ExtremeRavens

Watch the “Overtime” segment of the 10th episode of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law. The longtime sports columnist answers reader questions from Baltimore Sun subscribers after the Ravens moved to 3-5 with a blowout win over the Dolphins. Missed the 10th episode of the pod? Watch here. Have a question for Preston about the Ravens? Message us at sports@baltsun.com. You can watch the BMore Football Podcast weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Episode 10 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law is here. Preston and Coleman discuss the Ravens’ comfortable 28-6 win over the Dolphins, which included a four-touchdown performance from quarterback Lamar Jackson in his first game back from injury. You can watch it weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The Ravens have been fined $100,000 by the NFL for violating the league’s injury report policy with quarterback Lamar Jackson, the league announced Friday. Baltimore, however, will not face the loss of draft picks with the violation determined to be the result of negligence and not an attempt to gain a competitive advantage, according to a league source with direct knowledge of the matter. If the investigation had determined it was intentional or competitive the discipline would have been more significant, including a potential loss of draft picks. In a statement, the team said that it will not appeal the ruling. “It is critical that the Baltimore Ravens always operate with integrity and in full accordance with NFL guidelines,” the statement reads. “We clearly made an error regarding player injury reporting and cooperated transparently with the league’s investigation. “We accept the decision by the NFL that we violated the policy and have taken steps to ensure that we will be compliant moving forward.” The news comes a week after the Ravens changed Jackson’s practice participation status from “limited” to “full” after he took scout team reps two days ahead of last Sunday’s game against the Bears and continued to work his way back from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since Week 4. A day later, Baltimore retroactively changed his status back to limited and then ruled him out. The Ravens went on to beat Chicago, 30-16, with Tyler Huntley starting at quarterback. After the game, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that the practice report snafu was an “honest mistake” and that “nobody was trying to hide anything.” Jackson returned Thursday night for the first time since injuring his hamstring in a Sept. 28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing four touchdown passes in a 28-6 win over the host Miami Dolphins. He said that his hamstring “felt great” and that he didn’t have any problems despite running for just 14 yards on five carries. “It’s been a hard road and not just the [last] 30 days, but even before that,” Harbaugh said of Jackson’s return after Thursday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium. “I’m proud of him. I’m proud of the way he came out and played.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens are alive again. The trade deadline demands action. | COMMENTARY 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 28-6 win over the Dolphins Ravens Week 8 high school football Coaches of the Week With Lamar Jackson back, Ravens tight ends finally play starring role The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 28-6 win over Dolphins View the full article

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — As Eric DeCosta stepped through the double doors leading to the visitors’ locker room at Hard Rock Stadium late Thursday evening, rap lyrics bounced off the walls and a rare wide smile stretched across his face. The Ravens’ general manager flashed a grin toward his wife, Lacie, as the two embraced, clasped hands and slipped out into the South Florida night, the echoes of Baltimore’s 28-6 dismantling of the Dolphins still pulsing behind them. It was a satisfying walk for the team’s top football executive who hasn’t had many easy strides this year. The performance he witnessed proved that despite a forgettable start to the season, the Ravens can still fight and compete — and they’re close enough that DeCosta can’t afford to stand still with the NFL trade deadline looming Tuesday afternoon. Just look at the product on display in Thursday’s blowout victory. Baltimore’s defense is awakening, Lamar Jackson is back, and the Ravens’ season suddenly has life. DeCosta must treat this surge as an invitation for more smart additions with the belief that this Jackson-led roster can still contend deep into January. DeCosta has whiffed on more than a few personnel swings. Two of his bigger offseason additions — backup quarterback Cooper Rush and cornerback Jaire Alexander — were healthy scratches Thursday, a combined $12 million of salary watching in street clothes. But the same executive who misfired on those signings also struck gold earlier this month. Aside from Jackson’s return, no move has transformed Baltimore’s season more than the Oct. 7 trade that sent edge rusher Odafe Oweh to the Chargers in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman. In just three short weeks, Gilman’s presence has helped reshape the identity of Baltimore’s defense. Gilman’s first-half forced fumble and recovery led to the Ravens’ first touchdown drive and boosted a visitors sideline that has often struggled to sustain energy. Gilman’s takeaway marked one of a season-high three takeaways for the Ravens, who shut out the Dolphins in the second half. Gilman’s true impact, though, lies within his presence across the secondary, which has freed Mr. Do-It-All safety Kyle Hamilton to once again become one of the league’s most dangerous defensive chess pieces. Through the season’s first four games, Hamilton aligned in the box on just 17.4% of defensive snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. Since Gilman’s arrival, Hamilton’s frequency in the box has soared to around 60%. Against the Dolphins, Hamilton was a wrecking ball often lining up near the trenches, disrupting throwing lanes, blowing up screens and clogging holes in the run game. “Kyle Hamilton is able to move around and be who he is,” rookie safety Malaki Starks said. “He doesn’t have to stay in [the secondary], which I think is special and very important. For him to go out there and play his game, and when we plan around him, it’s awesome.” Flexibility with Hamilton has changed just about everything for Zach Orr’s defense, which successfully kept Miami out of the end zone in the Week 9 prime-time contest. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 28-6 win over the Dolphins Ravens Week 8 high school football Coaches of the Week With Lamar Jackson back, Ravens tight ends finally play starring role The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 28-6 win over Dolphins Ravens’ Lamar Jackson returns to light up Dolphins again in 28-6 victory “I’m just slowly building the chemistry with the guys here,” Gilman said. “They’ve welcomed me with open arms, I’m grateful to be part of it. This is just the beginning. We have a lot of work to do.” Are you listening, DeCosta? Baltimore’s defense finally looks alive, but it’s still incomplete. The run defense and pass rush, in particular, both lack consistency. The Ravens’ two sacks of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa were more byproduct of his hesitation and indecision than Baltimore’s push. As veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy told the Prime Video broadcast, the pass rush hasn’t been the same since defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike went down with a season-ending neck injury in mid-September. Beefing up the trenches should be DeCosta’s top priority over the next five days. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson breaks free from Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips. The Miami pass rusher could help the Ravens' defense this season. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Someone in the mold of the Jets’ Quinnen Williams could help make up for Madubuike’s absence. Two other intriguing options were visible on the opposite sideline Thursday night in Miami’s Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, both of whom recorded impressive pancakes against Baltimore’s offensive line and fullback Patrick Ricard. For DeCosta to acquire such pieces, he must be willing to shed some of Baltimore’s precious draft capital. When glancing at the defensive line’s current makeup, relying on 36-year-old John Jenkins (4,291 career snaps) and 34-year-old Brent Urban (2,565) to anchor the line feels like patch work, and it could be a risky formula once meaningful football arrives in December and January. Bring on the reinforcements. The Gilman trade should remind DeCosta and company what a timely, targeted move is capable of creating. Gilman’s arrival reshaped Hamilton’s role and more importantly has drastically changed how opponents both gameplan and attack Orr’s evolving defensive scheme. Just six days ago, the Ravens were 1-5. But for the first time all season, the Ravens boast momentum. Looking ahead, Baltimore faces one of the league’s easiest remaining schedules with five of its last eight games coming against division opponents. Back inside the jubilant visitors locker room, players and coaches embraced one another in celebratory fashion as NBA YoungBoy lyrics blared from a loud speaker. DeCosta lingered just long enough to soak in the sound before heading toward the corridor where his wife waited. He broke his typical serious face and smiled like one who believed the tide was finally turning. “I hate that idea of just a closed window,” DeCosta said in late August. “Being a GM on a closed window team gives me anxiety, and I don’t want to be that GM.” Baltimore’s window appears to be opening again. Given the extremely positive results from his most recent acquisition, it’d be wise for DeCosta to serve up another act. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

