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To say the Ravens clinching the top seed in the AFC and the first-round bye in the playoffs with its blowout of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday couldn’t have come at a better time would be an understatement. Baltimore has ruled out six players, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, for Saturday afternoon’s regular-season finale against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, while another six are questionable. Some of those moves were the decision of coach John Harbaugh, given that the outcome of Saturday’s game is meaningless for the Ravens, who will start backup quarterback Tyler Huntley and rest Jackson for the divisional round. Of note, five players listed as questionable are defensive backs: cornerbacks Brandon Stephens (ankle), Arthur Maulet (hip) and Ronald Darby (illness) and safeties Kyle Hamilton (knee) and Ar’Darius Washington (pectoral). Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), safety Daryl Worley (shoulder/ankle) and outside linebacker Malik Harrison (groin) will not play, likely leaving cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin and Damarion “Pepe” Williams and safeties Marcus Williams and Geno Stone to lead a shorthanded secondary. On offense, the Ravens will be without wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (rest/coach’s decision). Rookie receiver Zay Flowers (calf) is doubtful, while special teams standout and reserve wideout Tylan Wallace (knee) is questionable. Right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad/coach’s decision) is out. Flowers did not practice all week, while Wallace was limited. For the Steelers, safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and Trenton Thompson (neck) are questionable, as is linebacker Elandon Roberts (pectoral), though Roberts told reporters Thursday that he would play. All three players practiced on a limited basis this week. Also limited Thursday were outside linebacker T.J. Watt (rest) and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (groin), though neither has an injury designation and both are expected to play. Linebacker Myles Jack (personal) and left guard Isaac Seumalo (shoulder) missed practice Thursday but both are also expected to suit up. While the Ravens have nothing to play for but pride, the Steelers are still fighting for a playoff berth. Pittsburgh clinches a spot with the following scenarios: Steelers win + Bills loss OR Steelers win + Jaguars loss or tie OR Steelers win + Texans-Colts tie OR Steelers tie + Jaguars loss + Texans-Colts doesn’t end in tie OR Jaguars loss + Broncos win + Texans-Colts doesn’t end in tie View the full article

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The Ravens’ backfield got a potential boost a little more than two weeks before the team begins its quest for a Super Bowl title. Free agent running back Dalvin Cook is signing with the Ravens’ practice squad, his agent confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Thursday. The move comes after Cook parted ways with the Jets on Tuesday following less than a year in New York and went unclaimed on waivers Thursday. Baltimore was one of at least two teams interested in the four-time Pro Bowl selection, including the Dallas Cowboys. The signing comes after the Ravens (13-3) lost running back J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 1 and rookie Keaton Mitchell to a torn ACL last month. ESPN was first to report the move. Gus Edwards (762 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns) and Justice Hill (387 yards, 3 TDs) have received the bulk of the carries in recent weeks behind quarterback and NFL Most Valuable Player Award favorite Lamar Jackson, the team’s leading rusher with 821 yards and five scores. Melvin Gordon III (63 yards on 19 carries), a two-time Pro Bowl selection, also had six carries for 10 yards and a touchdown after being promoted from the practice squad in Sunday’s 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins that clinched the top seed in the AFC, the first-round bye and home-field advantage through the conference championship game. Cook, 28, signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Jets this summer after the arrival of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers as something of an insurance policy for Breece Hall, who was coming off a torn ACL. But Hall ended up being largely healthy, playing in 16 games, and Cook, a 2017 second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, never got his footing in New York, rushing for just 214 yards on 67 carries with no touchdowns. With the Jets, Cook averaged just under 4.8 carries per game and 3.2 yards per carry, easily the lowest mark of his career, and played only 202 snaps on offense, his lowest tally since his injury-shortened rookie year. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Browns sitting Joe Flacco, other top players vs. Bengals to be rested for playoffs Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rule out 6 players for Saturday’s regular-season finale vs. Steelers; 6 others questionable Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Patrick Queen on being selected to the Pro Bowl | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | John Harbaugh on the play of Lamar and his plans for the national championship game | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Justin Madubuike on the final week of the regular season | VIDEO Week 1 was the only time that he received double-digit carries in New York, and after playing 50% of the offensive snaps in the opener, he played no more than 36% the rest of the way. That eventually led to Cook saying a lack of touches was “frustrating” and that he would speak to general manager Joe Douglas about a potential trade, though no deal materialized before the Oct. 31 deadline. Before signing with the Jets, Cook spent the first six years of his career with Minnesota, where he rushed for 6,165 yards and 49 touchdowns in the regular season and playoffs and topped the 1,000-yard mark four straight seasons from 2019 to 2022. His best season came in 2020, when he ran for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season, both career highs. He is also an adept receiver out of the backfield, with 251 catches for 1,926 yards and five touchdowns in his career, including the postseason. Cook will forfeit the remaining guaranteed money on his contract for the move to take place, according to multiple reports. His deal called for a guaranteed $5.8 million salary this year, per Over The Cap. The Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) in Saturday afternoon’s regular-season finale. View the full article

