ExtremeRavens

The Ravens arrive to the latest bye week in the NFL at 8-5, coming up on an ultra-important four-game stretch that will determine their playoff path to the promised land. There have been no shortage of snowballing narratives. League scriptwriters had fun this offseason. Here’s a look back at this year’s biggest Ravens storylines: Personnel drama The offensive line was a dominant thread of discourse throughout training camp. Departures of Morgan Moses (New York Jets) and Kevin Zeitler (Detroit Lions) raised questions about how the group up front, with three new starters, might fare in a season with Super Bowl aspirations. When one of those first-year starters, Daniel Faalele, got off to a rocky start at right guard, Ben Cleveland became a cult hero among the fan base. His support followed the backup quarterback trope; a mythical figure conjured up as the savior because he hasn’t played enough to show them otherwise. “If Ben had earned the job at right guard, he would be the starting right guard,” coach John Harbaugh said at the time. “You look at the tape, and he didn’t beat out Daniel or anybody.” The happy ending to this one is Faalele took steps forward, particularly in pass protection, even if his hands are still a work in progress, according to offensive line coach George Warhop. And Cleveland returned to the spotlight in Week 6 when he blocked a 52-yard field goal try before halftime against the Washington Commanders. The other piece of stirring personnel drama came on the other side of the trade deadline. Baltimore brought in wide receiver Diontae Johnson from Carolina. He was said to be slowly ramping up into the new offense. Playing his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, last month was thought to be his potential coming out party. It wasn’t. Then when Rashod Bateman was unable to play against Philadelphia because of knee soreness, that should have been Johnson’s chance. It wasn’t. A statement from the team credited to general manager Eric DeCosta announced that Johnson was suspended for one game for “conduct detrimental to the team” after refusing to enter Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. Mark Andrews’ usage Mark Andrews is on the precipice of becoming the Ravens’ all-time touchdown leader. In Week 7, he passed Todd Heap for the most receiving scores in franchise history. Then his end zone grab Sunday tied him with Jamal Lewis for first place in career touchdowns with 47. One more and he’ll stand alone in Baltimore’s record books. That kind of production — seven touchdowns in eight weeks — is a far cry from where he started the season, when some fans took to social media postulating that the veteran tight end might have moved to left tackle (he was the best blocking tight end in the NFL). His scoreless first five weeks, which included back-to-back games without a catch, sure made it look that way. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has seven touchdown catches in the team’s last eight games. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “I’m always trying and striving to be better,” Andrews said. “My main goal is to help this team win games, and whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to do that, and it’s just going to continue to get better and better, and that’s my goal.” Now, he’s got the team’s second-most touchdowns and third-most receiving yards, putting that discourse to rest. Dead-last defense Baltimore’s defense looked like it had fallen off a cliff. The triple-crown, league-leading group from a year ago spent much of this season being thrashed by opposing receivers. They were ranked No. 32 in the NFL in pass defense. They led the league in dropped interceptions. They were on the wrong side of the best single-game receiving performance this season: Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase strolling to 264 yards and three scores on 11 catches. As cornerback Marlon Humphrey put it, “The brand of defense we were playing, it’s disrespectful to be in this Ravens uniform and play like that.” It was the worst partner for the NFL’s top offense. Like Andrews, the defense turned a corner. It’s not reading too much into it, defensive coordinator Zach Orr agreed, to pinpoint a team film session after Chase’s tour de force. They’re now 26th in pass defense, having allowed only one passing touchdown in three weeks. Credit goes to finding continuity on the back end. Safety Marcus Williams hadn’t been playing up to snuff and got benched. Eddie Jackson was eventually released. Now All-Pro Kyle Hamilton has an every-week partner in Ar’Darius Washington. “We took a step in the right direction, definitely, from early in the season,” Orr said, “but there’s still a whole lot we can get better at.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrown 29 touchdown passes this season, second-most in the NFL. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) MV3? After two losses in as many weeks to start the season, a third NFL Most Valuable Player Award for Lamar Jackson didn’t seem likely. Now at the bye, his odds have sputtered from superhero-like frontrunner to a participation trophy for having his name on the ballot. That’s less a knock on him as it is indicative of how well Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley have been. But for a significant stretch, it felt like every postgame locker room scrum included a Raven canvassing for their quarterback as a way to explain yet another mystifying performance. Jackson has thrown for 3,290 yards and 29 touchdowns — both second in the NFL behind Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. Jackson has also only coughed up three interceptions, the second-lowest mark of any starting quarterback this year. His step forward has been the driver for a potential third MVP conversation. “Last year,” quarterbacks coach Tee Martin said, “it’s like when you first start dating somebody. Like, ‘Can I believe what they’re saying? Is that right? I don’t see it that way, but we’re going to work it out.’ And then the second year, you’re like, ‘Yes, [Jackson] really sees that. He really knows exactly what he’s thinking, exactly what he’s doing, and he’s acting on it.’ “Last year he wasn’t so comfortable with saying, ‘This is what I want.’ This year he’s like, ‘No, I want it this way. This is how I want to do it.’ That’s just growth and development. Really proud of that from him.” Even if Jackson doesn’t bring home the MVP trophy to show for it, he’s playing the most well-rounded football of his career. Plus, he’s more worried about another shiny trophy. Sigh, Justin Tucker It’s the discourse nobody enjoys. Harbaugh hates fielding questions about it, Justin Tucker hates trying to articulate answers he doesn’t seem to have found himself and fans are coming to grips with what could be the beginning of the end for who many consider the NFL’s greatest kicker. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Does the offensive line need a shake-up? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s what fans are saying about replacing Ravens K Justin Tucker Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 14 of 2024 NFL season: Bills vs. Rams, Chargers vs. Chiefs and more Baltimore Ravens | How ‘soul searching’ meeting helped Ravens’ defense live up to franchise standard Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens’ offensive line faltered against the Eagles. Have worries resurfaced? Tucker has missed a career-high eight field goal attempts and knocked a pair of extra-point tries off the uprights. Nine of the 10 have hooked left. The first PAT sent play-by-play announcer Al Michaels’ cadence spiraling. Is it possible Fresno State special teams coordinator John Baxter has the answer? In an interview with SB Nation, the veteran college coach was adamant Baltimore’s snap and hold operation is “the envy of the league.” But the minutiae of his aging mechanics are leading to a left-leaning strike. “Everybody always wants there to be a reason,” Baxter told SB Nation. “There comes a point for all of us where performance is going to fall off. The biggest question for me is are we at that point?” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions in the middle of each week throughout the Ravens season. After a home loss against the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore (8-5) enters its bye week in second place in the AFC North while holding onto a wild-card playoff spot. Here’s Preston’s take on a handful of questions from readers: (Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.) Pat Mekari is one of the most penalized offensive linemen in the league. How far is Andrew Voorhees from seeing the field? — Johnny DiBattista in Millsboro, Delaware The Ravens took off in the 2012 playoffs when Bryant McKinnie got out of Harbaugh’s doghouse and played left tackle, with Michael Oher moving to the right side. Will we see changes to the line with Ben Cleveland or Voorhees out there? — Mike Ginsberg on X When is Harbaugh going to stop being petty and get Mekari and Daniel Faalele out of the starting lineup against elite D-linemen? — 100Dejuan on X Gentlemen, let’s get serious. The Ravens are like most offensive lines: When they have a running game, it opens up the play-action passing game as well as the run-pass option (RPO) plays. I’ve mentioned that several times during the season. When there is no running game, the Ravens will struggle, as do most lines when the offense becomes predictable. You want to drive an offensive line crazy? Force them to play from behind when the team has to throw 70% to 90% of the time. No offensive line wants to be in that position. As I mentioned before and we saw on Sunday, the Ravens will struggle against good defensive lines. Look at their losses: All were to teams with good defensive lines that can get consistent pressure with the front four. Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have struggled in pass protection. They want heavy, road-grading offensive linemen, but players like Faalele will struggle when the Ravens have to play from behind. And let’s be honest: Cleveland and Vorhees will not make this offensive line better — not at this point. Line play is about being in sync and knowing the rhythm of the player next to you, which is why the Ravens have one of the best run-blocking units in the NFL. Most teams have a weakness or two on the offensive line, and the Ravens are no different. That happens when a team pays a quarterback a lot of money, which the Ravens did to re-sign Lamar Jackson. It’s a risk most NFL teams are willing to take. Jackson certainly makes this offensive line look a lot better in pass protection when he is scrambling around. Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh pressures Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. (Staff) What are your thoughts on the team’s struggles in developing edge rushers? While Odafe Oweh has eight sacks, he is not a game-changer demanding double teams. — WordofJosh on X I agree, and for years wondered why the Ravens took him in the first round of the 2021 draft. I still can’t believe he didn’t have a sack in his final season at Penn State. Harbaugh said he expected Oweh and David Ojabo to have breakout seasons in 2024, but that hasn’t happened. Ojabo, taken in the second round of the 2022 draft, has had problems getting on the field regularly. He has more power than Oweh, but Oweh has more speed. Maybe they should combine skills and become the perfect edge rusher. Oweh has eight sacks, but that’s usually against bad competition or poor offensive tackles. He seems to play well in training camp, but his results are different during the regular season. The Ravens still have outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, but getting edge rushers has been a problem for this organization for years. Fortunately, the streak was broken with outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who combined for 22 1/2 sacks in 2023. Seems like forever ago that we had a returner like Jacoby Jones, changing the momentum of a game with a breathtaking punt return. Tylan Wallace had a shining moment vs. the Rams last season, but there have been more games like at Cincy or vs. Eagles where he either muffs the punt or doesn’t field it and costs the Ravens crucial field position. See any changes being made there, or too late in the season for that now? — Paul in Orlando, Florida Sometimes, I think Wallace adds more to this team as a receiver than a return specialist. You are correct, Paul, Wallace has had his moments, but he struggles like the rest of the Ravens’ return specialists. They always seem hesitant about returning a punt or kickoff. It might be the coaching. I really don’t know the answer, but it has been going on for years. As for Wallace, he fumbled twice in the Eagles game. By the fourth quarter, he wanted to go nowhere near catching a punt. It was disappointing but hilarious at the same time. Like most people, I am mystified by Justin Tucker’s troubles. I can see three possibilities: Either he suddenly lost it, or he is hurt and is trying to kick while injured, or the holder is not doing a consistently good job. In your opinion, which is the most likely? — Al in Columbia All kickers fall into slumps. I’m not sure Tucker’s can be attributed to him just missing or being in the league for 13 years. Regardless, he seems to be overcompensating, which is why most of his attempts go wide left. I agree with Harbaugh, though. I’d stick with the unknown rather than bring in a new kicker at this point of the season. Plus, kickers are flakes by nature. Those frail egos can be damaged quickly. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens bye week reset: Revisiting 5 storylines from this season Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s what fans are saying about replacing Ravens K Justin Tucker Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 14 of 2024 NFL season: Bills vs. Rams, Chargers vs. Chiefs and more Baltimore Ravens | How ‘soul searching’ meeting helped Ravens’ defense live up to franchise standard Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens’ offensive line faltered against the Eagles. Have worries resurfaced? Mike, what is an agent’s involvement (if any) with the players and the team during the season? If there is a “less than performing player” or healthy scratch (a la Eddie Jackson, Marcus Williams, Diontae Johnson), is the agent notified to see if they can motivate their respective clients? I am sure that the Ravens’ management has to have a relationship with the various agents whether the players thrive or not in the organization. — Dan in Elkton Dan, you are correct. In my experience in dealing with agents, they always seem to know when their players are performing well or underachieving. The smart general managers know when to place a call to an agent to get his player(s) motivated. For the players you just mentioned, I firmly believe that football players are like the rest of us. One day they get up, and they just don’t have it anymore. It might be about motivation, money or age, but it happens to the best of us. Individually or as a team, what should the Ravens ask from Santa for Christmas? Will it be a short or long list? — Ed Helinski in Auburn, New York Ed, it’s a short list. This team needs to make it to the Super Bowl or at least play well in the conference title game. If not, it will be a long season for a lot of people, particularly the coaching staff. Have a question for Mike Preston? Email sports@baltsun.com with “Ravens mailbag” in the subject line and it could be answered in The Baltimore Sun. View the full article