Four passing touchdowns and three forced turnovers is a darn good recipe for winning a road game on a short week. The Ravens beat the Dolphins, 28-6, on Thursday night to improve to 3-5. Here are five things we learned: The energy is shifting A week ago, the Ravens were 1-5. Uncertainty clouded the health of their quarterback. Players were tense in their proclamations that the locker room’s confidence had not budged. That’s because their play hadn’t yet shown it. The team hired a motivational speaker, willing to try anything to move the needle with a fresh voice. Some pundits wrote the Ravens off. Others, at the very least, remained skeptical. But football “is a crazy game. It’s a crazy business to be a part of,” safety Alohi Gilman said. Things can turn quickly. The Ravens are now 3-5, a game out of first place in the AFC North. They’ve allowed one touchdown in two wins. Baltimore is as healthy as it has been all year. Even if the Bears aren’t among the NFL’s elite and the Dolphins are likely firing their head coach any minute, the Ravens are playing a more characteristic brand of football than the one that dug them into this hole. “Vibes are high with the team,” running back Derrick Henry said inside the visiting locker room at Hard Rock Stadium. “In all three phases, guys just focused and locked in. I think it showed today in another win for us.” Lamar Jackson put it bluntly, “it’s do or die.” For these Ravens, who have proven all they need to in the regular season and are solely judged on postseason results, that’s not messaging they’re used to. “We never behind,” Jackson said. “But right now, we’re behind, and we all have to step up.” “All” is the operative word. Baltimore’s win Thursday night got all three tight ends involved, which opened up the run game. Two rookies and the new guy had hands on forcing turnovers. The offense managed to score in the red zone, a point of contention this season, and the defense walled up where it mattered most. They even converted on a pair of tush pushes. Take the two-win opponent with a grain of salt. But the energy is shifting. The Ravens entered the season on their high horse about two years of AFC North titles and almost-big-wins in the playoffs. Five losses humbled them. While far from perfect, they seem better equipped to climb the mountain. Baltimore knows where it stands. “It just means we’re two games under .500. That’s all it means,” coach John Harbaugh said. “But we’re two games under .500. We were four games under .500, so that’s where we’re at.” Lamar Jackson hadn’t played in a month and it showed … at least to start Jackson may have fibbed. Asked whether he may require a few plays to find a rhythm in his first game back after four weeks on the shelf, the two-time Most Valuable Player was quick to say no, “That’s what practice is for.” Two walk-through practices and one normal day of reps on a short week didn’t seem to do the trick. Related Articles Ravens are alive again. The trade deadline demands action. | COMMENTARY Ravens Week 8 high school football Coaches of the Week With Lamar Jackson back, Ravens tight ends finally play starring role The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 28-6 win over Dolphins Ravens’ Lamar Jackson returns to light up Dolphins again in 28-6 victory Jackson’s “we’ll just fly” prediction didn’t manifest until after halftime. Then they strapped into a fighter jet and hit 600 knots. Jackson threw for over 200 yards with four touchdowns and a 143.2 passer rating without a turnover. Versus Miami’s blitz, he completed 9 of 11 for 90 yards with three touchdowns. That’s vintage Jackson. The Ravens had only three first downs in the first quarter. None in the second. Before the break, they went three-and-out on four of six drives. Jackson ran the ball once and went nowhere. They needed all four tries at the goal line to punch in a touchdown. Former Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said on the Amazon Prime broadcast’s halftime show he thought Jackson looked uncomfortable, as if he was testing out the newly healthy hamstring. He came back in the postgame show to call him “dominant.” Jackson admitted to feeling some rust in the early going. A low throw incomplete to Rashod Bateman on third down had him ticked off the rest of the night. But he settled in on Mischief Night, at one point completing nine consecutive passes, looking less like Jack Skellington in the pocket and more like Freddy Krueger. There was a third-down scramble to start the second half, the “key play of the whole game,” as Harbaugh said, where the superstar quarterback found his groove. His teammates certainly noticed. “We’re definitely a better team when he is out there,” wide receiver Rashod Bateman said. “So it’s good to have him in the back out there.” Added Gilman: “Obviously, he has talent on the field, but the mentality, the confidence he brings around and he elevates everybody.” And tight end Charlie Kolar: “I think God messed up and put too much goodness in one person.” Ravens don’t need to be perfect to get through this modest midseason schedule Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel’s face flushed bright red. Smoke came fuming from his ears. Any lip readers on hand? Surely a few expletives were involved after such a sloppy sequence. Tahj Washington had his first career catch ripped from his grasp by Gilman. Gilman jumped on the loose ball and the Ravens scored four plays later. The Dolphins got the ball back, took 10 plays to get within 12 yards of the end zone, then, on fourth-and-short, Larry Borom’s false start pushed them out of go-for-it territory. And Riley Patterson pushed the 35-yard field goal attempt. McDaniel was rightfully furious. Sloppy football will do that (home fans booing is never a good sign). Expect more of that mediocrity on Baltimore’s schedule, which from this week through January is the sixth easiest in the NFL. The Ravens weren't perfect in their 28-6 win over the Dolphins, but they were more than good enough to beat a struggling opponent. Thursday's level of play should suffice over the next three games, too. (Lynne Sladky/AP) They can afford to play imperfect football in the short term, with shoddy offensive and defensive line play. They don’t need to be one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, as they were in 2024. And they don’t need to be among the toughest defenses, which they were in the final third of last season. Baltimore just needs to be good enough against overmatched teams, like the Vikings (3-4), Browns (2-6) and Jets (1-7), in order to get above .500. That’s three games versus divisional bottom feeders. There’s enough runway to clean up the little stuff to be playing their best football in January, which could put this season back on schedule. “This is just two [straight wins],” linebacker Roquan Smith said, “and we’re on our way to many more.” Thursday night’s win might not have been so comfortable if not for plays like this: Miami had a fourth-and-2 from inside the red zone. De’Von Achane was matched up one-on-one with Kyle Hamilton, who has a seven-inch height advantage. Achane tried a fade route to the right corner. Tagovailoa sailed the pass. Right on cue, McDaniel’s head slumped. Not all coaches are so emotive but Baltimore’s crawl back to relevance seems it could be aided by teams selling off their roster, out of playoff contention. Defense is capable of doing the thing they spent all summer preaching During training camp, defensive coordinator Zach Orr delivered a daily sermon about takeaways. His players were disciples, preaching the gospel of interceptions and forced fumbles. One player called it “the theme” of this season – which is laughable in retrospect. Another said if they didn’t force a turnover in practice, “it wasn’t a good practice.” That’s all nice and good when it’s preseason fodder. Less so when their takeaway total ranked near the bottom of the NFL. It took eight games in nine weeks to finally put their money where their mouth is. Baltimore forced a trio of takeaways Thursday night. “That was really big,” Harbaugh said. Gilman wrestled a ball loose that set up a touchdown. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey shut down a long drive inside the 15-yard line by recovering a fumble forced by rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan. And rookie safety Malaki Starks hammered the final nail on a fourth-quarter interception that sent Dolphins fans toward the exits. Ravens safety Malaki Starks hauls in an interception. Starks and his teammates forced three turnovers in a 28-6 win over the Dolphins. (Lynne Sladky/AP) Harbaugh said they call them “ball assaults.” They’ve been trying, just haven’t finished the job. Sometimes Humphrey looks like he’s throwing haymakers at the football. As a group, those are finally starting to show, now with four forced fumbles on the year. “I know how the defense has been talking about takeaways and all that, so it was good to see them,” wide receiver Rashod Bateman said. “Pregame, they came in and said that they want to have a lot of takeaways, and I definitely think they made that happen tonight.” Baltimore’s defense doesn’t deserve rose petals thrown at their feet for this performance. Tagovailoa averages more than one interception per game. He was bound to have a misfire. Smith almost made him pay for a second. The Ravens were sharp at times, particularly in the red zone. They were bailed out at others. If anything, those “ball assaults” are the note to write home about. Those are the kind of plays that they spent all season promising they’d make. Buchanan, who had a hand in the first forced fumble and caused the second, called them “contagious.” Now three games in a row with a takeaway, perhaps this is a corner finally turned. A win saved the Ravens from selling at the trade deadline First of all, the notion of Baltimore selling off chunks of its roster at the Nov. 4 trade deadline always sounded a little far-fetched. Then again, so did a 1-5 start. But back-to-back wins after the bye week and as healthy a roster as they’ve had all season, including the star quarterback, should give general manager Eric DeCosta more confidence financially investing in a potential playoff push. The Ravens made one deal already in addressing an injury-riddled secondary. DeCosta sent Odafe Oweh to the opposite coast in exchange for Gilman, a deal that wound up leaving Baltimore’s pass rush low on warm bodies up front but that bandaged the defense’s second and third levels. Through five games, opponents averaged 35.4 points. Since adding Gilman and getting closer to full health, opposing teams have combined for 39 points over their past three games. DeCosta also added defensive end Carl Lawson, who figures to help up front, in free agency. Lawson joined the team days before Baltimore beat Chicago. He wasn’t activated on a short week before going to Miami. Lawson likely makes his Ravens debut next weekend in Minnesota. The trade deadline is four days away. Baltimore still has holes to plug up. Watching from the visiting sideline at Hard Rock Stadium, DeCosta may have noticed Miami linebacker Jaelan Phillips sack Jackson and pancake Pat Ricard and think maybe he’d look good in purple. Or defensive end Bradley Chubb, who also put Ricard on his butt Thursday night. Losses to Chicago and Miami would have raised serious questions about where on this roster DeCosta should unload to start thinking about 2026. Having beat both kept their season from completely crumbling before the halfway mark. How much faith does he have that this is real? We’ll know more by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. With consecutive wins and Lamar Jackson healthy after missing three games, the Ravens could be buyers at the NFL's trade deadline. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP) View the full article

Each week during the high school football season, The Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore Ravens will select one tackle football and one girls flag football Coach of the Week. Here are the winners for Week 8: Tackle football Dante Jones, Carver Vo-Tech: The Bears have won five straight after starting the season 0-3. Jones has Carver playing well at the right time as it is outscoring opponents 171-34 amid its winning streak. The Bears play their regular-season finale against city foe, Frederick Douglass, on Friday night. Girls flag football Davon Muhammad, North Point: Muhammad leads the Eagles in their inaugural season and has the program on the rise. They took a while to get settled, but have handled their business with a win Wednesday in the regional playoffs. North Point will play in the Class 4A/3A South Region semifinals next week. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. Related Articles With Lamar Jackson back, Ravens tight ends finally play starring role The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 28-6 win over Dolphins Ravens’ Lamar Jackson returns to light up Dolphins again in 28-6 victory Instant analysis from Ravens’ 28-6 win over Dolphins Ravens vs. Dolphins live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 28-6 win View the full article