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After Michigan’s dramatic, come-from-behind 27-20 overtime win over Alabama in Monday’s Rose Bowl, which sent the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff national championship game, the parents of winning coach Jim Harbaugh were there to take it all in. It’s not uncommon for family members to share in the revelry of such a crowning achievement. It was, after all, Michigan’s first playoff win, a breakthrough moment for a program that hasn’t won a national title since 1997 and was engulfed in a sign-stealing scandal this season that led to the suspension of its coach, a settlement with the Big Ten Conference and an impassioned defense from Harbaugh’s older brother. So when Jackie Harbaugh was asked for her reaction by WXYZ Detroit’s Brad Galli after seeing her 60-year-old son win the most important game of his nine seasons at the helm at his alma mater, she said what every Wolverines fan was probably thinking. “Are you kidding me?! They won! What’s better than that?!” If that wasn’t enough, Jack Harbaugh led a rousing rendition of a rallying cry he said has been used in the family for a long time (and will sound familiar to Michigan and Ravens fans alike): “Who’s got it better than us? Nobody!” The one-minute interview received close to 6 million views on X, formerly known as Twitter, shining a spotlight on perhaps the most famous coaching family in football. (Ravens coach John Harbaugh earned plenty of attention himself this week for dancing in the locker room and smearing blood on his forehead after Sunday’s big win over the Miami Dolphins.) “It’s been amazing. I just couldn’t be happier,” Harbaugh, Jim’s older brother by one year, said after practice Wednesday in Owings Mills. “I was really happy for my mom and dad.” Harbaugh said he wasn’t surprised to hear his parents superstitiously decided to switch seats before the Wolverines’ game-tying touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Nor was he shocked to see his mother have such a strong reaction. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | John Harbaugh on the play of Lamar and his plans for the national championship game | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Justin Madubuike on the final week of the regular season | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Answering questions about coaching staff, playoff matchups and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 18: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens send AFC-leading 7 players to Pro Bowl, including Lamar Jackson, 4 first-time selections “That is so classic of them,” Harbaugh said. “Actually, thinking [about it], it probably did make the difference. “My mom — you put a microphone in front of her face, or you hang out with her for a couple of minutes, you don’t even have to ask her what she thinks, she’s going to tell you what she thinks — I think [Galli] figured that out pretty quick, so it was fun to watch.” He was happy to point out, too, that Michigan running back Blake Corum, who rushed for 83 yards, caught a touchdown pass and scored the eventual game-winning touchdown in overtime, played high school football at Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy. While the Ravens are still playing, this time of year is perhaps not as busy — nor as stressful — for Harbaugh as it is most seasons. The Ravens clinched the top seed in the AFC with a dominant 56-19 win over the Dolphins on Sunday, so Saturday afternoon’s regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers does not have any playoff implications for Baltimore. Harbaugh said Wednesday that star quarterback and likely NFL Most Valuable Player Award winner Lamar Jackson will not play, and several other starters are expected to join him on the bench. So will Harbaugh attend the national championship game Monday at NRG Stadium in Houston to see No. 1 Michigan take on No. 2 Washington? You bet. “I’m going to go to the game [and] take [my wife] Ingrid [Harbaugh], and we’re going to enjoy that,” he said. Perhaps Jim will return the favor next month. The Ravens have the second-best odds to win the Super Bowl, which kicks off Feb. 11 in Las Vegas. And it could very well be the Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers, the same matchup that pitted brother against brother for the first time in Super Bowl history in February 2013. If they’re lucky, maybe the Harbaugh family will have two championships to celebrate this year. View the full article

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions throughout the Ravens season. Coming off Baltimore’s 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, plenty of questions remain heading into the regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s Preston’s take: (Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.) Outside of the stellar play by the players this season, I feel like the coaching has really helped Ravens become a juggernaut too. From top to bottom, do you think this is probably John Harbaugh’s best overall coaching staff that he’s assembled? — Paul in Orlando That’s a hard question and I really don’t know the answer. With Harbaugh, he has reached a level of success in which his teams are expected to make the playoffs every year, and that’s a great standard. He has had to deal with a lot of injuries, but so has every other coach in the NFL. I am not in the meetings or on the field once the regular season starts, so it’s hard to say this was his best coaching staff. I think he has two really good coordinators in Todd Monken (offense) and Mike Macdonald (defense) and Harbaugh selected both. Monken has come in and taught Lamar Jackson to become a better passer and more complete quarterback. Jackson had his best game against Miami last week as far as accuracy and being able to throw the long ball. Can he do it again? We’ll find out, but that’s the most important piece of the offense entering the postseason. Jackson couldn’t do that in his first five seasons in Baltimore. With Macdonald, this is his second season as coordinator and the players are used to being in his system and have worked out a lot of the communication problems. The players like and respect Macdonald, and that’s been a major part of their success. The acquisition of middle linebacker Roquan Smith last season was a major piece of putting this defense together. There has been a lot of criticism of Harbaugh through the years, but his strengths significantly outweigh his weaknesses, especially his organization and work ethic. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | John Harbaugh on the play of Lamar and his plans for the national championship game | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Justin Madubuike on the final week of the regular season | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | After parents’ viral reaction, Ravens coach John Harbaugh will attend national title game to support Michigan and brother Jim Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 18: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens send AFC-leading 7 players to Pro Bowl, including Lamar Jackson, 4 first-time selections Since becoming coach in 2008, Harbaugh has worked hard to improve his relationship with “high maintenance” players and it has paid off. This might not be his best coaching job, but this is his most balanced and complete team, and it’s a reflection of him and his staff. The Ravens won’t be able to retain all of their free agents because of the salary cap. Would it make sense in the Steelers game to give playing time to some current backups to see if they could start next year? — Harris Levy on X It might make sense, but that certainly isn’t the main objective. These guys are professionals and they want to compete and win. Harbaugh has already said that Jackson won’t play and I suspect he’ll hold out other stars such as Smith and injured players such as safety Kyle Hamilton and rookie receiver Zay Flowers. Players such as Smith and Jackson are irreplaceable and Hamilton and Flowers are major weapons. Harbaugh won’t reveal the other players who will be held out because he wants to keep Steelers coach Mike Tomlin guessing, which is a sound strategy. But the reserves will come out and play hard. The NFL is all about opportunity, and for some of them it’s a chance of a lifetime. There are some who think players won’t give 100% because the game is virtually meaningless, but none of the Ravens want to walk into that film room Monday and see themselves getting beat. Besides being professionals, there is also a pride factor. No player, regardless of which team he plays for, wants to get embarrassed on game day. Which team is the worst matchup for the Ravens in the playoffs? — Mike VH on X The Ravens