secondary. Looking back, the defense settled in nicely against Buffalo before the wheels came off in the second half. The Ravens can’t afford to repeat last season’s 0-2 start with four consecutive 2024 playoff opponents looming ahead of the team’s Week 7 bye. This early season date with lowly Cleveland feels like an emphatic bounce-back spot for an apparent AFC heavyweight. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 20, Browns 17: Will the Ravens avoid a carbon copy of last year, when they lost a heartbreaker on the road to the Chiefs only to lay an egg at home against the Raiders? This has “trap game” written all over it, with Myles Garrett potentially playing the same game-wrecking role that Maxx Crosby did last season against the Ravens’ offensive line. It’s not a guarantee that the Ravens’ defense has figured out what caused its epic collapse against Buffalo either, and Joe Flacco is not going to be afraid to test a secondary that has perhaps lost some confidence. I’ve got my eye on tight ends Harold Fannin Jr. and David Njoku creating some mismatches with their size and skill, but it will be hard for the Browns to score enough points to steal a win on the road here. Related Articles Ravens vs. Browns scouting report for Week 2: Who has the edge? Joe Flacco’s return to Baltimore: Ravens celebration and a critical game How players-only dinner set stage for Ravens’ defense response to collapse ‘Not hard’ to tackle? Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s play says otherwise. | COMMENTARY Ravens injury report: Top DT returns to practice; Browns RB ramping up Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 35, Browns 17: Jackson is 15-1 overall and 10-6 against the spread when playing as a double-digit favorite. He’s one of the best regular-season quarterbacks in recent memory, and he played exceptionally well against the Bills in Week 1. Baltimore has serious late-game lapses, but those often occur against capable teams. I give the Browns a better chance of contending for a top-three draft pick than finishing in the top three of the AFC North. After losing to the lowly Raiders in Week 2 a season ago, the Ravens won’t overlook this game or the importance of finishing off a big lead. Look for Baltimore to quickly bounce back and move to 1-1 before a “Monday Night Football” clash with the Lions. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 38, Browns 20: How loud will the applause be for Joe Flacco before the home team beats the brakes off Cleveland? That’s the only thing in question for me. The result should not be. But we learned Sunday night that the Ravens are still susceptible to falling apart when it’s time to close a game, and having Flacco back at M&T Bank Stadium could make things interesting. But I don’t think it will. The Browns are not nearly as good as the Ravens in any facet of the game, and an 0-2 start would be shocking to everyone in Baltimore. A comfortable win should be in store. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 28, Browns 17: You can’t overlook the fact that this is Flacco’s first time coming back to Baltimore to play against his former team. A lot of fans will cheer him, thinking back to when he was the quarterback of the Super Bowl-winning team. But then it’s game time. I expect the Ravens’ defense to be a lot better than it was against Buffalo, particularly late in the game. If the offensive line can contain Myles Garrett, then Baltimore’s offense should have no problem. The Ravens always bounce back after a bad loss, and I expect the same this week, especially for the home opener. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

After spending all week lamenting a preposterous spiral and 15-point blown lead in Buffalo, the Ravens can finally turn their attention to their home opener against Cleveland. This matchup will do one of two things, offer a confidence-boosting beatdown or raise serious concerns about the veracity of this season’s end goals. Who will have the advantage in Week 2? Ravens passing game vs. Browns pass defense In more games than not, Lamar Jackson does something that nearly no other quarterback in the NFL can do. Against Buffalo, it was his 15-yard backward scramble, hounded by two hulking defensive linemen. Jackson had his back to the first-down line, he jabbed right then left, spun and slivered into an opening. He picked up 19 yards and a first down, traveling 75.9 total yards in the process, according to NextGenStats. That was the dazzling part of Jackson’s game we’ve come to expect. On top of that, he threw the ball for 209 yards and two scores on 14 of 19 passing. DeAndre Hopkins introduced himself to his