Lamar Jackson hadn’t played in four weeks. Over that stretch, the Ravens’ talented tight end room, almost always a fixture in the offense over Jackson’s career, seemed to disappear, too. That changed in Thursday’s 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins, when Jackson returned and so, too, did contributions from Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar to give the Ravens their second straight victory to move to 3-5 as they chase down a steep comeback in the division race. Each of the Ravens’ first three touchdowns came from Jackson and to a tight end, two to Andrews and the third to Kolar. It’s the first time Andrews, whose career has seen all the peaks and valleys one can, scored a touchdown in a winning effort since Week 18 of last season after being perhaps the most maligned Raven over the past 12 months. And it was a reminder of Jackson’s ability to lead a balanced offense that can trash opposing defenses in seemingly unlimited ways when healthy. “I feel like when Mark scored the first two touchdowns, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is probably going to be one of our games,” Likely said. “We just kept going.” Jackson focused on Baltimore’s tight ends early and often in his return from a hamstring injury that held him out for three games. “They do it all — block, catch the ball, run sometimes,” the quarterback said. Jackson found Andrews open in the back of the end zone for the game’s first touchdown four plays after the Ravens’ defense recovered a fumble deep in Dolphins territory. Jackson hit Likely for a 35-yard gain down the right sideline to spark the next possession, and two plays later connected with Andrews again on a crossing route for a 20-yard score. After a trio of three-and-outs, Kolar capped the 11-play drive that opened the second half with his second touchdown in as many weeks to put the Ravens ahead, 21-6. “I guess I did that much. It was a pretty awesome scheme, I was pretty open,” Kolar quipped. “[Offensive coordinator Todd] Monken did a great job. Baltimore tight ends finished Thursday’s win with a combined seven catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns. Only Zay Flowers had more receptions than any of the top tight ends. It’s Andrews’ second two-touchdown game of the season, but his first highly productive game of the year in a victory. The 30-year-old never got going with Jackson on the field and struggled even more to connect with the team’s backup signal callers. It surely wasn’t the start Andrews, on the heels of last year’s playoff disaster in Buffalo, envisioned to help erase those lingering memories. And that performance, which overshadowed a bounce-back 2024 for Andrews, came after an injury-derailed 2023 campaign that prompted offseason ankle surgery and a frustrating recovery. Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar, right, celebrates after scoring a touchdown in Thursday's win over the Dolphins. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP) Andrews finished with fewer than 30 yards and no scores in five of seven games before Thursday. Likely had just 26 receiving yards on the season, stunted by an injured reserve stint that held him out until Week 4. Kolar was kept off the stat sheet entirely in four games. “It’s just a stress relief, being able to run with the ball in your hands and celebrate,” Likely said, acknowledging his contributions Thursday will help as he recovers from his late start to the season. In Thursday’s win, Likely and Kolar set season highs in receiving yards and Andrews posted his 12th career multi-touchdown game in a result that showed how the trio can best complement each other. All three have largely never been in such lockstep as they were Thursday. But they haven’t had Jackson throwing to them in a long time, either. “To see those guys come alive — and you knew they were there, it’s just a matter of getting them the ball,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We want to be able to spread it around and go to everybody. I think that’s what we want to be.” Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons. Related Articles Ravens Week 8 high school football Coaches of the Week The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 28-6 win over Dolphins Ravens’ Lamar Jackson returns to light up Dolphins again in 28-6 victory Instant analysis from Ravens’ 28-6 win over Dolphins Ravens vs. Dolphins live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 28-6 win View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position after a 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium: Quarterback Lamar Jackson started off slowly in his return from a hamstring injury, but that was more by design. He threw a lot of short passes in the first quarter, but once he warmed up, it was target practice for the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns and finished with a passer rating of 143.2. Jackson still occasionally holds on to the ball too long, but he carved up the Dolphins’ secondary pretty easily, especially with his tight ends. Grade: A Running backs The Ravens got back to doing what they do best, and they ran roughshod over Miami’s defense, which is led by former Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver. Henry finished with 119 rushing yards on 19 carries, and the Ravens mixed in running back Keaton Mitchell just to add some speed and keep the Dolphins off balance. Halfback Justice Hill was good for the Ravens as a pass catcher on third-and-long situations. Fullback Patrick Ricard didn’t play well and had trouble pass blocking, getting knocked down twice by Miami’s edge defenders. It was not a good game for Ricard, who has missed most of the season with a calf injury. Grade: B Offensive line The Ravens are at their best when they run the ball because it keeps the opposing defense honest and the offensive line doesn’t have to solely pass block. Both guards, Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele, work high but they got better as the game wore on against a defense that entered allowing 145 rushing yards per game. The Ravens ran almost anywhere they wanted, both inside and outside the tackles. Miami tried an assortment of blitzes, but the Ravens were prepared for all of those. Baltimore allowed only two sacks. Grade: B Receivers The tight ends had a big game as Mark Andrews had two touchdown catches and Charlie Kolar hauled in one. The Ravens even got Isaiah Likely into the game plan as he caught three passes for 60 yards. Of course, slot target Zay Flowers was the leading receiver, catching five passes for 64 yards, including a 39-yarder that set up a touchdown. The Ravens got a good combination of rushing (150) and passing yards (188) as they recorded 338 total yards. Grade: B Defensive line This group had an up-and-down game. Miami ran right at Baltimore’s defensive front and on the perimeter for the entire first half, but then the Ravens settled down in the second. Both interior linemen, John Jenkins (two tackles) and Travis Jones (five tackles), became more dominant in the second half as Miami finished with only 87 rushing yards, with most of those coming in the first two quarters. The Ravens even got some pressure on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, forcing him to step up in the pocket. Tagovailoa isn’t a scrambler, so just getting him to move a step or two either way is a win. Grade: B- Related Articles Ravens Week 8 high school football Coaches of the Week With Lamar Jackson back, Ravens tight ends finally play starring role Ravens’ Lamar Jackson returns to light up Dolphins again in 28-6 victory Instant analysis from Ravens’ 28-6 win over Dolphins Ravens vs. Dolphins live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 28-6 win Linebackers Maybe the Ravens got a little inspired from a halftime talk or something. They struggled in the first half, allowing 225 total yards. Even though Miami only had six points, it kept the Ravens’ offense off the field. But in the second half, the Ravens took control of the game. Both inside linebackers, Roquan Smith and Teddye Buchanan, played well. Smith had 12 tackles and Buchanan finished with eight. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy was better against the run in the final two quarters as well. Rookie Mike Green still needs to develop more than a speed rush, but he is getting better. He finished with a half-sack and a quarterback hit. Grade: B Secondary The Ravens still have concerns on the back end. There are times when the defenders appear lost and receivers still get wide open. That’s OK against bad teams like Miami, but what happens when the Ravens play good teams like Kansas City and Buffalo? Alohi Gilman had four tackles and forced a fumble early in the game that led to a Ravens touchdown. He allows the team to move fellow safety Kyle Hamilton up near the line of scrimmage, but how long can Hamilton play basically as an outside linebacker without getting injured? Nickel back Marlon Humphrey continues to play better and is no longer getting isolated by slot receivers. Hamilton finished with six tackles and Gilman had four. Grade: C+ Special teams The Ravens’ return game is solid, especially on kickoffs. Rasheen Ali returned two kickoffs for 53 yards, including a long of 30. Mitchell had one return for 24 yards, but he punishes defenders during collisions. Jordan Stout averaged 56 yards on six punts, including a long of 64, and pinned four inside the 20-yard line. Undrafted rookie Keondre Jackson had two special teams tackles and might be the best on the team in coverage. Grade: B- Coaching The Ravens have won two straight and dominated Miami in the second half. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken did a nice job bringing Jackson along slowly with some short passes, and the defense played its “bend but don’t break” philosophy for the second straight game. It’s unlikely for that approach to work against the better teams in the league, but the Ravens can’t look too far ahead. It’s about playing well right now and forcing turnovers, which they did against Miami. And yes, the Dolphins are pathetic. Grade: B Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Ravens running back Derrick Henry had 19 carries for 119 yards against the Dolphins. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) View the full article

