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For a moment, Ravens coach John Harbaugh blushed, nervous there might be some leaked footage of his reaction to the Browns upsetting the Steelers. Harbaugh jumped for joy. How could he not? The Ravens were playoff long shots for much of this year. In a 24-hour span, his team rose from the dead, winning a crucial bout in Green Bay on Saturday then getting the shocking result few anticipated a day later, which sets up a win-or-go-home regular season finale in Pittsburgh. “Everybody was jumping around and fired up and happy,” said Harbaugh, his team suddenly within arm’s reach of becoming the AFC North’s first three-peat division champs. Harbaugh invited coaches and players over to his house to toil through that emotional rollercoaster together. On a video posted by the team from the visiting locker room at historic Lambeau Field, Harbaugh promised to provide water, Gatorade and protein cookies for anyone interested. “We had fun but it was also a nail-biter,” Harbaugh said. It was a nail-biter by the end, but a sluggish affair for the better part of the afternoon. Viewership might have plummeted had the game not been gift wrapped by playoff implications. Or enlivened by an anecdote about Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley phoning Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the wee hours of the morning to, as Sanders said, “speak life into me.” Sanders barely did enough. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. He also threw two interceptions. The win that saved Baltimore’s chances at an improbable opportunity to sneak into the playoffs came down to the final minutes. Harbaugh’s eyes stayed on the TV for a good chunk of that game. But at times, even he couldn’t bare to watch. With about seven minutes to go, Pittsburgh had the ball near midfield and went three-and-out. The Steelers got the ball back with two minutes left, still in need of a touchdown to win. Aaron Rodgers threw a quartet of incomplete passes and the ball was back with Cleveland. The Browns went three-and-out and kicked a field goal to make it 13-6, meaning the Steelers needed a touchdown and point-after to tie or two-point conversion to win. Win the game and their first division title since 2020. Rodgers would have one more shot at the kind of late game heroics he built a Hall of Fame career on. Harbaugh and his team watched the same thing we did: CBS Sports color commentator and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo insisting that situation is why the Steelers signed a now 42-year-old Rodgers. He drove Pittsburgh the length of the field, arriving inside the 10-yard line with 30 seconds left. Rodgers proceeded to throw three incomplete passes, the last of which was a fourth-down try against Cleveland’s best defender that never stood a chance. The reaction at Harbaugh’s house? “It was uncorked, man,” he said. “It was raucous. A lot of hugging.” Related Articles Josh Tolentino: Start Huntley? Jackson must finish Ravens’ season. | COMMENTARY Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s availability for Steelers showdown is uncertain Patriots win AFC East, Ravens stay alive and 49ers will battle Seahawks for No. 1 seed in NFC Mike Preston: The Ravens have life. Thank the mediocre NFL. | COMMENTARY Browns prevent Steelers from clinching AFC North with 13-6 win Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar posted on social media that watching Sunday’s matinee had him more nervous than any game he’s played in. That post came hours after he jokingly encouraged someone to call Myles Garrett “overrated,” hoping to light a fire under the future Hall of Fame pass rusher. Several other players posted to social media embracing their newfound, short-lived fandom. Harbaugh slipped out of coach mode for that game. He acted like every other Ravens fan watching what he described as “a great example of AFC North football.” He complained about play calls and criticized clock management. They even got superstitious. When the Browns executed on a string of positive plays early in the game, someone told Harbaugh he wasn’t allowed to move from the seat he was sitting in for fear that some cosmic being might interfere if the coach’s butt touched a different cushion. By sunset, the Browns had won. The Ravens live to see another week. “We’re appreciate of the opportunity it affords us,” Harbaugh said. “And it’s our job right now to prepare for it.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

Take a bow, Tyler Huntley. The sixth-year veteran backup quarterback certainly earned it. With the season in the balance, Huntley stepped into a must-win moment Saturday night and delivered. He played within the structure of the offense and trusted Baltimore’s necessary game plan of leaning on Derrick Henry during the team’s 41-24 victory at Green Bay. Huntley’s defining sequence featured his command of a 12-play, 85-yard march that was capped by his sharp 10-yard completion to Zay Flowers. Baltimore’s longest drive displayed Huntley at his best — decisive, poised and in control. John Harbaugh graded Huntley’s performance an “A+++.” The Ravens’ only two victories over winning teams (Chicago and Green Bay) this season have occurred with Huntley as the starter. Against the Packers, he also added a dynamic element Baltimore hasn’t consistently had at quarterback this year; Huntley had eight rushes for 60 yards, including the team’s first 20-yard quarterback run of the season. Huntley’s latest performance has sparked debate ahead of Sunday night’s winner-take-all trip to Pittsburgh: With the AFC North title and a playoff berth at stake, should the Ravens ride the hot hand? Former Ravens and longtime Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe posted Sunday on X: “Some might see this as a hot take, but IF* I’m the Ravens, I’m going with Huntley as my starter. King Henry getting at least 30 carries more IF* needed.” A recent email from one Baltimore Sun subscriber reads: “Regardless of what Lamar’s teammates say … without a doubt it’s time to move on from Lamar. I truly hope Huntley starts again Sunday for the Ravens, he has a quicker release then Lamar and can run faster then Lamar at this point. This organization has to be totally honest for once and rid themselves of a cancer that will continue to drag this franchise down.” It’s a fair question — and the wrong answer. Sure, Huntley was steady and deserving of praise. But even in a down year, this remains Jackson’s team. And if he is healthy enough to play, he must start the most important game of the season. Jackson suffered a back contusion during the team’s Week 16 loss to the Patriots. He did not practice all last week, was listed as doubtful and ultimately ruled inactive before kickoff against Green Bay. Ahead of Week 18 at Pittsburgh, the Ravens are scheduled to hold their first of three practice sessions on Wednesday, when clarity on Jackson’s availability should surface. On Monday, coach John Harbaugh labeled Jackson’s status for Sunday night’s game as “to be determined.” “He’s coming off a very serious injury,” Harbaugh said. “He’s working at it. I saw him here today working at it. I think we’ll know a lot more Wednesday. … If Lamar’s ready to go, he’s playing.” It really should not be that complicated. Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s availability for Steelers showdown is uncertain Patriots win AFC East, Ravens stay alive and 49ers will battle Seahawks for No. 1 seed in NFC Mike Preston: The Ravens have life. Thank the mediocre NFL. | COMMENTARY Browns prevent Steelers from clinching AFC North with 13-6 win Ravens to play Steelers for AFC North title on ‘Sunday Night Football’ Mamba Mentality is a phrase often used by many professional athletes, including several inside the Ravens’ locker room. Superstars don’t sit out winner-take-all games when they’re healthy enough to play. Even if his mobility is compromised by multiple lower-body injuries amid a down season, Jackson is still the Ravens’ best option at quarterback. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is a far superior downfield passer than Huntley, particularly against a Steelers’ pass defense that ranks 29th in the NFL. Of course, the game plan shouldn’t change. Todd Monken’s play sheet must revolve around Henry, with an emphasis on physicality and controlling the line of scrimmage. Following his career outing at Green Bay, Henry is now up to 1,469 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season. The future Hall of Fame halfback needs just two more rushing touchdowns to set a new single-season career high. The Steelers are bound to create at least a couple of negative plays, but Monken and Harbaugh must express patience and stick to the team’s identity. The Ravens also inevitably will face critical downs, such as third-and-longs, and Jackson provides the offense the best chance in those situations during a de facto playoff game. “We’re playing a division championship game on Sunday, that’s what we’re doing the last week of the season,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a meaningful thing. We’ve worked hard to get to this position. There’s a lot of different paths in football and life. This is the path of the 2025 season. Here we are. Our goal is to make the most of it.” There’s also an organizational reality that can’t be ignored. Jackson is the highest-paid player in franchise history, carrying an average annual salary of $52 million. You do not sit a player of his stature in a division-clinching, season-defining game, no matter how well the backup and Jackson’s close friend performed in his absence. Huntley has done exactly what Baltimore needed him to do. He commendably protected the football and kept the season alive. Now, if Jackson is healthy enough, the responsibility returns to him in the NFL’s highly anticipated Game 272. The Ravens are chasing their third consecutive division title, a playoff berth and a chance to make up for a season that’s been widely defined as a massive disappointment. This unprecedented stage — Sunday night will mark the first time Baltimore and Pittsburgh will meet in the regular-season finale with the AFC North at stake — is meant for the franchise quarterback. Take a bow, Huntley. Then hand the huddle back to Jackson and let the Ravens live with the choice that gives them their best chance to win. 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

Will he or won’t he? Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s status for Sunday night’s win-or-go-home game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh is still uncertain six days ahead of the showdown for the AFC North crown, coach John Harbaugh said Monday in Owings Mills. Jackson, 28, suffered a back injury after getting kneed by Patriots safety Craig Woodson in the second quarter of the Week 16 loss to New England. He hasn’t practiced since, and whether he will be able to play in the regular season finale is still to be determined. “He’s coming off a very serious injury and he’s working at it,” said Harbaugh, who added that Jackson was at the team’s facility rehabbing on Monday. “I think we’ll know a lot more on Wednesday.” Harbaugh did say that the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has made significant progress physically since last week, however. “It was not good at all early in the week and he improved as the week went on,” he said. “That was cause for optimism.” Should Jackson not be able to take the field, it would mark the fifth game this season and second in a row he has missed because of injuries. He also missed three games earlier this season because of a hamstring injury. Other injuries have piled up, too, including to his knee, ankle and toe, resulting in Jackson missing at least one day of practice each of the past nearly two months. Tyler Huntley, who helped the Ravens to a must-win 41-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday night to keep their playoff hopes alive, would start for the third time this season if Jackson does not play. He also started in Week 8, leading Baltimore to a 30-16 victory over the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium. In five appearances this season, Huntley has completed 77.6% of his passes for 426 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 151 yards on 24 carries. Jackson, meanwhile, has had an inconsistent campaign at best. In 12 games this year, he has completed just 63.7% of his passes, his lowest mark since 2022 and the second-lowest completion percentage of his career as the full-time starter. He has also thrown just 18 touchdown passes after a career-high 41 last season and his 192.6 passing yards per game is also his lowest average since 2022. Related Articles Patriots win AFC East, Ravens stay alive and 49ers will battle Seahawks for No. 1 seed in NFC Mike Preston: The Ravens have life. Thank the mediocre NFL. | COMMENTARY Browns prevent Steelers from clinching AFC North with 13-6 win Ravens to play Steelers for AFC North title on ‘Sunday Night Football’ 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 41-24 win over the Packers He has not been as dynamic with his legs, either. Jackson has rushed just 63 times for 340 yards, his 5.3 attempts per game easily the lowest average of his career by nearly three carries per contest. His two rushing touchdowns are also the fewest in his eight years, while his 5.4 yards rushing per attempt is his lowest mark since his rookie season. Still, despite Huntley’s success and Jackson’s struggles, there’s little question who will get the start if the latter is healthy enough. “If Lamar’s ready to go, he’s playing,” Harbaugh said. “That’s it, for sure.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

By ROB MAADDI The Patriots became the fourth team to clinch a division title, the Browns kept the Ravens alive and the 49ers moved closer toward a No. 1 seed. There’s plenty left to be settled before the NFL’s playoff schedule is set. Twelve of the 14 playoff berths have been secured and four teams are battling for the final two spots. Both No. 1 seeds are up for grabs and there could be two winner-take-all games in Week 18. New England (13-3) routed the Jets 42-10 on Sunday and later clinched the AFC East title when the Bills lost to the Eagles 13-12. The Patriots completed a worst-to-first turnaround under first-year coach Mike Vrabel. The NFC North champion Bears also went worst to first this season. Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers missed an opportunity to lock up the AFC North, losing 13-6 at Cleveland. Now, the division championship comes down to the final game when Baltimore (8-8) visits Pittsburgh (9-7). The winner advances; the loser is eliminated. That’s likely the scenario when Carolina (8-8) plays at Tampa Bay (7-9) next Saturday. If the Falcons lose or tie the Rams on Monday night, the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup will be winner-take-all. If Atlanta (6-9) wins its final two games, the Panthers are in the playoffs regardless of what happens against Tampa Bay because they hold the three-team tiebreaker. San Francisco’s 42-38 victory over Chicago set up a showdown against Seattle next Saturday night for the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed. The Broncos (13-3), Patriots, Jaguars (12-4), Texans (11-5), Chargers (11-5) and Bills (11-5) have secured playoff spots in the AFC. The Seahawks (13-3), Bears (11-5), Eagles (11-5), 49ers (12-4), Rams (11-4) and Packers (9-6-1) are heading to the NFC playoffs. Here’s the updated playoff picture: AFC East New England won its first division title since Tom Brady led the franchise to 11 straight from 2009-19. The Patriots would secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win over Miami and a loss or tie by Denver against the Chargers or a tie against the Dolphins and a loss by the Broncos. Buffalo’s run of five consecutive division crowns ended, but the Bills will be the No. 5, 6 or 7 seed. AFC North The Steelers beat the Ravens 27-22 at Baltimore on Dec. 7. They have to beat them again or tie them next Sunday night without wide receiver DK Metcalf and probably without star edge rusher T.J. Watt. Derrick Henry and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley led the Ravens to a win at Green Bay on Saturday night that kept Baltimore in the race and made Pittsburgh’s loss to Cleveland matter. Lamar Jackson’s status is unknown for the do-or-die game against the Steelers due to a back injury. AFC South Jacksonville wins the division with a win or tie against the Titans or a loss coupled with Houston losing or tying the Colts. The Texans would win the division with a victory over the Colts and a loss by the Jaguars. AFC West The Broncos have already won the division, ending Kansas City’s nine-year run. Denver can secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win against the Chargers or a loss by New England to Miami. Los Angeles will be the No. 5, 6 or 7 seed. NFC East The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles became the first team to win this division in consecutive seasons in two decades. They’ll be the NFC’s No. 2 or 3 seed. NFC North The Bears clinched their first division championship since 2018. They will be the No. 2 or 3 seed. The Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed. NFC South The Panthers beat the Buccaneers 23-20 at home last week. They missed a chance to clinch the division by losing 27-20 to Seattle. Tampa Bay’s 20-17 loss to Miami means the Bucs need the Falcons to lose to the Rams or Saints in order to have a shot at winning their fifth straight division crown. Atlanta is already eliminated, but the Falcons give the Panthers a tiebreaker edge over the Buccaneers if the three teams finish 8-9. The Buccaneers hold a two-team tiebreaker advantage over Carolina. NFC West The 49ers beat the Seahawks 17-13 in Week 1. If they beat them again, San Francisco will earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Niners could become the third team to play for a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Seattle secures the division title and the No. 1 seed with a win or tie against the 49ers. The Rams will be the No. 5 or 6 seed. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl View the full article