new team with a one-handed grab for a touchdown. And Zay Flowers torched the secondary for 143 on seven catches. Baltimore’s offense looked unstoppable – at least for 3 1/2 quarters. Cleveland’s pass rush and defensive line is its strongest positional group. Myles Garrett is the head of the snake. The 2023 defensive Player of the Year has 14 or more sacks in four consecutive seasons, but managed only one quarterback hit in two games versus Baltimore last year. He’s flanked by Mason Graham, who saw more double teams than Garrett against Cincinnati. That opened lanes for Isaiah McGuire and Maliek Collins, too. Per Pro Football Focus, Cleveland had the fourth-best pass rush grade of any team in Week 1. The Ravens’ offensive line — and more notably the versatility of Todd Monken’s play calling — should be enough to keep the defense a step off balance. EDGE: Ravens Browns passing game vs. Ravens pass defense A familiar face makes his return to M&T Bank Stadium Sunday afternoon. Joe Flacco hasn’t been back in Baltimore since a 2018 injury gave way to his successor in Jackson. The last time he faced a Ravens’ defense was Week 1 2022. The then-Jets quarterback threw the ball 59 times, with one touchdown and an interception. Flacco flirted with a similar volume last week, completing 31 of 45 attempts. As coach John Harbaugh said before the start of the season, “we know Joe can sling it.” In Buffalo, the Ravens struggled mightily with passing lanes. They barely got hands on the quarterback and brought him down only once. Don’t be surprised by a corrective step from the Ravens defense. One of Flacco’s top targets had no issue taking a shot at his quarterback’s former team this week. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was asked on Wednesday what challenges the Ravens secondary presents. Jeudy deadpanned, “No challenges.” That’s motivational jet fuel for a group of five first-round picks and the highest paid safety in NFL history, collectively in need of a rebound performance. That is, after letting up 397 passing yards, 251 of which came in the fourth quarter on Sunday. A 40-year-old Flacco can’t hold a candle to Josh Allen, the reigning Most Valuable Player. If there’s a chance to capitalize on bulletin board material for that group and bounce back from a sickly showing, it’ll be this home opener. Looking at Week 1 in a vacuum, Cleveland gets the edge. But based on talent and the expectation for how Sunday plays out, it goes the other way. EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Browns run defense Based on what we saw Sunday night in Western New York, there may not be a better run game in the NFL. Derrick Henry, at 31 years old, built like a brick designed to trample defensive backs, still has a second gear in open space. Henry turned 18 attempts into 169 yards with two touchdowns, a dominant performance despite his costly fumble in the fourth quarter. According to NextGenStats, he hit a top speed of 21.07 miles per hour, eight-tenths slower than his career high. Through one week, he leads the NFL in rushing yards — 26 more yards than the next best on that list. Harbaugh called him explosive and fast — “it’s what we expected to see.” “Their mentality is that they don’t want to give you anything,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “You have to be able to run the football against these guys. You can’t just let them tee off and get after you.” There’s still emotionless confidence in Cleveland. Browns safety Grant Delpit was asked how hard it is to bring down the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Derrick Henry. Delpit shook his head, “Not hard.” On a follow-up question, Delpit continued, “Somebody’s got the ball, you got to bring him down.” Henry returned serve with a stoic, “We’ll see on Sunday.” To Cleveland’s credit, they allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL last week. Cincinnati managed only 46 yards on the ground, split between Chase Brown’s 43 and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s three. Henry is four inches taller and about 40 pounds heavier. Plus, he combined for 211 yards on 31 carries in two meetings against the Browns last year. EDGE: Ravens Ravens running back Derrick Henry, shown in Week 1 against the Bills, ran for an NFL-best 169 yards in the season opener. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP) Browns running game vs. Ravens run defense The biggest question mark here is Quinshon Judkins. Cleveland’s second-round rookie running back returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since minicamp. How Judkins looks in two practices will determine his availability but it would be a surprising choice to play him off two practices. Cleveland’s ground game was paced by rookie fourth-rounder Dylan Sampson, who took 12 carries for 29 yards (he was more effective as a pass catcher). Jerome Ford contributed six carries for eight yards. That lack of production against Baltimore’s top-tier run defense might leave Cleveland more inclined to push for Judkins. But that shouldn’t be enough to tip the scale. EDGE: Ravens Ravens special teams vs. Browns special teams Both the Ravens and Browns have a kicker who missed an extra point in Week 1. Both the Ravens and Browns wound up losing by one point. But there’s more reason for confidence in Baltimore’s Tyler Loop than Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt. Loop nailed two field goals, one from 52 yards, in his NFL debut. He was transparent about the timing issue of the errant extra-point. Szmyt made one 45 yarder on two attempts, a performance that required coach Kevin Stefanski to confirm he will be the kicker on Sunday. Baltimore made one other major special teams gaffe in Week 1. Jordan Stout skied a near-perfect punt that likely would have died inside the 1-yard line until linebacker Trenton Simpson came screaming into frame, sliding down and ever-so-slightly crossing the end zone line for a touchback. That’s a mistake you don’t make twice. EDGE: Ravens Related Articles Joe Flacco’s return to Baltimore: Ravens celebration and a critical game How players-only dinner set stage for Ravens’ defense response to collapse ‘Not hard’ to tackle? Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s play says otherwise. | COMMENTARY Ravens injury report: Top DT returns to practice; Browns RB ramping up Ravens’ Zay Flowers isn’t a typical WR1: ‘I’m all about winning’ Ravens intangibles vs. Browns intangibles The Ravens have far more at stake. Most pundits are guaranteeing victory. Baltimore’s 0-1 start can’t drop to 0-2 heading into four straight games against playoff teams. At risk of sounding like a prisoner of the moment, the ‘confidence in this team’ scale tips pretty far if they roll over in the home opener. By no stretch would the season be over, as evidenced by the poor start to last year that still yielded a 12-5 record and second consecutive division title. It would just derail the discourse. Cleveland, meanwhile, is coming off a near upset against the Bengals. They’re projected to finish in the realm of five wins, at the bottom of the AFC North. There’s kerosine being dumped on the fire: Jeudy chirped the defense, Delpit downplayed Henry and a corner of fans on social media are irate about the Ravens’ 30th anniversary celebration being scheduled for Sunday considering the history of the two teams. If Flacco slings it and the defensive line can disrupt Jackson to extreme levels, this could turn into quite the upset. What do they have to lose? EDGE: Browns Prediction No one is looking at this game saying anything other than Baltimore is outfitted with a far more talented roster. The disparity between Super Bowl contender and projected 5-win team is stark. This is – to pull a phrase from the college ranks – the Ravens’ cupcake game in a six-week start that includes five playoffs teams. It also feels similar to Baltimore’s Week 2 loss to Las Vegas last year. And against Miami Week 2 of 2022, another late unraveling. But Joe Flacco can “still sling it,” so he should find ways to put points on the board against what appeared to be a leaky secondary. Ravens 35, Browns 21. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The last time Joe Flacco was at M&T Bank Stadium, chants of “We want Joe!” emanated through the stands. It was January 2019, and a frustrated mob was calling for Super Bowl 47’s Most Valuable Player six years earlier to save the day against the Los Angeles Chargers. He never got the chance, of course. The baton was officially passed to Lamar Jackson before that wild-card defeat and Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos in the offseason. Sunday though, Flacco, 40, will return to the house of some of his greatest triumphs. This time, the Ravens’ winningest quarterback in franchise history will be on the opposing sideline with the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns for Baltimore’s home opener. The Ravens will also be celebrating their 30th anniversary, marking the occasion of their controversial 1996 exit from Cleveland as the then-Browns to the Charm City with a plethora of former stars on hand for the festivities in what could be construed as an awkward confluence. “Listen, they do these things and I think you can take it however you want,” Flacco told reporters in Cleveland earlier this week. “If