probably would prefer not to play AFC North rivals Pittsburgh or Cleveland. Both of those teams are familiar with the Ravens and know their strengths and weaknesses better than Buffalo or Kansas City, who haven’t played Baltimore this season. The Steelers and Browns have played in Baltimore through the years and know what it takes to be physical and win here. Cleveland beat the Ravens, 33-31, at M&T Bank Stadium on Nov. 12 and Pittsburgh beat the Ravens, 17-10, Oct. 8 at home. The Steelers have won six of the past seven meetings. Members of the Ravens’ front office staff weren’t happy Pittsburgh kept its playoff hopes alive last week by beating the Seattle Seahawks, 30-23. Looking at the progression of Justin Madubuike, do you see potential similar growth for Travis Jones? Both were third-round picks. The Ravens seem to have a strong history of developing mid-round lineman like Art Jones, Brandon Williams, Brent Urban etc. — Josh There are some comparisons to be made. When Madubuike first got to Baltimore, he had some baby fat on him but has worked hard to build up his body. He is a specimen now with great quickness and a great “get off” at the snap, which allows him to penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield. Jones, at 6 feet 4 and 338 pounds, is bigger than Madubuike was when he was younger and has worked hard to transform his body as well. It’s clearly noticeable and he has played well the past couple of games. Jones doesn’t have Madubuke’s quickness, but he does have more bulk and might be stronger. If he has another strong offseason, he could become a force in his third season. Now that the regular season is coming to a close, the annual influx of mock drafts is appearing. Other than “best player available,” what do you think the Ravens will be looking for in the 2024 NFL draft? — Bob in NC Bob, they need offensive tackles. They’ve been rotating at the position for the past two games and that’s extremely unusual. Neither starters Ronnie Stanley nor Morgan Moses are probably happy, but the rotation with Patrick Mekari and sometimes Daniel Faalele has worked well. Both Stanley and Moses have been solid the past two weeks, and the extra rest from the first-round bye will help. But the Ravens have to get younger and better on the outside, and they might have to find two guards as well because both starters, John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler, are free agents at the end of the season. With Madubuike and nose tackle Michael Pierce on the free agent market as well, the Ravens might have to build on both interior lines. View the full article

The Ravens thrashed the Miami Dolphins, 56-19, to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. The Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-23 road win over the Seattle Seahawks. Who will have the edge when these rivals meet in Saturday’s regular-season finale at M&T Bank Stadium? Ravens passing game vs. Steelers pass defense Lamar Jackson played perhaps the best game of his career in the blowout over the Dolphins, likely securing his second NFL Most Valuable Player trophy and ensuring he will be inactive against Pittsburgh. With three other quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, the Ravens have options for covering Jackson’s snaps. Tyler Huntley will start, with third-stringer Josh Johnson as his backup. The Ravens could also use the second half to look at Malik Cunningham, whom they signed off the New England Patriots’ practice squad to compete for their backup job next summer. Cunningham also took practice reps at wide receiver Wednesday. Huntley is 3-5 as a starter in his career and has completed 65.6% of his passes, but the team’s offense will be less explosive, with wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers also candidates to rest for most or all of Saturday’s game. That could lead to increased opportunities for wide receivers Rashod Bateman (four catches, 54 yards against the Dolphins) and Nelson Agholor and tight end Charlie Kolar. Offensive line starters Morgan Moses, Ronnie Stanley and Kevin Zeitler might be active against Pittsburgh, but don’t expect significant workloads for them either. The Ravens could be in for a difficult afternoon against the Steelers’ talented pass defense, which ranks seventh in DVOA and ninth in pressures per dropback. Pittsburgh blitzes frequently and features two of the league’s best edge rushers in T.J. Watt (17 sacks, 34 quarterback hits, eight passes defended) and Alex Highsmith (seven sacks, 18 quarterback hits). Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is usually in the same class but has struggled with a groin injury that sidelined him for six games. Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has flashed considerable potential and made his lone interception in the Steelers’ Oct. 8 win over the Ravens. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, normally the top playmaker in Pittsburgh’s secondary, is working through a knee injury and was limited in practice Wednesday. EDGE: Steelers Steelers passing game vs. Ravens pass defense The Steelers have sprung to life over the last two weeks with Mason Rudolph at quarterback and his positional coach, Mike Sullivan, calling the plays. Rudolph began the season third on the depth chart behind Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky, but Pittsburgh has scored more than 30 points in both of his starts after failing to reach even 20 in the previous five games. He has completed 68.5% of his passes with no interceptions, and the team’s most dynamic receiver, George Pickens, has exploded for 326 yards over the past two games. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson and tight end Pat Freiermuth, neither of whom played against the Ravens in October, are also back in the mix as significant targets. Starting tackles Broderick Jones and Dan Moore Jr. don’t grade as good pass blockers, according to Pro Football Focus, but the Steelers have allowed just 33 sacks this season. They will take on a Ravens defense that ranks No. 1 in DVOA against the pass after holding Miami’s fast-paced aerial attack in check. They did it largely without starting cornerbacks Brandon Stephens and Marlon Humphrey and without do-it-all safety Kyle Hamilton. Expect those three to play little, if at all, against the Steelers, meaning cornerbacks Rock Ya-Sin, Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet will again have to step up. Coordinator Mike Macdonald eschewed blitzes and trickery at the line of scrimmage in a successful second half against Miami, and it will be interesting to see if he goes vanilla against the Steelers given the low stakes. The Ravens lead the league in sacks, and veterans Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy are shooting to reach double digits, but they, along with top interior pass rusher Justin Madubuike, could rest more than usual. EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Steelers run defense Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | John Harbaugh on the play of Lamar and his plans for the national championship game | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Justin Madubuike on the final week of the regular season | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | After parents’ viral reaction, Ravens coach John Harbaugh will attend national title game to support Michigan and brother Jim Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Answering questions about coaching staff, playoff matchups and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens send AFC-leading 7 players to Pro Bowl, including Lamar Jackson, 4 first-time selections The Ravens lead the league in rushing and added 160 yards on 32 attempts against the Dolphins despite missing