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Lamar Jackson played for the first time in 33 days Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium in what was also his first game back in South Florida in four years. Performing just 30 minutes south of where he grew up, it didn’t take long before he looked like his old self, either. As the final seconds of the opening quarter of an eventual blowout victory ticked away, he danced and dodged and pulled away from the grasp of the Miami Dolphins’ defense and found an open Isaiah Likely on a short pass to convert a critical first down. Two plays later, he dropped back and, with a blitzing defender bearing down on him, connected with his other tight end and career favorite target, Mark Andrews, who was wide-open for a 20-yard touchdown strike after two defenders collided. It was the second of two scores for Andrews and the second time this season that the eight-year veteran had a two-touchdown game. Those scores, along with a defense that forced another momentum-changing turnover deep in its opponent’s end for a second straight week and a Dolphins team that couldn’t get out of its own way, helped propel Baltimore to an easy 28-6 victory. The win was the second in a row for the Ravens (3-5), who continue to inch closer to the AFC North lead and back from a season on the brink. Most importantly, Jackson showed no ill effects from the hamstring injury that had kept him sidelined since the third quarter of a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The last time these two teams met in South Florida, in November 2021, Miami blitzed Jackson into oblivion, sacked him four times, intercepted him once and held him to just one touchdown in a 22-10 upset. But that was a distant memory Thursday night. This time, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, who twice before had a perfect passer rating against Miami in 2019 and 2023, was closer to those outings. He torched the Dolphins’ decimated and beleaguered secondary, completing 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns and running for another 14 yards on five carries. The victory moves Baltimore within 1 1/2 games of the division-leading Steelers, who have lost two straight and will play the Indianapolis Colts, who have the NFL’s best record at 7-1, on Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh. The Ravens also have five division games over their final eight, furthering the opportunity to chase down another AFC North title. Thursday night was just their latest step toward that endeavor, and Jackson wasn’t the only standout. After Miami (2-7) took a 3-0 lead on a 49-yard field goal by Riley Patterson on the game’s opening series and Baltimore went three-and-out on its first series, safety Alohi Gilman stripped wide receiver Tahj Washington at Miami’s 18-yard line and returned it to the 7. It was the second straight week with a momentum-shifting turnover after an interception by Nate Wiggins deep in the Chicago Bears’ end that led to a backbreaking touchdown Sunday. Related Articles Ravens vs. Dolphins live updates: Baltimore leads 28-6 in 2nd half Staff picks for Week 9 of 2025 NFL season: Chiefs vs. Bills, Seahawks vs. Commanders and more Ravens vs. Dolphins scouting report for Week 9: Who has the edge? Ravens vs. Dolphins staff picks: Who will win Thursday night in Miami? Ravens injury report: Lamar Jackson, team healthy for prime time vs. Miami The latest turnover set up a fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, and this time the Ravens’ short-yardage foibles faded away as Jackson rolled out to the right on fourth down and threw a strike to Andrews at the 8:30 mark of the second quarter. The mistake-prone Dolphins, meanwhile, kept their trend of self-inflicted wounds going. After De’Von Achane (14 carries, 67 yards) raced unbothered through Baltimore’s defense to help Miami reach Baltimore’s 12 on its second possession of the game, a false start on fourth-and-1 was followed by a 35-yard field goal attempt by Patterson that sailed wide right. One series later, a questionable tripping penalty on rookie back Ollie Gordon II wiped out a 36-yard bomb to a wide-open Jaylen Waddle, who was knocked out at the 7-yard line; instead, Miami ended up punting. That was just the beginning of the Dolphins’ problems. Trailing 14-6 and facing fourth-and-2 from the Ravens’ 13-yard line with 1:08 remaining in the first half, Tua Tagovailoa (25 of 40 passing for 261 yards, one interception) airmailed Achane on a pass into the end zone. Then, one possession later and on the final play of the second quarter, Tagovailoa didn’t even get off a Hail Mary attempt from his own 49, sacked on the play by Mike Green and David Ojabo. And after holding Baltimore to a 14-6 lead on just 23 plays and four first downs and running back Derrick Henry to 3.4 yards per carry over the first 30 minutes, the dam broke. Jackson led the Ravens on an 11-play, 68-yard drive to open the second half, capping it with a 3-yard toss to another wide-open tight end, Charlie Kolar. One series later, it took Baltimore just four plays to cover 60 yards with Jackson connecting with Zay Flowers for a 39-yard gain along the way and then finding a wide-open Rashod Bateman in the back of the end zone for a 9-yard score. Henry finished with 119 yards on 19 carries. At one point, Jackson had completed nine straight passes in the third quarter before the streak ended with an incompletion on a pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins on a third-and-7 in the final minute of the quarter. By then, though, the result was not in doubt. With just under seven minutes remaining, rookie safety Malaki Starks put a bow on it with his first career interception. Jackson and the Ravens were winners once more. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a 39-yard catch in the second half. (Lynne Sladky/AP)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) scores a touchdown past Miami Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar (88) scores a touchdown past Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar celebrates after catching a touchdown pass in the second half Thursday night against the Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Lynne Sladky/AP)Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar (88) celebrates with offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten (70) after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Baltimore Ravens safety Malaki Starks (24) and safety Kyle Hamilton (14) celebrate after stopping the Miami Dolphins on fourth down resulting in a turnover during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, below, leaps past Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) to get the first down during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) breaks free from the tackle of Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to throw against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, throws a pass in the first half. Jackson threw four touchdown passes in his first game back from injury. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) celebrates with running back Keaton Mitchell (34) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) celebrates with offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten (70) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) celebrates his touchdown against the Miami Dolphins with center Tyler Linderbaum (64) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens safety Keondre Jackson (39) reacts after a missed field goal attempt by Miami Dolphins place kicker Riley Patterson during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) scores a touchdown past Miami Dolphins safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas, right, breaks up a pass by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson intended for tight end Isaiah Likely (80) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, center, watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) hands the ball off to running back Derrick Henry (22) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble to force a turnover during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) celebrates his touchdown against the Miami Dolphins with center Tyler Linderbaum (64) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)Show Caption1 of 25Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a 39-yard catch in the second half. (Lynne Sladky/AP)Expand View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 9 of the NFL season on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida: Brian Wacker, reporter Lamar Jackson looked like his old self, tormenting the Dolphins’ defense once more. It wasn’t a perfect passer rating again, but it was close. Add Miami’s self-inflicted wounds and an inability to penetrate a Ravens defense that has been strengthening in recent weeks and it was a recipe for disaster. The score was just 14-6 at the half, but the game already felt over. Then it was with Jackson completing his first nine passes of the second half to help Baltimore pull away. Alohi Gilman’s strip in the first half half played no small part and Malaki Starks’ interception in the final quarter put a bow on another much-needed victory. This one was never in doubt. Mike Preston, columnist This game went pretty much as expected. The Ravens got off to a slow start both offensively and defensively in the first quarter, but they owned the Dolphins in the second half. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken did a nice job with quarterback Lamar Jackson, having him throw short passes in the first quarter and then allowing him to go downfield. The Ravens’ defense still gives up too many yards, and they might struggle once they face a good team with a strong passing game. But that won’t happen any time soon. The Ravens have Minnesota, Cleveland and the New York Jets during the next three weeks, so that should be three more wins if they take care of business and avoid turnovers. The Vikings have good receivers, but the quarterback play is questionable. I like the Ravens having to play with an edge, and the thought that if they lost another game, that might knock them out of the postseason. That’s probably not true in the weak AFC North, but at least that should keep them sharp heading into the postseason. Josh Tolentino, columnist At last, the Ravens finally looked like the contender they entered the season hyped to be. Thursday night’s victory in Miami represented Baltimore’s most complete performance of the season. It also was the team’s second win in five days, a difficult task for any NFL team regardless of the competition. Lamar Jackson’s return helped spark an offense that already entered the first of three straight road games with surging momentum. The Ravens still have lingering issues with containing the run and applying consistent pressure, but their dominance across other departments more than made up for those deficiencies. The team’s acquisition of Alohi Gilman only continues to pay dividends. The safety generated the first of three takeaways with his forced fumble and recovery, and he continues to allow college teammate Kyle Hamilton to play freely across the line of scrimmage. Buckle up. The Ravens are healthy and looking dangerous with one of the NFL’s easiest schedules to finish the season. Sam Cohn, reporter Miami played itself out of this game. Tua Tagovailoa looked lost. A false start penalty set up a missed field goal attempt. Ollie Gordon fell down and was flagged for tripping. Questionable decisions stalled out one Dolphins drive after another. But there were positive signs in this convincing Ravens win. Most noticeable was Jackson’s second half, in which he operated the offense like his old self. And the defense forced three turnovers, a new season high despite an offseason spent hammering home its importance. A win is a win and two in a row is technically a winning streak, which inches Baltimore closer to its long-term goals. Taylor Lyons, reporter We knew Lamar Jackson’s return would breathe new life into a Ravens offense that, before last week, was a dreadful watch with him out. But, man, was it fun to see the two-time MVP again. Jackson’s return helped the Ravens cruise past the lowly Dolphins, but they should have their sights set on more with a roster nearing perfect health. Baltimore could be just one game back of the AFC North lead after this week (Pittsburgh plays the first-place Colts on Sunday) after it felt like the season might be over just a couple of weeks ago. The team knew it could go on a run with Jackson back because the hope he inspires is unlike almost every other player in football — there’s no reason the Ravens shouldn’t have a winning record soon. Before any of that, though, is Tuesday’s trade deadline, when general manager Eric DeCosta must decide between trying to accelerate this turnaround or staying the course. C.J. Doon, editor This game pretty much reaffirmed something we already know: When Lamar Jackson plays, the Ravens easily beat up on mediocre opponents. That should continue for a few more weeks until a pivotal showdown against the Steelers in early December. By that time, the Ravens should be 7-5 and perhaps in line to take the lead in the AFC North. They’re already considered the favorites to win the division and just picked up their third victory in Week 9. What a weird season. That 1-5 start already feels like a distant memory. Those losses all came against division winners from last season, a brutal stretch that any team would struggle against, let alone one without its two-time MVP for an extended period. That’s not to say it doesn’t matter, but at this point … does it really matter? All the Ravens need to do now is win the games they’re favored to win (likely all of them depending on what the Patriots and Packers look like late in the season) and get to the playoffs with Jackson healthy. We’ve seen enough teams get hot at the right time and make a deep playoff run, regardless of record. Maybe it’s actually a silver lining to have the team locked in starting in November as opposed to cruising through the regular season before trying to ratchet up the intensity in the playoffs. This early season adversity might make Baltimore better in the long run. Tim Schwartz, editor Lamar Jackson’s return and facing a pathetic Dolphins team is just what the doctor ordered. Jackson wasn’t his usual dynamic self but he didn’t need to be. He makes everyone around him better by the way he works a pocket and gives receivers time to get open. Sometimes, that’s all you need. Defensively, the trade for Alohi Gilman is bearing fruit because it allows Kyle Hamilton to do what he does best — play in the box and blow up plays in the backfield. Nobody in the NFL does it better from the safety position. But Miami is not a good football team, and it was still a game in the first half. Fortunately for the Ravens, their schedule is as soft as it can get. Now 3-5, Baltimore is shaping up to go on that run we all expected would happen at some point. Better late than never. Bennett Conlin, editor That Lamar Jackson fella is mighty good at football. And the Dolphins, well, they stink. This looked like the Ravens team we expected to see before the season started. The defense looked competent, and the offense looked great after halftime. That’s what this Baltimore team should be against woeful opponents. And I understand that the Ravens aren’t judged by beating bad teams at this point in Jackson’s career. They need a Super Bowl. But as an unbiased observer, this season is cinematic. The greatest quarterback on the planet — or at least one of the three best — must lead his team to the playoffs (and maybe a championship) from a 1-5 start. If Jackson is truly among the best players to ever compete in the NFL, then he should be capable of leading Baltimore to a deep playoff run given the remaining schedule. The AFC isn’t that strong this year, either. If Baltimore can rally to make the playoffs, its Super Bowl dreams are far from dead. Jackson looked like a guy who can put a franchise on his back Thursday. What else does No. 8 have in store this season? Who knows, but it’s must-see TV. 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 (2-5) and now-healthy quarterback Lamar Jackson return to primetime for “Thursday Night Football” against the host Miami Dolphins (2-6). Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. on Prime Video and televised locally on ABC (WMAR). Follow along here for live coverage and analysis. 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 9: Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker (8-4 last week, 84-35-1 overall): Bears Sam Cohn (10-2 last week, 84-35-1 overall): Bengals Mike Preston (8-4 last week, 82-37-1 overall): Bengals Josh Tolentino (9-3 last week, 83-36-1 overall): Bengals C.J. Doon (8-4 last week, 77-42-1 overall): Bengals Bennett Conlin (8-4 last week, 78-41-1 overall): Bears Tim Schwartz (9-3 last week, 71-48-1 overall): Bears Patrice Sanders (9-3 last week, 72-45-1 overall): Bears Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Lions Cohn: Lions Preston: Lions Tolentino: Lions Doon: Lions Conlin: Lions Schwartz: Lions Sanders: Lions Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Packers Cohn: Packers Preston: Packers Tolentino: Packers Doon: Packers Conlin: Packers Schwartz: Packers Sanders: Packers Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Broncos Cohn: Broncos Preston: Broncos Tolentino: Broncos Doon: Broncos Conlin: Texans Schwartz: Broncos Sanders: Broncos Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Patriots Cohn: Patriots Preston: Patriots Tolentino: Patriots Doon: Patriots Conlin: Patriots Schwartz: Patriots Sanders: Patriots San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: 49ers Cohn: 49ers Preston: 49ers Tolentino: 49ers Doon: 49ers Conlin: 49ers Schwartz: 49ers Sanders: Giants Indianapolis Colts vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Colts Cohn: Colts Preston: Colts Tolentino: Colts Doon: Colts Conlin: Colts Schwartz: Colts Sanders: Colts Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Chargers Cohn: Chargers Preston: Chargers Tolentino: Chargers Doon: Chargers Conlin: Chargers Schwartz: Chargers Sanders: Chargers New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Rams Cohn: Rams Preston: Rams Tolentino: Rams Doon: Rams Conlin: Rams Schwartz: Rams Sanders: Rams Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Jaguars Cohn: Jaguars Preston: Jaguars Tolentino: Jaguars Doon: Raiders Conlin: Jaguars Schwartz: Jaguars Sanders: Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Chiefs Cohn: Chiefs Preston: Chiefs Tolentino: Chiefs Doon: Chiefs Conlin: Bills Schwartz: Bills Sanders: Chiefs Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) Wacker: Seahawks Cohn: Seahawks Preston: Seahawks Tolentino: Seahawks Doon: Seahawks Conlin: Seahawks Schwartz: Seahawks Sanders: Seahawks Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys (Monday, 8:15 p.m.) Wacker: Cowboys Cohn: Cowboys Preston: Cowboys Tolentino: Cowboys Doon: Cowboys Conlin: Cowboys Schwartz: Cowboys Sanders: Cowboys Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