you’re from Cleveland, you can take it one way and if you’re from Baltimore you can say it’s not a big deal, it’s just one of those things. “Honestly, for me, it kind of makes it more exciting. We get to go in there when they’re having some people back and just more ex-players, more eyes on you. It’ll make it more interesting.” Time often heals old wounds, so if there’s animosity toward Baltimore for moving on, Flacco isn’t showing any. “We were on good terms when I left,” he said. “But at the same time, you know, it’s natural to feel a certain way when you’re going against a team that you’re not playing for anymore. I’ve been a part of other players that do that and you kind of try to act normal, but it is a big deal. You do want to go beat them, and it’s a little bit of a difference.” Flacco added that Baltimore is a “very special place” and said it’s somewhere that he made “many good memories.” But he’s also wise enough to understand the significance of the moment that awaits — which is why, he said, he will likely venture onto the field a little earlier than normal to connect with what will be many familiar faces. The Ravens will be trying to do the same, particularly after a stunning collapse against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night in Orchard Park, New York, where Baltimore inexplicably twice squandered a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, including one with under five minutes remaining and fell, 41-40. Cleveland is likewise coming off its own crushing defea, 17-16 to the Cincinnati Bengals, despite holding Joe Burrow to 113 passing yards and one touchdown. Flacco, meanwhile, threw for 290 yards and a touchdown, though he did toss a pair of interceptions. Now comes a reunion against his former coach, John Harbaugh, whom the Ravens hired three months before drafting Flacco 18th overall out of Delaware in 2008. Joe FlaccoSun photo by Kenneth K. LamFormer Ravens first-round pick Joe Flacco talks to the media in 2008 during a news conference. Flacco will visit M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday playing for a division rival. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff file) “Joe is iconic, I think, in Baltimore football history,” Harbaugh said. “I respect that and admire that, and I still keep in touch with him, except not this week. This week, it’s not about that for us as a football team. It’s about us getting prepared for a good quarterback that knows how to play the game, that’s capable of making plays against you. We’re going to have to be at our very best to defend against Joe and the whole offense.” The occasion will also be Flacco’s second career game against Baltimore. He last played against the Ravens in 2022 when he was with the New York Jets. Baltimore won, 24-9, at MetLife Stadium, where Flacco chucked it 59 times, completing 37 passes for 309 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Now in his 18th season, Flacco can still fling it. “He operates the passing game really well,” Harbaugh said. “He does a good job with all the play-action stuff. He’s going to get them in the runs they want to get in. … He is still big, he’s still got a good arm, he’s very accurate. It’s a good catchable ball, and he knows where to go with it. So that’s kind of the classic drop-back quarterback kind of guy that Joe is, and that’s the way they’re playing with him.” A handful of Baltimore players are looking forward to seeing and going up against their former teammate as well. Jackson along with tight end Mark Andrews, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, defensive end Brent Urban and fullback Patrick Ricard, who likely won’t play because of a calf injury that has kept him out of practice since mid-August, all played with Flacco when he was in Baltimore. Each remembers their experience fondly. “How cool he was with things he would say, and how funny he was,” Jackson said when asked what he remembers about his rookie season alongside the player he replaced midway through the season. “I don’t know if people know, but ‘Flacc’ is funny. He used to have me rolling as a rookie. I used to be like, ‘Man, this man just says stuff so nonchalantly.’ It is great. He is a great person to be around.” Nick Wass / APRavens quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Joe Flacco walk onto the field before a playoff game in January 2019. Soon after the loss to the Chargers, Flacco was traded to the Broncos. (AP file) Though the dynamic of incumbent quarterback being replaced by a rookie — it was a month after an overtime loss in Cleveland that Baltimore subbed Jackson in for the injured Flacco — can be uneasy, Jackson didn’t necessarily feel it. “I was just trying to learn as much as I could my rookie year,” he said. “I can’t speak for ‘Flacc.’ I was cool. I feel like we had a great relationship.” Though the two don’t keep in regular contact, they also had a moment years later. At the 2024 NFL Honors, Jackson was on hand to collect his second NFL MVP Award; Flacco the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Though Jackson also said that seeing him in a Browns uniform inside M&T Bank Stadium will be “different,” he isn’t surprised that his former teammate has lasted this long. Jackson recalled an 80-yard bomb from Flacco to Chris Moore during one practice that still resonates. “It was ridiculous,” he said. “So for me to see that back then, no doubt in my mind.” Humphrey’s recollection also stems from his rookie season in 2017 when Flacco surprisingly joined him for lunch. “I just thought that a quarterback, a Super Bowl MVP would not just join a rookie at the lunch table, so I thought that was cool,” he said. “I was young coming in [and thought] quarterbacks were probably just arrogant guys. So, that’s my first memory of Joe.” Watching him nearly a decade later not much has changed, Humphrey said. “He’s kind of still the same Joe,” he said. “He looks at all his reads. To me, it’s almost a lost art [of] quarterbacks — the three-step drop, five-step drop [and] go through all their progressions the way Joe does. Obviously, it’s a familiar face coming back to Baltimore. It is a weird thing, being in that Browns’ jersey, but we’re excited to go against him and hopefully come out on top.” This past offseason, Flacco also had a chance to be back in a Ravens uniform. Related Articles Ravens vs. Browns scouting report for Week 2: Who has the edge? How players-only dinner set stage for Ravens’ defense response to collapse ‘Not hard’ to tackle? Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s play says otherwise. | COMMENTARY Ravens injury report: Top DT returns to practice; Browns RB ramping up Ravens’ Zay Flowers isn’t a typical WR1: ‘I’m all about winning’ Baltimore talked to Flacco’s agent, Joe Linta, about bringing him back and there was interest from both sides. It never materialized, though, and Flacco signed with the Browns two weeks before the April draft, marking his second stint with Cleveland after joining the Browns late in the 2023 season and leading them to the playoffs. A wild-card loss to the Texans that year also ended a chance for a return trip to Baltimore to face his old team in the divisional round, and Flacco spent the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Colts, making six starts. When he finally returns to Baltimore on Sunday, the stakes won’t be quite as high, but it will be an important game for both teams. It will also be a chance for fans and players to remember one of the organization’s most popular players who will one day after he retires end up in the team’s Ring of Honor. “Once a Raven, always a Raven,” Jackson said. “I believe that’s a fact.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

On Monday night, Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton organized a players-only dinner for the Ravens’ defense. Whether it was a response to their blunders in Buffalo or preordained in the week’s schedule matters less than what they got out of having everybody in the same room less than 24 hours after falling to 0-1. “It’s going to be private — just because I don’t need to express what was said,” veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. “But things were talked about, and we have to turn the page.” The nature of the NFL schedule doesn’t allow much room for deep reflection. There’s a home opener against a division foe Sunday, then 15 more regular-season games to worry about. But this loss was weighed down by well-documented emotional baggage. For one, it was the same building where Baltimore’s 2024 season ended in backbreaking fashion. The Ravens spent all season plotting vengeance in the form of a projected top-tier defense — the kind that can rack up takeaways. That defense let up 397 passing yards, 251 of which came in the fourth quarter, and failed to force a turnover. Quarterback Josh Allen spun a 15-point comeback, dismantling analytical models predicting a 99.1% chance of Ravens victory. For Baltimore, that required some additional dialogue. Two messages emerged from the dinner: Defensive coordinator Zach Orr assured his players that they would not be “repeat offenders” and, as cornerback Marlon Humphrey put it, “the guys that are doing it right are going to play.” “When you come together as a team, as men, everyone can be vulnerable,” outside linebacker Odafe Oweh told The Baltimore Sun. “You can tell each other, ‘I messed up.’ We all have each other’s back. … That dinner helped a lot of guys to understand that if the outside world wants to write us out, we got each other.” Timing wise, that meeting pressed up against what is a common rule of thumb in professional sports: The 24-hour rule. No loss shall be bothersome more than one day after the final horn. Rules are meant to be broken. Van Noy amended that sometimes losses can linger into a second day of reflection, but moping about Sunday night’s loss hit a hard deadline Tuesday night. “After emotional loss like that, I think it was OK to take 48,” Van Noy said Wednesday. “It was one of those games where you have to really look at yourself in the mirror, personally, on defense, collectively.” When Orr played back the film, he wasn’t impressed by his team’s “fundamentals and technique.” "That dinner helped a lot of guys to understand that if the outside world wants to write us out, we got each other," Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh said. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) They were in the right positions. Humphrey went as far as to call them “perfect calls” that players failed to execute on. That snowballed into an inability to get off the field and a comeback that will live on through “NFL Films” highlight tapes. The fourth quarter alone warranted a standalone video on the league’s YouTube channel. Orr started counting on his fingers. The league average for defensive snaps per game is in the low-60s. Seventy or more is considered high. Baltimore played 85, which forced Orr to unload his call sheet. They tried man coverage, zone, blitzing, burning off the edge, showing one thing and doing another. Buffalo concocted five drives with eight or more plays (compared with the Ravens’ two). In the fourth quarter, the Ravens’ defense spent a grueling 10 minutes and 27 seconds on the field. “To our own undoing, we were out there for a long time,” Orr said. “Mentally and physically, we got worn out, which is tough to say, but that’s the truth.” There were issues all over the defense. Harbaugh’s “No. 1 disappointment” was the Ravens’ inability to keep Allen contained to the pocket. Orr said that their pass rush lanes weren’t “as tight and crisp” as they needed to be, according to Van Noy. Safety Kyle Hamilton said that practices this week have been “very intentional” in address their mistakes. Earlier this week, Humphrey said, rather bluntly, that Baltimore’s defense showed they’re “just not mature enough as a team yet.” That was something Harbaugh voiced in a meeting. Hamilton preferred the term “lackadaisical,” arguing that no offense should score 40 and “be trying to fight for the game.” Orr agreed with all of it. “Last week, the film showed it,” Orr said. “We weren’t mature enough to close out that game.” Related Articles Ravens vs. Browns scouting report for Week 2: Who has the edge? Joe Flacco’s return to Baltimore: Ravens celebration and a critical game ‘Not hard’ to tackle? Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s play says otherwise. | COMMENTARY Ravens injury report: Top DT returns to practice; Browns RB ramping up Ravens’ Zay Flowers isn’t a typical WR1: ‘I’m all about winning’ The difference between a Ravens team bouncing back from their loss in Buffalo compared with last year’s 10 weeks of defensive troubles is their unwillingness to be patient. There’s a transparency between those walls about who is making plays and who isn’t. No player is safe, because this team can’t afford to waste away games. Orr won’t be as patient as he has been in the past. As Humphrey put it, they can’t afford to “protect this guy or protect that guy” until that guy starts making plays again. Last year, safety Marcus Williams was benched nine starts into the worst season of his career, leading to his release in March. Offseason acquisition Eddie Jackson was given a similarly long leash to correct his poor performances before the Ravens eventually turned to back-end band-aid Ar’Darius Washington. That group is a distant memory. Once Tuesday night hit, the loss in Buffalo was left behind too. They’re solely concerned with not opening 0-2 like they did last fall. During a meeting Thursday, Humphrey stood up to share a nugget with the class. He spoke with his dad this week, rehashing all that went awry in Buffalo. Bobby Humphrey, a former NFL running back in the early 1990s, told his son something that Marlon reiterated to his teammates and that stuck with rookie Mike Green. “Don’t be surprised if y’all don’t lose another game.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article