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For the first time in his career, Justin Tucker is a free agent in search of work. His 10-week suspension is over and Tucker can now rejoin a locker room and try to reclaim the rhythm and routine that shaped his storied career. Second chances exist in life and sports. Teams desperate for stability at kicker will at least consider signing the greatest kicker in league history. Soon enough, Tucker may emerge in a new uniform, but his nearing return to football still feels incomplete. Tucker, who turns 36 on Nov. 26, served his suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy after more than a dozen female massage therapists accused him of inappropriate sexual behavior. When the allegations were first revealed and the league later issued its discipline, Tucker repeatedly denied all wrongdoing. To this date, Tucker’s only semblance of an apology was his statement to Outkick in February: “It devastates me to know that anyone I have worked with would not have felt respected … to anyone who has felt otherwise, I am sorry. I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider.” Yet he never appealed his suspension, which the league allowed him to serve as a free agent. Hmmm. If Tucker truly felt like nothing inappropriate occurred, why not automatically challenge the suspension, which was issued after the NFL conducted an investigation, through the appeals process? To deny the behavior but accept the punishment without contesting it created a contradiction that has never been addressed. Now, as Tucker becomes eligible to return, the most significant moment of his return won’t be his next contract signing or field goal attempt. It will be the first time he speaks publicly. That could come at a podium, in a team locker room or perhaps on a Zoom screen. But it’s coming — for Tucker and whichever team decides to employ him — and what he says in that moment will determine whether he actually moves forward. Issuing a brief, direct apology acknowledging his actions would not erase what allegedly happened a decade ago. But a real apology would finally acknowledge the pain inflicted on those affected. It would also address the confusion many Ravens fans still feel about how to view one of the franchise’s greats. Baltimore, meanwhile, has already moved forward. The Ravens released Tucker in May following 13 memorable seasons, labeling his release ‘a football decision.’ His performance dipped drastically as Tucker suffered from a career-worst 73.3 field goal percentage in 2024. When the Ravens tabbed Tyler Loop as the first kicker drafted in franchise history, it signaled a new era. Loop has lived up to his draft status, making 16 of 18 field goals and 23 of 24 extra-point attempts. Following Tucker’s shadow always was a hefty task for whoever inherited the role, but Loop has looked unfazed during his rookie season. Even Tucker’s place in NFL record books has shifted. Just last week, Jaguars kicker Cam Little’s 68-yard field goal broke Tucker’s previous NFL record of 66 yards for the longest kick in league history. The NFL does not stop to wait for a player to reclaim what they once were. Tucker’s representation is aware. Last month, NFL Network publicized a video on social media, pushed by his camp, of Tucker recreating his most iconic kicks during a workout at his alma mater, the University of Texas. NFL Network also reported Tucker already was garnering interest from multiple teams. Tucker wants back in. Related Articles Ex-Ravens kicker Justin Tucker eligible to return to NFL. Who might sign him? Ravens WR Rashod Bateman suffers high-ankle sprain on controversial tackle 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-19 win over the Vikings Mike Preston: Ravens remain the NFL’s biggest mystery | COMMENTARY Ravens near a return to defensive standard. Ask Lamar Jackson. | COMMENTARY There are too many teams dealing with missed kicks and extra-point attempts. One of them will likely reemploy one of the NFL’s greatest kickers. Whenever Tucker returns to an NFL roster, a coach and/or general manager will talk about second chances. For Tucker, it’s about recognition and accountability. His path back to respect, not just a roster spot, runs through his level of accountability. While he served his 10-game suspension, his actions and lack of a meaningful apology indicate he believed he never deserved the league-issued discipline. Accountability doesn’t require a speech. In Tucker’s case, it may take only a sentence or two. “I acknowledge the harm caused and want to put everything behind me. I am sorry.” His suspension is over and teams will evaluate their options. But Tucker’s real return begins when he speaks publicly to the people who have waited far longer than 10 weeks for him to do so. 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

By TALES AZZONI MADRID (AP) — The initial batch of tickets for the first regular-season NFL game in Madrid were gone in a matter of hours, with nearly 700,000 people trying to get a seat to watch the Miami Dolphins play the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. For the first game in Ireland last month, organizers said some 600,000 digital devices were logged on to try to buy tickets for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Minnesota Vikings at Dublin’s famed Croke Park. The demand has been similarly high in other cities hosting games in recent years, and more countries have been reaching out to the NFL. An NFL official says “probably a day doesn’t go by” without a city saying they are interested in potentially hosting a game. The host cities themselves have treated the games as their Super Bowls, with a series of promotional events and fan activities planned in the weeks ahead and high-profile artists performing at halftime. They have generated massive fan interest locally and attracted fans from nearby European countries, allowing host cities to gain financially and in visibility. Mini Super Bowls Gerrit Meier, managing director and head of NFL International, said organizers went into the game in Dublin last month with “a real sense of a mini Super Bowl coming to town.” There were NFL experiences and shops brought to iconic venues, and murals and light projections were visible throughout the Irish city. Similar activities were being promoted for Spain’s inaugural game in Madrid. Puerto Rican superstar Daddy Yankee and Argentine producer Bizarrap are set to perform at halftime in Madrid. British singer Myles Smith was the star at halftime in Dublin, while Grammy award-winning artist Karol G performed in Sao Paulo in September. Grammy-nominated Kid Laroi was the headliner for Berlin’s first regular-season game last week, while the games in London included shows by British singer Raye and British rapper Giggs. Most games abroad ever The three games played in London this season took the total there to 42 games since 2007, which is when the NFL officially kicked off its push to grow internationally with regular-season games abroad. The league has been aggressively expanding in recent years, and the seven games played internationally this season are the most ever for the NFL. Next year, it will go to Australia and add a game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reiterated that the league plans to increase the number of international games to a point where each team will get to play a game abroad every year. He said in September that the NFL also wants to play in Asia. The league may also look at possible locations for a game in Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia could possibly be in the mix as well. “Probably a day doesn’t go by where someone on our international team doesn’t receive outreach from a city or an entity interested in working with the NFL and potentially hosting a game,” said Peter O’Reilly, the NFL vice president in charge of international affairs. ”There’s very strong interest. I think cities have seen what it’s like to host a game, and the visibility that it brings, as well as the magnet it is for people from that region, and more broadly, around the world to come in.” Economic impact The estimated economic impact for London since the first game was played there in 2007 has reportedly reached $2.6 billion. The first time the NFL played in Germany in 2022, the economic impact was more than $80 million for the Munich area, and Spain expects similar numbers, according to some local estimates. Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez said it was “a great honor that a competition with the prestige of the NFL” chose Madrid as host. “This is a matter of great pride for us, for Real Madrid fans, for Madrid citizens and for Spaniards,” Pérez said when the game was announced. “We are convinced that the city and our stadium are ready to be part of one of the greatest spectacles in the world.” More than 60 regular-season games will have been played abroad through this season, with London, Munich, Frankfurt, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Madrid, Berlin, Dublin and Toronto hosting them. “Our historic first game in Madrid is a very exciting next step in the league’s history,” the NFL country manager for Spain, Rafa de los Santos, told The Associated Press. “Beyond playing international games, and expanding our global footprint, we want to grow our presence in key markets around the world year-round, bringing more fans globally closer to our game, our clubs and our players.” Global momentum O’Reilly said the league is excited about growing global momentum and the owners “continue to prioritize global growth” and work to establish a strategic foundation “across the league to become a true global sport property.” “We’re now in a state where teams are very interested in raising their hand to play in certain markets, especially where they have global market rights, and we’re hearing from more and more countries and cities who are interested in being part of these international games’ road map,” O’Reilly said. The league recently expanded its Global Markets Program, which awards teams international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the United States. Now all 32 teams participate in the program across 21 international markets — up from 25 clubs across 19 markets in 2024. Teams benefiting The NFL teams have jumped on the opportunity to expand their brand internationally and have been riding the current wave of interest. “When you play a game abroad, it’s not just about the result on the field,” said Dolphins vice president of international development Felipe Formiga, who leads the organization’s brand development and growth strategy in international markets. The Dolphins will be playing their eighth regular-season game abroad, second only to the 14 played by the Jacksonville Jaguars. “For us, it’s about celebrating American football internationally, about making history by playing in this first-ever game in Spain,” he told the AP. “This movement by the NFL in recent years to motivate teams to expand internationally has presented us with great opportunities, and it has been a perfect match for the Dolphins, which already has in its DNA that aspect of being an international organization.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl View the full article