We asked readers if the Ravens should replace kicker Justin Tucker, the future Hall of Famer who missed three kicks in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles and is mired in the worst slump in his career. Here are the results from our online poll, Instagram and X: No — 1,872 votes (61%) Yes — 1,194 votes (39%) Here’s what some readers said about the change (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): Tucker has been an incredible asset to this team and has had a remarkable run, but the reality is that he has cost us three games this season. Missing PATs is usually cause for replacement; PATs must be automatic. Despite his expected support, Coach Harbaugh has to be questioning whether to even attempt the long kicks at which Tucker had heretofore been automatic. If the Ravens need a 55-yarder to win a playoff game, what should he do given Tucker’s dismal performance this season? Sadly, I would vote to replace him if a replacement could be found. It should be noted that the Chiefs had to replace their kicker because of injury and their coach refused to attempt long kicks with the replacement; this doesn’t bode well for the Ravens being able to find a suitable replacement for Tucker.— Mark Jacobs This is a time to instill JT with confidence, which is what Harbs is doing. That said, the long snapper, holder and kicker need to get in a rhythm in practice that they can build on and take into the game. It wouldn’t hurt to add some humor, maybe break the tension. Remember in “Tin Cup,” when Roy had the “yips/” Maybe JT needs Cheech Marin to coach him up!! — Pat Kiernan As Harbaugh has said many times, it’s a results-oriented job. And it’s quite obvious not that JT can’t provide the results, CONSISTENTLY, any longer. He personally cost the team 10 points, which would have been the difference in this game. It was the same story two weeks ago versus Pittsburgh. If Baltimore wants to get back to the Super Bowl, they need to do some serious house cleaning this offseason, and not just in the kicking department. Because the current team, including the coaching staff, has shown that they just can’t win the big games against the league’s elite teams. — jimbo0117 Replace Tucker with who? This late in the season? How long do you think Tucker would be unemployed if the Ravens released him? I still have confidence in Tucker, maybe not for a 60-plus-yard field goal, but for a game-winner. I believe the field goal team and Tucker will be practicing a lot during this bye week. I think his confidence will return. If not, look for another kicker next year. But elite kickers are extremely difficult to find. — Robert No. Tucker has been a great asset to the team and has sometimes been responsible for the majority of the points scored. He obviously needs to work on the problem of accuracy, and he should be given the chance to improve. The team should not depend on any one player to win a game. Keep him for this season and if there is no improvement, replace him in the offseason. — Anna Does anyone really believe that any available kicker is better than Tucker, even when he is in a funk? (At his best, he is obviously an indispensable member of the team.) Gotta keep the faith and hope that he rewards you. — Laurence Berbert Not only should Tucker be replaced, but the head coach. Any coach who elects to keep a player on the team who is causing them to lose does not belong on the payroll. Shame on the owner as well for allowing a promising season to go down the drain. Even if they should make the playoffs, with Tucker still on the roster, they will be one and done, again. Let the Ravens take a look at the Commanders, new owner, new quarterback, new life as a winner. — Steve Parsley Replacing Tucker means it has to be an equally great kicker ready to go now. If there were an equally great kicker, he would have already made one of the other NFL teams. No great kickers are sitting at home with the end of the season in sight. Let’s take a poll and see if we should replace Lamar for that bonehead 2-point try against Pittsburgh when he went left and everybody else went right. Or when he threw a pass in the same game and we were winning 7-6 with 38 seconds left and we had the ball at our own. Even if Monken made that stupid call, Jackson could have killed the play and taken a knee to end the half and be up 7-6. So, we pass, fumble, they kick a field goal and we lose. Plenty of Monday morning quarterbacks who know nothing about the ramifications of cutting your only kicker. — Tom Bateman Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Staff picks for Week 14 of 2024 NFL season: Bills vs. Rams, Chargers vs. Chiefs and more Baltimore Ravens | How ‘soul searching’ meeting helped Ravens’ defense live up to franchise standard Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens’ offensive line faltered against the Eagles. Have worries resurfaced? Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades through 8-5 start | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens bye week betting notes: AFC North title within reach; Jackson’s MVP odds slip It takes a good snap, place, and kick to make it work. Tucker has too much class to blame someone else. I agree with Mike Preston. I will go with Tucker. — Henry Replace Tucker this season? No, not this season. But, the kicker position should be up for grabs next year. — Lathan Ritter As a coach, loyalty to a player is essential to success, no matter the sport. However, there comes a time when that leadership trait costs you victories and, perhaps more importantly, lack of faith by your teammates (and fans), perhaps it’s time to move on. Time to call it a day, huh? Strategically, the opposing offense begins a drive in an advantageous position, putting your defense instantly in a hole. Speaking of such, recall when “Tucker for the W” was automatically assumed. It happened so, so many times! WOW! Sadly now, we hold our breaths even on extra point attempts. Who would have ever thought! It hurts as a fan and especially for Tucker. No. 9, the memories you provided Ravens fans are indelible. Each of us can remember those countless times when we won simply because of his leg! Such great memories, never to be forgotten. Hopefully, as the season proceeds, Tucker will prove we doubters will rally and once again proclaim we won because of “Tucker for the W!” When you deservedly enter the team and Pro Football Hall of Fame, you will receive a resounding standing ovation. Rest assured, all of Ravens Nation will rise to honor you! — Christopher Cheswick 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 pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 14: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (Thursday, 8:15 p.m.) Brian Wacker (15-1 last week; 127-54 overall): Lions Childs Walker (15-1 last week; 125-56 overall): Lions Mike Preston (13-3 last week; 124-57 overall): Lions C.J. Doon (10-6 last week; 120-75 overall): Packers Tim Schwartz (15-1 last week; 133-62 overall): Lions Bennett Conlin (11-5 last week; 126-69 overall): Lions New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Dolphins Walker: Dolphins Preston: Dolphins Doon: Dolphins Schwartz: Dolphins Conlin: Dolphins Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Vikings Walker: Vikings Preston: Vikings Doon: Vikings Schwartz: Vikings Conlin: Vikings New Orleans Saints at New York Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Giants Walker: Saints Preston: Saints Doon: Saints Schwartz: Saints Conlin: Saints Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Eagles Walker: Eagles Preston: Eagles Doon: Eagles Schwartz: Eagles Conlin: Eagles Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Steelers Walker: Steelers Preston: Steelers Doon: Steelers Schwartz: Steelers Conlin: Steelers Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Buccaneers Walker: Buccaneers Preston: Buccaneers Doon: Buccaneers Schwartz: Buccaneers Conlin: Buccaneers Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Wacker: Titans Walker: Titans Preston: Titans Doon: Titans Schwartz: Titans Conlin: Titans Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Wacker: Cardinals Walker: Cardinals Preston: Cardinals Doon: Seahawks Schwartz: Cardinals Conlin: Cardinals Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: Bills Walker: Bills Preston: Bills Doon: Bills Schwartz: Bills Conlin: Bills Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Wacker: 49ers Walker: 49ers Preston: 49ers Doon: Bears Schwartz: 49ers Conlin: Bears Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) Wacker: Chiefs Walker: Chiefs Preston: Chiefs Doon: Chiefs Schwartz: Chiefs Conlin: Chargers Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 8:15 p.m.) Wacker: Bengals Walker: Bengals Preston: Cowboys Doon: Bengals Schwartz: Bengals Conlin: Bengals Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

It was an unseasonably warm evening for Nov. 7 in Baltimore, where the temperature at M&T Bank Stadium lingered around a comfortable 65 degrees for the Ravens’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals. By the end of the night, it would in some ways be much hotter. Baltimore won a thriller, 35-34, but Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow torched the Ravens’ ragged secondary for 428 yards and four touchdowns. Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase gallivanted unbothered for 264 of them and three scores on 11 catches. Afterward, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who turned the game around with a strip of running back Chase Brown that linebacker Roquan Smith recovered, said the team was going to enjoy the victory, but when he was asked about Chase’s performance a pique washed over his expression, eliciting an unusually long response (436 words). “I just don’t think [with us] playing like this we can go far,” he said in part. “The way we’re playing … Something has got to change.” In a film session amongst players the following week, it did. “The message kind of became a little bit clear; ‘If you want to play ball, then we’ll get you out there, but if you don’t, you’re going to have to sit on the sidelines,’” Humphrey said earlier this week. “I think guys responded really well to what was being preached amongst the coaches, amongst the players, and we’re holding guys more accountable now. “The brand [of defense] we were playing, it’s disrespectful to be in this Ravens uniform and play like that, and I feel like we’ve turned that corner. It’s not perfect. I still think there are more corners to turn. But the mindset has really changed, the mindset has really, really changed, and that’s kind of where it starts.” Since that victory over the Bengals, the Ravens are just 1-2, with close losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles and a convincing win over the Los Angeles Chargers. But the defense — finally — has not been the culprit, and if anything has stood out while the offense has sputtered. That’s encouraging, especially considering how bad things were the first two-plus months of the season. Over its first 10 games, Baltimore allowed an average of 25.3 points and 367.9 yards per game, a steep and shocking increase from just a season ago, when then the Ravens led the NFL in points (16.5) and were sixth in yards (301.4) allowed per game. But over their past three games, they’ve perhaps turned the corner with those numbers (21.7 points, 280 yards allowed per game) falling sharply for first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. A big part of that turnaround is the cutting down of explosive plays the defense routinely gave up earlier in the year. In the Ravens’ first eight games, they allowed 39 completions of 20-plus yards. Over their past five games, they’ve given up just 11, including none last week against the Eagles. “I think it’s a little bit more of continuity with the guys that we’re playing with,” pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt said Tuesday. Part of that continuity came via addition by subtraction — notably benching struggling safety Marcus Williams three games ago and replacing him with Ar’Darius Washington as well as parting ways with veteran safety Eddie Jackson. With Washington now starting alongside do-everything All-Pro Kyle Hamilton, the difference has been noticeable. “They’ve just been playing a little bit better,” Orr said. “It’s no indictment to Marcus; it’s just a production business, and those guys been more productive.” Which is sort of an indictment of Williams, who coming into the season was thought to be one half of perhaps the best safety duo in the league. That, of course, has not been the case with respect to the former New Orleans Saints star. But those were hardly the only changes. Increased playing time for safety Ar’Darius Washington has improved the Ravens’ defense. (Amy Davis/Staff) In addition to starting Washington — undersized at 5 feet 8, 180 pounds but someone who coaches note has been aggressive to the ball with good range and communication — Baltimore has deployed Hamilton deeper on the field more often, thus helping shut down big plays on the back end. Elsewhere, Humphrey has been invaluable out wide and in the slot, has performed well against the pass and the run and has a career-high five interceptions. Others, like speedy rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins and recently acquired veteran corner Tre’Davious White, have also contributed to a defense that is utilizing fewer three-safety looks than in the past and has simplified some of its packages and calls. The middle of the field has been tightened up, too, with a significant increase in snaps for inside linebackers Chris Board (who actually out-snapped starter Trenton Simpson last week) and Malik Harrison alongside All-Pro Roquan Smith. “All the different guys next to ‘Ro’ offer different abilities and different strengths,” Orr said. “We just need production out of that position overall — [at] linebacker — and specifically, the WILL and DIME position, and I think the best way for us to get that production is to rotate those guys in there.” It has paid off. Two weeks ago, Harrison had his best game in his five years with the Ravens, racking up 12 tackles, including one for loss, against the Chargers. Against the Steelers, Smith led the way with 13 tackles and had his best performance against the pass this year. And last week against the Eagles, Board had a season-high seven tackles, which was three more than Simpson. Unsurprisingly, all three teams did not move the ball with the same ease as the Bengals and many of the Ravens’ other opponents earlier in the year. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens’ offensive line faltered against the Eagles. Have worries resurfaced? Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades through 8-5 start | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens bye week betting notes: AFC North title within reach; Jackson’s MVP odds slip Baltimore Ravens | Ravens suspend WR Diontae Johnson 1 game for conduct detrimental to team Baltimore Ravens | ‘Season starts after Thanksgiving’: Ravens playoff path decided in next 4 games After Cincinnati shredded Baltimore last month, the Steelers managed just 303 total yards, the Chargers 285 and the Eagles 252. All three averaged 4.8 yards per play or less, compared with the 5.9 or more that six of the Ravens’ first 10 opponents managed. Since that win over the Bengals and the meeting that followed, the Ravens’ defense has given up just four touchdowns in the span of three games, which is about as sound as it gets when it comes to trying to win games and ultimately reach the Super Bowl. As Humphrey said, it’s not perfect but much has changed. “The meeting definitely had an impact, just because we had to do some deep soul searching, and it was a long meeting,” Orr said. “I think it was good — from a player and coach standpoint — that we expressed what we wanted to get done, they expressed how they felt, and we were able to come together and figure out solutions, because that’s all we’re about. “Obviously we tweaked some stuff with personnel, with scheme and communication, but I still think there’s a whole other level we can get to.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens knew what type of game they were entering. Cameras filming for HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series captured defensive coordinator Zach Orr saying they would have to “bully the bullies” to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles. Orr wasn’t speaking to the Ravens’ offensive line, but the sentiment was the same throughout the team’s facility. The Eagles were built to win wars in the trenches. The Ravens would have to match them in a straight-up alley fight. The anticipated scrap did not go their way, and that was especially true for their offensive line, which allowed 19 pressures on 46 pass blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Philadelphia defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Milton Williams dominated, combining for 17 pressures (PFF does not charge every pressure to an individual offensive lineman). The relentless heat on quarterback Lamar Jackson was a major reason the league’s most efficient offense failed to score a touchdown for eight straight drives in the 24-19 defeat. And the lost battles upfront revived one of the major concerns that confronted the Ravens going into the season: Would their revamped offensive line hold up against top competition going into the postseason? Penalty woes aside, the unit has been a pleasant surprise for much of the year. The lineup stabilized four weeks in when rookie Roger Rosengarten took over as the starting right tackle and Patrick Mekari shifted inside to replace Andrew Vorhees at left guard. Daniel Faalele worked past early struggles to become a competent right guard. Tyler Linderbaum delivered the Pro Bowl play expected of him at center. Ronnie Stanley’s good health supported his return to Pro Bowl form at left tackle. It was all general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh hoped for when they rolled the dice in the offseason, saying farewell to dependable veterans Morgan Moses and Kevin Zeitler in favor of a youth movement. Harbaugh said the poor performance against Philadelphia did not shake his confidence in what they’ve built: “I think we’re pretty well set there. I think those guys could come in — the other guys that are working hard can come in — and help us, but I’m not down on anybody on the offensive line. That’s a really good front we played against. I think we could have played better, especially in pass protection. Those guys would tell you that it could have been better, even in the run blocking sometimes, for sure, but I don’t think it merits any drastic changes right now.” The “other guys” he alluded to include Vorhees, who underwhelmed as a starter early in the season, and guard Ben Cleveland, who’s still searching for a chance to get on the field in his fourth year with the Ravens. It was not hard to find fans and analysts calling for changes after Mekari played his worst game of the season against the Eagles’ fearsome defensive tackles, surrendering nine pressures and earning a horrid 11.3 pass blocking grade from PFF. Faalele graded significantly better as a pass blocker but earned his own share of ire as a clip circulated of him whiffing on a run block against Eagles linebacker Zach Baun, who promptly dropped Derrick Henry. The play highlighted the 6-foot-8, 380-pound Faalele’s struggles when he’s asked to block a quicker defender in space. Ravens coaches remain adamant that they’re pleased with Faalele’s progress, especially given his lack of experience at guard before this year. Though his mistakes will always be easy to pick out because of his size, they see plenty of good work that’s less noticeable to casual observers. Ravens offensive line coach George Warhop feels confident in his position group despite a poor showing against the Eagles. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) “What’s really impressive is to watch him change direction in short area and get his hands on guys,” offensive line coach George Warhop said. “That’s still a work in progress — his hands. But the way he moves laterally, and the things he can do in pass [protection] I think is pretty impressive, so I’m excited about him and his future.” Warhop was then asked about Faalele’s failure to leverage his power as a run blocker. “He’s a big man, [and] sometimes it’s hard to uncoil your hips when guys are right on top of you,” the veteran coach explained. “It’s a matter of also adjusting where you are at the line of scrimmage. We tend to crowd the ball sometimes, which negates our power at the point of attack in the run game. Really, if you want to get technical about it, all your power is generated on your second or third step. If you’re crowding the ball, and you don’t get your second step in the dirt, you’re not generating enough power, so that’s part of his issue is getting his feet in the dirt to go forward.” As for Mekari, he’s in his sixth season but also on new ground as an every-week starter. Guard was the position he’d played least coming into this year. Until his subpar game against the Eagles, penalties were his greatest undoing. He leads the offensive line with 13, two more than Stanley. Harbaugh expressed no concern that the increased workload is wearing on Mekari, whose great contributions in past seasons came as a super-utility lineman. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | How ‘soul searching’ meeting helped Ravens’ defense live up to franchise standard Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades through 8-5 start | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens bye week betting notes: AFC North title within reach; Jackson’s MVP odds slip Baltimore Ravens | Ravens suspend WR Diontae Johnson 1 game for conduct detrimental to team Baltimore Ravens | ‘Season starts after Thanksgiving’: Ravens playoff path decided in next 4 games “That’s an accomplishment, because that had been a challenge for him in the past,” he said. “So I think he deserves a lot of credit for that. He’s played very good football. [It’s been a] big plus.” We’ve seen the Ravens make significant lineup changes — Ar’Darius Washington in for Marcus Williams at safety, Rosengarten in and Vorhees out of the starting offensive line — after weeks of poor performance. But their message was uniform coming out of the Eagles loss: not yet with the offensive line. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken joined Harbaugh in saying he’s pleased with the group’s progress, and he declined to pin the inefficiency against Philadelphia on one player or unit. “Overall, offensively — forget the offensive line — we did not play as well as we’re capable of,” he said. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens (8-5) have graded out at every position as they enter their bye week following a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday: Quarterback Lamar Jackson has completed 254 of 379 passes for 3,290 yards and 29 touchdowns. Even more amazing is that he has thrown only three interceptions. Jackson has also rushed for 678 yards on 111 attempts. He has played extremely well this season, but it appears more teams will play zone defense against Jackson to cut down on his rushing attempts. Jackson likes to throw to his first read but appears slower going through his progressions and holding onto the ball too long. Grade: A Running back The Ravens have done a good job in getting the maximum out of star Derrick Henry and they are going to need him in the final four games of the regular season as well as into the playoffs. Henry has rushed for 1,407 yards and 13 touchdowns on 240 carries. His body doesn’t appear to be worn out for a stretch run, especially in the cold months when the weather becomes unpredictable and teams find it hard to pass. Justice Hill has split time with Henry even though he is more of a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Hill has 322 yards on 37 catches compared with 191 yards on 43 rushing attempts. It remains to be seen how the Ravens will use second-year running Keaton Mitchell, who missed most of the season with a knee injury. Patrick Ricard still is the No. 1 blocking fullback in the NFL even though he has slowed in recent weeks. Grade: A Offensive line The Ravens might have the top-ranked offense in the league, but the team’s 8-5 record shows they aren’t perfect. The Ravens have to run the ball to be successful because it opens up the play-action passing game as well as the run-pass option (RPO) plays. But when they can’t run, the team struggles. Why? Because this group needs to improve in pass blocking and it’s hard for them to come back from a deficit. Overall, tackles Ronnie Stanley and rookie Roger Rosengarten have played well, but neither dominates if the offense becomes one-dimensional. Both guards, Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele, have been sufficient, but Mekari appears to be slowing down. Center Tyler Linderbaum is good when uncovered but struggles with big nose guards on top of him. Jackson makes this group better than it appears in pass protection: Grade: C+ Receivers Zay Flowers has become the workhouse with 60 catches for 863 yards and four touchdowns. He has been a versatile performer playing outside and in the slot as well as taking handoffs and handling quick screens. Tight end Mark Andrews, believed to be the forgotten player at the beginning of the season, is emerging as Jackson’s favorite target, especially inside the red zone. Andrews has 43 catches for 490 yards and seven touchdowns. Rashod Bateman (35 catches, 574 yards) has had his moments and been a complementary receiver to Andrews and Flowers. Bateman, though, needs to become more consistent on the outside as well as veteran Nelson Agholor. He has lived up to his reputation in New England and Philadelphia for dropping easy passes. Reserve tight end Isaiah Likely seems to have cooled in the past couple games after having a strong start. Likely has 33 catches for 384 yards and four touchdowns. Grade: B- Defensive line When healthy, the Ravens have one of the best lines in the NFL, especially when it comes to stopping the run, but this unit can’t stay on the field intact for several games. Tackles Michael Pierce (calf) and Travis Jones (ankle) have been in and out of the rotation for several games. Jones has 30 tackles, but Pierce has only 15. Broderick Washington has played well for most of the season with 17 tackles. End/tackle Nnamdi Madubuike has 28 tackles, including five sacks, but hasn’t played as well as anticipated when the Ravens signed him to a four-year, $98 million contract during the offseason. Regardless, he still draws double teams and forces the opposition to at least slow him down. The return of Pierce will help improve the run defense, which is allowing only 3.6 yards per attempt. The Ravens still need to mount more of an inside pass rush. Grade: B- Linebackers Middle linebacker Roquan Smith finally brought his “A” game for the first time this season against Philadelphia. He anticipated well and shot gaps to slow down running back Saquon Barkley for nearly three quarters. But like most of this defense, Smith has struggled despite leading the team with 121 tackles. Malik Harrison (39 tackles) is a decent weakside linebacker but very one-dimensional in terms of stopping the run. Second-year performer Trent Simpson (72 tackles) has played well at times but also has disappeared in several games. Veteran Kyle Van Noy has eight sacks, but both he and fellow outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (8 sacks) need to be stronger holding the edge. Second-year outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (23 tackles) might become a threat in the future, but he needs to have more than one move when rushing the passer. It’s impossible to bull rush an opponent for an entire game. Grade: C Secondary The Ravens’ defensive backs have made progress in the past two games, but they stunk it up in the first 11. They allowed teams to throw over the middle of the field, both long and in the intermediate areas. Finally, the coaches benched Marcus Williams and waived fellow safety Eddie Jackson. Kyle Hamilton (88 tackles) has played well around the line of scrimmage and on the back end. Hamilton appears to work well with fellow starting safety Ar’Darius Washington, even though the Ravens haven’t faced a strong passing offense in recent weeks. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey is playing well in the slot, but the Ravens need improvement at the corner positions where Brandon Stephens, Tre’Davious White and rookie Nate Wiggins are the starters. Wiggins has the potential to be good, but White appears to have lost a step or two. Stephens still can’t find the ball and needs to improve his tackling. Grade: C- Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | How ‘soul searching’ meeting helped Ravens’ defense live up to franchise standard Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens’ offensive line faltered against the Eagles. Have worries resurfaced? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens bye week betting notes: AFC North title within reach; Jackson’s MVP odds slip Baltimore Ravens | Ravens suspend WR Diontae Johnson 1 game for conduct detrimental to team Baltimore Ravens | ‘Season starts after Thanksgiving’: Ravens playoff path decided in next 4 games Special teams Justin Tucker has made only 9 of 17 field goal attempts from 40 yards out, and that has caused some major problems. Tucker is usually reliable but has struggled this season with most of his kicks going wide left. Tucker has also missed two extra point attempts, which is why coach John Harbaugh has hinted he might bring in a kicker to work on the practice squad. Regardless, that will give the coaching staff a chance to look at other kickers before the start of the 2025 training camp. Jordan Stout has been consistent, averaging 47.9 yards on 42 punts, but he has been shaky in several big games. Stout has put 15 punts inside the 20-yard line. The Ravens’ return game has added little, and those guys look indecisive. Grade: D Coaching Harbaugh does well as far as organizing his team, keeping them focused and preparing them to play. However, his game day decisions when it comes to play selection and clock management are still poor and could come back to hurt the team. First-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr has struggled, but that was to be expected, especially with three top assistants moving on from a year ago. Coordinator Todd Monken has called some really strong games and has done well working with Jackson and this offense the past two seasons. There are times, though, where he becomes too predictable and allows a game to get out of his control. Grade: B Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The phrase “the bye week comes at a perfect time” is often overused by football coaches and media members. Yet, it holds truth for the Ravens. After 13 hard-fought games, Baltimore arrives at a break. It’ll be good for the Ravens physically, after 10 of their first 13 games were decided by one possession, and perhaps mentally, too. With stories about Justin Tucker’s murky future in Baltimore and Diontae Johnson’s suspension, the team could use a week away from the outside noise. They’ll return from their bye eager to make a final push to grab the AFC North lead. First, the Ravens (8-5) will face Drew Lock and the New York Giants (2-10) on Dec. 15, which feels like an on-field bye week given the state of the Giants’ franchise. With remaining games against the Giants, Steelers (9-3), Texans (8-5) and Bengals (4-8), betting oddsmakers suggest the Ravens still have a legitimate shot at the AFC North crown despite trailing the Steelers by 1 1/2 games entering Week 14. FanDuel gives Baltimore +130 odds to win the AFC North, with the Steelers holding -160 odds. “We’re right there,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We can do it.” The Giants and Bengals are a combined 5-19 on the season, and the Texans are just 1-3 against teams with winning records. While Pittsburgh has Baltimore’s number in recent seasons, the game will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in front of a supportive crowd. Finishing the season 12-5 is within the realm of possibility for the Ravens. Pittsburgh’s remaining schedule also helps Baltimore’s cause. The Steelers still face the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs in their final five games of the season. They could be an underdog in all three of those games. While Baltimore’s players aren’t focused on their playoff path or how Pittsburgh will finish the year, Ravens fans will keep a close eye on their AFC North rival. If Pittsburgh stumbles down the stretch, the Ravens could guarantee themselves at least one home playoff game. Oddsmakers view Baltimore as the better team despite the worse winning percentage, with the Ravens holding +1000 odds to win the Super Bowl compared with Pittsburgh’s +2400. The Detroit Lions (+290) are the Super Bowl favorites on FanDuel, with the Eagles (+500), Bills (+500) and Chiefs (+550) the only other teams ahead of the Ravens in the betting market. Lamar Jackson’s MVP odds dip A large reason Baltimore is still viewed as a Super Bowl threat despite five losses is quarterback Lamar Jackson. He’s been incredible this season, throwing for 3,290 yards with 29 touchdown passes and three interceptions. He’s completing 67% of his passes, and he’s added 678 rushing yards and three scores. Jackson leads the NFL with a passer rating of 116.3 and he’s fourth in QBR at 73.4. Only Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow (30) has thrown more touchdown passes than Jackson, and the Ravens star’s rushing yardage ranks first among all NFL QBs. He’s the only player in the NFL to surpass 600 rushing yards this season despite having fewer than 120 carries — he has 111. Will it be enough to win his third MVP Award? Betting markets currently cast doubts, although Jackson was the betting favorite just a few short weeks ago. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens suspend WR Diontae Johnson 1 game for conduct detrimental to team Baltimore Ravens | ‘Season starts after Thanksgiving’: Ravens playoff path decided in next 4 games Baltimore Ravens | ‘Hard Knocks’ episode 1 recap: Ravens K Justin Tucker’s woes highlighted Baltimore Ravens | Ravens legend Ray Lewis, FIU have not been in contact about head coach opening, source says Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Chris Horton says special teams is ‘on the up’ despite Justin Tucker’s woes Bills quarterback Josh Allen — second in QBR and 10th in passer rating — is the betting favorite for MVP, per FanDuel. He holds -280 odds to win the award, with his 10-2 Bills in the mix to earn the AFC’s top seed. The Ravens did hand the Bills one of their two losses, though, as Jackson outplayed Allen in the 35-10 win. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who leads the NFL with 1,499 rushing yards, holds the second-shortest odds (+500) to win the honor. Jackson, on the other hand, is listed at +850 to win his second consecutive MVP Award. No players other than Allen, Barkley and Jackson have odds shorter than +1500 to win the prize. A strong finish from Jackson — the Ravens likely need to win the AFC North behind his arm and legs — could vault the reigning MVP over Allen, especially if Jackson keeps a statistical lead in multiple categories over his peers. There are only four games left in Jackson’s regular season, but the Ravens superstar isn’t out of the MVP race despite slipping odds. “We got the Giants coming up, I’m ready to go,” Jackson said after the Eagles loss. “I’m just ready to go, man.” Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

The Ravens have suspended Diontae Johnson for one game because of “conduct detrimental to the team,” they announced Wednesday. The decision came after the wide receiver, who was acquired from the Carolina Panthers before the trade deadline, refused to enter Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium, general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. Baltimore’s next game is Dec. 15 against the New York Giants. DeCosta said the team will have no further comments on the matter. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