The Pittsburgh Steelers waited until near the end of the season to fold, but they pulled the predictable in losing, 13-6, to the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday. With the loss, the Ravens now travel to Pittsburgh for the final game of the regular season next weekend with the winner claiming the AFC North title. You knew this was going to happen. The NFL has become the WWE, and the script for the final game of the 2025 regular season will probably be played out before a national audience. The Ravens will win. In fact, they might even embarrass Pittsburgh. The Steelers will be without top receiver DK Metcalf, who will be serving the second of a league imposed two-game suspension for an altercation with a fan in Detroit, and top defensive end T.J. Watt will be slowed recovering from a lung injury. With no Metcalf, the Steelers don’t have anyone who can challenge the Ravens’ cornerbacks on the outside. Regardless, this hasn’t been a strong showing by the NFL this season. The games haven’t been entertaining, and downright embarrassing at times because of the quality of play and injuries to star players. I prefer those days when Green Bay was the dominant team of the 1960s, and Pittsburgh ruled the 1970s followed by San Francisco in the 1980s and Dallas a decade later. But the NFL salary cap, initiated in 1994, created this parity and insanity. There will be no Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs or even Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, who had become household names. There are still some established signal callers such as Buffalo’s Josh Allen, but make way for Denver’s Bo Nix, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, the Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud and the New England Patriots’ Drake Maye. Related Articles Browns prevent Steelers from clinching AFC North with 13-6 win Ravens to play Steelers for AFC North title after Browns stun Pittsburgh 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 41-24 win over the Packers Josh Tolentino: Derrick Henry saves Ravens, but what took so long? | COMMENTARY Ravens QB Tyler Huntley delivers with season in balance: ‘What you need’ As for the quality of play, it’s been super boring, and Cleveland’s win against Pittsburgh has become the standard. There really aren’t 32 good quarterbacks in the NFL, which is a major reason the Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers, 42, and the Indianapolis Colts added Philip Rivers, 44, to their roster. But it goes along with the flow of the league. The poor teams in 2024 got a weaker schedule in 2025, as the Patriots went from 4-13 a year ago to 13-3 this season while the Chicago Bears jumped from 5-12 to 11-4 and the Jaguars improved from 4-13 to 12-4. That’s parity, but the preference is for good evaluations of talent, drafting and schematics. The NFL is in topsy-turvy state. Just look at the Ravens. They started this season with a 1-5 record courtesy of injuries and a strong schedule, but now they have a shot at the playoffs. To complicate matters, there is uncertainty surrounding the status of quarterback Lamar Jackson (back contusion) and whether he will play next weekend or possibly be held out for the postseason if the Ravens beat Pittsburgh. In all honesty, it’s a sign of how the league has fallen when a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player can miss four games and his team still has a shot at the postseason. It’s good in one way, not so good in the other. The eventual demise of the Steelers had to come soon. In 2024, they lost their last four games of the regular season before falling to Baltimore, 28-14, in the wild-card round. The Ravens will do a number on Pittsburgh again in Week 18. Rodgers looks lost without Metcalf. Plus, in the past two games, the Ravens’ brain trust has finally figured out that they need to run super closer Derrick Henry, who rushed 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns against Green Bay on Saturday night in a 41-24 victory. Imagine that. It’s been like getting former Ravens coach Brian Billick to transfer to “the dark side” before the team’s 2000 title run. The Ravens’ defense is still very suspect. They were ranked 30th before the Green Bay game, and they still have problems as far as coverage and rushing the quarterback one week before the regular season finale. The Ravens will struggle against some of the better quarterbacks in the conference, but at least now they have a shot. It might be one-and-done in the postseason, but there are no super teams anymore. Every good team in the AFC has a weakness, and that’s what has made the 2025 regular season one of the strangest in NFL history. And the Ravens still should make the playoffs. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. The Ravens' defense struggled to stop Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis on Saturday night. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) View the full article

CLEVELAND — Shedeur Sanders threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, Cleveland’s defense kept Pittsburgh out of the end zone and the Browns held on for a 13-6 victory on Sunday, preventing the Steelers from clinching the AFC North. Pittsburgh (9-7) came into the weekend needing either a win or loss by Baltimore for its first division title since 2020. Instead, the Steelers will host the Ravens to close the regular season with the winner getting the division title and the AFC’s fourth seed in the playoffs. The Browns (4-12) ended a four-game losing streak, along with a seven-game skid in division games. It is the first time since Dec. 10, 2009, that the Browns defeated the Steelers and held them without a touchdown. Cleveland scored on its first two possessions and jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Sanders completed 17 of 23 passes, including a touchdown and two interceptions as he improved to 2-4 as an NFL starting quarterback. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. scored a touchdown for the third time in four games and Andre Szmyt had two field goals, including one from 33 yards that put the Browns up 13-6 with 1:40 remaining. Pittsburgh got the ball at its 35 after a touchback. Rodgers got the Steelers to the Browns 11 in four plays, including completions of 29 and 11 yards to tight end Pat Freiermuth. A 3-yard completion to Adam Thielen on first-and-10 got the Steelers to the Browns 7, but Rodgers was unable to connect with Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the next three plays. Denzel Ward blanketed Valdes-Scantling on a pass to the right corner of the end zone on fourth-and-7 with 17 seconds remaining as Pittsburgh turned it over on downs. Myles Garrett was held without a sack for the first time in 10 games. He remains at 22 and needs one against Cincinnati next week to surpass Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt for the single-season NFL mark. The Browns scored on their opening possession for the second straight game on Szmyt’s 50-yard field goal. After Pittsburgh went three-and-out, Cleveland got into the end zone on the ensuing series when Fannin caught a 28-yard TD pass from Sanders to make it 10-0. Fannin adjusted his route as the ball hung in the air. He caught it at the 1 before rolling into the end zone with 5:11 remaining in the first quarter. Fannin aggravated his groin injury on the play and was ruled out for the rest of the game. Fannin originally suffered the injury during Friday’s practice. The Steelers closed within 10-6 at halftime on a pair of field goals by Chris Boswell. Pittsburgh appeared to go three-and-out on its second drive, but Cleveland’s Rayshawn Jenkins was called for taunting. Boswell connected from 44 yards early in the second quarter to put the Steelers on the board. He added a 40-yard field goal on the last play of the first half. Boswell was short on a 54-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter after Alex Wright sacked Rodgers for a 5-yard loss at the Browns 36 on third-and-14. Second guessing Pittsburgh wasted a prime scoring chance with 2:46 remaining in the first half when it turned it over on downs at the Cleveland 22 when Rodgers wasn’t able to connect with Scotty Miller on a pass to the end zone on fourth-and-1. The Steelers drive started at the Browns 31 when rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer, who went to Ohio State, picked off Sanders’ pass at the Pittsburgh 42 and returned it 27 yards into Cleveland territory. Injuries Steelers: TE Darnell Washington (forearm) left in the second quarter. Browns: Besides Fannin, G Wyatt Teller aggravated a calf injury in the first quarter. G Tevin Jenkins suffered a concussion during the fourth quarter. Up next Steelers: host Baltimore next weekend Browns: at Cincinnati to finish the season. View the full article

The Ravens are still alive, and they have the city and organization from which they were spawned from 30 years ago to thank for it. Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders called Baltimore backup quarterback and former Cleveland teammate Tyler Huntley on Sunday morning, perhaps seeking some sage advice as he prepared to take on the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the penultimate week of the NFL regular season. Then he went out and threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, while Cleveland’s stifling defense held the Steelers out of the end zone as the Browns pulled off an improbable 13-6 upset win at Huntington Bank Field for what was just the fourth win of the season for Cleveland. More importantly for the Ravens (8-8), it means they still have a chance to make the playoffs. They will play the Steelers (9-7) next weekend in Pittsburgh, where the winner will be crowned AFC champs and advance to the playoffs and the loser will go home wondering what went so shockingly wrong. Though the Ravens already lost to the Steelers earlier this season, if they beat Pittsburgh for a season split, they would win their third straight division title via tiebreaker after finishing one game better against common opponents. It also marks the first time in the long and storied history between the teams that they will meet in a winner-take-all scenario in the final week of the regular season. This latest opportunity for the Ravens only even became possible because of their emphatic 41-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday night to stay alive. Derrick Henry rushed for 216 yards and a career high four touchdowns on 36 carries, also a career high, while Huntley — filling in for the injured Lamar Jackson, who was out with a back injury — played what coach John Harbaugh called an “A-plus-plus” game in what was his second start of the season, both Ravens wins over above-.500 teams. “It was just a heart-defining win is what that was,” Harbaugh said afterward. “I am very proud of these guys, very grateful for this game [and] very grateful for this win. “I just think the belief on this football team is at a level that I’ve never really seen before, because we’ve been through a lot. It just makes my heart soar to see that and to see how these guys respond, how they’re there for one another, how they fight for one another, how they run the ball for one another; that’s what a team should be.” Still, the Ravens had to wait until the following afternoon to learn their fate. Harbaugh offered to host players for a watch party at his Owings Mills house. Henry said that he planned to watch the game and pray. Tight end Charlie Kolar wrote on X of the Browns and their star pass rusher, “Someone in the Browns locker room go tell Myles Garrett he’s overrated and there’s absolutely NO WAY he gets to 30 sacks today.” Garrett and Baltimore native Jim Schwartz’s defense then did its part, and so did Sanders, whom the Ravens were reportedly interested in selecting in the fifth round of this past April’s NFL draft before the quarterback made it known that he wanted to go somewhere he could play rather than be a backup to Jackson. Now thanks to them, Jackson has a chance to return for what will be one more meaningful regular season game with Baltimore looking to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021, when Jackson was unable to finish the regular season because of a season-ending ankle injury. Jackson’s availability for Week 18 remains uncertain. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 41-24 win over the Packers Josh Tolentino: Derrick Henry saves Ravens, but what took so long? | COMMENTARY Ravens QB Tyler Huntley delivers with season in balance: ‘What you need’ NFL playoff picture: Ravens stay alive, Bears and Broncos clinch division titles The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 41-24 win over Packers This season has been a tumultuous one in a different way for the Ravens. Favored to win the Super Bowl going into the year, they stumbled to a 1-5 start and endured underwhelming performances, injuries, discord among some players in the locker room and questions over coaching and play calling. None of that matters now, though, after the Browns beat the Steelers in Cleveland for the fourth straight time. The Steelers’ latest loss there came with star pass rusher T.J. Watt out because of a partially collapsed lung suffered earlier this month and their top two receivers, suspended star DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, who suffered a hamstring injury last week. What the availability of most of that group will be next week remains to be seen, but Pittsburgh will at least be without Metcalf for another game after he lost an appeal over a two-game suspension for getting into an altercation with a fan during last week’s win over the Lions in Detroit. It’s a significant blow for what is has been an up-and-down offense. The last time the Steelers played the Ravens, Metcalf had a team-high seven catches for 148 yards. Now the teams will meet again with much more at stake. “We have a bunch of fighters in this room [and] in this organization that refused to give up,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said Saturday night. They’ll get to prove it at least one more time. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