Before Sunday, the New York Times’ simulation calculator gave the Ravens a 34% chance to make the playoffs — better odds than many clear-minded NFL fans might have guessed considering history’s warning of a 1-5 start. A win versus Chicago, plus losses to the other three AFC North teams in Week 8, bumped their odds to what is now 59%. If the Ravens get out of Miami on Thursday night with a win, which would improve them to 3-5, 4,000 simulations have Baltimore reaching the postseason two out of three times. One could argue it’s a big game. Every game is for a team scaling out of the NFL’s abyss. Who will have the advantage Thursday night in South Florida? Ravens passing game vs. Dolphins pass defense This week, Lamar Jackson addressed reporters for the first time in a month. He spoke for nine minutes, answering more than two dozen questions. Rehashing the hamstring injury was a thread he quickly soured on. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s eyes are pointed forward on the need to kick-start a win streak. “I’m ready to go,” he said, eager to “touch the grass with my guys. It’s been a while.” Through 3 1/2 games, Jackson threw 10 touchdowns with one interception. Despite a few stalled-out drives and goal-line shortcomings, the Ravens, under Jackson, owned the league’s top-scoring offense. He doesn’t foresee the need to shed any rust. Jackson said he’s ready to pick up right where he left off. The Dolphins, meanwhile, rank in the bottom 10 in yards per game (344.4) and points per game (26.9) with a secondary eviscerated by injuries. All five safeties on Miami’s roster are dealing with injuries to varying degrees. And since the preseason, five Dolphins cornerbacks have sustained season-ending injuries. “Worry isn’t going to do me any good,” Miami defensive coordinator and former Ravens assistant Anthony Weaver told local reporters. “We’ve got to find a way to get it done.” A rejuvenated offense with its back against the wall isn’t a good matchup for a banged-up defense on a short week. EDGE: Ravens Dolphins passing game vs. Ravens pass defense Days before the Dolphins beat the Falcons, Miami coach Mike McDaniel had to clarify that Tua Tagovailoa, who signed a hefty four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in July 2024, was still their starting quarterback. Tagovailoa was benched the week before against Cleveland, the latest checkpoint in a confounding season. His 10 interceptions are tied for the worst mark in football. He’s also top-eight in touchdown passes (8). Tagovailoa has the fifth-best completion percentage among quarterbacks with at least 250 plays. But his expected points added per play is a fat zero, slightly worse than Chicago’s Caleb Williams. Baltimore’s pass defense seems to have found a groove. Nate Wiggins is playing some of his best football. And newly acquired safety Alohi Gilman allows for the three-safety look that the Ravens thrive in, pushing Hamilton into the box. The Ravens are still one of five teams allowing more than 250 passing yards per game, but the past two games showed signs of progress. Thursday night will come down to whether they can quiet Jaylen Waddle. Perhaps more importantly, can the defense with only two interceptions this year snag one from the quarterback averaging more than one a game? EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Dolphins run defense “I know y’all seen that block [Patrick Ricard] had on 53,” Jackson said, when asked about returning their All-Pro fullback. “It’s self-explanatory.” After missing the first six games rehabbing a calf injury, Ricard made his presence felt in his season debut. He pancaked a Chicago linebacker and drew enough attention in the running game that it opened up new avenues for Baltimore’s air raid. Five players ran the ball. Three of them went over 40 yards. Collectively, they averaged 5.1 yards per carry, their highest single-game mark since Week 4. Before beating the Falcons on Sunday, the Dolphins owned the worst rushing defense in football, allowing 159.3 yards per game. Seven of their first eight opponents rushed for at least 100 yards. They slowed down Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson because their game plan centered around one of the league’s top backs. With Henry, Jackson and Keaton Mitchell’s handful of breakout runs, there’s far more to account for with Baltimore. EDGE: Ravens Dolphins running game vs. Ravens run defense Miami is pivoting off a previous tendency. It used to lean heavily on one primary back, like Raheem Mostert or De’Von Achane. Against the Falcons, three uniquely qualified backs got nine or more carries. McDaniel said he thought mixing it up was “a little underrated.” The Ravens have been one of the worst run-stoppers in the NFL since multiple injuries decimated their defensive front. Even though the Rams and Bears failed to get their ground game going, it could be Miami’s best shot at moving the ball and owning time of possession, which has been a deciding factor in each of the Ravens’ losses. EDGE: Dolphins Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith, shown practicing in June, had 12 tackles in a Week 8 win over the Bears. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens special teams vs. Dolphins special teams Ravens punter Jordan Stout deserves a moment of appreciation. The 2022 fourth-round pick is quietly having the best season of his career. His 49.9 yards per punt rank sixth in the NFL, a tick better than Miami’s Jake Bailey. And his 45.9 net yards per attempt are third, a half-yard behind right behind Bailey. Nate Wiggins’ game-defining interception versus Chicago was set up by Stout pinning the Bears at their own 4-yard line. He’s dropped a punt inside an opponent’s 20-yard line in all but two games. He’s done it twice in three contests, and so had Bailey. Thursday night surely won’t come down to the punters, but a well-placed boot could set up a game-defining moment. And both of these punters are capable of being that catalyst. EDGE: Dolphins Ravens intangibles vs. Dolphins intangibles Remember 2022? The Ravens clung to a three-touchdown lead, which most metrics say practically guarantees a win. But a miraculous Miami comeback and a head-scratching Baltimore collapse accounted for the organization’s largest blown lead since 1997. While that game wasn’t a talking point with players or coaches this week, it lingers in the background like a gnarly stench everyone is trying to ignore. The Ravens have already used up most of the losses they’re allowed with a chance to still reach the postseason. Capitalizing on beating an overmatched Dolphins team is a requirement to meet their long-term goals. Related Articles Staff picks for Week 9 of 2025 NFL season: Chiefs vs. Bills, Seahawks vs. Commanders and more Ravens vs. Dolphins staff picks: Who will win Thursday night in Miami? Ravens injury report: Lamar Jackson, team healthy for prime time vs. Miami Watch ‘Overtime’ of Ep. 9 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Chicago Bears sign ‘fiery’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson to bolster their banged-up secondary “This is the National Football League. If you don’t come ready to play, and clearly we were not today, these things can happen,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris told reporters after being upset by the Dolphins this week. “Sundays you can be humbled, and today was one of those days.” The Ravens, who are prone to one or two quirky, humbling Sundays each season, can’t afford a repeat Thursday night. EDGE: Ravens Prediction Last week, most pundits pegged the Ravens to beat the Bears right up until Jackson was ruled out. Then they flopped, because he means that much. Baltimore pulled off a season-saving win in convincing fashion, nonetheless. The Dolphins are a worse football team than the Bears, Jackson will officially be back under center, this game matters just as much as last week to Baltimore’s long-term goals, and it’s being played in South Florida, a home game for Jackson and Zay Flowers. The Ravens should have no problem beating the short-week allegations and taking care of business. Ravens 31, Dolphins 14 Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Thursday night’s Week 9 game between the Ravens and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 27, Dolphins 13: These are two teams that finally ended significant losing streaks with resounding victories last week, but Baltimore feels much better positioned to continue that momentum. Lamar Jackson’s return ratchets up a Ravens offense that has found its footing in the running game the past couple of games, and while there could be some rust in his first action in more than a month, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is a major upgrade in the passing attack and has usually delivered in prime time. Miami’s defense has also been exploited on the ground and through the air this season, while its offense is without the injured Tyreek Hill and De’Von Achane against a seemingly resurgent Ravens defense. This should be a comfortable victory. Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 31, Dolphins 14: For the first time since maybe the beginning of the season, there’s genuine confidence that the Ravens are both the better team on paper and can perform that way come game day. They’re healthy and, most importantly, Jackson is back under center. Miami’s defense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season. And, despite a surprisingly strong showing versus Atlanta, this short week poses a tough challenge against an inspired Ravens offense. As Brian mentioned, the Dolphins are without two superstars on offense. All five safeties on their roster are dealing with injuries and several cornerbacks have been shut down for the season. If the Ravens are who they say they are, this shouldn’t be competitive past halftime. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 31, Dolphins 18: Miami has the No. 23 rushing attack in the NFL, averaging 98.5 yards per game, and owns the No. 28 run defense, allowing an average of 145 yards. Translation: If you can’t run or stop the run, you can’t win on the college and high school levels, much less the NFL. Plus, the Dolphins have quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who’s good for a bunch of turnovers. If the Ravens don’t win this game, then they shouldn’t go to the playoffs. The Dolphins are terrible, and their coach, Mike McDaniel, is soon to be fired. Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 24, Dolphins 21: Lamar Jackson’s return should instantly spark a Ravens offense that’s looked stagnant without the two-time NFL MVP, last Sunday’s Tyler Huntley-led win being the lone exception. Jackson, though, will need to avoid the high sack rate that plagued him before his injury, and how he moves around in and outside the pocket will be a key factor in his effectiveness. Defensively, Baltimore’s pass rush has yet to find any real rhythm. The front seven and edges haven’t consistently married pressure with its pass coverage, which makes Thursday’s matchup particularly spooky against a Dolphins offense that thrives on speedy options and especially when Tua Tagovailoa stays upright. The Ravens have generated takeaways in consecutive games, but they’re still searching for more game-changing moments; rising cornerback Nate Wiggins owns both of the team’s interceptions this season. Baltimore is 0-2 on the road, although John Harbaugh has never started a season 0-3 in away contests. Expect a tighter game than most anticipate, but Jackson’s presence should steady the visitors sideline as Baltimore escapes the Week 8 matchup at Hard Rock Stadium to build its first win streak of the season. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 33, Dolphins 13: This could finally be the moment for Ravens fans to sit back and relax. Lamar Jackson is back and is sure to put on a show before friends and family in his native South Florida. The Dolphins are severely banged up on defense, especially in the secondary, which means we could see a repeat of Jackson’s 2019 performance against Miami that featured a perfect passer rating. The Dolphins showed some fight in beating the Falcons last week and have played the Bills, Patriots and Chargers tough, but that offense is far less intimidating without Tyreek Hill on the field. And while Tua Tagovailoa has had success against this Ravens defense before, Baltimore is much healthier and improved following its 1-5 start. Related Articles Ravens injury report: Lamar Jackson, team healthy for prime time vs. Miami Watch ‘Overtime’ of Ep. 9 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Chicago Bears sign ‘fiery’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson to bolster their banged-up secondary This motivational speaker gave the Ravens an impassioned bye-week speech Ravens QB Lamar Jackson explains timing of return: ‘Only I know my body’ Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 38, Dolphins 17: This feels like a possible statement game for the Ravens, at least internally. Beating the 2-6 Dolphins won’t spark fear into the rest of the NFL, but it could remind Baltimore how dominant it can be when everything clicks into place. The Ravens’ defense is trending in the right direction since adding Alohi Gilman to free up Kyle Hamilton to play closer to the line of scrimmage, and nobody has questions about Todd Monken’s offense when No. 8 is available at quarterback. This could be a blowout. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 34, Dolphins 24: Lamar Jackson is back, and so should be the Ravens. They aren’t the Super Bowl favorite they were before they melted down in September and most of October, but they are healthier than they’ve been since before Week 1 and now have Jackson back under center. Against a bad and beat-up Dolphins team, that should be enough. Miami is without several stars on both sides of the ball, so Jaylen Waddle seems like its biggest offensive threat. That won’t be enough. A loss will end the Ravens’ playoff hopes (essentially), so we’ll see what they’re made of. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 31, Dolphins 17: It’s the return of Baltimore’s two-time MVP. When Jackson is playing, the Ravens look like a totally different team. Their winning percentage is pretty high for prime-time games. That, coupled with the fact that every game is like a must-win playoff game at this point, is why I expect the Ravens to do well. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