There’s a Bill Parcells quote that’s often evoked this time of year. For teams like the Ravens, eyeing down a crucial four-game stretch, it rings especially true. “The season starts after Thanksgiving,” Parcells used to say. Ravens coach John Harbaugh invoked the Hall of Famer during his Monday press conference. “Wow, what a truth for the teams that are still in it,” he said, “and we’re one of those teams.” The Ravens dropped to 8-5 on Sunday after a 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, their first game after digesting turkey and mashed potatoes. They’re now 1 1/2 games behind the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. Each remaining game is going to count in chasing down the Steelers for the divisional title, a shot at home-field advantage, and more favorable playoff positioning. “Every goal that we have is in front of us, and we have the team to do it,” Harbaugh said. “I’m proud of our guys; I feel like they’ve fought through a lot of things this year. It’s been 13 straight weeks. We’ve had a lot of tough games; we’ve had a lot of travel. We’ve gone against teams in situations where they were hot, they were at their best, they were playing good football, they were healthy, and it’s a challenge, and I think our guys handled that challenge really well. So that forges you for what’s ahead.” What’s ahead is a bye week. Then come three games in 11 short days: a road game against the meager New York Giants, a potentially decisive home bout with the Steelers and a Christmas Day game at the 8-5 Houston Texans. Baltimore finishes its regular season schedule at home vs. the 3-9 Cleveland Browns. The Athletic’s 2024 playoff prediction model provides a good statistical baseline. It factors in projected strength, current health and remaining strength of schedule, giving Baltimore a 95% chance of making the playoffs, a 36% chance of winning the division and a 5% chance of winning the Super Bowl — a two-point drop following Sunday’s loss. As it stands, Baltimore could be looking at a wild-card round game in Pittsburgh. A win there would presumably mean playing the Bills in Buffalo in January, vying for an AFC championship rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs. Much of that murderer’s row could change with how close the race is in the AFC. The Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Ravens and Denver Broncos all have eight wins. Baltimore has the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over the Chargers and Broncos, with a chance to jump the Texans later this month. Of those teams, The Athletic’s model predicts the Ravens, Chargers and Broncos to finish 11-6, while the Texans are forecasted for 10-7. Baltimore has the easiest remaining strength of schedule in the quartet, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. The Steelers have the toughest, which favors the Ravens’ quest. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | ‘Hard Knocks’ episode 1 recap: Ravens K Justin Tucker’s woes highlighted Baltimore Ravens | Ravens legend Ray Lewis, FIU have not been in contact about head coach opening, source says Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Chris Horton says special teams is ‘on the up’ despite Justin Tucker’s woes Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OC Todd Monken mum on head coaching speculation Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 13: Are the Ravens elite? Depends on the week. Quarterback Lamar Jackson won’t hear any inquiries on the matter. “We don’t need to worry about the Steelers. We need to worry about us,” he said. “That’s the first thing; worry about what we need to clean up on this side. Clean that [crap] up. Forget every other team.” Added Harbaugh: “We can win the division, we can make it as a wild card, or we could be out [of the playoffs]. It’s up to us to determine that. I feel like, if we win the games, we’ll be in really good shape.” It’s after Thanksgiving so now’s the time. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The Ravens are back on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” for the first time since the venerable series’ 2001 premiere season, this time sharing each hour with their AFC North neighbors. The first episode of this in-season look at the division debuted Tuesday night with John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson front and center alongside fellow AFC North luminaries Mike Tomlin, Joe Burrow and Myles Garrett. “No other division is as close, culturally or geographically,” narrator Liev Schreiber boomed in the prologue. “Tough towns sporting tough teams.” From now until the end of the season, we’ll recap each episode, highlighting striking moments, memorable characters and tasty Ravens-related nuggets. Key Ravens scene There weren’t many to choose from given the episode’s understandable focus on the one divisional showdown of the week: Steelers vs. Bengals in Cincinnati. The Ravens’ matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles was presented as a potential battle of the titans. “We’ve got to bully the bullies,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr told his players during a midweek meeting. “That’s what type of game it’s going to be.” That story never really took shape Sunday, and “Hard Knocks” instead zeroed in on kicker Justin Tucker’s woes. “His right leg was the most reliable thing in Baltimore,” Schreiber intoned, contrasting Tucker’s past mastery with his current fallibility. But none of the glimpses of Tucker showed much that we did not already know. “Hey, shake it off,” Harbaugh said, slapping his kicker’s hand after he missed an extra point in the first quarter. “Come on,” Tucker muttered, wincing after one of his three misses against Philadelphia. “It’s crushing,” he said with a pained expression during his postgame interview. Whatever conversations Tucker, his coaches and his teammates might have shared on the sideline or in the locker room remained private. Any insight into how he’s attempting repairs will have to wait for future episodes. Other Ravens tidbits Harbaugh said seeing Jackson at quarterback every day “makes me feel real happy inside.” No surprise there. But it was fun to catch glimpses of how No. 8 impresses him seven seasons in. After Jackson hit Mark Andrews in traffic for an early touchdown against the Eagles, Harbaugh marveled into his headset: “That’s a heck of a throw and catch. I don’t know how he got that in there.” “Right now, there’s another level of execution,” he said of his quarterback. “Another level of being dialed in.” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews makes a contested touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) We also learned that Harbaugh is “always freezing” during late November practice, no surprise to Ravens reporters who know his unofficial rule that post-practice podium sessions go inside once the temperature drops below 50 degrees. “I would give you the jacket off my back,” special teams assistant Randy Brown told his boss as they bantered about the chill. Best non-Ravens scene As the Steelers prepared for the Bengals, Tomlin kept poking at second-year edge rusher Nick Herbig to get him psyched for his matchup with Cincinnati left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. “One-on-one on ‘Zeus,’ man,” Tomlin told Herbig. “You’ve got to kill him.” Herbig then made the strip on Joe Burrow, returned for a touchdown, that gave Pittsburgh a commanding advantage in the 44-38 shootout. The first episode of “Hard Knocks” illustrated some of the reasons why Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is beloved by his players. (Jeff Dean/AP) Tomlin’s Cheshire Cat grin on the sideline spoke volumes. He had foreseen the heroic scenario. Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson embraced him, shouting, “You said Herb! You said Herb!” “I’m not gonna act surprised,” Tomlin said when he caught up with Herbig. “This is what you were brought here to do.” It was the perfect setup and payoff to illustrate why Tomlin has won for almost two decades in Pittsburgh. Other amusements Burrow acknowledged before the Steelers game that his team was probably one loss from falling out of the playoff race for good. Despite that, he enjoyed a light chat with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins about buying a Batmobile from director Christopher Nolan’s films and a complementary Batsuit to wear to games. The Browns’ Monday night visit to Denver didn’t make the episode, but assistant offensive line coach Roy Istvan got off some good lines, imploring his players to “pitch a fit” and “make it a grimy fight.” Episode MVP Tomlin in a walk. He came across as the perfect blend of tough, loving, sharp and earthy. He started the episode munching on Fritos, tossing off vivid descriptions of Cincinnati’s stars. On Burrow: “That dude feels the rush, his eyes are downfield, he be slithering around the pocket.” On Chase: “This is disgusting. Five touchdowns against Baltimore in two games.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | ‘Season starts after Thanksgiving’: Ravens playoff path decided in next 4 games Baltimore Ravens | Ravens legend Ray Lewis, FIU have not been in contact about head coach opening, source says Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Chris Horton says special teams is ‘on the up’ despite Justin Tucker’s woes Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OC Todd Monken mum on head coaching speculation Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 13: Are the Ravens elite? Depends on the week. He framed the “intimate divisional relationships” that come with AFC North football. “They play us a certain way, There’s a rhythm to it,” he said. Then, on Thanksgiving: “I’d like to open my home up to anyone and everyone.” During the game, after wide receiver George Pickens made a mental error that could drive any coach to imbibe, Tomlin wrapped him in a hug and said: “It ain’t going to decide the outcome of the game.” Who wouldn’t want to play for that guy? Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

Ray Lewis’ name is making the rounds in college football again. Last month, there were conflicting reports that the Ravens legend and Hall of Fame linebacker was in the mix to become the next coach at Florida Atlantic. Tuesday, Fox Sports 640 South Florida radio host Andy Slater reported on X that Lewis is “highly interested” in the opening at Florida International in Miami. An FIU spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by The Baltimore Sun but a source with direct knowledge of the school’s search for a coach said there has been no contact with Lewis as of Tuesday. The Panthers fired coach Mike MacIntyre on Sunday, one day after they finished 4-8 for a third straight year. Lewis, who retired in 2013 after winning a pair of Super Bowls in 17 seasons with Baltimore and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, has no previous coaching experience. He has worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN and wrote a New York Times bestselling memoir. Two weeks ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49-year-old was being considered for the FAU job. But CBS’ Matt Zenitz reported shortly after that was “highly unlikely” and there had been no communication between the former Raven and the school after the Owls parted ways with Tom Herman after he went 6-16 over two seasons. On Monday, FAU hired Zach Kittley, who spent the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Texas Tech, as its coach. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Chris Horton says special teams is ‘on the up’ despite Justin Tucker’s woes Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OC Todd Monken mum on head coaching speculation Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 13: Are the Ravens elite? Depends on the week. Baltimore Ravens | Behind the scenes of the Ravens’ return to HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh doesn’t rule out bringing in kicker to compete with Justin Tucker Whether there is any interest from FIU in Lewis, who grew up in central Florida and starred at the University of Miami, remains to be seen. But it would be highly unusual given Lewis’ dearth of coaching experience. Former NFL star Deion Sanders coached multiple seasons at the high school level and the Football Championship Subdivision before becoming Colorado’s coach. But there is some familiarity, or at least coincidental connectivity between Lewis and FIU. Butch Davis, who coached Miami from 1995 to 2000 before bolting for the Cleveland Browns, was FIU’s coach from 2017 to 2021. Lewis, who turned pro and was drafted 26th overall by the Ravens one season before Davis took over for the Hurricanes, has remained close to his alma mater and is a prominent figure in South Florida. All six of FIU’s previous coaches had extensive experience, including the program’s first in 2002, Don Strock, who, among other stops, was the Ravens quarterbacks coach from 1996 to 1998. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens’ bye week coming so late in the year will be a good opportunity for players to take stock of their health and clear their minds of football for a few days during a lengthy season. If special teams coordinator Chris Horton knows his guy, Justin Tucker will be somewhere kicking. The future Hall of Famer is mired in the worst slump of his career, having missed eight field goal attempts and a pair of extra points this season. It’s already the most in a single season for Tucker, who missed three of those kicks in Sunday’s 24-19 loss to the Eagles. He’s not the only one confounded. “When you see him go out there and kick during the week, he’s smashing the ball,” Horton said. “When you see him pregame, he’s smashing the ball. And he’s just gotta continue those things and bring them into the game. It’s something he has to get himself out of, and we as coaches are gonna stay on him and help him get out of it.” Tucker’s oft-repeated response is that every kick lives on its own. He hasn’t admitted to any common thread in his kicking motion over his eight missed field goals — seven of which have missed left. His best explanation came after a two-point loss to the Steelers in Week 11. After failed attempts on his first two kicks, Tucker said he told long snapper Nick Samac and holder Jordan Stout that he’d tilt his aim slightly toward the right to adjust. It was a minor in-game solution that worked, but not a slump-buster. The snap and hold of Tucker’s kicks have been fairly consistent, said Horton, who admitted that he thought about that possibility the other day and talked himself out of it. “There’s been kicks made where there’s been a good snap, not a good hold,” Horton said. “And there’s been vice versa, right? I think, for the most part, Nick is snapping the ball great. Jordan is putting the ball on the spot. And for the most part, it has been consistent.” What was once thought to be a ludicrous suggestion has become a potential reality. Could the Ravens bring in someone to compete with Tucker? Harbaugh said Monday he didn’t see anything wrong with that idea but that there’s no option out there better than the 35-year-old. Horton was asked if there’s been consideration of looking to Stout, a third-year punter and former placekicker at Penn State. Stout nailed five field goals from beyond 50 yards in college and regularly makes kicks in practice, but that’s more precautionary. “We’ve thought about it,” Horton said. “We talk about it all the time. We practice Jordan on kickoffs. If that becomes something we want to do, we could. That is a consideration. But as of right now, that hasn’t been one of the things we’ve thought about.” Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, right, watches his 53-yard field goal attempt against the Eagles goes wide right in the third quarter of Sunday’s game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) While his teammates enjoy some time away, Tucker will be doing some soul-searching during his bye week. “We’re going to treat this week just like any other break that we’ve had before,” he said after Sunday’s loss. “We’re going to turn over every stone, and I will do that, individually, for sure, just to address any and all issues I may have with my technique, anything tangible, anything concrete that I can make it a point to remedy.” Field goals aside, Horton thinks the Ravens are just starting to find a groove with the new dynamic kickoff format. “We’re on the up,” he said. Before the start of the season, Horton thought the Ravens might have an advantage with the changes, perhaps because of their longstanding success in that unit and the plethora of coaches bringing special teams experience. It has not played out that way. They’re 26th in average yards returned. Their longest return of the year — a 38-yard run from Rasheen Ali on Sunday — sits 25th among each NFL team’s best. They’ve given up a pair of onside kick recoveries. And Baltimore has an unspectacular middle-of-the-pack ranking in returns allowed and average yards. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OC Todd Monken mum on head coaching speculation Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 13: Are the Ravens elite? Depends on the week. Baltimore Ravens | Behind the scenes of the Ravens’ return to HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh doesn’t rule out bringing in kicker to compete with Justin Tucker Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh gives cryptic response about WR Diontae Johnson’s future “I’m starting to see our guys are truly starting to get a feel for this kickoff return system,” he said. “It’s just a lot different than what we’ve been used to. We thought early, we’d come out and have an advantage. But we’ve rotated some guys. We’ve had some guys that are fairly young, in their third or second game of the season.” Tylan Wallace was at the forefront of those issues on Sunday. He muffed one punt return and fumbled another but recovered both. The former fourth-round draft pick admitted that he was “a little indecisive.” Horton agreed. The bye week is a chance to reflect on such issues. Horton approached the podium to speak Tuesday having just finished rewatching all 26 of his group’s kickoff returns this season. Four of those resulted in penalties that negated positive returns, which had Horton dialed in on adjusting technique. Beyond that, he’s seeing a much better understanding of the new setup with a renewed optimism for the final stretch. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