For at least a few more hours, the Ravens’ razor-thin playoff hopes remain alive. They beat the Packers, 41-24, in what coach John Harbaugh called a “heart-defining win;” one that may not matter by Sunday at dusk. Here are five things we learned from the game: Derrick Henry affirmed what we already knew: He should have gotten the ball. He knew it. They knew it. We all knew it. “Oh, I got it today,” Derrick Henry laughed behind a tired exhale. His workload has been a point of contention lately. Last week, with their season on the line and superstar quarterback sidelined by injury, the Ravens left their future Hall of Fame running back stashed in the holster. Henry, one of the NFL’s all-time closers, was on the sideline for the final eight offensive plays of Baltimore’s fourth-quarter collapse against the Patriots. A few weeks prior, in a Thanksgiving night loss, he logged just 10 carries. Both losses proved body blows to Baltimore’s playoff hopes and elicited a week’s worth of criticism wondering why. It might have come too late, but the Ravens finally learned their lesson. They gave him the ball. On Sunday night at historic Lambeau Field, Henry played with what looked more like bottled up frustration, unleashing his powers on a depleted Packers defense to the tune of — sit down for this — four touchdowns and 216 yards on 36 carries, all season highs. “It’s one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen,” Harbaugh said. Henry now holds the NFL record for most 200-yard performances (7). He leap-frogged Tony Dorsett for sole possession of 10th place on the NFL’s career rushing leaderboard. He moved to No. 4 all-time in rushing touchdowns. The list goes on. The Ravens force-fed Henry. With Lamar Jackson out (back), they needed to. He was a revelation. At halftime, Packers coach Matt LaFleur told Peacock sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen that the Ravens “big boyed us” and “that’s about as bad as we can play.” Henry was the catalyst in an older-brother-style tormenting. Most importantly, he was the closer Baltimore needed. The fourth quarter was his most productive frame, turning nine carries into 70 yards and a touchdown. “I might be a little sore tomorrow, but I’m built for it,” Henry said. “This is what I train for.” Harbaugh admitted the Ravens were “intentional” about committing to the run. It was a “main deal” during the week’s preparation. Perhaps that’s because Green Bay ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed the past month (so did New England). Or because of the blowback for not utilizing Henry last week. Either way, it prolonged Baltimore’s season – for now. Tyler Huntley was a more than serviceable understudy Jackson grabbed a foam cheese grater, a popular prop for teams who outduel the cheeseheads, and crowned backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. Tight end Isaiah Likely let Huntley savor the moment before he grabbed the grater and ordained Henry, who admirably shredded Green Bay’s defense. Henry gifted it back to Huntley, a show of recognition for the fill-in quarterback who kept the train on the tracks. Harbaugh graded the performance an A+++. “It couldn’t have been any better,” he said. “I just thought he had some clutch plays – the kind of plays that you have to make.” Baltimore’s game plan didn’t complicate the offense. Huntley wasn’t called on to take deep shots or pilot solo hero missions. The Ravens were playing a game with their season down to its final breath, absent their two-time Most Valuable Player at quarterback, who Harbaugh said is dealing with a “legitimate and very painful” back contusion, and they got more than they could have hoped for from Huntley. Related Articles Josh Tolentino: Derrick Henry saves Ravens, but what took so long? | COMMENTARY Ravens QB Tyler Huntley delivers with season in balance: ‘What you need’ NFL playoff picture: Ravens stay alive, Bears and Broncos clinch division titles The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 41-24 win over Packers Ravens ride Derrick Henry to 41-24 win over Packers to keep playoff hopes alive The 27-year-old career backup resuscitated hope by throwing for 107 yards, completing 16 of 20 passes. He was “stone cold,” tight end Mark Andrews said. Huntley efficiently used his arm and legs to keep the offense on schedule. Twice on crucial third-downs, he scrambled ahead of the sticks. One of which put the Ravens on the fringe of the red zone in the fourth quarter. Five plays later, he’d connect his best strike of the night: a 10-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers. Huntley noticed one-on-one man coverage pre-snap. “I knew once he ran that crisp route, I could just let it rip,” Huntley said. That was a defining fourth-quarter score, erecting a two-score lead by capitalizing on the kind of drive the Ravens have repeatedly failed to this season. Huntley’s other third-down conversion set the Ravens up with first down, 25 yards from the end zone, in the game’s waning minutes. Henry took care of the rest. Huntley wasn’t so sure when exactly he was told he’d be starting in place of the injured Jackson. But Huntley handled first-team reps all week and proved ready, like he did his last start in Week 8, to maintain the integrity of this Jenga tower offense. The Ravens didn’t punt until after halftime. They scored points on seven of eight drives, albeit against a troubled Packers defense, while chomping considerable bites of clock. And they didn’t turn the ball over once. “He was tremendous, holy smokes,” center Tyler Linderbuam said. “The way he came out today and the way he performed, he got us out of some really critical situations and made a lot of plays. That’s what you need. “When ‘L’ is down, we have to have someone step up and fill that role. ‘Snoop’ did a tremendous job tonight, and we have the most confidence in him.” This Ravens defense was believed to have turned a corner. They could never fully contain playoff teams in prime time. The Bills hung 41. The Lions bludgeoned their way to 38. The Bengals had few issues reaching 32. The Patriots muscled two fourth-quarter scoring drives to get to 28. And the Packers, piloted by a nifty backup quarterback, still burnt them in the passing game for 24. Harbaugh said after the fact that it was “shocking” to see how “discombobulated” the pass defense looked trying to slow down Malik Willis. “It was just crazy ‘how-did-this-happen’ kind of plays,” he said. Those aforementioned showings are a damning sample size of prime-time games. Baltimore’s only outlier was a Thursday night beatdown against the Dolphins in late October. It’s not just when stadium lights flick on. Entering Sunday, the Ravens ranked 31st in the NFL in defensive performances against playoff teams. Even against a playoff-bound Packers team without multiple offensive starters, including quarterback Jordan Love (concussion), the Ravens didn’t have many answers for Green Bay’s air raid. That was clear from the jump. Packers quarterback Malik Willis runs for a touchdown against the Ravens. Baltimore's defense struggled to slow down Green Bay's backup quarterback. (Morry Gash/AP) On the Packers’ first play from scrimmage, Willis dropped a perfect throw into Romeo Doubs’ mitts 40 yards upfield. The next snap not blown dead for a penalty saw Willis connect with a streaking Christian Watson for a no-doubt, 39-yard touchdown. The Ravens had just chewed eight minutes on a scoring drive. The Packers punched back in 70 seconds courtesy of Willis’ two longest passes of the year. Willis, who left early after aggravating a shoulder injury, went on to rush for two touchdowns. He picked on Ravens cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey in particular. Willis completed six of seven throws of 20-plus air yards. He was a perfect two for two between 10 and 20 yards. “I have to give Malik Willis a lot of credit,” Harbaugh said. “We had him [under pressure] in the pocket numerous times, and he got out and made plays. That’s probably the biggest thing. All those things are things that they had to overcome, and I’m glad we did finally at the end.” The Ravens did clock two turnovers. Neither was particularly impressive. The first, a Mike Green fumble recovery, was aided by a mistimed snap that smacked off Willis’ facemask and fell to the grass. The other, a throw from practice squad quarterback Clayton Tune that skipped through Bo Melton’s hands and Humphrey picked it out of the air. “We were a little on our heels,” Harbaugh said. “I thought it was led by [Roquan Smith] and Kyle [Hamilton] and those guys; they did a good job of kind of taking a deep breath, took a breath, got it figured out and started playing a little better.” To beat the Steelers’ starters and — if they do sneak into the postseason — win a playoff game, they’ll need to truly turn that corner. Ravens tried something new in electing to receive Conventional wisdom has long suggested the team who wins the opening coin toss elect to defer. Best case scenario, that team can position itself to have the ball last before halftime and first after the break. Before Sunday, 10 of the Ravens’ opponents have scored points on their opening drive this season. Six of them started with the ball. The Ravens, who generally defer to the second half, won the coin toss and surprisingly decided to take the ball. “We don’t always do that,” Harbaugh said, after the fact. The Ravens have spent a large chunk of this season playing from behind. Be it early or late in games, the clock has rarely been their friend. Harbaugh said his decision to take the ball first was twofold: “It was to try to get the lead, and I thought we could do it, but also the wind, because that wind was howling in that one direction down there, so the bonus to that was we would have the wind in the fourth quarter at our back for Tyler Loop if we needed it.” Ravens coach John Harbaugh speaks to reporters after Saturday's 41-24 win over the Packers. Harbaugh and Baltimore elected to receive the opening kickoff, a piece of strategy that paid off in the 17-point win. (Matt Ludtke/AP) It was about 36 degrees at kickoff in Green Bay but felt below freezing. Harbaugh thought by leaning on their ground game, they could manufacture points early and play with a lead. Then later, if it came down to it, use the wind to their advantage. On Baltimore’s opening drive, the Ravens marched 80 yards on 13 plays. Henry was responsible for a bulk of that production. It took eight minutes and five seconds, their longest scoring drive of the season. But it worked, injecting early juice in a game they desperately needed it. By halftime, the Ravens were winning the time of possession battle by more than a quarter. Green Bay scored with about 90 seconds remaining before halftime. But the Ravens answered in quick succession, a seven-play touchdown drive that put them up two scores. Huntley called it a “key” momentum swing, knowing the Packers would get it back after the break. “We got the time of possession today that we hadn’t had in other games sometimes,” Harbaugh said, “so I am just really proud of that. I think that’s the difference.” Now, we wait The Steelers and Browns meet Sunday at 1 p.m. in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens’ season rides on a game they’ll be watching on TV. If the Browns win, Baltimore will have squeaked its way into a Week 18 clash of epic proportions. Expect that to be flexed into a prime-time slot with the AFC North title at stake. If the Steelers win, Week 18 will not matter; the Ravens’ season will be over, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. “I’m trying to make it out of here so I can call [Browns quarterback] Shedeur [Sanders] real quick,” Huntley joked, “make sure he can get it done.” Added Henry: “I’ll be watching and praying for sure.” And Harbaugh: “It’s out of our control, we understand that. But we did our part.” The Ravens put themselves in this situation. They’ll spend Sunday hoping the Browns can help dig them out. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

GREEN BAY, Wis. — At some point Saturday evening, as Derrick Henry kept getting the ball and the Packers kept failing to stop him, the question turned from, “Can the Ravens keep doing this?” to “Why hasn’t this been the plan all along?” Henry repeatedly answered it with brute force and physicality. After his fourth and final touchdown, Henry climbed into the stands for a deserved Lambeau Leap, boosted upward by an offensive line that had helped author his career night. A handful of disgruntled Packers fans, including one that exuded the double bird, seated near the front row of the south end zone, shoved back. Henry grinned anyway with his arms extended, soaking in his moment. With their backs against the wall and Lamar Jackson sidelined, the Ravens handed the keys to the King and watched him dismantle the Packers into submission. Henry touted the ball a career-high 36 times for 216 yards, powering Baltimore to a 41-24 victory that kept its playoff hopes alive for at least one more day. His performance was pure dominance, smash-mouth football. It raised an unavoidable follow-up: What took so long? This was only the fifth game all season in which Henry finished with more than 20 carries. Too often this season, including last Sunday’s loss to New England, the Ravens drifted away from their most physically imposing playmaker. In this late-season contest, they finally stopped getting in their own way and unleashed Henry with no regret. “It’s one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen,” coach John Harbaugh said of Henry. “Hard, downhill running, but also a lot of ‘make [them] miss.’ He’s taking it inside; he’s taking it outside.” Against a Packers defense built on speed and tackling at the second level, Henry forced a whopping nine missed tackles. Late in the second half, Henry flung cornerback Carrington Valentine aside with his signature stiff arm. According to Next Gen Stats, Henry recorded his fourth career game with 100-plus rushing yards inside and outside the tackles. He’s the only player in the Next Gen Stats era to accomplish such a feat in one game. After he abandoned Henry multiple times this season, coordinator Todd Monken committed to his horse in a do-or-die Week 17 intraconference showdown. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley had a commendable outing, but make no mistake, this was Henry’s show. The Ravens dominated time of possession, 40:16 to 19:44. “They throw big people at us; we throw big people right back at them,” center Tyler Linderbaum said. “It just comes down to who wants it more.” Playoff-bound Green Bay apparently didn’t want it. Coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged as much, saying the Packers were “babied” by the Ravens. The Packers had no intentions of wanting to bring down Henry. Even when they did, they came down hobbled and bruised. Saturday night belonged to the King. “Derrick Henry is a beast,” tight end Mark Andrews said. “He’s one of one. It’s really just a joy to block for him. He’s so fast. He’s so physical. He’s tough to bring down one-on-one.” Henry shredded the cheese. The defense, meanwhile, again showed why Baltimore is clinging to hope instead of controlling its destiny. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 41-24 win over the Packers Ravens QB Tyler Huntley delivers with season in balance: ‘What you need’ NFL playoff picture: Ravens stay alive, Bears and Broncos clinch division titles The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 41-24 win over Packers Ravens ride Derrick Henry to 41-24 win over Packers to keep playoff hopes alive The Ravens entered Week 17 with the NFL’s 30th-ranked defense and lived up to its billing for long stretches. Green Bay barely ran the ball, yet backup quarterback Malik Willis picked Baltimore apart, completing all but three passes for 288 yards and a touchdown with a passer rating of 134.6. It wasn’t until Willis exited with a shoulder injury that the Ravens finally strung together consistent stops. “We played OK,” veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. “We have to play better, and we will next week. We have a high standard, and that wasn’t our standard fully tonight. Grateful the offense was able to do their thing … but collectively, we all have to get better.” Sadly, there isn’t much time to get better. This wasn’t a complete performance the Ravens have been searching for all season. It was a lopsided one, overpowering in one phase and poor in another. That specific imbalance is why even a win this emphatic doesn’t fully restore order. “We’ve got a bunch of fighters in this room,” Andrews said. “Obviously this isn’t a spot we wanted to be in.” Refusing to give up is admirable. It’s also the bare minimum for a roster this talented, Andrews acknowledged. After a night that showcased their power and muscle, Baltimore eagerly waits. The Ravens need the Browns to beat the first-place Steelers on Sunday afternoon to maintain a shot at the division title next weekend at Pittsburgh. “I’ll be watching and praying [for a Browns win], for sure,” Henry said. “I’m going to pray as soon as I get on the plane, when I get home, when I wake up. Hopefully we get blessed with the opportunity to play for something in Week 18.” Hoping and praying for external factors wasn’t exactly part of the plan when the season kicked off. But here the Ravens are, rooting for Cleveland and rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (who reportedly did not want to be drafted by Baltimore), watching two of their division rivals battle it out with hopes their season gets one more breath. It sure feels like a strange place to reside for a team capable of this kind of late-season dominance that was on display at Lambeau Field. Truthfully, Baltimore’s season has felt fragile since October. Was Saturday evening just a delayed ending? “At the end of the day, whatever [coaches] present, we have to be able to run the ball and pass the ball,” Linderbaum said. “Obviously, as an O-lineman, you want to run the ball every single time when we have Derrick Henry back there. But whatever [coaches] give us, at the end of the day, if a run play is called, we have to impose our will. If a pass play is called, we have to protect our balls off.” The Ravens and Henry reminded fans what they look like when they stop overthinking. The lingering frustration is that it took a Lamar Jackson absence and a season on life support for the Ravens to finally lean all the way into their identity. Week 17. Everything on the line. Derrick Henry banner game. This type of performance shouldn’t have required desperation. What took so long? Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Ravens running back Derrick Henry rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday's 41-24 victory over the Packers. Henry carried the ball 36 times, tying a career high. (Matt Ludtke/AP) View the full article