For much of this season, Ravens injury updates have been met with straight-faced or tight-lipped replies by coach John Harbaugh. This week, he was happy to note that all 53 players on the active roster participated in practice for the first time this season. He can feel some relief knowing that they’re all healthy for an important “Thursday Night Football” game in Miami. Quarterback Lamar Jackson returns for his first game since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4 against Kansas City. He fully participated in two walk-throughs and one full practice on the short week. Jackson said that he’s “ready to go” against the Dolphins. Teammates didn’t notice any rust. “He look like Lamar,” tight end Isaiah Likely said. “I feel like y’all can see the excitement of everybody around.” All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton added that he’s “excited for what we look as a team and our offense” versus Miami. The rest of Baltimore’s injury report shows a clean bill of health. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) was upgraded from limited to a full participant Wednesday, which was an estimation for the afternoon walk-through. Linebacker Teddye Buchanan (calf), cornerback T.J. Tampa Jr. (shoulder) and cornerback Nate Wiggins (groin) were all full-go for the second straight day. Miami’s final injury report before the prime-time game offered a bit less clarity. The Dolphins have four regular contributors who are questionable: outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (shoulder/foot), wide receiver Dee Eskridge (shoulder), cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (hamstring) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb). Among that group, Chubb was the only one who was limited Wednesday. The other three were listed as full participants. Miami starting tight end Julian Hill was ruled out with an ankle injury. The other six players on the Dolphins’ injury report finished the week without designations, meaning they’ll be ready to play. That list includes quarterback Tua Tagovailoa along with former McDonogh and University of Maryland safety Dante Trader Jr. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles Ravens vs. Dolphins staff picks: Who will win Thursday night in Miami? Watch ‘Overtime’ of Ep. 9 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Chicago Bears sign ‘fiery’ C.J. Gardner-Johnson to bolster their banged-up secondary This motivational speaker gave the Ravens an impassioned bye-week speech Ravens QB Lamar Jackson explains timing of return: ‘Only I know my body’ View the full article

Watch the “Overtime” segment of the ninth episode of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law. The longtime sports columnist answers reader questions from Baltimore Sun subscribers after the Ravens improved to 2-5 with a win over the Bears. Baltimore quickly returns to the field, facing Miami on Thursday with quarterback Lamar Jackson expected to play after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Missed the ninth episode of the pod? Watch here. Have a question for Preston about the Ravens? Message us at sports@baltsun.com. You can watch the BMore Football Podcast weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

C.J. Gardner-Johnson doesn’t really care what anyone calls his style of play. The Chicago Bears signed the veteran defensive back Wednesday in the hope of shoring up a depleted secondary. Gardner-Johnson comes to Chicago with a reputation for poking the bear, so to speak. Call it antagonistic. Call it instigating. Call it annoying. As far as Gardner-Johnson is concerned, people can call it whatever they like. “I don’t feel like (it’s) instigating on the field, but if you take it that way, it’s just being a fiery player and ready to compete and win,” Gardner-Johnson said Wednesday after his first practice with the Bears. In signing Gardner-Johnson, 27, the Bears signaled they would welcome some of that fire. “It was one of those moves that we felt comfortable with where we’re at as a team right now, where C.J.’s at in his career, that it’s a good fit,” coach Ben Johnson said. Gardner-Johnson had six interceptions last season while starting 16 regular-season games and all four playoff games for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. He previously crossed paths with Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in New Orleans and with Johnson in Detroit. In his seventh NFL season, Gardner-Johnson has 18 career interceptions in 77 games. He spent his first three seasons with the Saints (2019-21) before bouncing around with two stints with the Eagles (2022 and ’24), one season with the Lions (2023) and most recently a three-game stint with the Houston Texans this season. The Eagles traded Gardner-Johnson over the offseason to the Texans, who released him in late September. His release came as somewhat of a surprise across the league. He signed with the Ravens practice squad in October but spent only a week in Baltimore. He will join a Bears secondary that is currently without cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, who are both on injured reserve. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson also missed last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens with a shoulder injury, and it’s unclear if he will be back this week. The Bears listed Stevenson as limited in practice Wednesday. With Gordon, the primary nickel corner, sidelined for at least three more games, Ben Johnson confirmed that Gardner-Johnson will focus primarily on the slot. “He’s been with (Allen) and so he should have some familiarity (with the scheme),” Johnson said. “But he’s also bounced around to a few different other systems over the last few years, and so we’ll see how quickly it comes back to him and whether he’ll be ready to go this week or not.” He’ll have three practices to get up to speed before the Bears visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. With wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the other side, shoring up the secondary is a big priority this week. Gardner-Johnson never has shied away from talking on the field. Bears fans will remember him for riling up wide receiver Anthony Miller in a January 2021 playoff game to the point Miller threw a punch and was ejected from the 21-9 loss to the Saints. That came only two months after Bears wide receiver Javon Wims also was ejected for throwing a punch at Gardner-Johnson in a regular-season meeting at Soldier Field. Wims received a two-game suspension. Bears wide receiver Javon Wims, right, fights with Saints defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson (22) and Janoris Jenkins (20) on Nov. 1, 2020, at Soldier Field. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) After the regular-season incident, then-Bears coach Matt Nagy said his team had a meeting ahead of the playoff game devoted entirely to not falling for Gardner-Johnson’s antics — only for Miller to throw a punch at him anyway. The Bears traded Miller the following offseason. It’s a curious addition for the Bears, who have avoided players with a reputation for being antagonistic. Gardner-Johnson is also on his fourth team in a calendar year. Johnson said the Bears did their due diligence by speaking with people who have worked with Gardner-Johnson recently. “We’ve got a very strong locker room,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a positive veteran influence in there. I feel very strongly about that group, and nothing is more important than our locker (room), to be clear with you. That’s certainly first and foremost (with) any decision we make of who we bring in or who we let go. And so we’re all aware of how important that is and the fit that he has with this locker room.” The familiarity with Allen’s scheme was a big draw for Gardner-Johnson. Much of his early NFL success under Allen came when he was playing in the slot. “Really that’s how I started my career,” he said. “Give me a chance to get close to the ball, make plays and make it easier on the guys in the back end. When I’m closer to the ball, Coach (Allen) and Coach Ben know what I can do.” The Bears had an open spot on the roster, which was at 52 players after Tuesday’s moves, so they didn’t need to release anyone to make space for Gardner-Johnson. The Bears also signed offensive lineman Royce Newman and defensive lineman Jonathan Garvin to their practice squad Wednesday. View the full article

The Ravens returned from their bye week 1-5 and on the brink of collapse. They were in dire need of a palate cleanser. So the team invited motivational speaker, Eric Thomas, to the training facility in Owings Mills. Thomas wasted no time calling them out. “The reason why you may not be 5-1 is because you told me you came in at the beginning of the season thinking this was going to be a phenomenal year,” Thomas roared at the only volume a world-renowned speaker and pastor knows. “That’s probably what messed you up.” He held the eyeballs of the entire room. Marlon Humphrey sat in the front row and took notes. Roquan Smith was beside him, his head shadowing the speaker’s every step. Thomas wore a black T-shirt with “You Owe You” written in large, neon text. That’s the name of his new book, but it felt on-the-nose for his message that day. “You probably came in and had a mindset that made some of y’all chill,” he said. “You probably came in and was like, ‘We the Ravens.’ You probably came in and was like, ‘Look what we’ve done.’ You probably came in like, ‘Look who our players are.’ And you probably didn’t focus on what you should’ve been focusing on.” Baltimore was a popular Super Bowl pick and the favorite among sportsbooks in early September. After consecutive years crowned AFC North champions only to be sent home in gutting fashion, this figured to be their year. Instead, the integrity of the entire operation came into question by Week 7. Something was wrong. They phoned Thomas. He has millions of followers across social media platforms and has built international recognition for his passionate talks. Various sports teams at all levels have invited “ETthehiphoppreacher,” including other NFL teams. The Ravens needed some soul-searching, and Thomas was willing to be their guide. “Let’s not focus on the five [losses],” he told them. “Somebody give it to me because I don’t play. … How we gon’ end the season? Some brave soul talk to me.” Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who has only played in two games and dressed for a third, piped up from the front row: “12-5,” he said, implying Baltimore could win the remainder of its regular-season games. Four teams since 1970 have reached the postseason after a 1-5 start. To be the fifth, tight end Isaiah Likely said, their new mantra is “new season, new us.” Thomas came prepared with a slideshow of past teams who have overcome similar setbacks. He showed three teams on the projector. Two of them were the New York Giants. In 2007, they won 10 games and upset the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl as a wild-card team. In 2012, the Giants finished the regular season 9-7 and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy again with the fewest wins of any NFL championship team. Even the 2000 Ravens, considered one of the greatest defenses in league history and a benchmark for the current team, won the organization’s first title as a wild-card team. “The 1-5 ain’t the problem,” Thomas said. “The mindset is the problem.” Around the eight-minute mark of his speech, which is posted on YouTube, Thomas paused on his lecture differentiating between talent and focus. “Listen to me very closely,” he said, prefacing that it would be OK if he was never invited back, he had to get this next part off his chest. “Somebody pay you to do something, [you do it],” he said, “I’m just being real.” Thomas told the Ravens about how his grandfather never made anyone sign a contract to complete a job. “That’s old school,” he said, smugly. Thomas asked Kyle Hamilton to stand up. Hamilton recently became the NFL’s highest-paid safety and now sat in the second row of this auditorium. Thomas shook his hand. That’s what a promise looked like to his grandfather. And it’s how he challenged the Ravens to meet expectations. When Thomas preached about playing for their reputation, it felt like Ray Lewis was up there delivering the sermon. “It’s time to show up,” Thomas shouted. “Not just in the first [quarter], not just in the second, not in the third, not in the fourth. Man to man, you give me some money, I’m gonna do exactly what I told you I was gon’ do.” That is perhaps a direct reference to Baltimore’s Week 1 collapse versus the Bills, when the Ravens let a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead slip from their grasp. Or in Week 3, when the Ravens and Lions were tied after three quarters and Detroit bullied them in the final frame. The Rams did the bulk of their work in the third quarter, scoring 14 points that separated the final tally. All but two teams this season have scored on their first offensive possession against the Ravens. “From this day forward, you start strong and you finish strong,” Thomas said. “Or don’t come at all.” That inspired energy manifested in a convincing win over the Bears. The Ravens have 10 more regular-season games to prove this season won’t be for naught, torn down because they got ahead of themselves in the first six weeks, assuming, as Thomas said, “this was going to be a phenomenal year.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