It’s that time of the year in the NFL. With just over a month left in the regular season, the rumor mill for head coaching jobs will soon be in full churn. Three teams — the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Chicago Bears — have already begun the search after firing their coaches during the season. Todd Monken, who is in his second year as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator and the architect of the league’s top unit, will draw plenty of interest. But the 58-year-old isn’t worried about that at the moment. He’s focused on more imminent concerns. The Ravens (8-5) are coming off a 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in which the offense struggled to finish drives. It was also the second loss in three games for Baltimore, which fell 1 1/2 games behind the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers and to sixth in the AFC. “I don’t deal with it,” Monken said Tuesday about the speculation surrounding suitors who could be potentially interested in his services. “I don’t deal with it because it’s got nothing to do with the here and the now, and nobody really knows anyways.” What is obvious, though, is how good Baltimore’s offense has been since Monken’s arrival before the 2023 season. Last year, quarterback Lamar Jackson posted career highs in passing yards and completion percentage and went on to be named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career. The Ravens also finished fourth in offensive defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA), sixth in yards per game, fourth in scoring, eighth in red-zone touchdown percentage, went 13-4 and reached the AFC championship game. Statistically, they’ve been even better this year. Through 13 weeks, Baltimore is second in offensive DVOA, first in yards per game, third in points and first in red-zone scoring. Jackson, until recently, was on pace to become the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards and run for 1,000 in the same season. He might still reach those marks despite his rushing totals dipping lately. All of which will undoubtedly have Monken interviewing for head coaching openings around the league again. Last season, Monken, whose lone head coaching job was with Southern Mississippi from 2013 to 2015, interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers. Though Monken will turn 59 in January — the average age of coaches entering this season was just 47.7 years old — he could be a popular candidate again down the stretch of this season. Given what he’s done elevating Jackson’s game to another level, Chicago, where the Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams first overall earlier this year, is one locale where his name has been bandied about. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Chris Horton says special teams is ‘on the up’ despite Justin Tucker’s woes Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 13: Are the Ravens elite? Depends on the week. Baltimore Ravens | Behind the scenes of the Ravens’ return to HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh doesn’t rule out bringing in kicker to compete with Justin Tucker Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh gives cryptic response about WR Diontae Johnson’s future New York is another. The Jets were previously interested in Monken in 2019 following his stint as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator before they hired Adam Gase. Other teams, including the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars, are also among the organizations with coaches on the hot seat, and Monken’s name will soon begin to percolate and circulate. Not that he has any interest in talking about any of that now, even if others do. “I don’t control that,” Monken said. “All I control is the job I have here. That’s the most important thing, is us winning here and scoring points. Because if you don’t worry about that, then you don’t have a job here. Then the other stuff doesn’t happen. “The idea is right now, our players, how we get better this week, and again, playing winning football. That’s what we’re paid to do here. The rest of it takes care of itself.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will recap the best and worst from around the league. Here are our winners and losers from Week 13: Loser: Ravens It’s so hard to get a read on these Ravens. One minute, they look like the best team in the NFL. The next, the defense can’t get off the field, the offense struggles to finish drives and the best kicker in franchise history looks hopeless. Sometimes, all of that happens in the same game. That was the case Sunday in Baltimore’s 24-19 loss to the Eagles, yet another disappointing result in a season full of them. The Ravens (8-5) rolled to a 9-0 lead with points on their first two drives, and they got the ball back near the end of the first quarter after allowing a grand total of 2 yards on Philadelphia’s first three possessions. This was shaping up to be a statement win for a team with eyes on a Super Bowl title. But the Ravens went three-and-out on their next three possessions, allowed back-to-back touchdown drives and settled for a 50-yard field goal before halftime that cut the deficit to 14-12. They wouldn’t score again until there were three seconds left in the game. Yes, Justin Tucker missed two field goal attempts at the end of two long drives to open the second half that would have swung the game back in the Ravens’ control, but the offense shouldn’t be left off the hook for its inability to finish drives. In five trips to the red zone, the Ravens scored just two touchdowns. “That was a pretty good team, don’t get me wrong, but I felt like we left stuff out there,” Jackson said. “We should have put more points on the board. We shouldn’t have even put ‘Tuck’ [Justin Tucker] in those kinds of situations, but it’s football. Everything is not going to go right.” That’s what makes this team so frustrating. Outside of dominant wins over the Bills and Broncos, the Ravens have not put together a complete game. When the offense was on a record-setting pace in the first half of the season, the defense was one of the league’s worst. Now that the defense has started to rebound, the offense has struggled to score consistently. Playing without outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive tackle Michael Pierce, Baltimore bottled up star running back Saquon Barkley and limited big plays. Jalen Hurts’ longest completion went for 15 yards. But it couldn’t hold up long enough, as Barkley ripped off a 25-yard touchdown run with 7:56 remaining that effectively sealed the game. Then after the Ravens turned the ball over on downs, they allowed the Eagles to bleed 5:08 off the clock on an 11-play, 25-yard march that included conversions on fourth-and-1 and third-and-7. When it came to late-game execution, the Ravens were simply outclassed. There are still plenty of reasons to believe in the Ravens as a Super Bowl contender, especially if this late-season resurgence by the defense can be trusted. On most days, Jackson is good enough to go toe-to-toe or even outplay Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and some of the league’s other elite quarterbacks. But even he admitted Sunday that he failed to play up to his standard. The question remains, as always, whether the Ravens can put it all together at the right time in the postseason. Winner: Buffalo Bills The 49ers simply adopted the snowy conditions in Buffalo. The Bills were born in it, molded by it — and it showed Sunday night. Josh Allen made one of the best plays of the year so far, taking an impromptu lateral from wide receiver Amari Cooper and diving for the pylon to score a receiving touchdown on a pass he threw. Allen accounted for three touchdowns in a 35-10 rout, building his case for NFL Most Valuable Player and helping Buffalo (10-2) secure the AFC East title for the fifth straight season with five games remaining. Outside of an early-season blip that included back-to-back losses to the Ravens and Texans, the Bills have been steady, rolling to seven straight wins by an average of nearly 14 points per game. Not even the Chiefs could stop them. With Kansas City looking vulnerable and few legitimately scary teams in the AFC playoff picture, it’s starting to feel like this could be Buffalo’s year. Loser: Kirk Cousins Maybe the Falcons’ much-maligned draft was actually genius. Cousins threw four interceptions — two to rookie cornerback and former Maryland star Tarheeb Still — in a deflating 17-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday, raising questions about whether Atlanta should turn to its first-round pick, Michael Penix Jr. “We’ve got no issues with that man,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said of Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal this offseason. “I don’t think that’s gonna be the issue around here. That guy’s carried us. That guy’s got us to the point. We’re 6-6 and first place in the division. We’ve still got everything in front of us.” That’s true, but Sunday’s performance did not inspire much confidence that Cousins can carry the Falcons to the NFC South title, let alone a playoff run. The Buccaneers are also 6-6 after an overtime win over the Panthers, and Baker Mayfield has been the better quarterback this season. Atlanta holds the tiebreaker after winning both head-to-head matchups against Tampa Bay, but the Falcons have to prove they can pull out of their current tailspin before making any postseason plans. Turning to Penix this late in the season would be a bit of a surprise, but it might be Atlanta’s best shot to get the most out of its talented offense. If Cousins is clearly past his prime, the rookie could be the spark the team needs to get over the hump and an interesting wrinkle to throw at opposing defenses. Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns in the Steelers’ 44-38 win over the Bengals on Sunday. (Jeff Dean/AP) Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers Maybe this section should just be about how bad the Bengals’ defense is. Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns in the Steelers’ 44-38 win over the Bengals on Sunday, the second-most passing yards of the 13-year veteran’s career. Not even a pick-six he threw in the first quarter could dampen the spirits of a Pittsburgh team that bounced back from a Thursday night loss to the Browns to stay 1 1/2 games ahead of Baltimore in the AFC North race while effectively eliminating the Bengals (4-8) from postseason contention. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Behind the scenes of the Ravens’ return to HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh doesn’t rule out bringing in kicker to compete with Justin Tucker Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh gives cryptic response about WR Diontae Johnson’s future Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Should the Ravens replace kicker Justin Tucker this season? Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles “I thought our group smiled in the face of it, particularly [Wilson],” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. Wilson is now 5-1 as the Steelers’ starter, reviving a career that looked to be over after a disappointing tenure in Denver. Most metrics and analysts consider the Steelers (9-3) a tier below the Chiefs, Bills and Ravens to reach the Super Bowl, but they continue to exceed expectations largely because of their rejuvenated quarterback and a defense that, while picked apart by Joe Burrow and the Bengals on Sunday, still ranks as one of the league’s best. But for as good as Tomlin has been at keeping his team in the mix, he’s been equally as bad of late at winning playoff games. Pittsburgh has advanced past the divisional round just once since losing the Super Bowl at the end of the 2010 season, and it would take a major upset for the team to get to the conference title game this year. This time, though, the experienced Wilson could make the difference. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Tucked away in a corner of the Ravens’ sprawling practice facility in Owings Mills are a pair of gray, wooden temporary trailers. They are inconspicuous and look as if they’ve been there all along, which is sort of the point. They have not, but the idea is to blend in. For the first time, HBO’s and NFL Films’ “Hard Knocks” series is chronicling an entire division — the AFC North — during the season, and inside the two trailers, along with at NFL Films headquarters in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, is where the magic happens. It also marks Baltimore’s first appearance in the series since the inaugural season in 2001. Crews will follow the Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns over the final six weeks of the regular season, documenting them on the field and off it, in meetings, inside the locker room and at the players’ homes. The series debuts Tuesday at 9 p.m. and the 55-minute long episodes will air each subsequent week through the playoffs as long as any of the teams are still alive. Last season, the division became the first to have all four teams finish with a winning record, which was only part of the reason the series is focusing on the AFC North this year. “We’ve never had a chance in an access show like this to feature rivalries,” vice president/head of content at NFL Films Keith Cossrow told The Baltimore Sun. “That’s why it was so important to us when we started this iteration of ‘Hard Knocks’ to start in the AFC North. We know what this division is about. We know how these teams feel about each other. We know the history of it. We know that every one of these games, metaphorically speaking, is a bloodbath.” To capture it all will require an army of people and cameras. From before sunrise to well after sunset, Baltimore directors Tim Rumpff and Courtland Bragg and their crew will film practices and meetings and interview players and coaches. One or as many as a few players will also be mic’d up each day. Robotic cameras have also been installed at each of the team’s headquarters. The process began in earnest in the week leading up to what ended up being a 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. In all, there are about 14 people with boots on the ground every day in Owings Mills and at each of the sites for the other teams, with the size of the crews stretching into the 20s for divisional games. By the time an episode hits the air, roughly 150 people will have ultimately touched it in varying capacities, not that anyone on site would necessarily realize it. “We work very hard to stay invisible,” Cossrow said. “Invariably, the teams gain a lot of respect because they see them when they got there and they’re still there when they leave.” The math is also “a little bit scary,” he added, when it comes to how much film is required to fill out each episode — about 200 to 300 hours per hour of “Hard Knocks” — and the turnaround is extremely tight at roughly 48 hours. A film crew working in conjunction with the NFL and HBO film a recent Ravens practice for "Hard Knocks." (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A film crew working in conjunction with the NFL and HBO film a recent Ravens practice for "Hard Knocks." (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) A film crew working in conjunction with the NFL and HBO film a recent Ravens practice for "Hard Knocks." (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Show Caption1 of 3A film crew working in conjunction with the NFL and HBO film a recent Ravens practice for "Hard Knocks." (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Expand “As this progresses, we’ll get to know [the players] and hopefully be at their homes with their families, or the drive-in with them or the drive home,” Bragg said. “Hopefully it’ll give an opportunity not just of one fan base but four fan bases to really get an intimate view of their favorite players.” There’s also the matter what they can show and what they can’t. Each week, the directors on site decide on the approach they will take creatively around the biggest and most relevant storylines as they see them. Then they’ll share their thoughts with the organizations while filming as much as they can. The day before each episode airs, each team will be given a copy of that week’s show and they will have the opportunity to approve it based mostly on competitive balance issues. In other words, there is a line when it comes to what gets revealed, though there is a back-and-forth between the two sides. “Obviously we don’t want the TV show to make bulletin board material,” Cossrow said. “These teams dislike each other enough. This whole show is about rivalries and teams that hate each other, so we’re not here to pour gasoline on the fire. “If there’s any issues we’ll discuss it. But it’s not a matter of the Ravens calling NFL Films and saying, ‘Here’s what the show is about this week.’ That’s never happened in the history of the show.” So far, so good. Ravens coach John Harbaugh says the presence of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” won’t alter how the team prepares. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “We have open dialogue as to what they’re looking for and what we’re comfortable with,” Ravens longtime senior vice president of communications Chad Steele said on Monday. “We’re a week into it and it’s been as smooth as you could hope for.” How will Ravens coach John Harbaugh handle the extra sets of prying eyes and cameras, particularly during what will be an important if not tense part of the season with the battle for the AFC North likely to come down to the wire? “We’re not going to do anything different,” he said, adding that he’s never seen the show. “We’re just going to be us; that’s how we’re going to handle it. We’re going to be very genuine. It’ll be real.” Which is the ultimate goal of the filmmakers as well. This series will also be different from the training camp edition, which employs a much bigger crew to cover everything from roster battles to unknown players to the lighter moments that often take place during the summer. “The difference between this show and the summer show is the stakes,” Rumpff said. “Everything matters.” That’s the intrigue, capturing it all when the stakes are the highest. The cast of characters is also an embarrassment of riches. From Ravens quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and two-time NFL rushing champ Derrick Henry to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Russell Wilson to seemingly never-ending drama in Cleveland, there is no shortage of star power. And at the center of a potential journey to the Super Bowl is also one of the best rivalries in the sport, with the Ravens and Steelers slated to face off on Dec. 21 in Baltimore. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 13: Are the Ravens elite? Depends on the week. Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh doesn’t rule out bringing in kicker to compete with Justin Tucker Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh gives cryptic response about WR Diontae Johnson’s future Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Should the Ravens replace kicker Justin Tucker this season? Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Currently, Pittsburgh has a 1 1/2-game lead over Baltimore as the Ravens enter their bye this week with their next game on Dec. 15 against the New York Giants before the Saturday showdown six days later against Pittsburgh, which has won eight of its past nine against Baltimore, including last month at Acrisure Stadium. The rematch at M&T Bank Stadium could decide the division title. It figures to be the most critical game remaining on the Ravens’ schedule and thus the most delicious of the episodes. That in turn also sets the stage for what has the potential for fascinating television. “It’s a great opportunity to document history,” Bragg said. “I look at this project as potentially the first time NFL Films could be embedded with a team that goes all the way and wins the Super Bowl.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Each time John Harbaugh has been asked whether Justin Tucker’s struggles might warrant bringing in another kicker to compete with the future Hall of Famer, the Ravens coach has been quick to denounce the possibility. Monday was the first time he acknowledged the contrary. “I don’t think there’d be anything wrong with that,” Harbaugh said Monday afternoon. He was clear that if the Ravens reached that point, he wouldn’t want it to come off as sending a message to Tucker. Harbaugh said he has talked to senior special teams coach Randy Brown about available names but “there’s nobody nearly as good as Justin Tucker out there.” After his third missed kick in Sunday’s 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, CBS cameras zoomed in on Tucker walking off the tee box, looking back to the uprights saying, “Come on!” Harbaugh met him over on the sideline for a quick hug. “Hey, you’re gonna make the game-winner,” Harbaugh recalled telling Tucker. “Get ready to make the game-winner.” That chance never came. Harbaugh’s trust in Baltimore’s longest-tenured player hasn’t wavered but even his slight change of tone could be a telling sign. The Football Database lists three kickers currently on NFL practice squads: Alex Hale (Green Bay), Charlie Smyth (New Orleans) and Matthew Wright (Kansas City). Wright helped the Chiefs escape with a win against Las Vegas on Friday before being sent back down. Spotrac lists two available free agents: 34-year-old veteran Randy Bullock and 25-year-old Riley Patterson. Tucker, a 12-year veteran, spoke with Baltimore’s coach of 16 years on Monday morning. “I know what I have to do,” Tucker told him. “I just have to do it in those situations.” Easier said than done. This season, he’s connected on 19 of 27 field goal attempts. His eight missed field goals and two missed extra points are both career highs. His most troubling distance — perhaps obviously, but there was a time he made it look easy — is from beyond 50 yards, accounting for five errant kicks. The other three have been between 40 and 49 yards. A few of his recent misses have been costly. Tucker missed one field goal against the Raiders in Week 2, a three-point home loss. He missed two last month against Pittsburgh, a two-point road loss with AFC North implications. And on Sunday against the Eagles, his misses again proved vital. “I feel like I cost us this one, but it doesn’t really do anybody any good to dwell on it,” Tucker said after the game. “I hate that I’ve had to have this same conversation over the course of this season, but that’s something that comes with the territory in this job description.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh gives cryptic response about WR Diontae Johnson’s future Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Should the Ravens replace kicker Justin Tucker this season? Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens can’t give up on Justin Tucker now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for loss to Eagles According to NextGenStats, the Ravens’ win probability Sunday dropped 28.4% because of Tucker’s trio of misses. His eight misses have accounted for the Ravens losing a combined 61.6% in win probability, the seventh-most of any kicker. Even if his misses aren’t in decisive moments, they’ve been a clear setback, particularly in the losses. For reference, between 2016 and 2023, perhaps the greatest kicker ever gave his team a combined 167.1% increase in win probability. That’s four-fold better than any other kicker and emblematic of how crucial he has been to the team’s success in recent memory. That’s much of the reason Harbaugh has remained so steadfast. “We’re racking our brains, talking to Justin and looking at what we’re doing,” Harbaugh said. “I’m very confident that it’s gonna get fixed. I believe it will. It has to. And he’s the guy to get it fixed.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

What role — if any — Diontae Johnson will have with the Ravens going forward remains to be seen. The veteran wide receiver, whom Baltimore acquired from the Carolina Panthers ahead of last month’s trade deadline in a swap of draft picks, did not play in Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Afterward, coach John Harbaugh said he didn’t “have enough information” to talk about why that was the case, despite the one-time Pro Bowl selection being active for the game and Rashod Bateman going out with a knee injury in the third quarter. A day later, Harbaugh declined to provide specifics, instead only offering a cryptic response. “At this time I’m gonna have to wait,” he said. “There’s some moving parts there that we’re going to have to figure out and explore and just see where we’re at. “I know that’s not the answer you want, but that’s the best I can do in fairness to everybody right now.” Asked if he expects that Johnson will continue to be on the team, Harbaugh again declined to answer. “Like I said, work it out and see where we’re at over the next few days,” he said. Should the Ravens release Johnson, it would only be the latest in a series of similar moves. Already, Baltimore cut ties with veteran safety Eddie Jackson last month and has benched starting safety Marcus Williams. Whatever happens, it has been a tumultuous few weeks since Johnson’s arrival on Oct. 29. After leading the Panthers in receiving with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns through the first seven weeks of the season, he has barely played for Baltimore. With an offense that already includes receivers Bateman and Zay Flowers, along with tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely and running backs Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, there have only been so many touches to go around. Johnson has logged just 39 snaps across five games for Baltimore, one of which he was inactive for after joining the Ravens a few days ahead of their Week 9 blowout of the Denver Broncos. Johnson has just one catch for 6 yards during that span, which came in a Week 10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson didn’t play in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, despite being active. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Sunday, Johnson spent the entirety of the game on the sideline with a coat draped over his uniform. In the two games before that, he was targeted only three times by Lamar Jackson. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh doesn’t rule out bringing in kicker to compete with Justin Tucker Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Should the Ravens replace kicker Justin Tucker this season? Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens can’t give up on Justin Tucker now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for loss to Eagles Asked about Johnson following Sunday’s loss, the quarterback tried to be positive. “We want him out there,” Jackson said. “He’s a great receiver. We didn’t get him from the Panthers for nothing.” But that might end up being essentially what his contribution is for the Ravens if they decide to move on from him. Baltimore will have plenty of time to decide. The Ravens have a bye this week and won’t play again until Dec. 15 against the New York Giants. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Justin Tucker is a future Hall of Famer, but the Ravens kicker is mired in the worst slump of his storied NFL career. His two missed field goals (and an extra point) proved costly in Baltimore’s 24-19 loss to the visiting Eagles on Sunday. Tell us whether you think the Ravens should replace Tucker this season. After you vote, tell us what you think by clicking the comments button and we might publish 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

The Eagles cracked the Ravens in the fourth quarter after an afternoon of empty drives from the league’s most efficient offense and another pair of brutal missed kicks by Justin Tucker. Here are five things we learned from Baltimore’s 24-19 loss to Philadelphia: Lamar Jackson was angry … and eager for what’s next Jackson smacked his hand against the podium, reliving the three hours of exasperation he had just experienced. His mother gave it to him straight after the Ravens’ league-best offense sputtered through most of a loss to brash, bruising visitors from Philadelphia. Felicia Jones saw the running lanes open in front of her son, only to go unused. “She just cussed me out,” Jackson said. He dropped some profanity of his own, a rarity for him on the postgame podium. “I’m sorry for this,” he said. “I’m just mad, because I feel like we should win these games, and we’re not getting it done.” Jackson came into the weekend leading the league in passing yards, touchdown passes and passer rating. His offense came in leading in points and yards per game. So it’s not as if he’s had a lot to be outraged about this season. But here he was, pitted against the smart, bruising defense of a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and he could not tap into the electric flow that has been available to him weekly. It pissed him off. It’s because Jackson sees greatness in this Ravens offense that he cannot abide the shortcomings it displayed in this loss and an 18-16 defeat two weeks earlier in Pittsburgh. He doesn’t accept the penalties, missed blocks and mistimed routes that occasionally throw this beautiful machine out of whack. The Ravens (8-5) certainly had their opportunities against the Eagles (10-2). For once, it was the opponent that dug an early hole with penalties — six for 45 yards in the first quarter. That and four consecutive defensive stops created a golden opportunity for Jackson to build a meaningful lead. He pushed the right buttons on Baltimore’s first two drives, but after that, the Eagles pushed him from the pocket more regularly, and his judgment and accuracy faltered. In a showcase game, his NFL Most Valuable Player case — the last thing Jackson seems worried about, to be clear — took a step back. For once, the loss was his fault as much as anyone’s. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson told reporters after the Eagles loss that he’s eager to retake the field and get back on track offensively. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Annoyed as he was afterward, Jackson did not seem drained or depressed. He wanted to get into it, wanted to point the finger at himself. He spoke like a man who can’t wait to play his next game, can’t wait to get the formula right in time for the playoffs. Ravens fans should take heart from his eagerness, even at the end of a glum weekend. “We’re going to get after it,” Jackson said. “I can’t wait for this bye to get on.” Justin Tucker’s crisis deepened, with no alternatives in sight Even the coldest cynic could not have foreseen the home crowd at M&T Bank Stadium booing the greatest kicker in Ravens (and perhaps NFL) history at a crucial juncture of a crucial December game. That’s how quickly and viciously Tucker has spiraled. Fan anxiety was palpable each time he lined up for a kick Sunday and transformed to derision in the third quarter after he pushed a 53-yard attempt outside the right upright. By then, it seemed Tucker, wide left so often this season, no longer knew where to aim. He said that wasn’t the case, that he simply didn’t nail his target line. But the bottom line is he’s not re-centering himself as he did so expertly in past seasons. Each time he drills one purely down the middle, as he did on a 54-yarder against the Steelers and a 45-yarder against the Chargers, hope flourishes that Tucker has put this nightmare behind him. Then, he misses again and again. Tucker used to be one of the sport’s great weapons in a close game. The Ravens hardly needed to cross midfield to enter his range for a clutch make. On Sunday, as they tried to hang with the Eagles, he was a liability, missing on two attempts to give the Ravens a lead in the third quarter. Would they have won for sure if he made both? No. But the flow of the game would have been more favorable. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker missed three kicks in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) “I feel like I cost us this one, but it doesn’t really do anybody any good to dwell on it,” he said. “The only thing that we can do, that I can do, is just continue to work, move forward, take it one kick at a time. I hate that I’ve had to have this same conversation over the course of this season, but that’s something that comes with the territory in this job description.” Sports psychologists and former kickers have generally agreed that Tucker should be given space to work through his struggles by following the routines that served him beautifully through his first 12 seasons. Extra pressure from an outside candidate to take his job would do him no good, they have argued. The Ravens have given Tucker that space to this point. “If you’re asking me, ‘Are we going to move on from Justin Tucker?’ I’m not really planning on doing that right now; I don’t think that’d be wise,” coach John Harbaugh said Sunday. “But he’ll tell you, [and] he’ll be the first to tell you he needs to make kicks, because he can. I just think if you look at Justin Tucker’s history, you’d have to say he’s capable of doing that.” Teammates stand firmly behind him. They’ve taken his greatness for granted all these years. “I said on the sideline, ‘I said I think this is normal for kickers, but we’ve been so blessed by Tucker’s eliteness,'” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “You used to sit down there and know it’s going in. But I think great players, they get out of those slumps at the right moment. Tucker’s one of those guys.” Jackson blamed himself for forcing Tucker into a 47-yard attempt when he took a 14-yard sack on third down on the first drive of the second half. “Hell yeah, I have confidence,” he said. “He just made his kick last week. He made a couple this game. Just when we needed it, it didn’t happen. But the same goes for everybody on the team.” They’re going down this road with Tucker, not knowing how to help, saying they believe as loudly as possible. Will the Ravens do the unthinkable and send another kicker out in the clutch at some point this season? There’s still no indication such a change is in the cards. It’s not what anyone wants. But it’s naive to think the question won’t loom over the remainder of this season. The Ravens have turned a corner on defense by changing ruthlessly Marcus Williams, the team’s $70 million safety, was a healthy scratch against the Eagles. Williams hadn’t played since the team’s Nov. 7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but this was a new level of obsolescence for him and a symbol of what Humphrey described as a new level of accountability for a defense that floundered through the first two months of the season. Humphrey did not mention his benched teammate by name, but it was difficult not to draw the inference. “It was time to play Ravens defense,” Humphrey said. “The message became a little bit clear. If you want to play ball, then we’ll get you out there. If you don’t, you’re going to have to sit on the sideline. I think guys responded really well to what was being preached amongst the coaches, amongst the players. We’re holding guys more accountable now. The brand we were playing, it’s disrespectful to be in this uniform and play like that.” After a slow start to the season, the Ravens’ defense has shown improvement by holding each of its past three opponents under 25 points. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Williams is out of the game plan. Fellow safety Eddie Jackson is gone. Opportunistic, undersized Ar’Darius Washington is playing the snaps they left behind. The competition at cornerback is also fiercer. No one questions Brandon Stephens’ effort, but he’s ceding snaps to Nate Wiggins and Tre’Davious White. There are no sacred cows. The results, while far from 2023-level dominance, have improved. The Eagles came in averaging 5.9 yards per play; against the Ravens, they averaged 4.7. A.J. Brown, one of the league’s true No. 1 wide receivers, didn’t catch a pass longer than 15 yards. Philadelphia had to grind for almost everything, going three-and-out four times. Coordinator Zach Orr’s defense played well enough to win, just as it did against the Chargers six days earlier and the Steelers a week before that. “I feel like we’ve turned that corner,” Humphrey said. “It’s not perfect. I think there are more corners to turn, but the mindset has really changed. That’s kind of where it starts.” Mark Andrews did everything he could to keep the Ravens alive At first, it appeared Jackson simply fired into traffic on first-and-goal. What Jackson sensed and the naked eye could not pick up was that Andrews had reverse spun behind Eagle safety Reed Blankenship and would be in position to reach over Blankenship for a touchdown. We’ve seen that sixth-sense connection between Jackson and Andrews since they were rookies. It’s the reason why No. 89 is still the first look in the league’s most efficient red-zone offense. “Like I said earlier in the year, when people were talking about trading him and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “I saw him trying to make something happen. They dropped everyone in the end zone, and he just did a good job of getting open. I just had to put some speed on the ball for him to be able to make the play.” Tight end Mark Andrews, right, has seven touchdown receptions in the Ravens’ past eight games. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The touchdown catch wasn’t the last of Andrews’ brilliance. On the first drive of the second half, he maxed his vertical leap and extended his long arms skyward to pull down a 23-yard catch on third-and-8 in Philadelphia territory. That drive didn’t produce points, but Andrews did everything he could to make sure it did. He finished with six catches on seven targets for 67 yards. All that hand wringing over Andrews’ empty stat lines in September amounted to so much spit in the wind. When healthy, he’s an elite tight end, same as it ever was. The AFC North might feel lost, but that’s not true — and it’s beside the point The Ravens not only lost their battle for bragging rights with a legit NFC contender, they blew an opportunity to stay on the Steelers’ heels. A 1 1/2-game deficit in the division is substantial with only four left to play. Could the Ravens still catch the Steelers if they beat them Dec. 21 and win out? Absolutely, especially given that Pittsburgh will visit the streaking Eagles on Dec. 15 and host the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas. But Jackson made the key point when asked about the AFC North race. Related ArticlesDecember 1, 2024 Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens can’t give up on Justin Tucker now | COMMENTARY December 1, 2024 Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for loss to Eagles December 1, 2024 Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Diontae Johnson plays zero snaps vs. Eagles despite Rashod Bateman injury December 1, 2024 Baltimore Ravens | Justin Tucker’s struggles continue as Ravens fall to Eagles, 24-19 December 1, 2024 Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 24-19 loss to Philadelphia Eagles “We don’t need to worry about the Steelers,” he said. “We need to worry about us. That’s the first thing; worry about what we need to clean up on this side. Clean that [crap] up. Forget every other team.” He’s dead on. If we’ve learned anything about the Ravens over the past 13 weeks, it’s that on their best day, they can run away from a quality playoff team. We saw it against the Bills and the Broncos and the Chargers, all of whom could be opponents in January. Their ceiling is not in question. The trick is they’re not having enough best days. They plug one leak and another bursts. Would it be nice for the Ravens to play a home game on wild-card weekend? Sure. Will that be relevant if they can’t find the best version of their team? Not so much. The Ravens’ leader has it right. It’s about them. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

Maybe the Ravens should head down to the nearest 7-Eleven and see whether the store has a two-for-one sale on kickers. It’s time for pure panic in this town. Justin Tucker, perhaps the best kicker in NFL history, made two field goals Sunday, but it was his two misses in a 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that has Baltimore buzzing. The Ravens trailed 14-12 at halftime but had a chance to regain the lead with impressive drives of 55 and 57 yards to open the third quarter. But Tucker’s 47-yard field goal attempt on the first possession sailed wide left, and the second, from 53 yards, drifted wide right. That’s pretty bad for a player who earned nicknames such as “Mr. Automatic” and “Mr. Reliable” during his 13-year career. Worse yet, Tucker, 35, missed an extra point attempt after tight end Mark Andrews’ 14-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson that would have put the Ravens ahead, 10-0, late in the first quarter. Yikes. Black Friday turned into Blue Sunday. After the game, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, a former special teams guru as an assistant in Philadelphia, was asked about Tucker, and he gave his best answer. It was the right answer. A trip to the 7-Eleven is not an option. “We’ve been working through it,” Harbaugh said. “You work through it with every single player. Every single thing you fight to try to help guys to be successful. We’ll do that. If you’re asking me, ‘Are we going to move on from Justin Tucker?’ I’m not really planning on doing that right now; I don’t think that’d be wise. “But he’ll tell you, [and] he’ll be the first to tell you he needs to make kicks, because he can. I just think if you look at Justin Tucker’s history, you’d have to say he’s capable of doing that. That’s something that he’s going to want to do, and we’re all going to want him to do it.” You really didn’t expect anything different, did you? Kickers and punters are weird people. They can go into outer space without a spaceship. Seriously. They have fragile minds and psyches, and if they go off into the deep end, you might never get them back. So, Harbaugh is playing it cool. There are a lot of kickers on the free agent market, but would you rather a replacement or a struggling Tucker? Right now, the Ravens have to massage Tucker’s ego and make him feel great about himself. Would you prefer Tucker or possibly another Billy Cundiff? Take Tucker. He has the resume and the Ravens can’t afford to have a revolving door at this point. This kicker situation could get sloppy and out of hand. It’s one thing if a team is rebuilding, but another when a team has high expectations with star players such as Jackson, running back Derrick Henry and middle linebacker Roquan Smith. You have to feed the monster and make Tucker as comfortable as possible. It’s one thing to bring in a kicker or a bunch of them to challenge for the No. 1 job in training camp — like former Ravens coach Brian Billick did with Matt Stover at the turn of the century — but another to add one this late in the season. Now is not the right time. “As simply as I can put it, I missed the kicks, and I’ll leave it at that,” Tucker said. “I just left the points out there. I feel like I cost us this one, but it doesn’t really do anybody any good to dwell on it. The only thing that we can do — that I can do — is just continue to work, move forward, take it one kick at a time. I hate that I’ve had to have this same conversation over the course of this season, but that’s something that comes with the territory in this job description. “The kicks are either good or they’re not, and today, I did not do a good enough job to help our team win the football game.” Ravens kicker Justin Tucker looks up while Eagles linebacker Oren Burks celebrates a missed field goal attempt Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) There are several theories to explain Tucker’s recent failures. Before this season, there were already talks about how he was headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. But he has missed field goal attempts of 53, 56, 46, 50, 47, 50, 47 and 53 yards this season, and is 19-for-27. Those eight misses are a career high, eclipsing his previous record of seven in 2015. He also has missed two extra point attempts. As ESPN’s Bill Barnwell noted, Tucker missed as many or more kicks Sunday than he missed during the entire season in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019 or 2021. One theory is that his leg is weaker, and that happens to everybody. One day you just wake up, and it’s gone. It’s finished, and maybe that’s why most of his failed attempts have gone wide left because he is driving the ball too hard. Then, there is another excuse. Kickers go into slumps. It happens to the best of them. The only way to get out of it is to either get them counseling or let them work it out. At this point of the season, it’s best to leave Tucker alone. “It’s just a matter of a matter of … I’ve said this before, that each kick kind of lives in its own world,” Tucker said. “Whether it’s a PAT [point after touchdown] or a field goal from ‘this’ hash going in ‘this’ direction or vice versa, each kick kind of has to live on its own. And yes, I’ll leave it at that.” There won’t be many changes in the way he attacks the ball. “I wasn’t really trying to compensate for any other kicks that had gotten away from me previously, because, like I said, each kick is its own, it lives in its own world, and it’s its own challenge,” Tucker said. “So, the fact that a number of kicks have gone left on me didn’t have anything to do with why the 53-yarder, why I pushed it right. It was just a matter of I didn’t strike the ball on the target line — or on the exact target line that I wanted to — on that given kick.” So, nothing is going to change at this point, and nothing should. Harbaugh knows he has to ride this out, much like Billick did with Stover back in 2000. Remember, the Ravens went five games without a touchdown but Stover, next to running back Jamal Lewis, became the second most important player on the offense that season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for loss to Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Diontae Johnson plays zero snaps vs. Eagles despite Rashod Bateman injury Baltimore Ravens | Justin Tucker’s struggles continue as Ravens fall to Eagles, 24-19 Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 24-19 loss to Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles, December 1, 2024 | PHOTOS Harbaugh has to roll the dice with Tucker as well. Because of the fragile psyche, you don’t want to push a kicker to the point of no return — not with four games left in the regular season. Kickers are a different breed. “We’re going to treat this week just like any other break that we’ve had before,” Tucker said of the bye week. “We’re going to turn over every stone, and I will do that, individually, for sure, just to address any and all issues I may have with my technique, anything tangible, anything concrete that I can make it a point to remedy. … That’s what I mean when I say [that] the only thing that I can do is just get back to work. The only thing that we can do is just back to work and do the things that we know will help our team win football games.” The Ravens have much more to lose at this point than parting ways with possibly the greatest kicker in NFL history. They are wise to leave him alone. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. “It’s just a matter of a matter of … I’ve said this before, that each kick kind of lives in its own world,” Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, right, said after Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens (8-5) graded out at every position after losing to the Eagles (10-2), 24-19, on Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Quarterback Lamar Jackson didn’t have a strong game and appeared to have trouble reading zone defenses. He was slow making decisions and getting rid of the ball. There were several times when Jackson missed open receivers, especially on the right side of the field. If he had gone to tight end Mark Andrews earlier in the first half and then slot receiver Zay Flowers in the third quarter, both were open for potential touchdowns. Regardless, Jackson threw some nice passes and several times his receivers just dropped the ball. Jackson completed 23 of 36 passes for 237 yards and rushed eight times for 79 yards, but 39 yards came late in the game after the outcome had already been decided. He also needs to know when to throw the ball away instead of losing yards. Taking sacks was OK when kicker Justin Tucker was reliable from 50 to 60 yards, but that’s no longer the case. Grade: B- Running backs Derrick Henry rushed 19 times for 82 yards, but he didn’t control the tempo like he had in previous games. Maybe if the Ravens had converted on some of those field goal attempts they might have worn Philadelphia down, but Henry never got in a flow. The Ravens tried to counter with backup Justice Hill, but he didn’t boost the team’s energy level. Hill had only three carries for 6 yards and four catches for 15 yards. Henry had three catches for 29 yards. Grade: C Offensive line As expected, this group is good when the offense is in sync. That allows them to stay with the play-action passing game and run-pass option plays, but the Ravens are less effective when they have to play from behind. Both offensive tackles, Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten, struggled in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter. The Ravens had problems with defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who finished with four tackles, including three for losses. The Ravens have a good offensive line when they can run the ball but are below average playing from behind. Grade: C+ Receivers Andrews was excellent, catching six passes for 67 yards, including one for a 14-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The Eagles had trouble sticking with Andrews on crossing patterns and he bailed Jackson out several times with sensational leaping catches. Fellow tight end Isaiah Likely also had an 11-yard touchdown catch in the final quarter and Flowers caught three passes for 74 yards. But there were times when Jackson overthrew or threw behind his players and several times the Ravens simply dropped passes, including Nelson Agholor and even Andrews. Grade: C Defensive line The Ravens kept running back Saquon Barkley under wraps for nearly three quarters but wore down in the fourth as Barkley had a 25-yard touchdown run with 7:56 left in the game to put the Eagles ahead, 24-12. Nose tackle Travis Jones led this group in tackles with four and tackle Broderick Washington had three tackles and one sack to go with a pressure and a forced fumble. Nnamdi Madubuike also had one tackle. Overall, it was a strong effort by the Ravens and it would have been interesting to see how they would have played if they had managed to take a lead in the third quarter on Tucker’s field goal attempts. Barkley finished with 107 yards on 23 carries. Grade: B Linebackers Middle linebacker Roquan Smith might have played his best game of the season and appeared to show no rust from missing the Chargers game last week because of a hamstring injury. Smith finished with 12 tackles, including a half-sack. He did a great job of reading gaps and knowing which running lanes Barkley was going to use for most of the game. Weakside linebacker Malik Harrison had two tackles and fellow inside linebacker Trent Simpson finished with two tackles and played better than the week before. The Ravens missed injured outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy off the edge. Without Van Noy, the Ravens needed strong efforts from outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and Tavius Robinson. They turned in solid efforts as Robinson finished with four tackles. Grade: B Secondary The tackling was better until the final quarter. For most of the game, the Ravens didn’t look lost in coverage, especially to the outside of the field or outside the numbers. They did, though, give up way too many yards in the middle to receiver A.J. Brown, who had five catches for 66 yards. The Ravens were also hurt by tight end Dallas Goedert, who had three catches for 35 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Overall, this group has improved. Safety Ar’Darius Washington had eight tackles, including two for losses, and cornerback Brandon Stephens had four. Fellow safety Kyle Hamilton had three tackles despite playing through injury. Grade: B Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens can’t give up on Justin Tucker now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Diontae Johnson plays zero snaps vs. Eagles despite Rashod Bateman injury Baltimore Ravens | Justin Tucker’s struggles continue as Ravens fall to Eagles, 24-19 Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 24-19 loss to Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles, December 1, 2024 | PHOTOS Special teams Justin Tucker converted on field goal attempts from 34 and 50 yards but missed two other attempts. Both of those misses, one from 47 and the other from 53, came on the Ravens’ first two possessions of the third quarter with the team trailing 14-12. Tucker also missed an extra point attempt in the first quarter. Returner Tylan Wallace fumbled two punts, though he recovered both. By the fourth quarter, he looked timid and afraid to handle any more punts. It was a night of failure on special teams. Grade: F Coaching Coordinator Zach Orr managed the defense well and kept the Eagles off balance with different looks at the line of scrimmage by bringing several players, including cornerbacks and safeties, off the edge. The Ravens, though, still give up too many passes over the middle. Offensively, the Ravens showed very little imagination. Tucker failed, but the Ravens didn’t come up with any nifty plays to manufacture points. As for the special teams, it was just a horrible show. Two of the top three units played poorly. Grade: C- Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, can’t escape Eagles defensive tackle in the second quarter Sunday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman exited Sunday’s game against the Eagles with a knee injury and didn’t return because it was “too sore,” according to coach John Harbaugh. Bateman wasn’t targeted in the game before leaving. Oddly, fellow wide receiver Diontae Johnson didn’t play any snaps, even with Bateman leaving early. The Ravens added Johnson at the trade deadline from Carolina, where he had 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games with the Panthers. Since joining Baltimore, Johnson has one catch for 6 yards across five games. Harbaugh was asked about Johnson’s lack of involvement in the passing game, and the Ravens coach offered a puzzling response. “I’m not really ready to comment on that right now,” Harbaugh said. “I will be, just don’t have enough information right now to comment on that.” A couple of weeks ago, Harbaugh claimed he would “ramp up” Johnson’s workload within the offense. Quarterback Lamar Jackson said at the time they were hopeful to work Johnson into the offense in future games, even though he didn’t make an impact in his first few weeks in Baltimore. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Jackson said. “That’s probably how Coach and those guys are feeling. But we definitely want to get him involved because he’s a great talent and a great addition to our offense.” That hasn’t been the case. Johnson doesn’t have a catch for the Ravens since the team’s Nov. 7 win over the Bengals, and he’s only received three total targets across 17 total snaps in the three games since. His zero snaps in Sunday’s game leave unanswered questions about his future in Baltimore. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens can’t give up on Justin Tucker now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for loss to Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Justin Tucker’s struggles continue as Ravens fall to Eagles, 24-19 Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 24-19 loss to Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles, December 1, 2024 | PHOTOS As for Bateman, Sunday marked his first game of the season without a reception. He entered the game as Baltimore’s second-leading receiver with 574 yards, behind only Zay Flowers (789 yards). With Bateman unavailable and Johnson not a part of the game plan, the Ravens targeted Nelson Agholor down the field in the second half, but the former Eagles receiver struggled. He couldn’t come down with what would’ve been a large gain toward the end of the third quarter on a key third down. The Ravens, trailing 14-12 at the time, opted to kick a 53-yard field goal on fourth down, which Justin Tucker pulled wide left. Agholor finished with no catches on two targets. Tight end Mark Andrews played well in Bateman’s absence, catching six passes for 67 yards and a touchdown on an impressive grab over two defenders in the first quarter. Fellow tight end Isaiah Likely caught five passes for 38 yards, including a touchdown in the final seconds. It’s the first time since Week 1 (nine catches against the Chiefs) that Likely finished a game with five or more receptions. Flowers caught three passes for 74 yards, leading the team in receiving yards. Tylan Wallace contributed two catches for 14 yards. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