It wasn’t Lamar Jackson who started one of the Ravens’ best offensive performances. No, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player didn’t lead them to 41 points at Green Bay on Saturday night, tied for the team’s most this season. Baltimore piled up 414 yards of total offense, its third most this season. It was Tyler Huntley. While Huntley wasn’t the focal point of the offense amid Derrick Henry’s 216-yard, four-touchdown performance in the 41-24 win over the Packers, the Ravens still needed him. He gave the offense exactly what it has been missing this season. He protected the ball, passed with efficiency, delivered one of the Ravens’ best rushing performances by a quarterback this season and once again steadied the offense. For coach John Harbaugh, that added up to an “A-plus. A-plus. Give [Tyler Huntley] two pluses on top of that — maybe three.” “It couldn’t have been any better,” Harbaugh added. The win keeps the Ravens’ season alive — at least for a few more hours. Henry joked with Huntley postgame that he might need to call Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders next, with the Ravens needing Cleveland to beat Pittsburgh to force what would be an AFC North championship game next week in Pittsburgh. “I’m trying to make it out of here so I can call Shedeur real quick,” Huntley joked in his postgame availability. “Need to make sure he can get it done.” More information should be known about Jackson’s availability on Monday. But the quarterback didn’t practice at all this past week, which could force Huntley into another must-win game. Obviously, Jackson is the preferred starting option. But would Huntley filling the role be terrible news for Baltimore? The sixth-year quarterback completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards against Green Bay. He added one passing touchdown in the fourth quarter to Zay Flowers. Not exactly flashy, but no turnovers. Huntley doesn’t have a turnover this season in two starts and two other appearances. Jackson turned it over in four of his past six starts. Huntley’s 60 rushing yards Saturday — the most by a Ravens quarterback since the season opener when Jackson ran for 70 — added a rushing threat that has largely been missing from Jackson’s game for much of the season. Huntley had Baltimore in control last week before a double-digit fourth-quarter lead slipped away. It’s also been Huntley’s best year statistically. He’s recorded his best completion percentage, yards per attempt, passer rating and QBR. He ended the Ravens’ four-game skid in October with a 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears, giving the Ravens their first victory in more than a month. He threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, ran for 53 more, and jump-started a five-game winning streak that pulled Baltimore back into postseason contention. On Saturday, he did it again. “We got all the trust in the world in ‘Snoop’,” center Tyler Linderbaum said. “He got us out of some really critical situations and made a lot of plays. That’s what you need.” Asked about Huntley’s command, Linderbaum didn’t hesitate: “Tremendous. I mean — holy smokes.” Related Articles NFL playoff picture: Ravens stay alive, Bears and Broncos clinch division titles The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 41-24 win over Packers Ravens ride Derrick Henry to 41-24 win over Packers to keep playoff hopes alive Instant analysis from Ravens’ 41-24 win over Packers in Week 17 Ravens vs. Packers live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 41-24 win Henry said that Huntley had been ready all season, noting their conversations during the week and joking that Baltimore needed the “Hallandale Snoop” from Huntley’s high school days — a version Henry said showed up once the game began. “It wasn’t [any] surprise to me,” Henry said. “‘Snoop’ has been preparing for this the whole season, and it just shows that work he’s put in.” Huntley downplayed the pressure of the game Wednesday, framing the week as another must-win driven by preparation rather than circumstance. Postgame, Huntley pointed to Henry’s downhill running and the offense’s execution as the tone-setters. Huntley also called it a “blessing” just to be on the field. Cut by Cleveland in the offseason, he opened the year on Baltimore’s practice squad and wasn’t even the Ravens’ primary backup. He sat behind Cooper Rush. Now, after delivering again when his number was called, Huntley might have played himself into a larger role — and a bigger payday — in Baltimore or elsewhere this offseason. “Just situationally, over the years, I’ve been thrown in there a couple of times,” said Huntley, who is now 7-9 in 16 career starts. “[I am always] just preparing myself during the week. That’s why I think I’ve gained the most confidence, just trying to down the playbook and then just be ready for it.” Huntley said that he’s prepared if he has to start again next week in Pittsburgh. He’s been in that situation before. And when the Ravens have needed him, he’s delivered. If Cleveland wins and Jackson remains sidelined, Baltimore will need it one more time. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley looks to throw during Saturday's win over the Packers. Huntley threw for 107 yards and ran for another 60 yards in the 41-24 victory. (Mike Roemer/AP) View the full article