speedy rookie Keaton Mitchell, who’s out for the season. They will probably look quite different against the Steelers without Jackson drawing defensive attention and with top running backs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill seeing limited work. It could be a big day for veteran Melvin Gordon III, who bided his time on the practice squad most of the season but churned for a 7-yard score when he got in against Miami. The Ravens could also call up Owen Wright to take some carries. They’ll take on a decent Pittsburgh run defense that has allowed 4.3 yards per carry but has held opponents under 100 yards three of the past four weeks. The Steelers’ top tackler, linebacker Elandon Roberts, is dealing with a pectoral injury that limited him in practice Wednesday. Watt and Highsmith are excellent run defenders on the edges, while Heyward is still sturdy in the middle. EDGE: Even Steelers running game vs. Ravens run defense Pittsburgh continues to split carries between Jaylen Warren, who averages 5.4 yards per attempt, and Najee Harris, who’s coming off his best game of the season in Seattle. The pair combined for 197 yards on 40 carries against the Seahawks, though Harris did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. The Steelers weren’t a dynamic running team early in the season but have ground out at least 150 yards in five of their past nine games. They will test a Ravens defense that has often conceded running room this season by going with lighter boxes. Miami’s De’Von Achane attacked them on the edge with 107 yards on 14 carries, knocking Macdonald’s defense down to 27th in yards per attempt allowed. Linebacker Roquan Smith is nursing a pectoral injury while his partner, Patrick Queen, aggravated a shoulder injury against the Dolphins, so the Ravens might rest their top two tacklers, though Queen said he plans to play. Malik Harrison, one of the team’s top edge setters, did not practice Wednesday because of a groin injury. EDGE: Steelers The Ravens will have the edge in special teams for Saturday’s game against the Steelers, thanks in part of Justin Tucker, left. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens special teams vs. Steelers special teams The Ravens have vaulted all the way to No. 2 in special teams DVOA thanks to a return game that has only grown more dynamic with Tylan Wallace fielding punts and Hill taking kickoffs. Hill’s 78-yard kickoff return to start the second half helped bury the Dolphins. Justin Tucker has made 31 of 36 field goal attempts, though coach John Harbaugh chose to go for it on fourth-and-7 rather than ask Tucker to kick from beyond 50 yards into the wind against Miami. The Steelers rank 18th in special teams, with kicker Chris Boswell’s excellent work (28 of 30 on field goal attempts, including 6 of 7 from 50 yards and beyond) mitigating below-average performance on punt coverage and punt returns. EDGE: Ravens Ravens intangibles vs. Steelers intangibles Steelers coach Mike Tomlin faced unusually bitter criticism this year for sticking with offensive coordinator Matt Canada until late November, but he has his team in position to steal another playoff berth with a win over the Ravens and a bit of help. Like Harbaugh, Tomlin never seems to lose his grip on a season, and his team will certainly be motivated to keep its postseason chances alive. Pittsburgh has won six of its past seven against the Ravens, none by more than a touchdown and many of them with late rallies. The Ravens could not be riding higher coming off demolitions of the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, but they earned the right to rest Jackson and their many banged-up starters in a game they have little incentive to win. EDGE: Steelers Prediction The Ravens would be favored by at least a touchdown if they needed to win this game, but they don’t, and the Steelers will be fired up to keep their season alive. Rudolph has given their offense a jolt, and they’ll move the ball against the Baltimore reserves. The Ravens will keep it close — is it ever not when these teams play? — but won’t sacrifice the greater good to chase victory. Steelers 20, Ravens 19 View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, safety Kyle Hamilton, inside linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, center Tyler Linderbaum and kicker Justin Tucker were named to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster Wednesday night. Hamilton, Smith, and Tucker were named starters in the Feb. 4 event in Orlando, Florida, the weekend before the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, which will consist of a flag football game and skills competition. Only the San Francisco 49ers (nine) had more players selected than the Ravens, who have the NFL’s best record and locked up the top seed in the AFC with Sunday’s blowout of the Miami Dolphins. The Dallas Cowboys also had seven players chosen. This marks the third time Jackson has been selected after also being chosen in 2019 and 2021. It also figures to be the first of several awards for the 26-year-old quarterback, who is the favorite to be named NFL Most Valuable Player for a second time after being the unanimous choice in 2019. Jackson, who won’t play in Saturday’s regular season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, threw for a career-high 3,678 yards along with 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in 16 games. He also completed a career-best 67.2% of his passes and rushed for 821 yards and five scores. Sunday, he torched the Dolphins with 321 yards and five touchdowns on 18 of 21 passing to finish with a perfect passer rating (158.3) a week after throwing for 252 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-19 Christmas night romp over the 49ers. For Hamilton, it’s his first Pro Bowl selection. The second-year, do-it-all safety out of Notre Dame has 81 tackles, 13 passes defended, four interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown), three sacks and has been the linchpin to the league’s best defense with the Ravens leading the NFL in points allowed (16.4), sacks (57) and takeaways (29). “It’s kind of surreal,” Hamilton said in a statement. “I don’t think it has settled in yet. Honestly, growing up, watching the Pro Bowl every year, it’s cool to have the opportunity to play in it. Obviously, we want to be playing in the Super Bowl.” It is also the first Pro Bowl selection for Madubuike, who has had a breakout year in his fourth season. The 26-year-old, who is in the final year of his rookie contract with Baltimore, has career highs in sacks (13), quarterback hits (32) and pressures (33). Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | John Harbaugh on the play of Lamar and his plans for the national championship game | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Justin Madubuike on the final week of the regular season | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | After parents’ viral reaction, Ravens coach John Harbaugh will attend national title game to support Michigan and brother Jim Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Answering questions about coaching staff, playoff matchups and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 18: Who has the edge? Queen was likewise a first-time selection. His 125 tackles are a career-high and he matched a career high with six passes defensed while adding 3 1/2 sacks, nine tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. “The way we play, I think everyone on our defense should have made it, honestly,” Queen said. “The guys that didn’t make it, it’s a shoutout to them for how much time and effort and dedication that goes into us playing well as a unit. You could easily fall off at any point, and for our team to just be steady, be on the uphill climb and prove themselves every day, it means a lot for everyone.” For Smith, it’s his second straight Pro Bowl selection. A two-time All Pro, he has the fifth-most tackles in the NFL this season with 158 along with one interception, which he snagged with one hand against the Dolphins. His 39 consecutive games with at least five tackles also marks the NFL’s longest active streak. On offense, Linderbaum joins Hamilton in his making the Pro Bowl in his second year in the league. He also anchored a line that helped produce the conference’s second-best offense in yards (379.5) and points (29.6) per game. Baltimore also averages the AFC’s second-most yards per play (6) and third-most explosive plays (122) and allowed the group’s fewest plays of zero or negative yards, including incompletions (289). Linderbaum is one of five AFC centers with at least 800 snaps with fewer than four penalties this season. Tucker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, has converted on 31 of 36 field goal attempts so far and has missed just one kick inside 50 yards. His 143 total points are second-most in the NFL this season and it’s his seventh selection after also being chosen in 2013, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. View the full article

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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will not play in Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers as coach John Harbaugh aims to keep his franchise player heathy going into the divisional round of the playoffs. Backup Tyler Huntley will start, with Josh Johnson as his backup and Malik Cunningham also available to play. Harbaugh said Jackson will be inactive. “Just all things considered, it seems to be the right thing to do,” Harbaugh said. “I had conversations with Lamar and others and made the decision.” Jackson did not object. “I’m cool with it,” he said. “Me and coach talked about it. I felt like it was best suitable to sit me and stuff like that for this round.” He said he won’t feel any anguish watching his teammates try to eliminate the Steelers from playoff contention, because, “I believe ‘Snoop’ [Huntley] can get it done. I’ve got all the faith in my team.” The decision closed out Jackson’s regular season, which is expected to land him a second NFL Most Valuable Player award. He started the Ravens’ first 16 games, completing 66.7% of his passes for a career-high 3,678 yards, with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He leads all quarterbacks with 821 rushing yards. He finished with a flourish, leading back-to-back blowouts over the San Francisco 49ers and Dolphins to secure the AFC’s top seed. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday after throwing five touchdown passes and recording a perfect passer rating against Miami. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson named AFC Offensive Player of Week after Dolphins blowout Baltimore Ravens | Odell Beckham Jr.’s impact on Ravens transcends his show-stopping catches: ‘His leadership has been outstanding’ Baltimore Ravens | NFL power rankings, Week 18: Ravens look Super Bowl bound after another dominant win Baltimore Ravens | Where to get tickets to the Ravens’ postseason kickoff Baltimore Ravens | Ravens coach John Harbaugh mum on whether QB Lamar Jackson, other notable starters will play vs. Steelers The Ravens (13-3) clinched a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the conference championship game with that 56-19 win over the Dolphins on Sunday. Pittsburgh (9-7), on the other hand, needs a win over Baltimore and some help to secure a playoff berth. The Steelers were four-point favorites as of Wednesday evening with the Ravens expected to rest several starters. In 2019, when Jackson became the second unanimous NFL MVP, he also sat out the regular-season finale against the Steelers with Baltimore having already clinched the AFC’s top seed. Huntley, who signed as an undrafted free agent out of Utah in 2020, is 3-5 as a starter in four seasons with the Ravens. He earned a Pro Bowl selection last season as an injury replacement after throwing for 658 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions and rushing for 137 yards in six games (four starts) during the regular season as Jackson sat out with a sprained PCL in his knee. With Jackson sidelined, Huntley also started the Ravens’ wild-card playoff game against the host Cincinnati Bengals. He nearly led a stunning upset before fumbling at the goal line on a quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter, and the ball was returned 98 yards for the decisive touchdown in a 24-17 loss. The decision on Jackson is the most obvious manifestation of a broader puzzle the Ravens are attempting to solve: How do they offer rest and recuperation time to key players who need it while maintaining their competitive edge ahead of their playoff opener on the third weekend in January? “We have a two-fold thought process right now,” Harbaugh said. Jackson said he will “keep my body moving around, just keep being locked in like we’ve been all season and treat it as a bye week.” Ravens vs. TexansKenneth K. Lam/Baltimore SunFrom left, Ravens quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley and Josh Johnson warm up before a game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) He and his teammates believe they’ve succeeded by not looking past any opponent, and practice or even any individual play. They vowed to maintain that granular focus, even as some of them sit out or play less than usual against the Steelers. “Even though I’m not playing, our guys got the Steelers, so we’re going to focus on the Steelers, and then we’re going to focus on the following week,” Jackson said. Linebacker Patrick Queen said he plans to play, even though he’s nursing a shoulder injury, and made it clear he does not want to lose to the Steelers, who rallied to upset the Ravens in October. “I can use the rest, but at the same time, I do want to play — it’s Pittsburgh,” he said. “Those guys come out fierce, try to punch you in the mouth and stuff, so that’s my type of game. There ain’t going to be no tricks or disguises, any of that kind of stuff. They line up and say, ‘Can you stop us?’ That’s something you respect, and that’s why I am kind of excited to play.” He doesn’t see much value in looking past the Steelers to the playoffs. “I think if you look too much to the future, you kind of get overwhelmed by stuff,” he said. “You start focusing on the wrong things and not the right things. For me, it’s just, I’m in the moment right now.” The Ravens did not achieve the desired result in 2019, when they rested Jackson and other key players such as left tackle Ronnie Stanley and tight end Mark Andrews in the regular-season finale only to come out flat two weeks later in their 28-12 divisional round loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens faced a similar scenario four years ago, against the same opponent no less. They had won 11 straight and had clinched home-field advantage and a first-round bye going into the final weekend of the regular season. They had little incentive to beat the Steelers, who still had a chance to make the playoffs with a victory. The Ravens, with Griffin starting at quarterback, continued their roll that day, overpowering Pittsburgh, 28-10, behind dominant defense and 223 rushing yards. Though Harbaugh was cautious, the snap counts from that game illustrate a point he reiterated this week: NFL teams can’t rest all their key players because they only have 48 spots to work with. “It’s a little bit overstated just because you just … it’s not like the preseason where you have a bunch of guys,” he said. In that 2019 finale, starting cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters played 98% and 94% of the team’s defensive snaps, respectively. On offense, linemen Orlando Brown Jr., Bradley Bozeman and Patrick Mekari played every snap, while starting wide receivers Willie Snead IV and Marquise Brown played more than half. Other than Jackson, the only player Harbaugh ruled out for Saturday’s game was defensive back Daryl Worley. He acknowledged he and his staff will need to be creative. “It’s like a puzzle except the puzzle pieces are constantly morphing into different shapes day by day,” he said, alluding to the injuries various starters, including safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and right guard Kevin Zeitler, are dealing with. “The guys who are in the game are going to give everything they’ve got,” he said. Week 18 Steelers at Ravens Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Steelers by 4 View the full article