Lamar Jackson is finally, officially back. The Ravens quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player will start Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in what will be his first game in 33 days. It’s the longest such layoff of his eight-year career after he suffered a hamstring injury in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 last month. Jackson, who spoke with reporters Tuesday for the first time since being out, said that he has never had a hamstring injury before, even dating to high school, and is “extremely excited” to be back. “Can’t wait to touch the grass with my guys,” he said. “Been a while.” Baltimore can’t wait, either. Though the Ravens (2-5) recorded their second win of the season Sunday against the Chicago Bears to end a four-game losing skid, they are just 5-12 in games in which Jackson has not played since he took over as the starting quarterback in 2018. That included six straight losses before backup Tyler Huntley helped lead Baltimore to the 30-16 victory last week. “It’s really true for every player, you really are happy no matter who the player is when they’re out there if they haven’t been out there,” coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday. “But it’s certainly true for your quarterback, certainly true for our quarterback. “He’s our guy. To have him out there is great, it’s exciting.” It’s also much needed with the once-Super Bowl favorites off to a 2-5 start and trailing the AFC North leading Pittsburgh Steelers by two games with 10 weeks remaining. That deficit has led players to take on a focus of every game being a must-win with almost no room for error the rest of the way. “I feel like y’all can see the excitement [of] everybody around,” tight end Isaiah Likely said. “Ya’ll are excited to see him out there, so I can only imagine what ya’ll think we think.” Asked how Jackson has looked in practice after such a long layoff, Likely said, “He look like Lamar.” Before going out in the third quarter of the Chiefs game, Jackson had completed a career-high 71.6% of his passes this season for 869 yards and what was, at the time, an NFL-leading 10 touchdown passes with just one interception. He also rushed for 166 yards and another score on 21 carries. Then came the injury, with Jackson limping off the field. He didn’t return to practice until last week, though was limited in his first two appearances before being listed as “full” on Friday’s injury report. That designation sparked an NFL investigation that remains ongoing because Jackson had only taken scout team reps on Friday and by rule still should have been listed as a limited participant. Jackson said that he didn’t know the exact play that he suffered the injury or whether it was an accumulation of blows, but that he had to be patient before returning. He said he felt a “tugging” early on in the rehabilitation process. He also intimated that the timing of his return ultimately came down to him. “It’s my body,” he said. “Only I know my body. “You don’t wanna rush a hamstring injury back and make it worse and now you’re out for the whole season. Hamstrings can be tricky.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson greets teammate Tyler Huntley during a Week 8 win over the Bears. Jackson will return from his hamstring injury Thursday against the Dolphins. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Even before the injury, though, there were questions and criticism from several players of what, through the first month of the season, was an inconsistent offense searching for an identity. Though some had pointed the finger at third-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson said that he still has faith in the veteran assistant. “Start of the slow season everybody plays a part in their own way,” he said, adding, “can’t put that on one person.” The one person who makes Baltimore’s offense go more than any other, of course, though, is Jackson. Last season, he threw a career-high 41 touchdown passes and the Ravens became the first team to pass for at least 4,000 yards and rush for at least 3,000 in a season en route to rallying from two games back in the division with a month to play to capture the AFC North. The year before, he won his second league MVP Award and led Baltimore to the AFC championship game. Whether Jackson can salvage this season remains to be seen, but his presence has provided a boost on the field and in the locker room. “It’s great having him back,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. “[Cooper Rush and Huntley] both did a great job supplementing our offense while he was out, but he’s a two-time MVP. Anytime you get somebody like that back, it’s gonna be a big change so I’m excited for what we look as a team and our offense this weekend.” Hope has also sprung anew with players looking at last week’s victory after the bye as a 1-0 start to what is now effectively a 10-game season. “The mantra coming out of the bye was like, ‘New season, new us,’” Likely said. “It’s really just preaching, wiping the slate clean. Whatever happened in the past, let it stay in the past and let’s try to focus on [going] 1-0 every week from this point on.” Related Articles Ravens’ Lamar Jackson says it was his decision to remove locker room games Watch Episode 9 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens injury report: All 53 players, including QB Lamar Jackson, practice Ravens CB Nate Wiggins makes leap: ‘I’m at the top of my game right now’ Josh Tolentino: Lamar Jackson is back. Time for Ravens to roll. | COMMENTARY That continues Thursday night in Miami Gardens, Florida, about 20 minutes south from where Jackson grew up in Pompano Beach. The game marks his first in South Florida since November 2021 when he had a forgettable performance in a 22-10 loss, also on a Thursday night, against a blitz-heavy Dolphins defense that had him under siege all evening. Jackson completed 26 of 43 passes for 238 yards and just one touchdown while also being held to 39 rushing yards on nine carries. This season, Miami (2-6) and its defense has struggled mightily, ranking 26th in points (26.9) and 23rd in yards per game (344.4). But there remains plenty of familiarity with Jackson through defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who was Baltimore’s defensive line coach before leaving for Miami in February 2024. With Jackson back, though, optimism is high, both within the organization and for the quarterback. “I feel like we always got a chance to make something happen and we still do,” Jackson said. “We showed that Sunday.” Now they’ll see if they can do it again just a few days later. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Quarterback Lamar Jackson said that he was the sole player responsible for removing the games from the Ravens’ locker room after the team’s slow start. “I told [head equipment manager] Kenico [Hines], I told him to take all the games,” Jackson said Tuesday. “Pingpong, turn the TVs off. If we could have took the TVs out, they would’ve been out too.” Jackson, who suffered a hamstring injury on Sept. 28, a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, was injured when he made the request. Gone were the basketball hoop near his locker, the pingpong table, cornhole boards and video game consoles. “I appreciate [Ravens majority owner] Mr. Steve [Bisciotti] for putting that in there for us,” Jackson said. “We had to focus. I wouldn’t say people don’t take the job serious, don’t get me wrong. But I didn’t feel like it was the time for that.” Jackson’s comments cleared up some confusion within the locker room. Several players told The Baltimore Sun that it was the coaches who chose to remove games from the locker room earlier this season. Those players, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely without fear of retribution on more pressing issues about the team’s backslide, did not mention Jackson when asked about the removal of perceived distractions. In the days leading up to a crucial game against Chicago, which resulted in the Ravens’ first win in six weeks, coach John Harbaugh disputed The Sun’s reporting. He said that “a couple of veteran players got together and decided they wanted to take that stuff out.” That same afternoon, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said “it wasn’t my decision” and that he didn’t notice the changes. “I don’t think it’s that big a deal of whether [the decision came from] players or coaches,” Hamilton said. “I don’t know if that’s really affecting us on the field that much, but if we felt like we needed to do that as a team, then I’m all for it.” In the days after the Ravens beat the Bears, improving to 2-5, veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey addressed the hot-button issue on his podcast, “The Marlon Humphrey Show.” He alluded that it was the best player on the team who made the call before naming Jackson. “Fun locker room to a not-as-fun,” Humphrey said. “Talk-to-your-locker-mate fun locker room. We don’t need no games up in here. Only games we need to play is out there on the grass and we need to win ’em! Small change. Did that really do anything? Who knows. But we’re 1-0.” Jackson said that the only way those games would make their way back into the locker room is if the team starts winning again. That discussion is a non-starter until at least the summer. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson explains timing of return: ‘Only I know my body’ Watch Episode 9 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens injury report: All 53 players, including QB Lamar Jackson, practice Ravens CB Nate Wiggins makes leap: ‘I’m at the top of my game right now’ Josh Tolentino: Lamar Jackson is back. Time for Ravens to roll. | COMMENTARY View the full article

Episode 9 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law is here. Preston and Coleman discuss the Ravens’ 30-16 win over the Bears and quarterback Lamar Jackson’s expected return Thursday against the Dolphins. Preston was also joined by Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome during a portion of the podcast. You can watch it weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The Ravens are healthy, for a change. Tuesday afternoon’s practice in Owings Mills, the last before traveling to Miami for a Thursday night matchup against the Dolphins, was a far cry from the hefty injury reports that have plagued Baltimore this season. For the first time this season, all 53 players on the active roster suited up, including the head of the snake, quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson hasn’t played since Week 4 when a hamstring injury sidelined him in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 28. Cooper Rush lost twice as his replacement then Tyler Huntley led a win over the Bears. The 2-5 Ravens should return their two-time Most Valuable quarterback for another must-win, can’t lose game. “I’m ready to go,” Jackson said Tuesday. He didn’t offer specifics on whether the injury occurred from a single play or built up over time. Trainers told him it would be a few weeks. Jackson said he feels 100% and doesn’t expect needing time to shed any rust. “That’s what practice is for,” he said. Jackson wasn’t eager to speak in great detail about his hamstring beyond that. “That’s in the past,” he said. “I don’t want to keep talking about that.” His eyes are pointed toward the “do-or-die” nature of the rest of Baltimore’s season. Coach John Harbaugh did have one unfortunate injury update. Defensive tackle Broderick Washington, who has been on injured reserve for an ankle injury since late-September, will undergo surgery. Harbaugh said it “came out of the blue” and couldn’t offer any further details. Asked if the surgery would end Washington’s season, Harbaugh said “I’ll have more information soon.” There were a few new names added to Monday’s injury report, which was merely an estimation for a walk-through practice. Veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan (calf), cornerback Nate Wiggins (groin) and cornerback T.J. Tampa (shoulder) were each listed as limited participants. All four practiced on Tuesday. As a result of a defensive line downtrodden by injury — Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) is ruled out for the year, Tavius Robinson (foot) was placed on injured reserve and Washington’s prolonged absence — Baltimore signed veteran pass rusher Carl Lawson. Harbaugh said it’s possible Lawson is ready to be elevated from the practice squad in time for Thursday. “We were just talking to him about learning the defense,” Harbaugh said. “He felt like he was picking it up quickly and appreciated the way it’s organized. He thought it was something he could learn well. That decision hasn’t been made quite yet. That’s something that we’re still talking about.” This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles Watch Episode 9 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens CB Nate Wiggins makes leap: ‘I’m at the top of my game right now’ Josh Tolentino: Lamar Jackson is back. Time for Ravens to roll. | COMMENTARY What discipline could Ravens face over Lamar Jackson injury report snafu? Ravens QB Lamar Jackson expected to play Thursday vs. Dolphins View the full article