The Chicago Bears have gone worst to first. The Bears clinched the NFC North title when the Ravens beat the Packers, 41-24, on Saturday night. A year after going 5-12, Chicago is 11-4 under rookie coach Ben Johnson and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Baltimore (8-8) stayed alive in the AFC playoff race with the victory. Earlier Saturday, the Texans secured a third straight playoff berth under coach DeMeco Ryans with a 20-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Texans eliminated Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) in the process and stayed in the race for a third consecutive AFC South title. The loss by the Chargers (11-5) allowed Denver (13-3) to clinch a division that was owned by the Kansas City Chiefs for the past nine seasons. The Broncos became the second team to earn a division title, joining the NFC East champion Eagles. Twelve of the NFL’s 14 playoff spots are now locked up, and three teams have secured division titles. The Eagles (10-5), Bears, Seahawks (12-3), 49ers (11-4), Rams (11-4) and Packers (9-6-1) are in the NFC playoffs. The Panthers (8-7) and Buccaneers (7-8) are battling for the final playoff spot. The Broncos, Patriots (12-3), Bills (11-4), Jaguars (11-4), Chargers and Texans have clinched AFC playoff spots. The Steelers (9-6) and Ravens (7-8) are fighting for the remaining berth. Here’s an updated playoff picture: AFC East New England clinches with a win over the Jets and a loss or tie by Buffalo, or a tie against New York and loss by the Bills. Buffalo would clinch with victories over Philadelphia and the Jets if the Patriots lose to either the Jets or Dolphins. Related Articles The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Grades for 41-24 win over Packers Ravens ride Derrick Henry to 41-24 win over Packers to keep playoff hopes alive Instant analysis from Ravens’ 41-24 win over Packers in Week 17 Ravens vs. Packers live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 41-24 win Packers QB Jordan Love ruled out vs. Ravens with concussion AFC North The Steelers clinch with a win or tie against the Browns. The Ravens would clinch if Pittsburgh loses to Cleveland and they beat the Steelers in the final game. AFC South Jacksonville clinches with wins over Indianapolis and Tennessee, or one win and a loss or tie by Houston next week. The Texans can win the division with a victory over the Colts next week and one loss by the Jaguars against Indianapolis or the Titans. AFC West The Broncos clinched the division and can secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed this weekend if the Patriots lose and the Bills lose or tie and the Jaguars lose or tie. NFC East The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles became the first team to win this division in consecutive seasons in two decades. They’ll be the NFC’s No. 2, 3 or 4 seed. NFC North The Bears clinched their first division championship since 2018. They could secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed with victories over San Francisco and Detroit and one loss by Seattle. The Packers are locked into the No. 7 seed. NFC South Carolina clinches with a win over Seattle and a loss or tie by Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers clinch with victories over Miami and the Panthers in the final two games. NFC West The Seahawks clinch the division with a victory over Carolina and a loss or tie by the Rams and a loss or tie by the 49ers, or a tie against the Panthers and losses by the Rams and 49ers. The 49ers would clinch the division and the No. 1 seed if they beat the Bears and Seahawks in their final two games at home. The Rams still have a path to a division crown, but must finish with a better record than both Seattle and San Francisco. View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position in their 41-24 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin: Quarterback Tyler Huntley played within the offense. He came out early and threw short timing patterns to get in sync, and he stayed with them most of the game. He also ran several times up the middle on quarterback draws and caught the Packers without a spy in the middle of the field. Huntley completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown and finished with a passer rating of 105.6. Combined with the superb running game, he was the near perfect complement. Grade: B Running backs Running back Derrick Henry controlled the pace of the game, and he dominated Green Bay from the opening whistle until the end of the game. Henry finished with 216 rushing yards on 36 carries and had four touchdowns. The Ravens did themselves a favor and didn’t take Henry out of the game as they did a week ago with an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Patriots. Backup running back Keaton Mitchell had nine carries for 31 yards. Fullback Patrick Ricard proved that he has improved throughout the season and is still one of the best lead blockers in the NFL. Grade: A Offensive line This group has been much maligned for the entire season, but the unit played well for the second straight week. The biggest difference has been sustaining blocks and not allowing penetration after initial contact. Both guards, Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees, played well and Baltimore wasn’t afraid to run behind either. Both tackles, Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten, had some slipups, but overall this group played well. The Ravens had 414 yards of total offense, including 307 on the ground. Grade: B+ Receivers I like when an offense pounds the ball with a running game and only uses its receivers sparingly. It forces Baltimore’s hand when a backup quarterback is starting in place of the injured Lamar Jackson. Slot receiver Zay Flowers had four catches for 30 yards and tight end Mark Andrews also had four for 28. Tight end Isaiah Likely had three catches for 27 yards, but the Ravens got some nice blocks from the tight ends on pitches and runs off the edge. Baltimore went with a lot of “heavy” packages and simply outmuscled Green Bay. Grade: C+ Defensive line Green Bay had no running game. Absolutely none. Malik Willis had nine carries for 60 yards, but the Packers had only 79 yards on 17 carries. It was a total beatdown. Tavius Robinson, who doubles as both an outside linebacker and defensive end, had four tackles and tackles John Jenkins and C.J. Okoye combined for one, but both were stellar inside against the run. The Ravens could use more of a pass rush up front, but that’s not going to happen with this group. Its forte is stopping the run. Pass rush has basically become secondary: Grade: B- Linebackers This is a puzzling group. There are times when it plays well, such as middle linebacker Roquan Smith stuffing the run on the Packers’ early fourth-down attempt, but then it looks lost in pass coverage. Smith finished with three tackles and the Ravens had two sacks and only four quarterback hurries. Weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson is playing exceptionally well as a pass rusher and “go fetch” guy coming off the edge. He finished with seven tackles. The Ravens, though, still need a dominant pass rusher. Robinson had a half-sack and Kyle Van Noy didn’t register any tackles, so they weren’t dominant factors in the game. Dre’Mont Jones had 1 1/2 sacks, but those came from Willis holding the ball so long. Grade: C- Secondary Baltimore continues to give up big plays, and it’s not all because of the lack of pass rush. Willis completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown. He had completions of 39, 30, 40 and 34 yards. There are times when the Ravens look lost in coverage, and it clearly showed when Smith and safeties Kyle Hamilton and Alohi Gilman shook their heads in disappointment after plays. There were times when cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins gave up leverage on outside runs, two of those by Willis on runs around the right end for touchdowns of 22 and 11 yards. This group still needs major help, but the worst part is that it’s late in the season. Grade: D Special teams The Ravens really didn’t need a lot of assistance from special teams. They only punted once, and Jordan Stout kicked it 42 yards. The kickoff coverage was outstanding, as the Packers averaged only 23.3 yards on seven returns. Rookie Tyler Loop converted on field goal attempts of 22 and 34 yards. Grade: A Related Articles NFL playoff picture: Ravens stay alive, Bears and Broncos clinch division titles Ravens ride Derrick Henry to 41-24 win over Packers to keep playoff hopes alive Instant analysis from Ravens’ 41-24 win over Packers in Week 17 Ravens vs. Packers live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 41-24 win Packers QB Jordan Love ruled out vs. Ravens with concussion Coaching Oh, oh, someone must have gotten in the ear of coach John Harbaugh and told him to give the premier closer, Henry, the ball more in crunch time. Now, stick with this game plan for the rest of the season. Baltimore’s plan was on target with coordinator Todd Monken having Huntley throwing a lot of safe and quick passes. As for the defense, this group makes every fan in Baltimore nervous. It continues to give up big plays and miss tackles, but at least the Ravens won. That’s the best that can be said about the defense. Grade: B- Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Ravens arrived at the cathedral of pro football confronted with their own mortality, last rites at the ready. Win at Lambeau Field against the Packers and they would keep their faint playoff pulse going for at least another day. Lose — as they have so often in the biggest of moments this season — and they would be officially expired. With injured quarterback Lamar Jackson unavailable for a fourth game this season and watching from the sideline, this time because of a back injury that he suffered last week, Derrick Henry rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns on a season-high 36 carries, while quarterback Tyler Huntley completed 80% of his passes for 107 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 60 yards to lead Baltimore to a must-win 41-24 victory over Green Bay and its own backup, Malik Willis. For Henry, it was his seventh time rushing for at least 200 yards, most in NFL history. Now, all the Ravens (8-8) can do is hope. Their chances of survival rest on — ironically — the Browns (3-12), who must beat the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) on Sunday in Cleveland for Baltimore to stay in the playoff picture. If they do, that would set up a win-or-go-home contest between the Ravens and Steelers next Sunday in Pittsburgh, where the AFC North title and a spot in the postseason would be on the line. It also might mean the return of Jackson and yet another chance in a season full of them for the Ravens to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. But that would still require Cleveland and rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to pull off the upset against Aaron Rodgers and a team that can smell the finish line. A win by Pittsburgh would officially eliminate the Ravens and put the final nail in their season. If nothing else in what has been a dispiriting and at times discordant year for a Ravens team that opened as the Super Bowl favorite, they can at least take a little solace in fighting until the end. For the first 30 minutes, the Ravens dominated the Packers, particularly on the ground, with Henry racking up 106 of Baltimore’s 175 rushing yards. He also scored three times, with two of his touchdowns coming from 3 yards out and another from a yard out. For Baltimore fans, that had to be both gratifying and frustrating, the latter spawned from a wonderment of where the handoffs for Henry had been during some critical short-yard situations earlier this season. The former also helped stake Baltimore to a 27-14 halftime lead. At one point, the Ravens had run 25 plays to just two for the Packers — the latter of course leading to a touchdown to a wide-open Christian Watson on Green Bay’s opening possession. But over the first two quarters, the Ravens ran 45 plays to Green Bay’s 14 with a whopping time of possession advantage, 23:46 to 6:14. That was more than they had in three whole games this season. Baltimore ended up scoring on each of its first five possessions. Its first punt didn’t come until the 5:01 mark of the third quarter. Still, things grew perilously close to slipping away as they so often have time and again this year. After Brandon McManus hit a 24-yard field goal on the opening series of the third quarter, Willis picked apart the Ravens’ defense and in particular cornerback Nate Wiggins on the next possession. His 11-yard touchdown scramble with 2:08 remaining in the third cut the deficit to 27-24. Related Articles Instant analysis from Ravens’ 41-24 win over Packers in Week 17 Ravens vs. Packers live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 41-24 win Packers QB Jordan Love ruled out vs. Ravens with concussion National pundits react to speculation about Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s future NFL playoff picture: Packers are among 11 teams in and 3 spots remain open But that was as close as things would get, with the Ravens and Henry hammering out 85 yards on 12 plays on their next possession, the drive capped with a Huntley 10-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers on third-and-8. Then Henry put an exclamation point on things with a 25-yard touchdown run around the left side with 2:02 remaining in the game. Of course, solace and a Lambeau leap by center Tyler Linderbaum after the final score only goes so far, because it is the Ravens’ own doing all year that they are even in this unenviable and unexpected position with help needed to have a chance to reach the postseason. Baltimore opened this campaign where last season’s playoffs ended, at Highmark Stadium in upstate New York against the Buffalo Bills, and for three quarters Jackson and the Ravens looked like the best team on the planet. Then came another fourth-quarter collapse, with Baltimore blowing a 15-point lead. That defeat shocked players and lingered long after the final whistle amid what ended up being a dreadful 1-5 start. Discord grew in the locker room, Jackson missed three games because of a hamstring injury and the Ravens’ season appeared headed for the abyss. But the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s return along with some defensive adjustments helped spark five straight wins and a climb back to a share of the division lead. In reality, it was all smoke and mirrors, though, with four of the victories coming against non-playoff teams. Faced with having to likely win one of their next two to keep pace with the Steelers, the Ravens instead flailed in the spotlight. First, they fell at home to Pittsburgh, then tied a franchise high with five turnovers in a Thanksgiving night thumping by the Bengals in Baltimore. One step forward, two steps back, usually at their own hand. Still, there was a chance. Until they blew another double-digit lead — again under the lights and at home — and lost to the New England Patriots. It marked the 12th time that the Ravens lost a game when leading by seven-plus points in the fourth quarter since 2021, the most in the NFL during that span. That left Baltimore needing to beat the Packers at Lambeau Field, who were without their own starting quarterback, Jordan Love, because of a left shoulder injury and concussion. The Ravens delivered. But will it be enough, or did it only prolong the inevitable? Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, right, celebrates with tight end Mark Andrews, center, and running back Rasheen Ali after scoring a late touchdown in a 41-24 win over the Packers. (Morry Gash/AP) View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 41-24 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 of the NFL season on Saturday night at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin: Brian Wacker, reporter With Lamar Jackson sidelined with another injury and Baltimore facing a must-win game against the Packers, the Ravens did what they should always do when their best player is out: Lean on their next best player. Derrick Henry obliged, hammering a weakened Packers defense that grew thinner as the game wore on thanks to injuries. Baltimore’s defense nearly let things slip away against the agile Malik Willis, but Henry was too much to handle and Tyler Huntley managed the game well. Now the Ravens must sit back and hope the Browns can beat the Steelers on Sunday. The frustrating part for Ravens fans of course will be … where was this all season in similar situations? The Packers’ defense was decimated, sure, but if Baltimore gets eliminated Sunday there will be a lot of questions about why the Ravens didn’t do more of this sooner. Mike Preston, columnist The Ravens came into the game needing to establish a strong running game, and they did just that as running back Derrick Henry dominated and controlled the pace of the game. The Packers made a run early in the third quarter, but the Ravens were never seriously threatened because Green Bay couldn’t stop Henry. The Ravens still have a lot of questions on defense because they didn’t have much of a pass rush, and the players in the secondary looked confused at times. But they needed a win, and got one. As for the Browns playing AFC North-leading Pittsburgh in Cleveland on Sunday, there isn’t a better losing team to face the Steelers than the Browns. Again, it’s the Browns’ Super Bowl. They’ve got nothing to play for except beating their division rival and setting the stage for the AFC North title game next weekend in Pittsburgh. Josh Tolentino, columnist The Ravens only waited 111 days to put together one of their most dominant performances of the season, headlined by Derrick Henry’s four-touchdown outing in the “Frozen Tundra.” What took so long? The Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive, for at least another 15 hours, by riding Henry’s legs in a must-win game. With Lamar Jackson sidelined, the future Hall of Fame running back carried the ball a career-high 36 times, often outmuscling the Packers with his blinding speed and physical dominance. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken abandoned Henry in last week’s loss to the Patriots, but against the Packers, Monken helped create an assortment of explosive plays on the ground. Baltimore didn’t abandon the necessary game plan, either, as its defense struggled to contain backup quarterback Malik Willis. Henry turns 32 next Sunday. Will he be celebrating with a potential chance at a playoff berth? Or will the Ravens’ hopes fade tomorrow as they await the result from Steelers at Browns? Sam Cohn, reporter Turns out No. 22 is pretty darn good. What a night for Derrick Henry. He’s the focal point of this win, which saved Baltimore’s season for at least a few more hours. Henry reached season highs in both yards (216) and carries (36). But what shouldn’t be lost is Huntley’s fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Zay Flowers — a clean strike that capped a seven-minute drive and gave the Ravens’ defense some breathing room. Baltimore intercepting Clayton Tune was the knockout punch, even if it’s less impressive against a practice squad quarterback. For at least a few more hours, the Ravens are still breathing. They’ll be clutching pearls, crossing fingers and toes, and praying to any divine figure willing to listen Sunday afternoon when the Steelers play the Browns. Michael Howes, reporter A week after they should have done it, the Ravens finally came through. They leaned on Derrick Henry. Henry rushed a career-high 36 times for 216 yards — his most in a Ravens uniform — along four touchdowns. That relentless pounding powered Baltimore to a must-have win. At times, the game plan felt obvious: give the ball to Henry. And Green Bay still couldn’t stop it. For at least 14 more hours, the Ravens’ season is alive. Baltimore fans now wait on the result of Browns-Steelers to see whether Henry’s masterclass will actually mean something. But the performance raises uncomfortable questions. Why didn’t Baltimore deploy the same approach in the fourth quarter last week? Why had Henry reached 20 or more carries just five times all season entering the game? Is it possible he hasn’t been used enough? Those questions won’t disappear. But for now, the Ravens did what they had to do. The coaching staff seemingly learned from their mistakes and rode their most reliable force when the season demanded it most. Related Articles Ravens ride Derrick Henry to 41-24 win over Packers to keep playoff hopes alive Ravens vs. Packers live updates: Postgame reaction, analysis from 41-24 win Packers QB Jordan Love ruled out vs. Ravens with concussion National pundits react to speculation about Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s future NFL playoff picture: Packers are among 11 teams in and 3 spots remain open C.J. Doon, editor Might this Ravens offense be … better right now with Tyler Huntley? On its face, it sounds like a ridiculous statement. This is two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson we’re talking about replacing here. But look at what Huntley has done this season. In Week 8, with the Ravens’ season hanging by a thread after a 1-5 start, he helped lead a dominant 30-16 win over the Bears while posting a sparkling 90.3 QBR (which takes into account rushing and expected points added). Jackson has eclipsed that mark just twice since Week 1 (including, ironically, when he went down with a back injury against the Patriots last Sunday). On Saturday night, Huntley completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards — nothing spectacular, but exactly what was needed to win. Injuries have clearly taken their toll on Jackson. He obviously doesn’t feel comfortable with how his body is feeling right now to suit up for this must-win game. But there’s a difference between playing hurt and playing injured, especially this time of year. (Say what you want about Marlon Humphrey, but he stayed in the game with a fiberglass splint on his hand and made a key interception.) Fair or not, Jackson’s absence will raise questions about his toughness. Huntley’s rushing threat (8 carries for 60 yards) is real. A less-than-100% Jackson? Defenses probably don’t respect him beating them with his legs as much. Derrick Henry was the star Saturday night, but Huntley made some huge scrambles to extend drives. Don’t overlook Huntley’s willingness to make quick throws and keep the offense on schedule, either. Jackson’s willingness to hold the ball is both a blessing and a curse. This makes for a fascinating ending to the regular season. The Ravens are still alive, and Huntley — right here, right now, not next season or beyond — might be the best option if we get a Week 18 AFC North title game. Tim Schwartz, editor This is who the Ravens should be. They smash you in the mouth and Derrick Henry runs through you or around you. An absolute monster performance and one for the ages of Henry, whose four touchdown runs tied a career high (that it’s not a career high says a lot about the future Hall of Famer). His 36 carries were a career high — his 216 yards are a season high — and it’s no coincidence that Baltimore dominated. Where was this all month? Now, we wait for Sunday afternoon to see what plays out with the Steelers, but Ravens fans have to be encouraged that if they get a meaningful Week 18, they’ll see a rushing attack that will be very difficult to stop. Bennett Conlin, editor Where was that offense all season? The Ravens looked great, as Monken was forced to use Henry with Jackson sidelined. Henry ran for over 200 yards as the Packers didn’t have answers for the bruising back. Huntley played well in relief of Jackson, too. The entire offense played at an elite level for 60 minutes against a banged-up Green Bay defense. The defense was shaky, but it did enough to come away with a victory. The offense carried the day, and Zach Orr’s unit didn’t completely let them down. But is it too late? If the Steelers take care of business Sunday against the lowly Browns, Baltimore’s postseason chances are gone. Ravens fans need to pray for an AFC North miracle for Week 18 to matter. Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

The Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive on Saturday with a 41-24 win against the Packers. Follow along here for postgame coverage and analysis. View the full article

In a must-win game for the Ravens, they’ll be facing a backup quarterback. The Green Bay Packers ruled out starter Jordan Love with a concussion after he took a helmet-to-helmet hit during Saturday’s loss to the Chicago Bears. Malik Willis is expected to start. Love was limited in practice all week as he went through the league’s concussion protocol. He was initially ruled questionable to play on Thursday, but the Packers (9-5-1) downgraded him to out Friday afternoon. This will be the first full game that Love has missed this season. Willis, 26, completed 9 of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown and rushed 10 times for 44 yards in relief of Love in Chicago. He injured his right throwing shoulder near the end of the 22-16 overtime loss and was limited in practice this week while also missing Wednesday’s session with an illness. He’s listed as questionable. A 2022 third-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans, Willis has completed 64.9% of his passes for 1,034 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 345 yards on 65 carries in 21 games. He’s 3-2 in his career as a starter, including 2-0 with Green Bay when Love was injured early last season. Green Bay’s only other quarterback is Clayton Tune, who was signed to the practice squad in late August. Tune has appeared in 13 games but has made just one career start, with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. The Ravens could also be turning to backup Tyler Huntley with Lamar Jackson listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game. Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Jackson could play even without practicing all week. “He’s played a lot of football, won a lot of games for us. … If he can go, he will go,” said Harbaugh, who described the injury that Jackson suffered after taking a knee to the back from Patriots safety Craig Woodson as a “deep tissue contusion.” Huntley last started in Week 8 and led Baltimore to a 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium while Jackson was still out with a hamstring injury that sidelined the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player for three games. In four appearances this season, Huntley has completed 76.6% of his passes for 319 yards and a touchdown. He has also rushed for 91 yards on 16 carries. Baltimore (7-8) needs to win Saturday and have the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) lose to the Cleveland Browns (3-12) on Sunday to have a chance at winning the AFC North in Week 18. A win by the Steelers, who are 3-point favorites in Cleveland, would eliminate the Ravens from postseason contention. The Packers clinched a playoff spot Thursday when the Detroit Lions lost, 23-10, at Minnesota, but they still have incentive to keep winning to try improving their seeding. They can win the NFC North if they win their last two games and Chicago drops its final two games. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston’s opinion piece about Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson’s future with the team became the focal point of Ravens talk as Christmas Eve turned into Christmas Day. Jackson is unlikely to play against Green Bay on Saturday night — a must-win game in a season that has felt as disjointed as any in the Jackson era. Despite his absence from practice this week because of a back injury he suffered against New England, Jackson’s name was all over social media and national sports television shows. These conversations, though, had little to do with his chances to play this weekend. In the column published Tuesday, Preston wrote that the Ravens and their two-time NFL Most Valuable Player are at a crossroads come this offseason, offering up a few potential resolutions, including a potential trade to the Miami Dolphins. Jackson carries salary cap hits of $74.5 million in 2026 and 2027 after signing a five-year, $260 million contract extension in 2023, making a restructured deal or new extension likely. Preston also questioned the relationship between Jackson, coach John Harbaugh and the team. “Once the Ravens become critical of Jackson, he becomes more withdrawn,” Preston wrote. “It’s a shame because Jackson isn’t a mean-spirited person, just an overgrown kid in an adult’s body.” The reaction within the Baltimore sports community, and among national pundits, was swift. Harbaugh was asked about the article during Wednesday’s post-practice news conference, and he disputed the notion that his relationship with Jackson was fractured. “I’ll tell you how I feel,” Harbaugh said about Preston’s column. “I’m pretty transparent. … That would be wrong to say that [I am tired of Jackson]. That’s not true. I had a great conversation with Lamar this morning about a few things, football and how he’s feeling. Our relationship is A-plus.” Harbaugh’s comments did little to calm the chatter on social media and beyond. Fox Sports personality Nick Wright shared Preston’s article on X, saying, “There’s a real & obvious disconnect with Lamar & John Harbaugh, and the Ravens (correctly) feel Lamar has some growing up to do.” Wright’s Fox Sports colleague Colin Cowherd picked up the story and used a segment of his show “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” to cover it. “I could absolutely see [the Ravens] taking a phone call from the Raiders or the Dolphins,” Cowherd said. “… This is the first time I’ve watched him and thought ‘Where’s the juice?’” Related Articles Packers QB Jordan Love ruled out vs. Ravens with concussion NFL playoff picture: Packers are among 11 teams in and 3 spots remain open READER POLL: What should the Ravens do with Lamar Jackson? Ravens vs. Packers staff picks: Who will win Saturday night in Green Bay? Ravens vs. Packers scouting report for Week 17: Who has the edge? Former players-turned-media stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco dedicated a segment to the Jackson story on their podcast “Night Cap,” which published Friday. Sharpe said that the Ravens’ front office faces major challenges this offseason. “They’ve got some tough decisions to make,” Sharpe said. “This roster has gotten old. They let it get old.” Former Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth broke down the Preston column and looked ahead at a potential Jackson trade, which he called “ridiculous” on “The Domonique Foxworth Show.” “It would be the best player traded, I guess, ever?” he questioned. Jackson’s future will continue to be debated as the Ravens head toward a pivotal offseason. If the Ravens fall to Green Bay on Saturday night and are eliminated from postseason contention, the conversation might intensify as Baltimore looks to 2026. Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hamilton at mhamilton@baltsun.com and x.com/Matthamilton92. View the full article

The Lions are staying home for the playoffs, the Packers are in the postseason and only one spot remains open in the NFC. Detroit’s dismal performance in a 23-10 loss to Minnesota on Christmas Day eliminated the Lions (8-8) and allowed Green Bay (9-5-1) to clinch at least a wild-card berth. The Packers join the NFC East champion Eagles (10-5), the Bears (11-5), Seahawks (12-3), 49ers (11-4) and Rams (11-4). The Panthers (8-7) and Buccaneers (7-8) are battling for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Denver’s 20-13 victory over Kansas City on Thursday night moved the Broncos (13-3) closer toward securing the AFC West and the No. 1 seed. The Patriots (12-3), Bills (11-4), Jaguars (11-4) and Chargers (11-4) also have clinched playoff spots. The Texans (10-5), Steelers (9-6), Colts (8-7) and Ravens (7-8) are fighting for the last two spots in the AFC. The opening game of the NFL’s holiday tripleheader had no impact on the playoffs. Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders 30-23. With 10 days remaining in the regular season, only Philadelphia has locked up a division title. Eleven of the 14 playoff spots have been secured and six teams are in the race for the last three. Here’s an updated playoff picture: AFC East New England clinches with a win over the Jets and a loss or tie by Buffalo or a tie against New York and loss by the Bills. Buffalo would clinch with victories over Philadelphia and the Jets and if the Patriots lose to either the Jets or Dolphins. AFC North The Steelers clinch with a win or tie against the Browns or if the Ravens lose or tie the Packers on Saturday night. The Ravens would clinch if Pittsburgh loses to Cleveland and they beat Green Bay and the Steelers in the final two games. AFC South Jacksonville clinches with a win over Indianapolis and a loss or tie by Houston or a tie against the Colts and a loss by the Texans. Houston needs a win or tie over the Chargers or a loss or tie by the Colts to clinch a playoff spot. The Texans can win the division with victories over the Chargers and Colts in the final two games and one loss by the Jaguars against Indianapolis or Tennessee. The Colts can’t win the division. They need Houston to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday to stay alive. Indianapolis then has to beat Jacksonville on Sunday and the Texans next week to earn a wild-card spot. AFC West The Broncos clinch if the Chargers lose or tie Houston. Denver can also secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed this weekend if the Chargers lose or tie and the Patriots lose and the Bills lose or tie and the Jaguars lose or tie. NFC East The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles became the first team to win this division in consecutive seasons in two decades. They’ll be the NFC’s No. 2, 3 or 4 seed. NFC North Chicago clinches with a win over San Francisco, a loss by Green Bay or if both teams tie. The Packers have to win their final two games against the Ravens and Vikings and the Bears would have go 0-2 or 0-1-1 for Green Bay to win the division. NFC South Carolina clinches with a win over Seattle and a loss or tie by Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers clinch with victories over Miami and the Panthers in the final two games. NFC West The Seahawks clinch the division with a victory over Carolina and a loss or tie by the Rams and a loss or tie by the 49ers or a tie against the Panthers and losses by the Rams and 49ers. The 49ers would clinch the division and the No. 1 seed if they beat the Bears and Seahawks in their final two games at home. The Rams still have a path to a division crown, but must finish with a better record than both Seattle and San Francisco. View the full article

The Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson are heading for an interesting offseason. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player carries salary cap hits of $74.5 million in 2026 and 2027 under the terms of the five-year, $260 million contract extension he signed in 2023, making a restructured deal or a new extension all but a certainty. But a year after finishing second in MVP voting, Jackson has dealt with several lower-body injuries and missed four games while Baltimore has slipped to a 7-8 record amid a disappointing season that began with Super Bowl aspirations. Jackson is doubtful to play in a must-win game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night after suffering a back injury in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots. Columnist Mike Preston writes that Jackson and the Ravens are at a crossroads, and that something needs to change for the star quarterback and his team to reach a Super Bowl together. What should the Ravens do with Jackson? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Saturday night’s Week 17 game between the Ravens and Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin: Brian Wacker, reporter Packers 20, Ravens 13: The Ravens’ playoff chances are still mathematically alive, and a win over the Packers would keep them breathing until at least Sunday afternoon. But the air also feels like it was let out of the balloon on Baltimore’s season after another dispiriting fourth-quarter collapse against the Patriots on Sunday night. It’s unlikely, too, that the Steelers will lose to a Browns team that is now also without injured running back Quinshon Judkins for the rest of the season. A victory by Pittsburgh would seal what feels like an inevitable fate. It won’t even matter who plays quarterback in this one for either team. The obituary for the Ravens’ disappointing season will be written by Saturday night with a lot more at stake for Green Bay than Baltimore. Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 21, Packers 17: As a belated Christmas present, the Ravens will be bounced from playoff contention. My guess: Baltimore rallies from a twist-the-knife home loss to beat the Packers because the Ravens have proved capable of winning games a week or two after losing the ones they really needed; then Pittsburgh beats up on the Browns a day later to win the AFC North. Granted, the Ravens haven’t beaten a team with a winning record since Week 8, when they toppled the Bears. They also haven’t lost on the road since September. Do I feel confident in this pick? No. But a Ravens win, prolonging their playoff chances by about 15 hours, wouldn’t be the most surprising thing to happen this season. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 17, Packers 14: Go ahead, toss a coin on this one. Neither team has a healthy starting quarterback, so no team has a clear advantage. The Ravens appear healthier even with quarterback Lamar Jackson nursing a back contusion, and that’s why the Ravens will probably win. The Packers are pretty banged up, though playing in Green Bay will be a major advantage. If the Ravens win, there probably isn’t a better opponent for Pittsburgh to play than the lowly Cleveland Browns. Forget the records. In Cleveland, that’s the Browns’ version of the Super Bowl having a chance to knock off the Steelers and forcing a big showdown for the AFC North title next week. This is straight up WWE. Josh Tolentino, columnist Packers 27, Ravens 14: Green Bay’s injury list reads like a Christmas gift shopping list with nearly two dozen players included. The Ravens, though, figure to be without two-time NFL MVP and quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was listed as doubtful after the team’s third and final practice session Thursday. That spells mighty trouble as the Ravens prepare to travel to the Frozen Tundra with the Packers possessing much healthier playoff odds. Expecting the Ravens’ 27th-ranked defense, a unit that was walked down several times in the second half of last Sunday’s loss by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, to keep Baltimore afloat with everything on the brink seems too daunting of a task. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley has orchestrated some memorable wins in his tenure, but the Ravens’ season has been on life support since October, and it’s only a matter of time until the coffin door slams shut. Related Articles Ravens vs. Packers scouting report for Week 17: Who has the edge? Baltimore sports memorabilia is nostalgia for some, a thriving business for others Ravens’ Lamar Jackson doubtful vs. Packers, who face their own QB uncertainty READERS RESPOND: Ravens fans blame John Harbaugh for 2025 results Staff picks for Week 17 of 2025 NFL season: Texans vs. Chargers, Eagles vs. Bills and more C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 17, Packers 16: Something in my gut tells me all the twists and turns from this Ravens season are not over yet. But don’t expect Green Bay to mail it in just because Jordan Love is hurt and a playoff spot is already clinched. The Packers can still climb as high as a the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win Saturday night and some help, which is no small accomplishment. The Ravens are the more desperate club in this situation, however, and that should give them the slight edge. Tyler Huntley can do enough to lead Baltimore to victory, and the defense should be able to handle the Packers’ running game with a week of tape on Malik Willis. It would be fitting for the drama to continue with a shocking Browns upset against the Steelers on Sunday, forcing a winner-take-all matchup in Pittsburgh to end the regular season. Bennett Conlin, editor Packers 23, Ravens 17: This game probably doesn’t belong on prime time. Both teams are banged up, including at the quarterback position. The Packers seem to have the more competent bunch this fall. Last week felt like the end of Baltimore’s hopes and dreams. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 21, Packers 17: Will either starting quarterback play? It appears that Lamar Jackson’s back contusion will keep him sidelined, and I would be surprised if Jordan Love plays with the Packers securing a playoff berth Thursday. The Ravens still have to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive and will be relying on Tyler Huntley against one of the top defenses in the NFL. No easy task. But the Packers could be playing their third-string quarterback. The Ravens get a few turnovers, get enough from Huntley, and a lot from Derrick Henry to keep those dreams alive for another night. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 28, Packers 24: So you say there’s a chance? The Ravens will hold onto any hope they have. Lamar Jackson is not 100% and is doubtful to play, but they have to believe that they can find a way to win. Have a news tip? Contact Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