Lamar Jackson “played a perfect football game in terms of the passing game,” as Ravens coach John Harbaugh put it Sunday after Baltimore’s 56-19 blowout of the Miami Dolphins to wrap up the top seed in the AFC. Jackson finished with a perfect passer rating of 158.3 after completing 18 of 21 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns. It was the third time in his career he’s done so, and for the performance he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, the NFL announced Wednesday. It is the second time this season Jackson has received the honor; the other came after he threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another in a Week 7 rout of the Detroit Lions. Jackson, who could sit in Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, is the favorite to win his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award. “He is a warrior, busting his tail day in and day out,” Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith said of Jackson’s performance against the Dolphins. “He came out here — we’re at ‘The Bank’ – [and] he knows we have to protect ‘The Bank’ by any means necessary, and he did just that. Look where we are; we go through him. So, I’m just proud to be on his team and not going against him.” With one game left in the regular season, Jackson has thrown for a career-high 3,678 yards along with 24 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He has also completed a career-best 67.2% of his passes and rushed for 821 yards and five scores. This is the 10th time Jackson has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Week in his career, including five times in 2019 when he was the unanimous NFL MVP. View the full article

Perhaps Odell Beckham Jr. was simply inebriated on locker room euphoria after a 56-19 razing of the Miami Dolphins in which he delivered the most spectacular of plays in a game full of them. But at age 31 and already with one Super Bowl ring adorning his fingers, the Ravens wide receiver is as adept at seeing the big picture as he is at making a big catch. He was so sure of his words that he said them twice. “This is the best team I’ve ever been on in my entire life,” Beckham said through the glint of his iced-out diamond and gold-encrusted $1.8 million smile. “I had a crazy freshman [year] team in college [at LSU], but this is the best team I’ve been on in the NFL ever in my entire life.” In a literal sense, he’s not sensationalizing. At 13-3, Baltimore has the best record in the NFL, has locked up the top seed in the AFC and will get a first-round bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The first two teams of his career— the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns — never finished better than 11-5 during his tenure with them. The Los Angeles Rams, whom Beckham joined midway through the 2021 season after a tumultuous and unceremonious exit from Cleveland, finished the regular season 12-5, were the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and, of course, went on to win it all. Returning to the sport’s biggest stage is also why Beckham chose the Ravens (a one-year, $15 million deal didn’t hurt, either) when he signed in early April. A week later, he had a dream, he said, as he sat down with The Baltimore Sun for an interview. He is ambiguous on the details, preferring to see it come to fruition before sharing specifics, but said the vision was powerful enough that he made a note on his phone on April 15 and sent it to coach John Harbaugh, quarterback Lamar Jackson and tight end Mark Andrews. “I don’t really have dreams unless I’m seeing something,” Beckham told The Sun. “This is the best chance I’ve had [to win the Super Bowl] besides when I was with the Rams. “Something called me to this. And this isn’t even exactly where my heart desired to be — AFC North, I had already been in this division, I know what the Ravens are about, it wasn’t the most desiring place.” It almost didn’t happen, either. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | NFL power rankings, Week 18: Ravens look Super Bowl bound after another dominant win Baltimore Ravens | Where to get tickets to the Ravens’ postseason kickoff Baltimore Ravens | Ravens coach John Harbaugh mum on whether QB Lamar Jackson, other notable starters will play vs. Steelers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Roquan Smith: ‘I’m just proud to be on his team’ | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 56-19 win over Dolphins | VIDEO The day before Beckham announced on Instagram that he was signing with the Ravens, he was planning to fly to New Jersey to sign with the New York Jets if all went well. Their new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, had expressed an interest in playing with the transcendent star, and the two sides had an informal meeting at the NFL’s owners meetings in Phoenix two weeks before. His addition alongside second-year star Garrett Wilson, veteran Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman Jr. would give New York a splashy and drool-worthy wide receiver group. But Beckham said he was “led to” the right place by instead getting on a plane to Baltimore, whose offer was also reportedly higher than the incentive-laden deal the Jets had discussed. Yet, the Ravens didn’t know how well the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year could even run. Beckham didn’t either. Asked to describe just how relatively bad his twice surgically repaired knee was 14 months after he injured it in the Super Bowl, he told The Sun, “it was terrible.” “When I did my ACL the first time, I trained for 14 months,” he said. “You get hurt, you train all the way up to the Super Bowl … it was the longest season I’ve ever had. [Then] you get hurt two quarters away from [the end of the game], you come back, you train for another 18, 19, 20 months, whatever it was, that’s a long time of training with no break. To then hit a full NFL season, my body went through some things where I wasn’t able to be myself and I had to work behind the scenes to get back to being where I’m at now. “I’ve played for a long time. This body has a lot of miles on it.” Specifically, Beckham suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 in Cincinnati against the Bengals and missed the next two games. Sunday against the Dolphins, Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had just one catch, but it was a sensational, twisting, over-the-shoulder 33-yard sideline grab in which he contorted around a defender and managed to get both feet in bounds before tumbling to the turf at the 1-yard line to set up a touchdown for Gus Edwards. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) When he returned, he often looked like an aging player on his last legs. His hands were as trustworthy as ever, but he didn’t have the same burst, quickness and separation that he had before the second torn ACL, and the ankle issue only compounded it. In Week 7 against the Detroit Lions, he had five catches for 49 yards but had still yet to find the end zone. Through his first six games, Beckham had just 14 catches for 162 yards, which included zero against the Cardinals (though he did draw three flags against Arizona’s defense). In Week 9 at home against the Seattle Seahawks, he managed five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, but it came on the back end of a 38-6 blowout. Then, finally, it happened. On Nov. 12 against his old team, the Browns, Beckham caught a short slant, hit the turbo button and left Cleveland defenders in his wake for a 40-yard touchdown. A week later, in a Thursday night showdown against the Bengals, he scorched Cincinnati’s secondary for 116 yards on four catches, including a 51-yard bomb. And last month against one of his other former teams, the Rams, he had four catches for 97 yards, including one that covered 46 of them. Sunday against the Dolphins, Beckham had just one catch, but it was a sensational, twisting, over-the-shoulder 33-yard sideline grab in which he contorted around a defender and managed to get both feet in bounds before tumbling to the turf at the 1-yard line to set up a touchdown for Gus Edwards. Beckham said it was just a normal catch for him, but it also served as a reminder of the kind of play Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta hoped for but didn’t know they would get when they first brought him to Baltimore — to make big plays in big games. “When I’m at the point of my career that I’m at, would I like to have a 1,000-yard season? Of course. Would I like to have XYZ touchdowns? Of course,” he told The Sun. “But at the end of the day, you’re going to be remembered for the moments you had, playoffs and these big-time games. “This is what legacy is. This is what I’ve preached since I was 18; it was about legacy, it wasn’t about ‘I wanna be famous.’ With legacy plays came some other things for me, but my stats say 0-0-0 at this point. It’s just about what can you do now.” Beyond some big moments on the field, Beckham has bestowed his wisdom and set the tone. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, celebrates a touchdown pass to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., center, with tight end Isaiah Likely during a game against the Rams on Dec. 10. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) His locker is next to Zay Flowers, who said that Beckham has helped guide him through the rigors of NFL life, a benefit that’s helped him accumulate the fourth most yards (858) and catches (77) among rookie receivers along with five touchdowns. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen, meanwhile, has referred to him as a “big brother.” And while the Baltimore locker room is bursting with big personalities, no one sets the vibe and mood quite the way Beckham does, from corn hole games to dance moves to imparting the know-how to get where the rest of his teammates want to go. “The leadership part is really good; his leadership has been outstanding,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a real relational-type leader. He’s been there, he’s done that. He’s been in these big games. He’s had great success. He knows what it takes, so I do think he’s with the guys, and he encourages guys really well. He’s [a] really encouraging kind of leader. “The other part of it, though, is his ability to make plays. To me, he’s a major factor out there. People, they’re giving him attention. They’re making sure they cover him, and he’s coming up with the ball. He’s a guy that can break out and have 10 catches at any time in a game, or he has the one [catch] that makes a huge difference in the game that’s really kind of one of those great Odell Beckham-type of catches. I mean, wow. He’s a factor, a big factor.” Beckham says he prefers to let others talk about his impact, but there’s no shortage of confidence and self-awareness from him when it comes to his role with the team. Quite the opposite. “I know what I bring energy-wise, I know what I bring leader-wise,” he said. “Everyone looks at he gets paid this much; there’s so much other [stuff] that people don’t see. “People who are outside the locker room who create a narrative, they would be like, ‘diva this or that.’ They use these words, but they don’t know you on a day-to-day basis.” What Beckham knows, though, is what he dreamt shortly after signing with Baltimore, and he was willing to share at least some of it. “I seen colors, black and white and purple, and I seen a very dark stadium,” he said. “I remember running around the field saying something something two-time world champions.” Week 18 Steelers at Ravens Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Steelers by 3 1/2 View the full article

Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will rank all 32 NFL teams. The rankings will take into account not just weekly performance, injuries and roster depth, but how well each team measures up as Super Bowl contenders. Here are the rankings heading into Week 18: 1. Ravens (13-3, No. 1) Last week: Win vs. Dolphins, 56-19 Up next: vs. Steelers The Ravens put an exclamation point on a brilliant regular season, dismantling one of the league’s best teams to secure the top seed in the AFC. Lamar Jackson likely wrapped up his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award with five touchdown passes and a perfect 158.3 passer rating, showing he’s more than ready to finally make a deep postseason run. Without starters Kyle Hamilton and Brandon Stephens, the defense held strong, even after cornerback Marlon Humphrey went down early with a calf injury. Justice Hill, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar and Patrick Ricard combined for four touchdowns. This might not be the most talented roster in the league, but it’s tough, fundamentally sound and boasts perhaps the league’s best player at quarterback. It’s Super Bowl or bust. 2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4, No. 2) Last week: Win vs. Commanders, 27-10 Up next: vs. Rams The schedule makers were kind to the 49ers, who followed a tough Christmas night game against the Ravens with a trip to Landover. A calf injury to star running back Christian McCaffrey that will keep him out in Week 18 is the most notable takeaway from Sunday’s win, as Brock Purdy bounced back from the worst start of his NFL career and the defense feasted against rookie quarterback Sam Howell to wrap up the NFC’s top seed. 3. Buffalo Bills (10-6, No. 6) Last week: Win vs. Patriots, 27-21 Up next: at Dolphins Thanks to two interceptions from midseason acquisition Rasul Douglas, including one he returned for a touchdown, and two touchdown runs from Josh Allen, the Bills were able to survive an ugly game in New England to strengthen their playoff position. Buffalo can win the AFC East with a victory over Miami on Sunday night and clinch a home playoff game, though there’s still a chance it falls short of the postseason with a loss. That would be a heartbreaking result for a team on such a hot streak. 4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6, No. 7) Last week: Win vs. Bengals, 25-17 Up next: at Chargers A frustrating season was not enough to derail the Chiefs’ grip on the AFC West, as they won their eighth straight division title. Kansas City needed six field goals from Harrison Butker to do it, but a win over a conference rival fighting for its playoff life never comes easy. It’s hard to buy into the Chiefs as title contenders given all the dropped passes (an NFL-leading 40 this season), but it would be foolish to write off Patrick Mahomes when he’s supported by strong defense and special teams. 