Embattled ex-Ravens kicker Justin Tucker could soon be back in the NFL. Tucker, 35, is eligible to be reinstated Tuesday after serving a 10-week suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy following several sexual misconduct allegations brought against him earlier this year. He was released by Baltimore in May, about three months after more than a dozen female massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct at several Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta called the move a “football decision” in a statement at the time and made no mention of the allegations against the former star. In June, the NFL suspended Tucker following an investigation into the accusations. The league did not release details of the findings, but that is typical unless a player files an appeal and the case goes in front of a disciplinary officer. Tucker has repeatedly denied the allegations, though he did not file an appeal. He has not been charged with a crime and faces no known civil lawsuits. Although Tucker was not eligible to practice with a team until fulfilling his suspension, he was allowed to sign with one before then. The fourth-most accurate kicker in NFL history with a career field goal accuracy rate of 89.1%, Tucker spent his first 11 seasons in Baltimore, where he became one of the faces of the franchise and was a prominent figure in and around the city, along with becoming one of the best kickers in history. He also had the worst year of his career last season, making just 73.3% of his field goal attempts and missing two extra points. Then in January, The Baltimore Banner first reported that six massage therapists said Tucker exposed his genitals, brushed two of them with his exposed penis and left what was believed to be ejaculate on the massage table following three treatments. More than a dozen massage therapists made similar accusations, all having allegedly taken place between 2012 and 2016, and about five months later, he was suspended by the NFL. It was reported last month by NFL Network that the five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection has been working out his alma mater, Texas, while a free agent and that he had already drawn interest from “several teams.” Where could Tucker possibly land? Here are a few possibilities: Los Angeles Rams The Rams are 7-2 and tied for the best record in the NFC. They are also in desperate need of a dependable kicker. Whether Tucker fits that bill, however, remains to be seen from an organization that has steered clear of controversial players. Still, they are potentially in the market. Joshua Karty had been L.A.’s kicker but was replaced Sunday by second-year pro Harrison Mevis, who didn’t attempt any field goals in the 42-26 win over the San Francisco 49ers but did make all six of his extra point tries. Karty, who is still on the roster for now, had made just 66.7% of his field goal attempts this season, which was the lowest mark in the league. Two of those misses came earlier this month in a blowout win over the New Orleans Saints, and he also missed his third extra point of the season in that game, prompting the change. Whether Mevis is the long-term solution or Karty is able to turn things around remains to be seen, but for a Super Bowl contender, having a kicker that can be counted on is critical. Green Bay Packers The only kicker in the league Karty has been worse than (minimum 10 field goal attempts) is veteran Brandon McManus, who has connected on just 68.8% of his field goal attempts. That included missing a 43-yarder last week in a brutal 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 2. McManus, 34, has also missed two games with a quad injury. Those struggles came after he made 95.2% of his field goals last season, which led to a three-year, $15.3 million contract in March. But like the Rams, the Packers are a Super Bowl contender and could be looking for a more dependable option. They also have Lucas Harisik, who filled in for McManus and made all four field goal attempts, including a 61-yarder, in his absence. Atlanta Falcons The mercurial Falcons are already on their third kicker after parting ways with longtime kicker Younghoe Koo and then John Parker Romo, who took over for Koo in Week 2. Romo lasted until only Week 9, though, after he’d made just 66.7% of his field goals and then missed an extra point in a 24-23 loss to the New England Patriots. Now, veteran Zane Gonzalez is their kicker. Former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, shown in 2024, is eligible to return from his 10-week suspension. But after being suspended because of sexual misconduct allegations and struggling on the field in 2024, will any team want to sign him? (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Gonzalez, 30, made a 43-yarder and both extra points in Atlanta’s wild 31-25 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but he has been average at best for the bulk of his career. He’s made 88% of his field goals in a season only twice and hasn’t eclipsed that mark since 2021. For his career, Gonzalez has made just 80.2% of his field goals. Tucker would certainly be a significant upgrade. New York Giants After Graham Gano suffered a herniated disc earlier this month, the Giants elevated Koo from their practice squad beginning in Week 10 after having signed him in September following his Falcons release. In his first action Sunday against the Chicago Bears, he promptly made both field goal attempts and both extra points. Still, New York for years has struggled to find a consistent kicker. The Giants are also not a contender and Tucker’s story would provide ample tabloid fodder they would likely rather avoid. New York also just fired its coach on Monday, so that all but eliminates any chance it would bring Tucker in now. Related Articles Justin Tucker served his suspension. His apology is overdue. | COMMENTARY Ravens WR Rashod Bateman suffers high-ankle sprain on controversial tackle 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-19 win over the Vikings Mike Preston: Ravens remain the NFL’s biggest mystery | COMMENTARY Ravens near a return to defensive standard. Ask Lamar Jackson. | COMMENTARY But if he doesn’t sign anywhere, which is another possibility, he perhaps could end up being an affordable option at a position of need with a roster that has some young and inexpensive talent at other key spots. Not signing with anyone would also open up a host of possibilities. One place it’s unlikely that he would return is in the AFC North. Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop, whom Baltimore drafted in the sixth round a few weeks before releasing Tucker, has made 16 of 18 field goals. Plus, the Ravens likely wouldn’t have brought him back even if Loop had struggled. Chris Boswell, meanwhile, has been the Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicker since 2015 and holds several franchise records and has made 17 of 20 kicks this season, so no change is happening there. Likewise, Evan McPherson has been the Cincinnati Bengals’ kicker since 2021 and has made 13 of 16 this year. He tied an NFL record for most field goals made in the postseason with 14 during the 2022-23 playoffs. In Cleveland, Andre Szmyt beat out incumbent veteran Dustin Hopkins during training camp and has made 12 of 15 field goal attempts, including two of three from 50-59 yards. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman sustained a high-ankle sprain to his right ankle, coach John Harbaugh said during his Monday news conference. He did not have a definitive answer for what the timeline to return might look like but said, “I think he’s going to be OK.” Bateman was seen wearing a boot in the visiting locker room after Baltimore’s 27-19 road win over the Vikings. He told ESPN’s Kimberley Martin that it happened midway through the third quarter. Bateman curled back toward the ball, jetted inside and made a diving effort toward the goal line before Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers yanked him to the turf. Bateman told Martin he “doesn’t expect to miss too much time” and was surprised Rodgers wasn’t flagged. Asked about the play, Harbaugh laughed, “What is a hip-drop tackle? It’s an enigma, apparently, that can’t be called during the game.” The longtime coach said he thought, “based on the definition,” Rodgers should have been flagged for a hip-drop tackle, the recently banned technique that results in a 15-yard penalty and possible fine. Harbaugh turned to a public relations spokesperson and asked, “Am I gonna get in trouble for saying that?” Teammates pulled Bateman right to his feet and he took a few steps without any noticeable limp. He played through any pain, later catching a 2-point conversion pass — his only other reception in the win — that extended Baltimore’s fourth-quarter lead to two scores. Bateman hasn’t had the encore to his breakout 2024 that some may have projected. The fifth-year wideout who signed a three-year extension this past summer has only 16 catches on 31 targets with two touchdowns. Bateman’s target share is less than half of Zay Flowers’, and his receiving yards rank fourth in Baltimore’s offense. That’s after posting career marks last season: 756 yards and nine touchdowns on 72 targets. Still, he’s a proven commodity in a you-never-know-who passing attack, and the shaky Ravens offense needs all the help they can get in this slow climb back to playoff contention. Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins could see an uptick in targets if Bateman is to miss any time, or one of the tight ends who have gotten more involved in recent weeks. Injury luck is a fleeting abstract in the NFL. After maintaining a nearly spotless injury report last week, the Ravens are now without Bateman in the short term. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey is also dealing with a finger injury. He played through it, logged his first interception of the season and took to his postgame Instagram Live all with a wrap around his hand. Humphrey could opt to play through the injury, although there’s a chance it will require surgery that could sideline him for a game or two, according to Harbaugh. Undrafted rookie Jay Higgins IV also appeared to suffer an injury on a special teams play in Sunday’s win. Higgins was seen wearing a significant brace on his right leg in the postgame locker room. Harbaugh said that Higgins’ unspecified injury would hold the linebacker out for “a few weeks.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 27-19 win over the Vikings Mike Preston: Ravens remain the NFL’s biggest mystery | COMMENTARY Ravens near a return to defensive standard. Ask Lamar Jackson. | COMMENTARY The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 27-19 win over Vikings Ravens win 3rd straight, 27-19 over Vikings: ‘Starting to hit our stride’ View the full article

It wasn’t always pretty, but Baltimore showed signs that this turnaround isn’t a total fluke. The Ravens won a 27-19 slugfest in Minnesota, improving to 4-5 on the season and inching closer to the top of the AFC North. Here are five things we learned: The Ravens are surging, but they’re not quite where they need to be Take the bad with the good. Lamar Jackson wasn’t his usual dominant self on an afternoon that cornerback Marlon Humphrey called a “smoke break” for the superstar quarterback. Derrick Henry spent most of Sunday afternoon running into a barricade. Three different reliable pass catchers dropped the football. For the third time this season, an opposing receiver eclipsed triple-digit receiving yards. In this case, it was Minnesota’s third option Jalen Nailor, who set career marks with 124 yards on five catches. Nailor’s only touchdown nearly set off an improbable fourth-quarter comeback. And yet, the Ravens prevailed. They squashed a potential game-tying drive in the final minutes, thwarting early-season demons. Rookie kicker Tyler Loop kept them afloat with four field goals until the offense found a groove. And their defense hit the turnover trifecta, which at times this season felt like an impossible feat. The win, Baltimore’s third in a row, confirmed this post-bye week surge could be for real. It served as a reminder, too, that there’s still plenty to clean up. Which is why Jackson couldn’t compliment the defense without kicking himself first, “I feel like we should have helped them out a little bit more, but they got it done,” he said. Getting it done can mask some of the Ravens’ shortcomings. A light midseason schedule (the next two weeks they’ll play teams with a combined five wins) offers a ramp to get that stuff cleaned up by December. Still, Sunday showed what’s possible: a creatively potent offense, an imposing defense and an influential special teams unit. Safety Kyle Hamilton said he was joking coming off the field that it was one of only a handful of instances since he was drafted “where both sides played well.” And they did it in one of the league’s tougher places to play. All week, there was talk about how loud U.S. Bank Stadium would be. It’s so cold in Minneapolis this time of year that everyone packs into the downtown dome and screams their heads off to regulate their body temperatures. The Vikings wound up with eight false start penalties. The Ravens, who have long been plagued by such afflictions, were flagged only once. What did that say about this team in that setting? “I think that’s what won the game for us,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I really do. I think the poise under pressure, handling the noise, one presnap penalty, no turnovers in this environment. “And it’s the two-fold noise. It’s the noise of the crowd, which is incredible, and it’s also the noise of the defense and the noise they create with all their schemes and the way they play.” A pre-bye week version of this team might not have handled such raucous conditions so calmly. The simple stuff doesn’t work on third down A throw short of the sticks. Another skipping through Isaiah Likely’s mitts. A ball thrice swatted at the line of scrimmage. Henry going nowhere. Jackson ditching the ball over the end zone. That’s a sampling of Baltimore’s third-down snafus, all uncomplicated play calls that ended in frustration over stalled out drives. The Ravens went three-and-out six times. As offensive coordinator Todd Monken likes to argue, it’s only a “bad” play call if it doesn’t work. Talent alone failed to get them past the sticks nine times on 15 tries. Converting on third down Sunday required something a tad more unconventional. Monken showed how deep that playbook goes. When everyone inside U.S. Bank Stadium assumed Mark Andrews lining up under center meant a tush push — the short-yardage play that has troubled the Ravens at times, and a cheat code at others — Andrews flipped the ball to his quarterback, who snared an off-target toss with his left hand and picked up the yard and more. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson avoids a tackle by Vikings defensive end Jonathan Allen in the first half Sunday in Minneapolis. (Stacy Bengs/AP) Later, on third-and-1, thinking back to a growing sample size of failed Henry runs in such situations Sunday, Monken gave fullback Patrick Ricard his first carry in nearly three years. He tumbled over the imaginary yellow line with ease. Another funky conversion helped set up a touchdown. On third-and-2 inside Minnesota’s 10-yard line, Monken called for 13-personnel, a (very) heavy formation with one running back and three tight ends. Jackson kept the ball on a sweeper to his left behind a squadron of big bodies. Still, Jackson, who played in his 100th regular-season game, knows there’s more to be done. His mood postgame showed as much. A strong defensive showing gives them “a lot of confidence,” he said. “But I’d have even more if we were putting points on the board like we should. Hats off to our defense, because they played a wonderful game.” Defense is finally delivering on its takeaway promise Marlon Humphrey is undoubtedly the most eccentric player in the Ravens’ locker room. Anything could have been going through his head. But after intercepting a J.J. McCarthy deep shot, Humphrey looked unsure of himself, as if to wonder, where did this ball come from? What do I do with it? He was perhaps assuming a yellow flag might land near his feet, negating the play. Nope, Humphrey registered his first interception of the season (he led the Ravens with six in 2024). It was Baltimore’s second of the day, improving the team total to five on the year and at least one in a third consecutive game. Just last month, only the interception-less Jets had fewer. The Ravens are now at least better than 10 teams in that department, delivering on a preseason promise they had previously failed to deliver on. They’ve forced seven turnovers in three games after stealing three through the first six. It’s hard to blame Humphrey for looking so out of place after the catch, the return and a little bit of celebration. Sunday was the first time the Ravens’ defense logged two interceptions (rookie Malaki Starks secured the other) in a single game this year. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens remain the NFL’s biggest mystery | COMMENTARY Ravens near a return to defensive standard. Ask Lamar Jackson. | COMMENTARY The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 27-19 win over Vikings Ravens win 3rd straight, 27-19 over Vikings: ‘Starting to hit our stride’ Instant analysis from Ravens’ 27-19 win over Vikings Tack on the special teams fumble and Sunday was the second time in as many games the Ravens forced three takeaways, the daily goal defensive leaders set for themselves back in August and failed to roll into September or October. They’ve come a long way since. Take it from the new guy, Dre’Mont Jones, whose only thought was, “Wow, this Ravens defense is legit.” “We’re not satisfied with just getting one or two,” outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. “We need to get multiple. We need to get as many turnovers as we can get, and today was a great example of that.” Linebacker Roquan Smith nearly made it four with an interception that officials narrowly called back. On that one, the defense celebrated in full before the review. It wasn’t until Saturday that they even started to brainstorm how to revel in their success. Hamilton had just watched “Coach Carter,” starring Samuel L. Jackson playing a rigid basketball coach whooping his team into shape. The idea was whoever forces the turnover would roam the goal line, hands tied behind their back, imitating the legendary actor while his teammates ran gassers in the end zone. Smith ran them anyway, looking a little unsure he was doing the right thing. A replay review showed the ball had nicked the turf, and it was called back. “I’m glad that one just got thrown out. We’ll figure something else out,” Hamilton said. “At least we have stuff to celebrate now.” The Ravens talked a big game about forcing turnovers. They’re finally starting to deliver, which means they’re relearning how to look like they’ve been there before. It’s too late to buy Keondre Jackson stock In August, there were three undrafted rookies dominating the discourse. More accurately, they captured the hearts of a fan base eager for football. None of them were named Keondre Jackson. The Ravens cut him loose on Aug. 26. They signed him to the practice squad a day later. Jackson was a penny stock back then. Ten weeks into the season, the UDFA safety from Illinois State known for backflipping on the sideline is playing like a special teams ace. “He said he was gonna make a name for himself,” Harbaugh said, “I think he’s doing it.” Jackson’s ascension climaxed on a third-quarter kickoff. He wasn’t first to the ball carrier. But he raced in to finish the tackle and punched the ball from Myles Price’s grasp — his first career forced fumble. Jackson blanketed the ball. “At the bottom of the pile, it was crazy down there,” he laughed. Jackson earned the right to high-step upfield in celebration for having given Baltimore the ball three steps from the red zone. Ravens safety Keondre Jackson, shown during training camp, has developed into a special teams asset for Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “This dude loves playing football,” special teams coordinator Chris Horton said. “You turn on that tape, and you watch him play, he’s an impactful player in our phase of the game.” Jackson’s forced fumble was his loudest contribution this season. But he’s been a steady special teams force in recent weeks. So much so that when Baltimore waived safety Sanoussi Kane (who they signed to the practice squad days later), Jackson took his place on the 53-man roster. Credit his five tackles in three games, including a pair in wins over Miami and Chicago. “Keondre Jackson’s been great for us since he’s been active,” Hamilton said. “Big ball of energy.” Ravens embrace early season ‘scar tissue’ When a team endures the kind of turmoil the Ravens did earlier this season, players tend to wax lyrically about a singular focus. Everything is about the game in front of them, they say. One win to snowball the next. After three in a row, Hamilton finally, and reluctantly, admitted what no player had publicly. The NFL’s highest-paid safety prefaced to say he doesn’t speak for the whole team. But if there is anyone who does, even just for the defense, it would be Hamilton. “What got us — not trying to bring up the past — partially what got us to 1-5,” Hamilton said, “was the fact that we came into the season maybe thinking, ‘We’re the Baltimore Ravens. We’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do that. Teams are just gonna lay down and let us win games.’” That sentiment should have been obvious to anyone watching Baltimore’s wretched start. For weeks, opponents waltzed into M&T Bank Stadium, putting on the kind of offensive and defensive showings not seen at the home stadium since the turn of the century. The Ravens looked lost. It would be a stretch to say they’ve been found, but a three-game win streak is enough to reckon with their past and acknowledge things have changed. Or as Hamilton put it, “we’re starting to hit our stride” after getting “punched in the mouth” to start the season. “We’ll have that scar tissue going forward,” he said. Harbaugh admitted to letting his emotions bubble up after the clock wound all the way down. “I didn’t shed a tear,” he clarified. “I wouldn’t let that happen.” But he was proud to see how his team persevered. The Ravens didn’t fold over when history counted them out. They’ve got a long way to go. They’re at least making things interesting. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. Ravens running back Derrick Henry turns upfield in Sunday's 27-19 win over the Vikings. Baltimore is 3-0 since its bye week. (Bruce Kluckhohn/AP) View the full article

MINNEAPOLIS — The regular season is now halfway complete, and the Ravens remain the NFL’s biggest mystery. They won their third straight game Sunday, beating the Minnesota Vikings, 27-19, at U.S. Bank Stadium, but it’s hard to figure this team out. A team picture might be placed right near the word “enigma” in the dictionary. They stumbled, kicked three field goals in the first half because they couldn’t run the ball inside the red zone, trailed 10-9 at the break and then blew away the Vikings with 18 second-half points. “Yes, there’s a lot that we could work on and be better at, but I definitely liked that we put up points,” wide receiver Rashod Bateman said. “There were a couple of drives I wish we had back, but I think we’re starting to find our groove. We just have to keep finding a way to clear out the gray area and make it more black and white all around for the guys. That just comes with practice and repetitions, so it’s definitely on the way.” The game appeared closer than the score indicates, but the Ravens weren’t seriously threatened except for some late-game heroics by the Minnesota receivers. The Ravens kept second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy off target for most of the game and even compiled 12 quarterback hurries. Nope, that’s not a misprint. Combined with running back Derrick Henry, who took over the game in the second half, the Ravens shut down the Vikings’ talented group of receivers, especially Justin Jefferson, who looked like he was about to quit at various times during the game. So, that brings me back to the starting point. What’s up with the Ravens? How can a team go 1-5 to start the season and then win three straight to climb to a 4-5 record? The injuries to at least nine starters early in the season were a major contributing factor, but the Ravens were completely healthy Sunday and they struggled against a team that entered 4-4. There was a belief that the Vikings had gotten better, especially after they upset the Lions in Detroit last week. They appeared to improve significantly on defense, but the Ravens had to use two interceptions and one fumble recovery on a kickoff return to pull out the victory. Here is a suggestion for the Ravens: just keep pounding away with Henry. He rushed 20 times for 75 yards and took over the game in the second half, when he had 11 carries for 42 yards. The Ravens don’t like to talk about it, but they have misused Henry in the past two trips to the postseason. New motto: Run, Henry, run. “We’ve been through a lot this year,” center Tyler Linderbaum said. “It’s a lot of adversity [and] a lot of people doubting us. We’re still not where we need to be. We have a big hole we’re trying to dig ourselves out of, but we have a lot of belief in this locker room, belief in the coaching staff [and] belief in the players that we can turn this ship around.” Related Articles Ravens near a return to defensive standard. Ask Lamar Jackson. | COMMENTARY The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 27-19 win over Vikings Ravens win 3rd straight, 27-19 over Vikings: ‘Starting to hit our stride’ Instant analysis from Ravens’ 27-19 win over Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings, November 9, 2025 | PHOTOS Midway through the fourth quarter, the Ravens took possession at their own 33 and then ran Henry on six of the next eight plays before quarterback Lamar Jackson completed the 11-play, 67-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews for a 27-13 lead with just under 11 minutes left. It’s all set up for the running game, but the Ravens just have to get back on track, which they have done in the past three games. Maybe in the postseason, if the Ravens get there, they’ll have to depend on Jackson to toss the ball around more, but not at this point. The Ravens built this offensive line for Henry to run, which is why they have enormous guards in the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Andrew Vorhees and the 6-7, 380-pound Daniel Faalele. To be honest, they can’t pass protect. So, if the Ravens stay with the run, at least they should keep the score close. This team still has many questions about its defense, especially the secondary. The cornerbacks were lost for most of the first half and spent time shrugging and looking at each other in complete disarray. Minnesota finished with 365 yards of total offense, even though McCarthy spent most of the game missing receivers. Rookie safety Malaki Starks and cornerback Marlon Humphrey each had interceptions, but they were basically gifts as Jefferson stopped running on the routes and then had the audacity not to chase down either Humphrey or Starks after the pass was picked off. Merry Christmas, Ravens. Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green tackles Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. The Ravens' defense got more pressure on the quarterback Sunday. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) The Ravens have improved, especially on the back end, and the recent addition of outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones has helped. He didn’t have a tackle Sunday, but he finished with two quarterback hurries as the Ravens moved McCarthy in the pocket 12 times. For this group, that’s impressive. The Ravens will keep working, and hopefully they will improve. They are at least intriguing because they are on a roll, and they still have to play division-leading Pittsburgh and Cincinnati twice, as well as the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns. But as Sunday’s game unfolded, there was the Ravens offense that could muster only three field goals in the first half and the one that scored on three of six possessions in the second half. They physically dominated both lines of scrimmage in those two final quarters and just wore down the Vikings. Now, will the real Ravens stand up? Minnesota might still have been in disbelief from its victory over Detroit. How else does the hometown team draw eight false start penalties? It’s even worse that Humphrey’s interception came on third-and-1 at the 50-yard line against a quarterback who can’t throw accurately. And a lot of Ravens fans thought coach John Harbaugh was bad. But after Sunday’s win, it’s still hard to figure out the Ravens. They have a multi-weaponed offense and a defense that can play with most teams when it wants to. They can look bad for a half, and then unstoppable for the second. Go figure. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

MINNEAPOLIS — Lamar Jackson made his 100th career regular-season start Sunday, a milestone typically reserved for celebrating an offense’s franchise cornerstone. But in the buzz of a celebratory visitors’ locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium, it was a hungry defensive unit that wanted to attract the spotlight. “We really believe in, obviously, we have Lamar Jackson,” veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey said in the aftermath of a 27-19 victory over the Vikings. “But our defense, we’re trying to get it to where we can win games on defense and we don’t even need the offense to put up any points. … Let’s give him a ‘smoke break,’ let’s give him an ‘off day.’ “He’s bailed us out so many times. How about we do it?” For the second straight week, the defense carried the Ravens through another uneven offensive start. Baltimore won its third consecutive game not because of its high-powered offensive playmakers, but thanks to a defensive unit that finally seems to be rediscovering its edge. “[Defense] played great,” Jackson said. “They played the Ravens standard [of] football. I feel like we should’ve helped them more, but they got it done.” It’s a stark contrast to the first month of the season. Baltimore gave up an NFL-worst 177 points in its first five games, but has held its past four opponents to under 20. Coming out of the bye, the Ravens have won three in a row to improve their record to 4-5. “We always knew we could play like this,” cornerback Nate Wiggins said. “It was just a matter of getting confident in the defense, running around and hitting people.” The Ravens on Sunday limited the Vikings to a pedestrian 3-for-14 on third down and 2-for-5 on fourth-down attempts. Second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw more incompletions (22) than completions (20) and was intercepted twice, while four-time All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson finished with just four catches on 12 targets for 37 yards. Game-changing interceptions by Humphrey and rookie safety Malaki Starks shifted momentum toward the visitors’ bench. Starks now has picks in back-to-back weeks, a sign of a young player accelerating into the role this defense envisioned for him when the Ravens selected him with their top pick in this year’s draft. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Keondre Jackson punched the ball loose on special teams and recovered his first career forced fumble, turning what would have been routine field position into an immediate scoring opportunity for Lamar and company. “Anybody that gets turnovers, it helps their defense,” veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. “You look at the top defenses in the league over the course of this season, the turnovers have been huge for them. That’s something we’ve been harping on and we’re going to continue to harp on it, continue to capitalize. “We’re not satisfied with just getting one or two; we need to get multiple. We need to get as many turnovers as we can get.” Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey reels in an interception in a 27-19 win over the Vikings. Baltimore forced three turnovers in the road victory. (Abbie Parr/AP) Jackson, often throughout his storied career, has been asked to carry the Ravens on his back. Baltimore’s victory over Minnesota improved Jackson’s record against NFC teams to a jaw-dropping 25-3. The Ravens surely will need him in future contests, but the Zach Orr-led defense aspires to provide the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player margin for slight error. The Ravens know exactly who they have at quarterback. The defense just doesn’t want to rely on him every week. “We got punched in the mouth early in the season, but now, I think we’re responding well,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. “We’ll just have that scar tissue going forward when we just start stacking wins.” Carrying that scar tissue will be key as the Ravens push forward. The defense’s new-look pass rush, joined by recent acquisition Dre’Mont Jones, left sacks on the field and allowed McCarthy to escape on multiple occasions in just his fourth career game. To its credit, Baltimore recorded a season-high 12 quarterback hits against McCarthy. A more seasoned quarterback, though, will make the Ravens pay. Sure, winning off turnovers is electric, but it is also partially volatile. Takeaways come in streaks — or “in bunches,” as many Baltimore defenders referred to in recent days; the Ravens have six takeaways over their past two games. Pressure, meanwhile, is a critical factor that can be replicated more frequently, but too often has been missing from Baltimore’s defense despite its recent surge. To contend into January, the Ravens must convert their uptick in quarterback hits to more impactful sacks and pressures. If the Ravens sustain this turnover surge and clean up their rush as Jones continues to adjust to his new surroundings, the defense will really turn a corner. Baltimore’s next three games — Sunday at Cleveland, Nov. 23 vs. Jets and Nov. 27 vs. Bengals — offer a realistic path to a 7-5 record ahead of the team’s Week 14 showdown against the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 7 at M&T Bank Stadium. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens remain the NFL’s biggest mystery | COMMENTARY The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 27-19 win over Vikings Ravens win 3rd straight, 27-19 over Vikings: ‘Starting to hit our stride’ Instant analysis from Ravens’ 27-19 win over Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings, November 9, 2025 | PHOTOS “A [grind-out win], extremely important, especially [because] in our division, we play these types of [close] games a lot,” Jackson said. “Hopefully we’re not in these types of games, but we have to get used to it, get accustomed to it.” Humphrey’s “smoke break” comment was a joke, as the defensive back chuckled right after, but his intent was palpable. “It’s rewarding to play OK and win, that’s great,” Humphrey said. “But the key going forward is getting all three phases playing elite.” On Jackson’s 100th start Sunday, he didn’t have to be at his best, the one pulling the Ravens out of the fire. The defense finally returned the favor. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Ravens players celebrate with safety Malaki Starks, second from right, after his interception Sunday against the Vikings in Minneapolis. (Abbie Parr/AP) View the full article

MINNEAPOLIS — Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position after a 27-19 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Minneapolis: Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 17 of 29 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown and finished with a passer rating of 87.7, but he seemed out of sync with his receivers. Maybe it was because he was sacked and hurried frequently, but his game was off-kilter. It didn’t help that the Ravens dropped several passes, some of which would have resulted in first downs. But Jackson did rush nine times for 36 yards and became a complement to running back Derrick Henry in the second half. Jackson’s lone touchdown pass came with just under 11 minutes left in the game, a 2-yard strike to tight end Mark Andrews. Grade: B- Running backs Henry took over in the second half and finished with 75 rushing yards on 20 carries. He dominated the Vikings and wore them down in the second half as he had 11 carries for 42 yards in the last two quarters. At one point, Henry had seven carries on eight plays in the Ravens’ final scoring drive, which resulted in Jackson’s touchdown pass to Andrews. The Ravens need to remember that as Henry goes, so do the Ravens. They also gave the ball to backup Keaton Mitchell for 31 yards on four carries and caught Minnesota crashing down the line of scrimmage a couple of times. It was a nice changeup from the Ravens. Grade: B Offensive line The Ravens pounded the Vikings with this group in the second half, and they got some nice runs by Henry and Mitchell as Baltimore had 152 yards rushing on 36 carries. The Ravens had 321 yards of total offense. They still struggle in pass protection, though. Maybe, just maybe, this was a turning point for the running game, but the Ravens need to get better at run blocking inside the red zone, which was a weakness in the first half. Center Tyler Linderbaum has improved in recent weeks, but the Ravens failed to pick up a lot of blitzes up the gut, which doesn’t help Jackson. Grade: C+ Receivers I ask this question every week: Did they play? Andrews had three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown, but others made minor contributions — except Zay Flowers, who had four catches for 75 yards, which is OK as long as Henry dominates. Few receivers can impact a game like Flowers, and he is just as good on the outside as well as inside. Few receivers can cut and move like Flowers, especially when running at full speed. Grade: C+ Defensive line The Ravens had a sound strategy up front. If they couldn’t get consistent pressure in the middle, they at least got their hands up and knocked down four J.J. McCarthy passes. A lot of his looks were quick throws, but at least they got in his line of sight. Minnesota had 365 yards of total offense, rushing for 120 on 18 carries, but McCarthy did a lot of damage late in the game, rushing five times for 48 yards. The Ravens got strong games from inside players John Jenkins, Travis Jones and C.J. Okoye, who, incidentally, learned how to play the game on YouTube. His progress had been remarkable, but aside for a couple of Minnesota runs, this group has held up well without two injured starters in Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington. Grade: B+ Linebackers Middle linebacker Roquan Smith finished with six tackles and was all over the field, including putting pressure on McCarthy. That’s a key for this team, which has had problems producing consistent pressure. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo weren’t major factors with no hurries on the quarterback, but the Ravens did get some consistency from outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, acquired last week at the trade deadline. Jones finished with no tackles, but did have two hurries, and it has to be a relief for him going from one of the worst teams in Tennessee to playing for a consistent contender like the Ravens. Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green had two tackles and three hurries, but was enough of a factor to make the Vikings offensive tackles move early for false start penalties during the game. Head games are just as much a part of the game as the physical impact. Grade: B Related Articles Ravens win 3rd straight as defense leads way in 27-19 victory over Vikings Instant analysis from Ravens’ 27-19 win over Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings, November 9, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Vikings live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 27-19 win Ravens in nearly perfect health entering showdown vs. Vikings Secondary The Ravens have gotten better, but can still look so unorganized. In the first half, they had problems in both run and pass defense. They either shrugged or pointed at each other because the cornerbacks had no clue at times. They did give up some big chunk plays at the end of the game, but they were great plays by the Minnesota receivers. The Ravens got away with mugging the Vikings quite a bit in the game, but if the referees allow it, keep doing it. Safety Kyle Hamilton knocked down two passes at the line of scrimmage, and cornerback Nate Wiggins played a smart game, knowing when to press receiver Justin Jefferson or back off. Wiggins finished with seven tackles. Rookie safety Malaki Starks had an interception and is playing a great center field. Nickel cornerback Marlon Humphrey missed a lot of tackles in the first half, but got better in the second and finished with four. He also had an interception. In both cases, Jefferson didn’t run hard for the ball and failed to even track either Starks or Humphrey after the interception was made. Grade C+ Special teams Rookie kicker Tyler Loop bailed the Ravens out in the first half, converting on field goals of 44, 28 and 30 yards. He also had a 22-yarder in the third quarter before a 56-yard attempt went wide left. The Ravens allowed 102 yards on two kickoff returns but did force two fumbles, which helped turn the momentum in their favor. Jordan Stout had five punts for 49.6 yards, and dropped three inside the 20, but he also shanked one at the beginning of the second quarter. But when a rookie delivers in must-win situations, it’s a good thing — and Loop was just about perfect. The Ravens also forced two fumbles on kickoff returns, one of which led to a Loop field goal in the third. Grade: A- Coaching The Ravens were prepared for the loud noise in the stadium and didn’t get penalized once for a delay of game. They matched up with the Vikings physically on both sides of the line of scrimmage and wore Minnesota down in the second half with a lot of Henry. I hope the Ravens remember how they won, but that has been a problem with this team in the past two postseasons. Offensively, they struggled inside the red zone, especially in the first half, because they couldn’t run the ball. It’s that simple. There is less field and not that much room to operate. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr mixed up his game plan well enough to frustrate McCarthy, or at least get pressure on him. Overall, the Ravens are 4-5 and have won three straight, which most of us expected. Because the AFC North is so weak, they will be in contention until the final game of the regular season. The subpar play at least has made the season interesting. Stay tuned. Grade: B Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Tyler Loop made four field goals in the Ravens' win over the Vikings on Sunday. (Abbie Parr/AP) View the full article

MINNEAPOLIS — All season, Ravens coaches and players have preached turnovers. Finally, they’re beginning to see that mantra come to life. On Sunday against the Vikings, rookie safety Malaki Starks had his second interception in as many games, cornerback Marlon Humphrey added another and undrafted rookie free agent safety Keondre Jackson helped force a fumble on a kick return and recovered it to help propel Baltimore to its third straight victory, 27-19, at a raucous U.S. Bank Stadium that drew a little quieter with each one. The win moves the Ravens (4-5) within a game of .500 after beginning the season with five losses in their first six games. More importantly, a defense that had been maligned over the first five weeks of the season seems to be turning the corner and recapturing its swagger. Three of the turnovers that Baltimore caused led to two of Tyler Loop’s four field goals on the day and a 1-yard Justice Hill touchdown run early in the third quarter. Then the defense, along with Derrick Henry (75 yards on 20 carries) and Lamar Jackson (17 of 29 passing for 176 yards and one touchdown; 36 yards rushing on 9 carries), helped salt the game away. But no turnovers were more critical than the two that came in back-to-back possessions to open the second half. With Minnesota (4-5) clinging to a 10-9 lead on its opening possession of the third quarter and facing a third-and-1 from midfield, quarterback J.J. McCarthy aired it out for Justin Jefferson, but the All-Pro wide receiver fell down. Humphrey settled under the ball like a center fielder and easily hauled it in. One play later, Harrison Smith was flagged for pass interference on tight end Isaiah Likely, resulting in a 22-yard gain and an eventual 22-yard field goal by Loop. That gave Baltimore its first lead of the day, one it would not relinquish. On the ensuing kickoff, undrafted rookie free agent returner Myles Price was stripped by linebacker Trenton Simpson and Keondre Jackson with Jackson recovering the ball at Minnesota’s 23. That helped set up the Ravens’ first touchdown six plays later with Hill scoring from a yard out. Once the Ravens had a cushion, the defense began to zero in, and the offense finally got rolling just enough, too. On the Vikings’ next possession, McCarthy’s pass intended for Jordan Addison on fourth-and-2 from Baltimore’s 46 fell incomplete. That eventually led to a Loop 56-yard field goal attempt, but the kick sailed wide left. Will Reichart added a 43-yard field goal on Minnesota’s next series to cut the deficit to 19-13 at the 2:20 mark of the third quarter, but that’s as close as it would be the rest of the way. When Baltimore got the ball back, it leaned on its ground game to grind valuable time off the clock and wear the Vikings down. Henry carried the ball six times for 39 yards, and Jackson completed all three pass attempts, including to Mark Andrews for a 2-yard touchdown that was followed by a 2-point conversion to Rashod Bateman to push the lead to two scores. Still, the Vikings chipped away. McCarthy led a nine-play, 65-yard drive that was aided by a replay assist that overturned an interception by linebacker Roquan Smith and capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor in the back of the end zone with cornerback Nate Wiggins thinking the receiver was already out of bounds. That pulled Minnesota within eight points, but a 2-point conversion attempt — a pass to Nailor — went incomplete. Faced with a fourth-and-4 with 21 seconds remaining, McCarthy’s pass to running back Aaron Jones fell incomplete. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Instant analysis from Ravens’ 27-19 win over Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings, November 9, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Vikings live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 27-19 win Ravens in nearly perfect health entering showdown vs. Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Minnesota? View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 27-19 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10 of the NFL season on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis: Brian Wacker, reporter The Ravens’ defense has finally turned the corner. Baltimore’s three turnovers forced, along with a series of stops on fourth down, helped keep Minnesota in check all day. That was also enough to spark an offense that relied on a combo of Lamar Jackson’s arm, its ground game and Tyler Loop’s right leg. Baltimore’s defense had struggled to produce turnovers the first five weeks of the season but now has seven in the past three games. That’s hard for any opponent to overcome, especially when the Ravens have enough options on offense to help turn those turnovers into points. More importantly, the defense seems to have regained its confidence and swagger and that could bode well for a team that is on the upswing after being on the precipice after six games. Mike Preston, columnist The Ravens gave Minnesota a steady diet of running back Derrick Henry, and that was too much for the Vikings to overcome, especially in the second half. At one point early in the fourth quarter, the Ravens gave the ball to Henry on runs off tackle or on tosses seven of eight plays before quarterback Lamar Jackson eventually threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews. The Ravens were solid on defense, but not spectacular. They did seem to confuse inexperienced quarterback J.J. McCarthy with different looks and blitzes, and they batted down several passes at the line of scrimmage. The second half was vintage Ravens and hopefully that carries over into the second half of the season. Henry has to be unleashed for this team to win, because everything is predicated off the running game. Also, the Ravens did get some help from the officials. It was embarrassing at times. Josh Tolentino, columnist Thank goodness for Tyler Loop, huh? As Baltimore’s offense navigated its second consecutive slow start, the rookie kicker effectively kept the Ravens in the game, scoring the team’s first 12 points. Lamar Jackson and company finally took off in the second half, aided by three takeaways from veteran Marlon Humphrey and rookies Malaki Starks and Keondre Jackson. Given all the hype about the expected raucous road environment, the Ravens handled the deafening noise with a necessary sense of calm, and they especially settled down coming out of the half. The Ravens were penalized just five times compared with Minnesota’s 13 flags. Additionally, the Vikings lost one of their best defensive playmakers, outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard, to a shoulder injury during the third quarter. Meanwhile, Baltimore entered the Week 10 matchup with a clean bill of health and also appeared to escape Minnesota without any significant injury concerns, although Humphrey was absent from the game’s final drive. After they were gashed by the Houston Texans for a season-worst 44 points on Oct. 5, the Ravens have now impressively held four straight opponents to 19 points or fewer while extending their season-long winning streak to three games. Sam Cohn, reporter This game got to the heart of what will buoy Baltimore’s playoff hopes despite that 1-5 start. The Ravens can play mediocre-to-ugly football and still find ways to beat up on overmatched teams — their talent shows eventually, in some fashion or another. For a genuine postseason push, they’ll need to play cleaner by December. But in November, they can struggle on third down and fail to score in the red zone, like they did versus Minnesota. As long as they eventually punch one or two in and maybe force a turnover (or the three that swung Sunday’s win). Divisional bottom feeders won’t bury a slow start. They won’t finish off a comeback either. The Ravens trailed 10-9 at halftime but they probably should have been down two scores. They looked more like the Ravens for much of the second half. And yet, still an arm’s length from the sheer dominance many expected. Related Articles Ravens vs. Vikings, November 9, 2025 | PHOTOS Ravens vs. Vikings live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 27-19 win Ravens in nearly perfect health entering showdown vs. Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Minnesota? Ravens’ reinforced defense faces new test: Justin Jefferson and the Vikings C.J. Doon, editor A win’s a win, no matter how ugly. That’s all that matters right now. It’s strange to be evaluating the Ravens on those terms considering how exceptional they’ve looked in the regular season when Lamar Jackson has been healthy, but this year has been a grind, and today certainly exemplified that struggle. Neither the offense nor the defense brought its “A” game, but both units got the job done. Think of that run by Jackson on a fake tush push by Mark Andrews on third-and-1 in the third quarter to set up Baltimore’s first touchdown. Todd Monken got creative at the right moment, something that’s been painfully missing from the offensive coordinator’s playbook this season. Rashod Bateman responded to his dropped pass in the end zone by catching the next one just short of the goal line. That drive started with a crucial turnover forced not by the defense, but the special teams. Keondre Jackson’s punchout on the kickoff return stole a possession from the Vikings and delivered a huge swing back in Baltimore’s favor as the offense finally converted in Minnesota territory. It’s the type of complementary football that coaches always preach. Give credit to the defense, too, for capitalizing on Minnesota’s mistakes to continue this mini run of takeaways. J.J. McCarthy was too aggressive in forcing throws downfield to Justin Jefferson, and it led to two interceptions. The Ravens scored 13 points off turnovers; they’ll regret settling for field goals, but those are still critical points. And speaking of those field goals, it was smart to take the points rather than chase touchdowns early in the game, which kept Baltimore within striking distance until it could finally pounce. It’s not as if Minnesota was running away with it, up 10-9 at the half. The Ravens let the Vikings beat themselves (13 penalties, yikes) and executed when they needed to. This isn’t the dominant team we’re used to seeing, but it’s good enough to keep stacking wins. Tim Schwartz, editor The Ravens are starting to look like the team we expected them to be heading into the season. Their defense (albeit facing much lesser competition and some lesser quarterbacks) has suddenly turned the corner, and they are finally creating turnovers consistently. The addition of Alohi Gilman has been genius because it frees up Kyle Hamilton to play near the line of scrimmage and wreck the game. He might be the last person a quarterback wants to see creeping toward the backfield before the snap because there are few answers for him. The mental mistakes are becoming less frequent (just one penalty for 5 yards through three quarters), and the offense is keeping Derrick Henry involved, despite lacking some efficiency from the running back. Lamar Jackson missed some throws and still looks slower than he ever has, but he’s still elite and carries this team on his back every Sunday. A .500 record looms in a week with a trip to Cleveland on tap. Bennett Conlin, editor The Ravens look the part of a contending team, beating the Vikings a week after Minnesota overpowered Detroit. Minnesota’s style of play sets up for a grind, and Baltimore embraced it Sunday. The Ravens have won three games in a row, and the upcoming schedule sets up beautifully for a longer winning streak. There was a time during the 1-5 start where this team looked like anything but an AFC contender. But Baltimore could realistically be 6-5 entering its prime-time tilt on Thanksgiving vs. the Bengals. Ravens fans should be optimistic about this team’s trajectory after a solid win Sunday, especially since Zach Orr’s defense went from looking like a sieve to a brick wall in a matter of weeks. The Ravens are one of the scariest teams in the AFC, regardless of what the current record says. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) hurdles over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) near the goal line in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (3), safety Malaki Starks (24) and safety Alohi Gilman (12) celebrate a stop in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) celebrates a defensive stop on fourth down in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) celebrates a defensive stop on fourth down in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) short of a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) can't pull in a pass in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens celebrate a fumble recovery against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) intercepts a pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) defends a pass against Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) celebrates a first down in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar (88) carries against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes under pressure from Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Taven Bryan (58) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) carries past Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) on a pass reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop, left, celebrates his field goal with teammates in the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop (33) kicks a field goal in the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens safety Malaki Starks (24) celebrates his interception against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens safety Malaki Starks (24) celebrates his interception against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens linebacker Mike Green (45) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) avoids being tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs) Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (34) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens place kicker Tyler Loop (33) kicks a field goal in the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8)m passes against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) carries against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) pulls in a pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) pulls in a pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) pulls in a pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) carries against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) carries past Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) celebrates a first down reception against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) drops a pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) carries for a first down against Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) carries ahead of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo (90) runs off the field in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) View the full article

The Ravens (3-5) take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis looking to continue their two-game winning streak. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis. View the full article

The Ravens will enter Sunday’s showdown against the Vikings in Minnesota in rare form. After two straight days of nary a name on Baltimore’s injury report, the only players listed Friday were cornerback Marlon Humphrey (finger) and left tackle Ronnie Stanley. But Stanley’s absence from practice was for a rest day and Humphrey was a full participant, so the Ravens have no players on the 53-man roster in doubt for what will be a critical interconference contest for both teams. “A healthy team is a good team, and your best ability is your availability,” said linebacker Roquan Smith, who returned two games ago after missing nearly a month because of a hamstring injury. “So, it’s about just continuing with that and just going out and being ourselves throughout the week and echoing that into the weekend on Sunday.” While the Ravens are healthy, they are of course still without a few notable players. Defensive tackle Nnadmi Madubuike has been out since suffering a season-ending neck injury Week 2. Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson broke his foot in Week 6 and is expected to be out until at least next month. Defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. recently underwent Achilles surgery and it’s unclear if he’ll be back this season. Among the moves the Ravens made to fill in some of those holes included trading for safety Alohi Gilman and outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, who is expected to make his debut for Baltimore this week and could also play on the interior of the defensive line given his size and versatility. They also signed veteran defensive end Carl Lawson to the practice squad and it’s possible that he could be elevated for Sunday’s game. Baltimore (3-5) is looking to win its third straight after victories over the Chicago Bears and then the Miami Dolphins, while Minnesota (4-4) is coming off a 27-24 upset of the Lions in Detroit and only slightly more banged up. The Vikings ruled out nickel cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion) and former Ravens tight end Josh Oliver (foot). Running back Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder/toe), meanwhile, is listed as questionable, as is safety Theo Jackson (concussion). Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens vs. Vikings staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Minnesota? Ravens’ reinforced defense faces new test: Justin Jefferson and the Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings scouting report for Week 10: Who has the edge? Ravens Week 9 high school football Coaches of the Week Ravens’ defense looks like it’s turning a corner: ‘Have to keep showing up’ View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 10 game between the Ravens and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis: Brian Wacker, reporter Vikings 24, Ravens 23: The biggest concern for the Ravens will be how their offense handles the myriad blitzes from defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Forget about the 2021 loss to the Miami Dolphins when Flores was the coach — that was four years ago and Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s offense have come a long way since. Still, outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, along with defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen and linebacker Blake Cashman, will likely present all sorts of problems for a Baltimore offense line that has struggled in pass protection this year. Jackson has been elite against the blitz this year and in recent ones, but he hasn’t seen one quite as effective as Minnesota’s. On defense, Baltimore has allowed just two 100-yard receivers, but Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are also the best duo they’ve faced to date. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s mobility could also be a problem, especially if the Ravens struggle to contain the edge. Then there’s the noise. This one will be tight most of the way, but Minnesota will eek out the victory. Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 28, Vikings 23: It’s going to be loud at U.S. Bank Stadium. Harbaugh called it one of the nosiest places in the league. But Roquan Smith argued that it’s “only as loud as you allow it to be.” And this Ravens team, riding a two-game win streak acting more like the confident but not complacent group that has won them games in recent years, should be an even cleaner version of who they’ve been since the bye week. Here are two keys to a Baltimore win, both of which are feasible: Don’t let Justin Jefferson run rampant and don’t let Brian Flores’ funky blitz package stall out the offense. The Ravens won’t be perfect at either, but they’ll do enough to pull within one game of .500. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 27, Vikings 24: This is a really tough game to pick because Minnesota played so well a week ago in beating the Lions, 27-24, in Detroit. The Vikings have two really good top receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and they have their starting quarterback returning in J.J. McCarthy, who will be playing for the second straight game after returning from an ankle sprain. The Vikings’ defense played well despite allowing 305 yards of total offense against Detroit, sacking Lions quarterback Jared Goff five times. Minnesota will blitz Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson a lot, and the outcome might be decided on how well the Ravens’ offensive line can pick up the stunts and games the defense plays up front. Even with McCarthy, I’m not sure if the Vikings know how to win yet, while the Ravens have been in this situation before. Baltimore hasn’t done well in the postseason the past two or three years, but they have managed to win crucial games late in the season. Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 24, Vikings 21: This feels like the toughest matchup to pick all season. The Vikings are coming off a close upset win over Detroit at Ford Field, and now they return home to host a surging Ravens team. Baltimore’s offense is finally humming, fresh off Lamar Jackson’s AFC Offensive Player of the Week performance at Miami. Even when things weren’t clicking early offensively against the Dolphins, coordinator Todd Monken and Jackson combined for impressive back-to-back touchdown scoring drives coming out of the half to put things out of reach. They’ll likely need a quicker start to have a chance to extend their win streak to three games against Minnesota’s Brian Flores-led defense. Jackson looked sluggish against an assortment of blitz looks earlier in the season, but who knows exactly when his previously injured hamstring started to bother him. He’ll need to be on top of his game to decipher Flores’ exotic looks and will the Ravens to victory. Defensively, if the Ravens win the takeaway battle and make life tough for quarterback J.J. McCarthy in just his fourth NFL game, Baltimore should walk out with its third straight win. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 23, Vikings 20: This game got a lot more interesting after what we saw in Week 9. Lamar Jackson’s return predictably got the Ravens’ offense humming again, while J.J. McCarthy helped lead Minnesota to an upset victory over Detroit in his first game back from an ankle injury. Don’t overlook what McCarthy — or his alter ego “Nine” — means to this Vikings team. He was a winner at Michigan and has shown plenty of moxie in his first few NFL starts. But grit and hustle alone won’t will his team over a Ravens squad that can’t afford any more slip-ups. The Vikings need Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to torch the Ravens’ secondary and hope that Baltimore’s pass rush remains stagnant despite the additions of Dre’Mont Jones and Carl Lawson. Both teams are on the rise of late, so this one could come down to the wire. Related Articles Ravens’ reinforced defense faces new test: Justin Jefferson and the Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings scouting report for Week 10: Who has the edge? Ravens Week 9 high school football Coaches of the Week Ravens’ defense looks like it’s turning a corner: ‘Have to keep showing up’ Ravens players remember late Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 27, Vikings 21: With Lamar Jackson healthy over the past 12 months, the Ravens have only lost games to Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts and Russell Wilson. Wilson’s Steelers scored just 18 points in that 2024 win. I don’t care how good Minnesota’s defense is under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but the Ravens aren’t losing to J.J. McCarthy in his first season as an NFL starter. I’m oversimplifying this game, but I’m not taking McCarthy’s team over Jackson’s in many (or any) situations. Baltimore should win Sunday, and a loss would be a significant cause for concern. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 27, Vikings 20: Lamar Jackson didn’t play his best against the Dolphins and still threw four touchdown passes in a lopsided win. He’s the ultimate difference-maker, especially in Baltimore. He showed he’s healthy and ready to help the Ravens make a run, and when he plays at his best, it doesn’t really matter the opponent (especially in the NFC). The Vikings have a strong pass defense that is allowing fewer than 200 yards per game, but they aren’t striking fear in opponents, despite how they fared against the Lions. J.J. McCarthy is still unproven. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr would be wise to scheme up some pressure early. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 31, Vikings 24: This will be the second game back with Lamar. The Ravens can carry their momentum from their Thursday night win into this week. Jackson said that he is treating every game like it’s a must-win playoff game. I’m holding him to that. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

As far as Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr is concerned, sixth-year Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson has “seen every type of coverage you can run at him.” He’s also perhaps the best at his position in the sport in Orr’s view. “So we just gotta mix it up, not let him get a bead on what we’re doing, not let him wreck the game, make sure we always have awareness where he’s at,” Orr said Thursday. Statistically, Jefferson is not having a historic or even dominant year. His 649 receiving yards rank fifth in the NFL. His 47 receptions are 12th most. He has just two touchdowns, which is tied for 61st. Still, he has the ability to be prolific. He is not the only weapon, either, with third-year receiver Jordan Addison and veteran tight end T.J. Hockenson often benefitting from the attention Jefferson draws. Baltimore’s defense has also had its problems this season. The Ravens have allowed just two 100-yard receivers this season — Keon Coleman (8 catches, 112 yards) in a Week 1 collapse against the Buffalo Bills and Rome Odunze (7 catches, 114 yards) in a Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears. But opposing offenses have often had their way, with Baltimore ranking 24th in points allowed per game (27), 27th in yards per game (373.6) and 28th in passing yards per game (250). Yet, in their past three games — two of them wins over the Miami Dolphins and Bears with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams before that — the defense has stiffened, allowing just 13 points per game. What has been the key to that turnaround? “I think that it’s the mindset approach that no matter what is going on, it’s to move on to the next play,” Orr said. “I love the mindset that our guys have right now. They took ownership of that. They’re going out there playing the play. They’re moving on to the next play.” Last week was perhaps the best example yet. Five times, the Dolphins got down to at least the Ravens’ 31-yard line, with three of those drives reaching inside the 20. Baltimore held them to two field goals and forced one of two turnovers on the night in a 28-6 victory at Hard Rock Stadium. When it comes to stopping Jefferson, that assignment will likely mostly fall to Nate Wiggins. The second-year cornerback has covered opponents’ top receiver just over 30% of the time this season and he has racked up two interceptions to go with five pass breakups. Of course, Minnesota (4-4) is not Miami, which has been one of the worst teams in the league this season. Related Articles Ravens vs. Vikings staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Minnesota? Ravens vs. Vikings scouting report for Week 10: Who has the edge? Ravens Week 9 high school football Coaches of the Week Ravens’ defense looks like it’s turning a corner: ‘Have to keep showing up’ Ravens players remember late Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland The Vikings have been inconsistent with ugly losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers. But they’re also coming off an impressive 27-24 win over the Lions in Detroit, in which they pressured and pestered quarterback Jared Goff throughout. A pass rush is something Baltimore will also need to slow down Jefferson and mobile quarterback J.J. McCarthy. So far, that’s been a struggle. The Ravens rank just 23rd in pass rush win rate and their 11 sacks are tied for the second-fewest in the league ahead of only the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 10. But reinforcements have been added. Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, the Ravens traded with the Tennessee Titans for outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones. They also late last month signed veteran defensive end Carl Lawson, who could be elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game, and traded for safety Alohi Gilman, which has freed up versatile safety Kyle Hamilton to move around the field. Jones, meanwhile, has been on a heater, with 4 1/2 sacks in his past four games. He also spent 2023 and 2024 with the Seattle Seahawks and last season worked in a similar defensive system under former Ravens defensive coordinator and current Seattle coach Mike Macdonald. Orr likes Jones’ versatility to play on the interior defensive line, too, which is something he did earlier in his career. “I think for us, the good thing about versatility is we could hunt matchups; the best matchup that suits him,” Orr said. “I anticipate he’ll line up more in the interior for us than he did in Tennessee.” That could be a boost to a defensive line that has been without tackle Nnamdi Madubuike since he suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2. Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson makes a reception for a touchdown over Lions cornerback Amik Robertson during Sunday's win in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski) “I definitely believe that interior pressure is everything when it comes to pressuring the quarterback,” Orr said. “Because you can win cleanly on the edge, but if the quarterback is able just to step up, then your rush on the edge means nothing in reality. So, [with] interior push, you can ask probably any quarterback in the league, they don’t like when the pocket’s getting pushed in their face, and they can’t step up and move around.” It should help, too, that Baltimore is healthy, with all 53 players on the roster fully practicing this week amid a blank injury report. Now the only question after two straight wins over the Bears and Dolphins — two teams going in the wrong direction — is whether Baltimore keep it going against a more-talented Minnesota team that has one of the game’s best receivers. “Every game in the league is a tall task,” linebacker Roquan Smith said. “But at the end of the day, it’s about what you do, and that’s our focus — going out and doing what we do. Yes, [we have] respect for them, but at the end of the day, you have to be yourself.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens are riding a two-game win streak heading into yet another must-win, can’t lose. That’s the norm for a 3-5 team trying to climb back into playoff contention. At 1 p.m. on Sunday, they’ll face the Minnesota Vikings (4-4) at U.S. Bank Stadium — which coach John Harbaugh called one of the toughest environments in the NFL. Who will have the advantage in this cross-divisional matchup? Ravens passing game vs. Vikings pass defense One errant pass to the feet of Rashod Bateman was enough for Lamar Jackson to realize, and rid, the rust of a month off from football. He said that third-down try in Week 9 ticked him off. By the second half in Miami, Jackson was on his way to a performance worthy of AFC Offensive Player of the Week. That’s the 14th time he’s received the honor, which is third most among active players. Jackson completed 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards with four touchdowns in a crucial win. When the two-time Most Valuable Player is healthy and playing like himself, few defenses are capable of slowing him down. Minnesota looked like they might belong in the minority after an impressive showing in Detroit. The Vikings sacked quarterback Jared Goff five times and hit him 11 more, both season highs. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores made life tough for a fringe top-10 quarterback by forcing him to get rid of the ball quicker than he’s comfortable. Quicker than Goff has had to in a single outing since his rookie year. Flores did the same thing to Jackson in 2021 when he was coaching in Miami. Four years later, that’s where Jackson thrives. When the pocket closes, Baltimore’s magician is at his best. EDGE: Ravens Vikings passing game vs. Ravens pass defense J.J. McCarthy used to walk around Michigan with a sharpie smiley face drawn on his hand. He was the jovial, playmaking quarterback and won a national championship that way. When the Vikings drafted him 10th overall in 2024, he brought that persona with him. Then injuries sidelined McCarthy for 23 of his first 26 games. He ditched the smile for a new villainous alter ego. He calls him, “Nine,” after his jersey number. “I chose to harness [my anger] instead of letting it go into a self-destructive kind of way,” he explained. It yielded a winning effort last week, albeit not an earth-shattering stat line. McCarthy completed 14 of 25 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He wasn’t much of a threat with his legs, outside of one rushing score, and fumbled once. But “Nine” injected new life into a team that upset the mighty Lions. As for the Ravens defense, consider two things: They have allowed only two receivers to eclipse 100 yards in a game (Chicago’s Rome Odunze and Buffalo’s Keon Coleman). Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson is the best receiver they will have faced all season. He has the fifth most yards of any receiver in the NFL on the fewest receptions in that Tier 1 group. Jefferson will make life difficult but “Nine” would have to turn it up to 10 or 11 to win a shootout. EDGE: Vikings Ravens running game vs. Vikings run defense Harbaugh called this the turning point play in Baltimore’s win over Miami: Jackson scampered through the middle of the pocket into open grass, picking up 13 yards to convert a third-and-medium. Jackson’s first game back from injury stabilized what had been an otherwise shaky sector of Baltimore’s offense. There were times Derrick Henry did things only Hall of Famers can do. And other times when the lack of blocking and subpar air raid made it easy for defenses to key in on Henry. The quarterback’s legs keep the defense honest when he might hand it off and having fullback Patrick Ricard healthy means another blocker to kick the door down. Those three have shared the field one time this season and it produced 150 yards on the ground. But the Vikings, as Henry said, “give you a lot of different looks. They do a lot of different blitzes, and [they have a lot of] movement in the run game. They just throw a lot at you try to get you flustered, and you’ve just got to focus in and worry about executing, and we’ll be fine.” The Vikings had their best showing last weekend. Detroit’s run game — Sonic and Knuckles — was a nonfactor. David Montgomery took 11 carries 40 yards and Jahmyr Gibbs managed just 25 on nine attempts. EDGE: Ravens Vikings running game vs. Ravens run defense Vikings running back Aaron Jones is one of the NFL’s premiere backs when he’s healthy and on the field. He hasn’t been much of that this season, appearing in four games, held out by injuries. His best performance was a nine-carry, 78-yard outburst versus Detroit — his only showing above 25 yards in a single game thus far. He’s still chasing his first touchdown of the year, too. Jones did not practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday, which means he’s likely questionable for Sunday. His backup, Jordan Mason, is tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns with four, two fewer than Henry, and is averaging 52.4 yards per game. Baltimore’s run defense was a point of contention for most of this season but they’ve been sharper in recent weeks – surging from one of the league’s worst in yards allowed on the ground per game to 21st. They’re allowing 4.45 yards per play, which ranks 22nd. Much of that is a credit to the health of linebacker Roquan Smith and bringing Kyle Hamilton into the box after having added safety Alohi Gilman. EDGE: Vikings Ravens special teams vs. Vikings special teams Amidst the rollercoaster of Baltimore’s offense and defensive showings this season (both have steadied since the bye week), Chris Horton’s special teams unit has been a source of consistency. Kicker Tyler Loop has been near perfect. Punter Jordan Stout is having a career year. And safety Keondre Jackson earned his way onto the 53-man roster with five tackles in three games. Related Articles Ravens vs. Vikings staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Minnesota? Ravens’ reinforced defense faces new test: Justin Jefferson and the Vikings Ravens Week 9 high school football Coaches of the Week Ravens’ defense looks like it’s turning a corner: ‘Have to keep showing up’ Ravens players remember late Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland Menwhile, a special teams highlight helped decide Minnesota’s upset in Detroit. Levi Drake Rodriguez blocked a fourth-quarter field goal, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Vikings kicker Will Reichard is perfect from within 50 yards and his season long is 62. EDGE: Ravens Ravens intangibles vs. Vikings intangibles Sunday’s game is the first time we’ll see a post-trade deadline version of these two teams. The 4-4 Vikings didn’t make any changes, after injuries forced their hand the last three trade deadlines. But a healthy roster after nine weeks left them comfortable standing pat. Baltimore, on the other hand other hand, addressed a pertinent need — albeit less than some fans hoped. The Ravens signed Carl Lawson in late October. He could make his debut on Sunday. They also traded a conditional fifth-round pick for Tennessee’s Dre’Mont Jones, who’s coming off a four-game heater totaling 4 1/2 sacks and will play on a tight turnaround. Deadline moves won’t decide this matchup but it will be interesting to see how Baltimore deploys the new guys. EDGE: Ravens Prediction It’s going to be loud at U.S. Bank Stadium. Harbaugh called it one of the nosiest places in the league. But Roquan Smith argued it’s “only as loud as you allow it to be.” And this Ravens team, riding a two-game win streak acting more like the confident but not complacent group that has won them games in recent years, should be an even cleaner version of who they’ve been since the bye week. Here are two keys to a Baltimore win, both of which are feasible: Don’t let Justin Jefferson run rampant and don’t let Brian Flores’ funky blitz package stall out the offense. The Ravens won’t be perfect at either, they’ll do enough to pull within one game of .500. Ravens 28, Vikings 23 Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. 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 9: Tackle football Jason Budroni, St. Mary’s: Budroni’s Saints are hot at the right time, riding a four-game winning streak into the playoffs. That streak includes a shootout win over Loyola Blakefield, a double overtime thriller over Calvert Hall and was capped with a dominant win over rival, Severn, on Halloween. St. Mary’s will square off against McDonough in this weekend’s MIAA A Conference playoffs. Girls flag football Brian Sweene, Linganore: Sweene is in his third season leading Linganore, and the Lancers are headed back to the state tournament for the second consecutive year. The Lancers were Frederick County runners-up and 2A/1A West Region champions after knocking off Boonsboro and Damascus on Tuesday. Linganore will play in the state semifinals Friday at M&T Bank Stadium. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. Related Articles Ravens vs. Vikings staff picks: Who will win Sunday in Minnesota? Ravens’ reinforced defense faces new test: Justin Jefferson and the Vikings Ravens vs. Vikings scouting report for Week 10: Who has the edge? Ravens’ defense looks like it’s turning a corner: ‘Have to keep showing up’ Ravens players remember late Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland View the full article

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline featured a few blockbuster deals amid a flurry of moves by teams. The Ravens were not among them. As 4 p.m. came and went, they stayed put without any additional moves, their lone deal in the past 24 hours being the acquisition of veteran outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones from the Tennessee Titans for a conditional 2026 fifth-round draft pick — a pick that would turn into a fourth-rounder if Jones has two sacks the rest of the regular season and Baltimore makes the playoffs. The New York Jets, meanwhile, made the biggest splash, sending two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round draft picks and second-year wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Then they made another one, unloading three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in return for a first- and second-round pick. The latter was a player Baltimore perhaps could have used for a defensive line that lacks depth and production after tackle Nnamdi Madubuike was lost for the season following Week 2 with a neck injury. But general manager Eric DeCosta likes to hoard draft picks and clearly believed the prices being asked for any players he was potentially interested in were too high. The Ravens are currently slated to have seven draft picks and could get two additional compensatory picks in the fifth round. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones unsurprisingly had a different take and thought it was worth it for a three-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro who has racked up 40 sacks in seven seasons (albeit just one so far this year). DeCosta, by contrast, made smaller moves. On Saturday, Baltimore sent little-used cornerback Jaire Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Last month, outside linebacker Odafe Oweh was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers last month in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman that included a draft pick swap, a move that has allowed the Ravens to return to the three-safety looks they prefer to move safety Kyle Hamilton all over the field but also cost them a pass rusher. That the Ravens didn’t address needs along the interior of the defensive and offensive lines, however, was at least mildly surprising, especially amid one of the busiest NFL trade deadlines in three decades. With Madubuike out and Broderick Washington having recently undergone surgery for an Achilles tendon “issue,” according to coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens remain thin up front. Travis Jones and John Jenkins have been getting the bulk of the work, with only Taven Bryan and C.J. Okoye to spell them. How significant an impact Jones has also remains to be seen, though he at the very least provides depth to a unit that was thin and lacking production after Oweh was dealt and Tavius Robinson broke his foot last month and is expected to be out at least six to eight weeks. Related Articles Instant analysis from Ravens’ 2025 trade deadline moves Maryland close to full allocation for M&T Bank Stadium upgrades 5 things to know about Ravens’ new edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones Ravens trade for Titans OLB Dre’Mont Jones, give up conditional 5th-round pick READER POLL: Will Maryland men’s basketball make the NCAA Tournament? The Ravens dressed just three outside linebackers in each of the past two games and no player on the roster had more than 1 1/2 sacks. Their 11 sacks are also the second-fewest in the NFL behind only the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 10. Still, per Pro Football Focus, Jones ranks 48th out of 93 edge rushers in win rate on true pass sets. He joins a group that includes veteran Kyle Van Noy, rookie first-round pick Mike Green and fourth-year pro David Ojabo, all of whom rank even lower. Baltimore is also likely to elevate veteran defensive end Carl Lawson from the practice squad this week, which could provide another boost. The 30-year-old has 32 career sacks across seven seasons, which included five in 15 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year. On offense, guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele have struggled, particularly in pass protection. Rookie third-round draft pick Emery Jones could be ready to contribute soon, but after missing all of spring and summer because of a shoulder surgery, he’s still unproven. There also weren’t a lot of offensive linemen dealt Tuesday — struggling guard/tackle Trevor Penning was the only one moved, getting dealt from the New Orleans Saints to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick after L.A. lost starting left tackle Joe Alt to a season-ending ankle injury this week. Yet, with more than $13 million in salary cap space and holes to fill, it was surprising that the Ravens didn’t do more. Newly acquired outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones ranks 48th out of 93 edge rushers in win rate on true pass sets. (AP Photo/Stew Milne) Other options also included possibly trading one or more of their two dozen impending free agents. Instead, they’ll move forward with the roster at hand, though they could still make another move or two. Any player that is released is subject to waivers. Before the deadline, that only applied to players with fewer than four accrued seasons. With the Ravens sitting at 3-5, they have one of the higher priorities in the pecking order. Three moves Baltimore did make Monday included releasing second-year safety Sanoussi Kane, signing undrafted rookie safety Keondre Jackson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and signing tight end Scotty Washington to the practice squad. Those decisions came after Kane, a 2024 seventh-round draft pick out of Purdue who was a core special teamer each of his first two years, was a healthy scratch the past two games. Jackson was out of practice squad elevations after being elevated for special teams each of the past three games. Kane appeared in 21 games for Baltimore, mostly on special teams with 465 snaps to go with 34 defensive snaps. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article