Chants of “MVP! MVP!” began to break out midway through the fourth quarter early Sunday evening at M&T Bank Stadium. Only they weren’t for the NFL’s reigning and two-time Most Valuable Player, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, and they were in stark contrast to the boos that had wafted through the chilly air earlier in the game after another disastrous performance from Baltimore’s special teams. In what was billed as a possible Super Bowl preview and showdown between Jackson and Eagles running back and NFL rushing leader Saquon Barkley, it turned out to be anything but, at least for the Ravens. Instead, this one was about what didn’t happen for the Ravens — yet again — in an ugly 24-19 loss to Philadelphia, which extended its winning streak to eight, improved to 10-2 and sent Baltimore limping into its bye week. Justin Tucker, who earned the nickname “Automatuck” for a reliability that made him once the most accurate kicker in NFL history, was anything but, missing two field goals and an extra point. Both were costly. With Baltimore trailing 14-12, Tucker’s 47-yard field goal attempt on the opening series of the second half sailed wide left and kept the Ravens (8-5) from the lead. On the Ravens’ next possession with the deficit the same, his 53-yarder missed right. Despite possessing the ball for 12 of 15 minutes in the quarter and out-gaining Philadelphia 87 yards to 3, Baltimore came away with nothing. “As simply as I can put it, I missed the kicks, and I’ll leave it at that,” said Tucker, who has converted on just 19 of 27 field goals this season for a career-worst mark of 70.4%. “I feel like I cost us this one, but it doesn’t really do anybody any good to dwell on it. The only thing that we can do — that I can do — is just continue to work, move forward, take it one kick at a time. “I hate that I’ve had to have this same conversation over the course of this season, but that’s something that comes with the territory in this job description.” It’s a job he’ll keep for now, with coach John Harbaugh saying he has no plans to move on from the five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection because he doesn’t think that would be “wise.” It was also perhaps not wise for the New York Giants to have moved on from Barkley. Sunday was only the latest example. With Philadelphia clinging to a 14-12 lead midway through the fourth quarter following Tucker’s pair of misses, the Eagles’ star back delivered a knockout punch that would have made Rocky Balboa blush. With just over 8 minutes remaining and the ball on the Ravens’ 25-yard line, Barkley, who signed with Philadelphia in the offseason, took a handoff from quarterback Jalen Hurts, shot past linebacker Roquan Smith and through the right side of the line, breaking one tackle along the way as he galloped into the end zone for a backbreaking score. The visiting faithful among the crowd of 71,344 serenaded him as he celebrated. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott tacked on a 35-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-12, and by the time Jackson connected with tight end Isaiah Likely for an 11-yard touchdown with 3 seconds left, it was too little, too late. But in the quarterback’s eyes, it never should have been. “That was a pretty good team, don’t get me wrong,” said Jackson, who was held to 23 of 36 passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns. “But I feel like we left stuff out there. We should’ve put more points on the board. We shouldn’t even have put Tuck in those type of situations. “But it’s football, not everything gonna go right.” Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, right, watches as his extra point attempt in the first quarter sails wide. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) That included with the Ravens’ high-octane offense, which came into the game leading the NFL in yards per game and second in points per game but has dealt with bouts of inconsistency. Most notably, they went three-and-out on three straight possessions after taking a 9-0 lead following a 34-yard field goal on their first series and a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews on their second. Holding onto the ball was also a problem as the Ravens fumbled three times. Jackson lost the ball twice (and was sacked three times) and punt returner Tylan Wallace also coughed it up. Baltimore recovered them all, but the mishaps set the offense back. Despite out-gaining the Eagles, 372-252, in total yardage and a defense that has found its footing in recent weeks, it wasn’t enough. “Just gotta make better decisions back there,” Wallace said. “That’s probably one of the worst things you can let happen as a punt returner. When that happens it kind of messes with your head and you’re thinking about it. You just gotta try to move on and get the next one.” In the end, they never got the chance and couldn’t overcome the missed kicks — or Barkley. The last time a running back won the MVP Award was in 2012 when former Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson took home the honor. The Eagles’ standout bolstered his case, chewing up the Ravens’ stingy run defense by the chunk. Baltimore entered the week second in rushing yards allowed (77.9) and first in yards per carry (3.5). But Barkley battered the Ravens with 107 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, left, reacts after Eagles running back Saquon Barkley scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter on Sunday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Jackson had 79 yards rushing but was upset with the opportunities he didn’t take when running lanes opened up. “I’m trying to find the right word to say about that,” he said, pounding his fist and adding that his mom told him after the game he needed to run more. “We gotta finish. “She just cussed me out. I’m mad. … She said there was lanes I should took and ran, but I was trying to let guys develop routes … I was trying to go through my progressions, but yeah, she right. I’m going through my [crap]. I’m just mad because I feel like we should win these games and we’re not getting them done.” For the first 30 minutes, it was about as even as a game could be. Baltimore owned the first quarter, Philadelphia the second and the Eagles led 14-12 at the half. Each team had 10 first downs, the Ravens had 169 yards to the Eagles’ 164, and both teams had 30 plays with the Ravens averaging 5.6 yards per play and the Eagles 5.5. But the Ravens could only keep Hurts and the Eagles down so long. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens can’t give up on Justin Tucker now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for loss to Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Diontae Johnson plays zero snaps vs. Eagles despite Rashod Bateman injury Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 24-19 loss to Philadelphia Eagles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles, December 1, 2024 | PHOTOS He got rolling in the second quarter, and thus so did the Eagles. Hurts was 8 of 9 passing for 99 yards with a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Goedert and then gave Philadelphia the lead with a 1-yard scoring run, despite fumbling the snap from under center on Philadelphia’s tush push. After struggling mightily, the Eagles rolled up 142 yards in the second quarter and cleaned up their penalties, too, with just one for 5 yards. The Ravens, meanwhile, will be left to wonder what went wrong after an impressive start on Sunday and squandering a 9-0 lead. They’ll have plenty of time to think about it with two weeks until their next game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Dec. 15. There’s also the matter of trying to catch the Steelers, but that’s a problem for another day. “We don’t need to worry about the Steelers,” Jackson said, again pounding his fist. “We need to worry about us. “We need to clean up on this side, clean that [crap] up. Forget every other team. We be beatin’ ourselves out there.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Week 15 Ravens at Giants Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. TV: CBS Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walks off the field after Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s Week 13 game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Brian Wacker, reporter: The Ravens’ special teams continues to be a problem, and by that I mean Justin Tucker. Two missed field goal attempts and a missed extra point attempt were brutal. Baltimore (8-5) could ill afford to have those sorts of shortcomings against an Eagles team that is considered a Super Bowl contender. Philadelphia’s defense also lived up to its billing. Once it settled in after the opening quarter, Lamar Jackson was held mostly in check, as was running back Derrick Henry. The Eagles (10-2) exposed the Ravens’ problems on special teams and on defense, moving the ball when they had to, especially in the middle of the field with receiver A.J. Brown, and then mixing in runs with quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley, who continues to look like the leader in the clubhouse for NFL Most Valuable Player. Childs Walker, reporter: The Ravens cracked in the fourth quarter, undone by too many empty drives and special teams misfires. Their defense, led by Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey, delivered a valiant effort against one of the league’s best teams but could not smother Saquon Barkley forever. This time, it was really the offense that wasn’t good enough. The Ravens struggled to keep Lamar Jackson’s pocket clean, and he couldn’t find the downfield connections that have made them so efficient all season. Justin Tucker missed an extra point and two field goal attempts. What’s left to say about that issue? The Ravens can no longer count on their perennial Pro Bowl kicker, and it fundamentally weakens them in a close game against a tough opponent. The Eagles lived down to their reputation as sluggish starters with six penalties for 45 yards and three failed drives in the first quarter. The Ravens didn’t do as much with that charity as they would have liked, going up 9-0 but quickly ceding the momentum to Philadelphia’s offense in the second quarter. Once the Eagles started sending Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown over the middle and mixing in runs from quarterback Jalen Hurts, they had the Baltimore defense on its heels. The Ravens buckled down again after halftime, but without any points from their offense, they never regained control. This and the loss in Pittsburgh two weeks earlier have taught us they’re simply not at their best in close, punishing contests. Mike Preston, columnist: Well, the Ravens can no longer blame the defense. This group played well enough to win and held one of the league’s better quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts, and running backs in check for most of the game until Saquon Barkley started taking control midway in the fourth quarter, including a 25-yard touchdown run. In the second half, the Ravens’ offense never got in sync. When it did, kicker Justin Tucker missed two field goal attempts. He also missed an extra point attempt. Not only did he damage the team’s psyche, but the Ravens failed to overcome Philadelphia’s slight lead. Physically, the Ravens played well enough to win, but their offense was far from dominant and their special teams were a total mess. Fortunately, the Ravens still have four games remaining, but it’s hard to find a kicker to replace Tucker this late in the season. While the defense seems to have found it’s rhythm, the offense appears out of whack. Worse yet, the AFC North-leading Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 44-38, to give Pittsburgh a 1 1/2-game lead in the division. C.J. Doon, editor: It felt like only a matter of time before Saquon Barkley was going to break free. The Ravens did an admirable job bottling up the MVP candidate, but not long enough. The star running back’s 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter put the finishing touches on a statement victory by the Eagles, who have now won eight straight and might be the best team in football. For the first time in a long, long time, it felt like Lamar Jackson wasn’t the best player on the field. Barkley was the closer Sunday, not Jackson nor fellow running back Derrick Henry. That’s a strange feeling for a Baltimore team that has often been the team dictating terms at the end of the game for most of this season — and most of the Jackson era, for that matter. And we have to address the elephant in the room that is Justin Tucker. The Ravens’ special teams edge has long been a given under coach John Harbaugh, but now it’s a legitimate weakness. The margin for error in these elite matchups is small, and the Ravens are struggling to overcome their mistakes. The good news is the bye week and a matchup against the lowly Giants should get this team back on track before the postseason push really begins. Tim Schwartz, editor: Yikes. That was a disaster for the Ravens, who took a 9-0 lead and then melted away. Justin Tucker is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but how can he be trusted in a big spot after all this? His confidence has to be shot, and he doesn’t have the leg to make the long ones he made look so routine for so many years. Maybe a bye week spent on a hot Caribbean beach will solve his woes, but that’s probably wishful thinking. The Eagles are a good team but Baltimore laid an egg, and Lamar Jackson never quite found a rhythm. Those missed kicks will do that. A bye week and the lowly Giants after that will make life easier for the Ravens, who are certainly headed to the playoffs but almost certainly to be playing in the wild-card round on the road somewhere. The Super Bowl feels like a long way away right now. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles, December 1, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Eagles live updates: Postgame reaction and analysis from Baltimore’s 24-19 loss Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens vs. Eagles could be a Super Bowl preview | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens LB Roquan Smith set to play against Eagles; OLB Kyle Van Noy doubtful Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson faces stern test of his NFC mastery vs. Eagles Bennett Conlin, editor: Special teams cost the Ravens this game. Justin Tucker missed two field goal attempts and an extra point attempt, and the Eagles continuously pinned the Ravens deep in their own territory with stellar punts from Braden Mann. In a game between two evenly matched teams, those problems stuck out. Two games ago, Tucker missed a pair of field goal attempts in an 18-16 loss to the Steelers. His misses have cost the Ravens dearly in two recent losses to likely playoff participants. Can John Harbaugh and the Ravens trust Tucker the rest of the season or in the playoffs? Should they bring in another kicker for a tryout? Is it possible they cut a franchise legend midway through the season? If the Ravens are serious about winning a Super Bowl this season, they need to figure out the problems in the kicking game. They don’t have a large enough margin for error to give away points on special teams. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article