For the third time in a month, the Ravens lost a game many expected they’d show up for. It would have been a storybook playoff pursuit. Instead, they’re on the brink of mathematical elimination, set to face the Packers in Green Bay on Saturday night. Who will have the advantage? Ravens passing game vs. Packers pass defense If Lamar Jackson (back) is capable of playing, he will play, irrespective of how much he practices this week, according to coach John Harbaugh. After a slew of injuries hampered his performances throughout much of this year, Jackson finally started to look like himself again. Then he took a knee to the back against the Patriots that sidelined him for the rest of the game. He was grimacing in the postgame locker room and appeared dejected answering questions. If Jackson can’t go (he’s listed as doubtful), it’ll be Tyler “Snoop” Huntley filling in. He’s been a serviceable backup for the Ravens this year, completing 76.6% of his passes with one touchdown. More importantly, the offense doesn’t lose any significant juice in the handoff from QB1 to QB2. And the last time the Ravens beat the a team with a winning record? Huntley’s last start against Chicago. “There’s a lot of incredible things about Snoop,” tight end Mark Andrews said. “I think that he runs this offense incredibly well. He’s a very versatile player. He gets the ball out, and he sees things really well. I think that one of my best years was with Snoop; so, I’ve got a lot of chemistry with him. Just seeing him grow throughout the years has been truly special.” While the Packers rank near the bottom of the league in interception rate, they are near the top of the league in fewest yards per game (197.8) and yards per play (5.96). Even without all-world pass rusher Micah Parsons, Green Bay should be able to disrupt Baltimore’s timing. EDGE: Packers Packers passing game vs. Ravens pass defense The Packers’ quarterback room was nearly snowed over. Jordan Love entered concussion protocol after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in Chicago last weekend against the Bears. And backup Malik Willis dealt with a right shoulder injury and illness this week. Love’s availability in practice this week is a positive sign for his availability. He’s had an impressive season: on pace for a career-high 66.3% completion rate and, after throwing 11 interceptions each of the past two seasons, he’s only thrown six in 15 games. Love’s 0.2 expected points added per dropback are also tied with the two MVP frontrunners: Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye. Some are calling Love a Pro Bowl snub. He’s probably on the fringe, with arguments to be made either way. But he’s playing at a level that has previously caused fits for the Ravens’ defense (sans Joe Burrow in Cincinnati two weeks ago). If Love can’t go, Willis isn’t a steep drop-off. The understudy completed 9 of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in 2 1/2 quarters against Chicago. EDGE: Packers Ravens running game vs. Packers run defense Derrick Henry rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on an efficient 18 carries with one fumble against the Patriots. But, curiously, he wasn’t on the field for either of Baltimore’s final two drives in which they needed a knockout punch then a game-winning drive. Harbaugh acknowledged, in retrospect, that he would have liked to see the future Hall of Fame running back on the field in crunch time, but that the Ravens stuck with a rotation they’ve used in recent weeks. The Packers ranks near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed over their past three games (125.7). Over their past eight, only two teams have failed to hit the collective 100-yard benchmark. Baltimore could feast in the cold Wisconsin weather. Particularly, if the Ravens deviate from such rigid rotations in crucial situations. EDGE: Ravens Packers running game vs. Ravens run defense Packers lead back Josh Jacobs is tied for the second-most rushing touchdowns in the NFL (13). Don’t expect to see too much of him Saturday night, even if he’s available to play. Jacobs was limited in practice all week with knee and ankle injuries. He played through it in Chicago, but he took only 12 carries for 36 yards. Emmanuel Wilson, who’s coming off a 14-carry, 82-yard outing, likely handles the bulk of the workload against what has been the NFL’s best run defense over the past three weeks. EDGE: Ravens Ravens special teams vs. Packers special teams Both the Ravens and Packers dealt with special teams blunders in their last outing. Baltimore kicker Tyler Loop’s 56-yard field goal attempt fell short of the uprights. That would have been his season long. Loop and Harbaugh rewatched the film Monday morning and noticed “his timing on his start was off,” the coach said. “It just messed up his footwork a little bit, and he ended up pushing it, got under it a little bit and pushed it right, got a lot of rotation on it, and that’s why it came up short.” Harbaugh added that he’s certain that Loop is capable of making those kicks — which he proved in the preseason — but that his approach on that try “wasn’t good.” Green Bay’s hands team wasn’t good either. With two minutes left the fourth quarter, down by a touchdown, the Bears tried an onside kick and recovered it, then cashed in on prime field position for a game-tying touchdown that would send the contest to overtime. One was far more costly than the other. But by and large, Baltimore has owned the better special teams unit this season. One of the better groups in football, in fact. EDGE: Ravens Related Articles Ravens vs. Packers staff picks: Who will win Saturday night in Green Bay? Baltimore sports memorabilia is nostalgia for some, a thriving business for others Ravens’ Lamar Jackson doubtful vs. Packers, who face their own QB uncertainty READERS RESPOND: Ravens fans blame John Harbaugh for 2025 results Staff picks for Week 17 of 2025 NFL season: Texans vs. Chargers, Eagles vs. Bills and more Ravens intangibles vs. Packers intangibles Green Bay clinched a playoff berth with the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas, but it is still alive in the race for the NFC North and the No. 2 seed. The Ravens own putrid 6% odds to reach the postseason, according to The New York Times’ Playoff Simulator. Baltimore needs two wins in as many weeks with some help from the Browns, who host Pittsburgh on Sunday. EDGE: Ravens Prediction As a belated Christmas present, the Ravens will be bounced from playoff contention. My guess: Baltimore rallies from a twist-the-knife home loss to beat the Packers because the Ravens have proved capable of winning games a week or two after losing the ones they really needed; then Pittsburgh beats up on the Browns a day later to win the AFC North. Granted, the Ravens haven’t beaten a team with a winning record since Week 8, when they toppled the Bears. They also haven’t lost on the road since September. Do I feel confident in this pick? No. But a Ravens win, prolonging their playoff chances by about 15 hours, wouldn’t be the most surprising thing to happen this season. Ravens 21, Packers 17. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com. View the full article

After a father-son Orioles game at the old Memorial Stadium in 1975, then-6-year-old Ed Stylc left with three souvenirs: a cardboard megaphone full of popcorn, a pennant and an Orioles button featuring something he’d never seen before — the cartoon bird positioned after finishing his swing instead of preparing to bat. The megaphone was lost long ago. The pennant hung on Stylc’s wall for years, getting old and dirty before also being lost in the transition of a move. But nearly 50 years later, that button remains one of his most sentimental pieces of sports memorabilia. He doesn’t know what it’s worth, but he does still know that Jim Palmer was pitching with a high leg kick and that Brooks Robinson played. He even remembers the score: The Orioles beat the Red Sox 3-0. “My personal opinion is collecting should be for fun,” Stylc said. “If you happen to make a profit later, that’s just a bonus.” Stylc represents the kind of collector who has quietly fueled Baltimore’s sports memorabilia market for decades — one driven by nostalgia, not dollar signs. But in a booming industry reshaped by grading services, online auctions and global media exposure, even collectors who don’t chase profit occasionally find themselves holding something worth far more than they expected. The sentimental collector’s foil is Robbie Davis. For him, sports memorabilia is a thriving business — and a surprisingly stable one. Davis, co-owner of Robbie’s First Base in Timonium, has been dealing in sports memorabilia for almost 40 years. He and his business partner, former Oriole Al Bumbry, travel the country appraising items and purchasing rare pieces. Their connections, Davis said, go back decades — to Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray and the early days of Baltimore’s sports royalty. After being featured on ABC’s “Ball Boys” and Netflix’s “King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch,” the store has become a magnet for sellers worldwide. “We get calls constantly because they see us on television,” Davis said. “Netflix is all over the world.” Robbie Davis Jr. holds a signed personal model bat from Manny Machado, at Robbie's First Base, a sports memorabilia store. ‘Our business grew crazy’ Sports memorabilia has the potential for a windfall, with recent high-profile sales illustrating the soaring market. In August 2024, Babe Ruth’s Yankees jersey from his famous “called shot” in the 1932 World Series sold for $24.12 million, setting a record for sports memorabilia and highlighting the premium for items tied to legendary athletes or moments, according to MLB.com. Davis says the memorabilia market exploded during the coronavirus pandemic, driven by online sales. “People still had the money, but they couldn’t go out,” he said. “So they went on the internet. Our business grew crazy.” And, he added with a grin, “It’s been good to me. This is all I’ve done for 36 years.” For Stylc, collecting became less appealing when the hobby shifted toward professional grading and speculation. But even he’s had financial success stories. He once held an item that today could headline any auction catalog: the WWWF championship belt worn by Hall of Famer Pedro Morales during 1972-1973, including his title defense against Bruno Sammartino at the famed “Showdown at Shea.” According to wrestling lore, Morales reported the belt lost — only for it to surface in a New York pawn shop and eventually find its way into collectors’ hands. Stylc owned it until 15 years ago. “It was worth about $12,000 then,” he said. “I’m not sure of what it is valued at now, but with the advent of WWE’s popularity, it has no doubt skyrocketed in price. “I sold it at the time to pay for my daughter’s private school tuition that year at a nice profit at the time. So I put the money to good use.” Ed Stylc has three seats from Memorial Stadium. The one, number 8, is signed by six Hall of Fame Orioles and six Hall of Fame Colts. Cal Ripken Jr. signed under the number. Stylc started his Baltimore sports collection with baseball cards when he was a boy. He decorated his basement with authentic and replica items commemorating various Baltimore baseball, football, and ice hockey teams, as well as wrestling belts that had a Baltimore connection. (Kim Hairston/staff) But is it real? The sports memorabilia authentication process involves expert analysis, verifying provenance and third-party authenticator companies, such as PSA, JSA or Beckett. Items undergo physical examination and autograph comparison to known exemplars, and are often marked with tamper-evident holograms or stickers linked to online databases, according to experts. Appraiser Todd Sawatzky, of Canada-based Todd Sawatzky Appraisals, relies on these companies before assessing goods. “If I feel the card or autograph is fake or counterfeit, or if I have my doubts about game-used items, I turn down the potential contracts, letting them know my reason in the process,” he said. Davis said counterfeits pose little problem because the shop avoids uncertified material until it can be verified. They rely on PSA and JSA — just like collectors at home. “If we buy an item that isn’t authenticated, we don’t pay as much for it,” he said. “You still pay the authentication fee whether it passes or not. If it doesn’t — you eat it.” Davis said 99% of what they buy passes the verification process. “We wouldn’t buy it anyway if we weren’t comfortable.” Even though Stylc collects “for enjoyment rather than investment,” he still plays it safe with autographed items. He sends pieces to JSA and keeps a close eye on seller ratings. One of Stylc’s favorite pieces in his collection is a Memorial Stadium seat signed by some of the biggest names in Orioles and Colts history — Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks and Frank Robinson, Palmer and Murray, among others. Stylc bought it for about $900 on eBay around 2008. “I finally got around to having those autographs JSA authenticated in case I ever wanted to sell and they passed as promised,” Stylc said. “Currently, I have no idea what this item is valued at.” What holds value? But how can collectors determine what’s a good investment compared with what speaks to the heart? According to Davis, the safest investment is the simplest: Buy legends. “The older guys hold their value,” he said. “They’re not going to go out and do anything stupid. If you don’t know anything about sports and I say the name Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth — you know it. That’s what holds value.” Young stars, such as Shohei Ohtani, have soaring upside but carry risk. And hype plays a major role. For the Orioles and Ravens, Davis said the hottest items right now belong to the youngest, most touted names: Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday. “The more a team spends on a player, the more hype they have,” he said. Stylc also became fascinated by baseball cards after his father bought him his first pack in 1975. He built near-complete Orioles team sets from 1964 through 1987 before drifting out of collecting in college. “Cards continue to have a very strong market, particularly in the Baltimore market where the Orioles have an extremely dedicated fan base and a young core that is injecting a lot of excitement into the modern baseball card market,” said Ron Oser, vice president and director of consignments at Huggins & Scott, a Calverton auction house specializing in vintage sports cards, memorabilia and other cultural artifacts. “But keep in mind that while his legend was established in New York and Boston, Babe Ruth’s journey began in Baltimore. In fact, his very first card was his 1914 Baltimore News rookie card, one of the rarest cards in hobby history.” When asked the rarest item to ever pass through the shop, Davis didn’t hesitate: a Ruth baseball. Would he sell it? “Everything’s for sale at some point,” he said. “We just haven’t gotten there yet.” He has regrets, too. Decades ago, he bought a pair of game-worn Michael Jordan shoes from the coach whose son received them directly from Jordan at a Nike camp. He sold them for about $5,000. “They’re six-figure shoes now,” he said. “I should’ve kept them.” But on one thing both Stylc and Davis agree: Buy what you love. Because value rises and falls, players fade and flourish, but memories — whether captured in a bent baseball card or a signed stadium seat — tend to hold up pretty well. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich. View the full article