Public service announcement to every NFL top wideout, Nate Wiggins wants to guard you. When the Ravens played the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the sophomore cornerback requested the challenge of shadowing former top-10 draft pick, Rome Odunze, who has produced among the best receivers in the NFL this season. Same thing happened in Week 6, when Wiggins went to his coaches mid-week advocating that he should be the one to match up with future Hall of Famer Davante Adams, saying, “I got No. 17 this week, right?” “I’m at the top of my game right now,” Wiggins explained, with some bravado. “I feel like no receiver can match up with me, so why not put me on that guy?” Wiggins wanted Houston’s Nico Collins and held him to 14 yards on two catches. He took the challenge of squaring off across from Detroit’s Amon-Ra St-Brown, who went nowhere versus Wiggins, according to Pro Football Focus. Same with Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy. Only Odunze got the better of him, at least to start. Chicago’s No. 1 receiver torched Wiggins for 57 yards on four catches in the first quarter. But Wiggins backed up that unimpeachable confidence in Sunday’s win when, in the fourth quarter, he hit a fifth gear to undercut Caleb Williams’ throw intended for Odunze. Wiggins’ second interception of the season (he has the Ravens’ only two picks through seven games) gave Baltimore a huge boost in a critical spot in prime field position. “He made a great break on the play,” Williams said. Two plays later, quarterback Tyler Huntley lofted his only touchdown pass to tight end Charlie Kolar, extending Baltimore’s lead to two scores with about eight minutes to go. Credit Wiggins as the setup man. “He’s a student of the game,” coach John Harbaugh said. “To see it pay off with a big play like that in a critical moment, that’s what guys dream about.” Wiggins stood beside his locker with a bright pink hoodie and blinding chain around his neck. Naturally, the first question was about his interception. Wiggins, as he does responding to any inkling of praise, mentioned “dropping a couple” of would-be interceptions last year. There were at least three and they all still eat at him. Now, All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said he’s trying to match Wiggins’ pick total. “Share the wealth,” he joked. Harbaugh commended Wiggins for how the Bears went after him early, then “Nate steps up and really put the pedal to the metal and played great football.” Harbaugh admitted of all the position groups he’ll text film to, defensive backs hear from him the most. The longtime coach laughed admitting he blows up Wiggins’ phone perhaps more than anyone. Wiggins is a quick responder. “I’ll tell you,” Harbaugh said, “he is a joy to coach.” Through eight weeks, Wiggins ranks third in passer rating against among all starting cornerbacks (minimum 80% of 334 coverage snaps) behind only Carolina’s Jaycee Horn and New York Giants’ Cor’Dale Flott. Each Ravens win this season has included a Wiggins pick. In Week 2, he grabbed a Joe Flacco overthrow along the sideline and showed off his 4.28-speed on a 60-yard return. Similarly, that put the Ravens offense in prime field position to punch in a touchdown for a more comfortable second-half lead. Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins returns the ball after intercepting a Joe Flacco pass in a Week 2 win over the Browns. Wiggins is the only Ravens defender with an interception this season, and he has two. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Both instances were timely takeaways that helped decide a win, something the Ravens talked all summer about. In the interception category, Wiggins has been the only one to cash in on their promise and its paid dividends come game day. “Everybody is looking to have a guy like Nate,” senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano said recently. “A true No. 1 corner that when you face guys like Adams or whoever — we’re going to face some great ones coming up — the guy is willing, No. 1, and No. 2, he’s got the capability, the athleticism and the skill set to go do it.” Related Articles Ravens’ Lamar Jackson is back. It’s time for Baltimore to roll. | COMMENTARY What discipline could Ravens face over Lamar Jackson injury report snafu? Ravens QB Lamar Jackson expected to play Thursday vs. Dolphins READER POLL: Do you like the Orioles’ hiring of Craig Albernaz as manager? 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 30-16 win over the Bears This week, veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy went on his podcast, “The KVN Show,” campaigning for Wiggins to make the Pro Bowl. “He’s turned into CB1 before our eyes,” Van Noy said. Such was the discourse for much of training camp. Outside of a joint practice skirmish and a few rough days, Wiggins put together one of the more impressive camps in Owings Mills. Hamilton projected Wiggins to have the biggest year-over-year jump of anyone on the team. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr told a story about Wiggins insisting on getting reps versus DeAndre Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who will one day don a golden jacket. That wasn’t just a practice approach. Wiggins wants all the smoke. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Sound the alarms. The Ravens have reached their turning point. Sure, they didn’t erase all of their issues in Sunday’s 30-16 victory over the Bears, but Baltimore cranked out a needed win, highlighted by Tyler Huntley’s heroics and the defense’s second consecutive strong outing. While the Ravens slammed the door against the Bears, they simultaneously cracked the door open for something that hasn’t existed all season. Momentum. The once-Super Bowl favorites need every bit of it. Franchise quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson is expected to return Thursday night in Miami, coach John Harbaugh announced Monday. “I feel very confident,” Harbaugh said. “I would expect Lamar to be out there Thursday night.” Just like that, Superman is back under center, and the outlook of Baltimore’s season shifts again. Yep, more momentum. Jackson’s return comes at a pivotal moment; this week marks the midpoint of the regular season. It’s about time Baltimore (2-5) goes on a roll. The Ravens have spent the past month mostly sinking while navigating one of the worst starts in franchise history. But Tyler Huntley’s impressive fill-in performance Sunday jump started the Ravens to their first win in six weeks. Now, Jackson’s imminent return from a hamstring injury that he suffered in the team’s Week 4 loss at Kansas City offers a rejuvenated bunch an unlimited sense of hope. A perfect run of the table is probably unrealistic, but a surge is absolutely up for grabs. The schedule over the next month — starting Thursday in Miami Gardens — is loaded with winnable games. Baltimore’s next five opponents (Dolphins, Vikings, Browns, Jets and Bengals) all own losing records. Anyone else see a potential 7-5 record heading into a pivotal Week 14 home matchup against Pittsburgh? The AFC North remains wide-open after the Steelers fell to 4-3 with their loss to Green Bay on Sunday night. The Bengals (3-5) also collapsed this weekend in an inexplicable 39-38 loss to the previous winless New York Jets. Meanwhile, the Browns (2-5) have displayed a sturdy defense, but remain one of the league’s go-to laughing stocks given all their quarterback drama this season and in recent years. The pathway to a division title surely remains alive and despite their 2-5 record, many major sportsbooks still listed the Ravens as favorites to win the division as of Monday evening. Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley reacts after orchestrating a touchdown drive against the Bears. Huntley's solid performance led the Ravens to a much-needed victory before a long stretch of more winnable games. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore handled Chicago this past Sunday because of Huntley, who effectively saved the season. It’s up to Jackson now to return the favor. In the three games that Jackson has started and finished this season, the Ravens scored a whopping 111 points. Baltimore was off to a historic offensive pace, but everything was derailed by injuries and lingering emotional turmoil that paired poorly with one of the league’s toughest opening schedules. Jackson’s on-field presence will provide the Ravens with explosiveness, unpredictability and belief that Baltimore has missed dearly over the past month. Jackson, who is expected to speak to reporters for the first time since Sept. 24 on Tuesday, also is returning to a roster that looks nearly complete. That wasn’t the case over the first stretch, when injuries piled up and key veterans were sidelined. Four of Baltimore’s five losses have come against Super Bowl contenders in Buffalo, Detroit, Kansas City and Los Angeles. Related Articles Ravens CB Nate Wiggins makes leap: ‘I’m at the top of my game right now’ What discipline could Ravens face over Lamar Jackson injury report snafu? Ravens QB Lamar Jackson expected to play Thursday vs. Dolphins READER POLL: Do you like the Orioles’ hiring of Craig Albernaz as manager? 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 30-16 win over the Bears A victory over the Dolphins would mark Baltimore’s first winning streak of the season. It also could motivate general manager Eric DeCosta to get busy and work the phone lines ahead of next Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Adding defensive piece(s) could be top of mind for DeCosta if the Ravens board a happy return flight home from South Florida. Fighting for a top spot in the conference seems unrealistic. That’s a hole too deep to dig out of. But chasing a division crown and an automatic playoff berth remains within reach. The Ravens roster, after all, was touted as one of the best at the start of the season. The team’s depth has been exposed some, but the top-end talent is still present, headlined by Jackson. Jackson’s return to the huddle doesn’t guarantee a special run. But Jackson provides the Ravens with a fighting chance. At this point of a wild season, that’s all you can ask. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

Lamar Jackson is expected to start for the Ravens on Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, coach John Harbaugh said following Monday evening’s walk-through practice in Owings Mills. What potential discipline Baltimore could face from the NFL over the handling of the quarterback’s practice participation status last week, however, remains to be seen. Harbaugh said that he has not heard from the league office on the matter and does not know if he will, though the matter remains under review. “When I knew he wasn’t gonna play for sure we just declared him out,” he said. “We were hopeful. There was a chance. I’d say probably there probably was an outside chance, but still had my fingers crossed. And then it came down from that side — and when I said that side I mean the medical side. That’s how it works.” Jackson, who has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in the third quarter of last month’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead and was listed as a “limited” participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, was listed as “full” on Friday’s injury report after taking all the reps on the scout team. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player did not, however, take any reps with the first-team offense. Per the league’s injury report policy, “Participation on the scout team, no matter how extensive, by a player whose normal repetitions would be with the starter but for his medical condition, would not alter the player’s proper designation as ‘limited participation.’” That change in designation led to an NFL spokesperson saying over the weekend the league will look into the Ravens’ handling of the situation, adding, “The league reviews any matter involving a change to a player’s status.” The spokesperson also told The Baltimore Sun on Monday night that the matter is still ongoing and did not provide a timeline of when the investigation could conclude or what potential penalty could be handed down. However, one recent example provides a potential road map. In December 2023, Falcons coach Arthur Smith was fined $25,000 and the team $75,000 after it was found that Atlanta failed to disclose on its injury report in Week 7 of that year that running back Bijan Robinson was ill with a headache before their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in which he played a significantly lower snap count in the contest. While the Ravens’ situation likely won’t take quite as long to be adjudicated, they could be looking at having to at least pay a significant fine. Baltimore’s snafu also came just days after news broke of a massive sports betting scandal involving the NBA, part of which revolved around player participation in certain games. Following the Ravens’ 30-16 victory over the Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, Harbaugh said the injury report situation was an “honest mistake,” that nobody was “trying to hide anything” and “there’s no advantage to be gained with that.” Bears coach Ben Johnson didn’t say afterward how much the revised practice participation impacted the game, but he did say they were preparing for Jackson to play. “Like I said early in the week, we were preparing for Lamar,” Johnson said, “and then when we found out he wasn’t playing, then we get ready for the next guy.” Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson expected to play Thursday vs. Dolphins READER POLL: Do you like the Orioles’ hiring of Craig Albernaz as manager? 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 30-16 win over the Bears Mike Preston: Ravens look mediocre, but opponents are worse | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Tyler Huntley provides much-needed stability amid QB uncertainty Tyler Huntley started in place of Jackson and completed 17 of 22 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 53 yards as Baltimore snapped a four-game losing streak. “Obviously, they’re going to do what’s best for the team,” Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett told reporters when asked if he had ever seen a quarterback’s practice designation change the day before a game. “I don’t think it was no malice behind any of it. I think it’s just how the league goes.” Chicago safety Jaquan Brisker also told reporters that the defensive game plan for Jackson was different than the one for Huntley, but said there were “no excuses.” Should Jackson start Thursday as expected, it would be his first game in more than a month. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article