The Ravens could be without their star quarterback for a must-win game. Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful for Saturday night’s showdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Jackson missed all three practices this week with a back injury that he suffered during the first half of Sunday night’s loss to the New England Patriots. Baltimore (7-8) needs to win Saturday and have the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) lose to the Cleveland Browns (3-12) on Sunday to have a chance at winning the AFC North in Week 18. A win by the Steelers, who are 3-point favorites in Cleveland, would eliminate the Ravens from postseason contention. Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Jackson could play even without practicing all week. “He’s played a lot of football, won a lot of games for us. … If he can go, he will go,” said Harbaugh, who described the injury that Jackson suffered after taking a knee to the back from Patriots safety Craig Woodson as a “deep tissue contusion.” If the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is unable to suit up, Tyler Huntley, who came off the bench in relief on Sunday, would get the start for the second time this season. Huntley last started in Week 8 and led Baltimore to a 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium while Jackson was still out with a hamstring injury that sidelined the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player for three games. In four appearances this season, Huntley has completed 76.6% of his passes for 319 yards and a touchdown. He has also rushed for 91 yards on 16 carries. Should Jackson not be able to play Saturday and the Ravens are eliminated from the playoffs, it’s also unlikely that he would play in what would be a meaningless regular-season finale in Pittsburgh. If Jackson doesn’t play again this season, it would mark the third time in his eight years that he was unable to finish a season because of injury. The Packers, meanwhile, face their own quarterback uncertainty as starter Jordan Love (concussion/left shoulder) and backup Malik Willis (right shoulder/illness) are questionable. Related Articles READERS RESPOND: Ravens fans blame John Harbaugh for 2025 results Staff picks for Week 17 of 2025 NFL season: Texans vs. Chargers, Eagles vs. Bills and more Josh Tolentino: Zay Flowers’ fumbles complicate Ravens’ future | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Lamar Jackson absent from practice again, casting doubt vs. Packers ‘In a flow state,’ punter Jordan Stout is the Ravens’ sure thing Love was injured after taking a hit to the helmet during the Packers’ loss to the Chicago Bears last week and was limited in practice all week. Willis, meanwhile, hurt his right shoulder on the final play of regulation against the Bears and did not practice Wednesday because of an illness. Clayton Tune is the team’s third quarterback. The former University of Houston and Arizona Cardinals fifth-round draft pick has played 13 games across two seasons, completing 14 of 23 passes for 70 yards. Ravens undrafted rookie linebacker Jay Higgins (knee) was a full participant Friday and is questionable. Reserve defensive tackle Taven Bryan (knee) was limited Friday and has been ruled out. Packers cornerback Bo Melton (illness), guard Sean Ryan (knee/illness), offensive lineman Zach Tom (back/knee), wide receiver Christian Watson (shoulder/illness) and safety Evan Williams (knee) are questionable, while guard John Williams and linebacker Kristian Welch have been ruled out. Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

We asked readers who they blame most for the Ravens’ disappointing 2025 season. Baltimore is 7-8 and needs help this weekend to have a chance at making the postseason. Here are the results from our online poll: Coach John Harbaugh — 57% (887 votes) OC Todd Monken — 10% (161 votes) QB Lamar Jackson — 8% (127 votes) The defense — 7% (115 votes) GM Eric DeCosta — 6% (95 votes) Other — 5% (72 votes) DC Zach Orr — 4% (62 votes) The offense — 2% (28 votes) Here’s what some fans have said about the Ravens’ subpar season (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): It’s most definitely a team effort on this losing season but things rest at the hands of the coach. From blown leads to head-scratching plays on offense and defense, the person ultimately giving things the green light is Harbaugh. A head coach should say “Hey, our offensive line is terrible, why don’t we do more roll outs instead of having Lamar sit back in the pocket. Also, our defense line can’t get to the QB, why don’t we disguise more blitzing. And lastly, we are winning the game, why don’t we just give the ball to the human train we have at RB.” The team relies on the head coach to maximize the talent on the team. It’s the reason Mike Tomlin has still managed to constantly keep the Steelers in contention. I’m not saying they are a great team by any means but you can see how he works with what he has and gets a win on Sunday. I don’t think Harbaugh is a bad coach, but he might be in an Andy Reid Philadelphia situation where we need a new leader. That being said it’s hard to fire him unless you know you have a standout coach that can get in and make a positive impact, stepping into the unknown is a big deal especially with the money we are paying key players, time is limited. — James H. I don’t blame Harbaugh as much as LJ, Monken and Orr. The defense needs to remember to play four quarters, not three. Monken needs to run Derrick more. Pulling Henry in the final drive was the final straw, in my opinion. He abandons Henry and the run way too much. Derrick is built to touch the ball 25 times a game to wear out the other team and set up long runs by Keaton Mitchell after they’re winded. Our O-line is built on running, not pass blocking. Lastly, LJ choked this year. This team is built around him being dynamic and electric. When LJ is not playing we stink or he’s not 100%, he’s just not able to carry the team. He’s good for a pick or fumble in crunch time. I think it’s time to draft a QB that has a good arm but needs to learn how to throw as a third-string prospect. LJ is the best regular season player, ever. When playoffs come and competition gets tight, he chokes. — Ken K. I wish I could have chosen two. The roster is ultimately the responsibility of the general manager and the head coach. The fact that the team again lacks a strong pass rush and has a weak inconsistent offensive line is on them. Several years of repeatedly blowing fourth-quarter leads also falls on the coaching staff. — Dennis C. Harbaugh’s postgame news conferences after losses this year have been a joke. He acts like he has no control as he discusses things like abandoning the use of his 250-pound RB in the fourth quarter. If only Harbaugh knew someone who could do something about the problems he identifies after the fact. His time has come and gone. It happens to all of us. Time to move on. — Michael Marr There’s enough blame to go around, starting at the top with the owner on to the general manager who has not been very successful in the draft. But when Harbaugh says after the game that they should have run Derrick Henry more, what was he thinking DURING the game? Hindsight is 20/20. Why Monken abandons the run game with Henry so often this year is a mystery, but Harbaugh is the HEAD coach, and he should be directing the OC to alter his game plan if he is observant enough to see a problem. — Robert Monken was great creating a system for Lamar. But, he doesn’t keep with the running game, which is our strength. After the 2023 AFC Championship game with the Chiefs, I thought they’d get rid of him. Not so. How about now? — Herb Hopkins If you want to be a hungry, lean, efficient repeat Super Bowl contender, it’s time to move on. Thank you, John Harbaugh, we wish you well. Will the owner make a move? It seems doubtful, sad to say. Not having Derrick Henry in the game the last two drives was the last straw for me. — Burt Wils Related Articles Staff picks for Week 17 of 2025 NFL season: Texans vs. Chargers, Eagles vs. Bills and more Josh Tolentino: Zay Flowers’ fumbles complicate Ravens’ future | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Lamar Jackson absent from practice again, casting doubt vs. Packers ‘In a flow state,’ punter Jordan Stout is the Ravens’ sure thing Ravens injury report: Lamar Jackson misses practice, Packers’ Love limited There are so many responsible from the front office that hasn’t supplied the needed roster additions (maybe it’s time to rethink best player available and go for need in the draft), coordinators who inexplicably leave the best running back on the sidelines numerous times during games over the past few years or a defense that consistently has “communication issues” early in the season. And then a coach who should be on top of things and forcing these issues being addressed in real time, not in the postgame comments. Soft players who practice when they want to. I remember Johnny Unitas and Bert Jones playing with broken ribs … just too many to blame. Guess it’s a team effort! — Dale S. Local and national pundits noted the Ravens had the best or one of the best rosters in the NFL preseason — and here we are at 7-8 and still blowing big leads in the 4th quarter. I am concerned that the last few years have been our window, and now it is closing. We need a new coach to open the window. — Michael S. The defense has given up to many fourth-quarter leads. they never blitz the opposing QB. Also Todd Monken should design some new plays. — Jerry Olney Coaching. This team has way too much talent to be in the situation it’s in. — Justin Guhl Lamar seems checked out. Definitely seems like some internal issues might be going on with the team. — Winston Dickson The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll 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 17: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders (Thursday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker (9-7 last week, 158-80-1 overall): Cowboys Sam Cohn (11-5 last week, 159-79-1 overall): Cowboys Mike Preston (10-6 last week, 155-83-1 overall): Cowboys Josh Tolentino (9-7 last week, 159-79-1 overall): Commanders C.J. Doon (12-4 last week, 152-88-1 overall): Cowboys Bennett Conlin (12-4 last week, 158-80-1 overall): Cowboys Tim Schwartz (11-5 last week, 144-94-1 overall): Cowboys Patrice Sanders (10-6 last week, 148-90-1 overall): Cowboys Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.) Wacker: Vikings Cohn: Lions Preston: Lions Tolentino: Lions Doon: Lions Conlin: Lions Schwartz: Lions Sanders: Lions Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Thursday, 8:15 p.m.) Wacker: Broncos Cohn: Broncos Preston: Broncos Tolentino: Broncos Doon: Broncos Conlin: Broncos Schwartz: Broncos Sanders: Broncos Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) Wacker: Chargers Cohn: Texans Preston: Chargers Tolentino: Texans Doon: Texans Conlin: Chargers Schwartz: Chargers Sanders: Chargers Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Seahawks Cohn: Seahawks Preston: Seahawks Tolentino: Seahawks Doon: Seahawks Conlin: Seahawks Schwartz: Seahawks Sanders: Seahawks Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Bengals Cohn: Bengals Preston: Bengals Tolentino: Cardinals Doon: Bengals Conlin: Bengals Schwartz: Bengals Sanders: Bengals Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Steelers Cohn: Steelers Preston: Steelers Tolentino: Steelers Doon: Browns Conlin: Steelers Schwartz: Steelers Sanders: Browns Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Jaguars Cohn: Jaguars Preston: Jaguars Tolentino: Jaguars Doon: Jaguars Conlin: Jaguars Schwartz: Jaguars Sanders: Jaguars Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Dolphins Cohn: Buccaneers Preston: Buccaneers Tolentino: Buccaneers Doon: Buccaneers Conlin: Buccaneers Schwartz: Buccaneers Sanders: Buccaneers New England Patriots vs. New York Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Patriots Cohn: Patriots Preston: Patriots Tolentino: Patriots Doon: Patriots Conlin: Patriots Schwartz: Patriots Sanders: Patriots New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Titans Cohn: Titans Preston: Saints Tolentino: Saints Doon: Saints Conlin: Saints Schwartz: Saints Sanders: Saints New York Giants vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Raiders Cohn: Raiders Preston: Raiders Tolentino: Raiders Doon: Raiders Conlin: Raiders Schwartz: Giants Sanders: Giants Philadelphia Eagles vs. Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Bills Cohn: Bills Preston: Bills Tolentino: Eagles Doon: Eagles Conlin: Bills Schwartz: Bills Sanders: Bills Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) Wacker: Bears Cohn: Bears Preston: 49ers Tolentino: Bears Doon: 49ers Conlin: 49ers Schwartz: Bears Sanders: 49ers Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons (Monday, 8:15 p.m.) Wacker: Rams Cohn: Rams Preston: Rams Tolentino: Rams Doon: Rams Conlin: Rams Schwartz: Rams Sanders: Rams Have a news tip? Contact Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article