5. Dallas Cowboys (11-5, No. 9) Last week: Win vs. Lions, 20-19 Up next: at Commanders The Cowboys narrowly avoided a third straight loss thanks to some help from the officials, who overturned a 2-point pass that would have given the Lions the lead with 23 seconds left. And who knows, maybe Brandon Aubrey (now a perfect 35-for-35) would have kicked a game-winning field goal anyway. Dallas was in control for most of the game thanks to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who set the Cowboys’ single-season receiving yards record with a monster 13-catch, 227-yard performance. Browns quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates after a first down against the Jets on Thursday. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) 6. Cleveland Browns (11-5, No. 8) Last week: Win vs. Jets, 37-20 Up next: at Bengals Could Joe Flacco and the Browns be the biggest threat to the Ravens in the AFC? It certainly feels like it with the way the 38-year-old quarterback is playing right now. Cleveland’s elite defense kept the team afloat despite some of the league’s worst quarterback play, but now Flacco is giving the offense some life, throwing three more touchdown passes in Thursday night’s win. Injuries to wide receivers Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore loom large heading into the postseason. 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For Detroit to come so close to winning despite two interceptions from Jared Goff and a mediocre showing on defense speaks volumes about its resolve. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta and a healthy Jameson Williams will be tough to defend in the postseason. 8. Miami Dolphins (11-5, No. 3) Last week: Loss vs. Ravens, 56-19 Up next: vs. Bills Just about everything that could go wrong Sunday did. Miami was completely outmatched by the Ravens after scoring on its opening drive and later lost cornerback Xavien Howard (foot) and pass rusher Bradley Chubb (torn ACL) to injuries. The Dolphins suddenly face the possibility of playing on the road during wild-card weekend after entering Sunday with a chance to win the No. 1 seed, showing how quickly fortunes can change in this league. 9. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, No. 5) Last week: Loss vs. Cardinals, 35-31 Up next: at Giants What happened to the Eagles? After blowing a 21-6 halftime lead against the lowly Cardinals, the defending NFC champions have lost four of their past five games. Coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts both pointed to the postseason as an opportunity to turn things around, but Philly could be headed for a quick exit if it continues to struggle on both sides of the ball. 10. Los Angeles Rams (9-7, No. 10) Last week: Win vs. Giants, 26-25 Up next: at 49ers The Rams were fortunate to escape with a victory and a playoff berth Sunday after turning the ball over three times and giving up a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but coach Sean McVay said sometimes you need those types of games. Matthew Stafford looked sharp despite throwing two interceptions and Kyren Williams continued his breakout season with three touchdowns, creating plenty of optimism for an offense that seems to be peaking at the right time. Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph celebrates after Sunday’s win over the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) 11. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, No. 13) Last week: Win vs. Seahawks, 30-23 Up next: at Ravens Hindsight is 20/20, but you have to wonder where the Steelers would be if they had turned to third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph sooner. He has provided a spark and developed an instant connection with receiver George Pickens, helping the offense turn the corner at a crucial time. The Steelers enter Saturday’s game in Baltimore with a 28% chance to make the playoffs, according to The New York Times’ simulator, a remarkable achievement considering how dire things looked just a few weeks ago. 12. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7, No. 14) Last week: Win vs. Panthers, 26-0 Up next: at Titans A get-right game against the league’s worst team couldn’t have come at a better time, as Jacksonville ended a four-game losing streak and gained some confidence heading into a pivotal Week 18. If the Jags beat the Titans, they win the AFC South and will host a wild-card game for the second straight season. Giving injured quarterback Trevor Lawrence a week to rest should help him reset after a rash of turnovers. 13. Houston Texans (9-7, No. 15) Last week: Win vs. Titans, 26-3 Up next: at Colts The Texans’ draft sure looks good now, as C.J. Stroud threw for 213 yards and a touchdown in his return from a concussion and Will Anderson Jr. recorded two sacks to set the franchise rookie single-season record with seven. Houston enters the final week of the regular season with a chance to win the division and make the playoffs, a fantastic outcome for a young team with a first-year coach. 14. Indianapolis Colts (9-7, No. 17) Last week: Win vs. Raiders, 23-20 Up next: vs. Texans Jonathan Taylor delivered at a crucial time, rushing for a season-high 96 yards and a touchdown Sunday to help the Colts hang on. Indianapolis can win its first division title since 2014 with a win against Houston and a Jacksonville loss to Tennessee, which would be a stunning outcome considering it lost rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson early in the season and has been without Taylor for most of the season. 15. Green Bay Packers (8-8, No. 19) Last week: Win vs. Vikings, 33-10 Up next: vs. Bears It has been rocky at times, but Jordan Love is starting to look like the quarterback the Packers envisioned as Aaron Rodgers’ successor. He went 24-for-33 for 256 yards and three touchdowns and even ran for a score Sunday night to set up a defacto playoff game against the Bears after starting the season 2-5. 16. Seattle Seahawks (8-8, No. 12) Last week: Loss vs. Steelers, 30-23 Up next: at Cardinals The Seahawks’ defense let them down again, allowing 202 rushing yards and 468 total yards against an offense that has been tough to watch for most of the season. It’s the sixth straight game Seattle has allowed at least 135 rushing yards. The Seahawks enter Week 18 with a 21% chance to make the playoffs, according to The New York Times’ simulator, disappointing odds for a team that looked at times like a potential NFC title contender. 17. New Orleans Saints (8-8, No. 21) Last week: Win vs. Buccaneers, 23-13 Up next: vs. Falcons It might be too little, too late, but the Saints showed plenty of fight Sunday to deny Tampa Bay a chance to wrap up the division title. Derek Carr has played well in three straight games after a disappointing midseason stretch, though running back Alvin Kamara’s ankle injury looms large entering a must-win regular-season finale. 18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8, No. 11) Last week: Loss vs. Saints, 23-13 Up next: at Panthers Running back Rachaad White said the Bucs played with “no juice, no energy” Sunday, which is hard to believe considering a third straight division title was there for the taking. Tampa Bay can still clinch first place with a win over the lowly Panthers, but it can’t afford to come out flat with so much on the line. 19. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8, No. 16) Last week: Loss vs. Chiefs, 25-17 Up next: vs. Browns The Bengals deserve credit for hanging in the playoff race as long as they did after Joe Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury in November, but there are a lot of lingering questions heading into the offseason. How Cincinnati retools on defense under coordinator Lou Anarumo — if he doesn’t get a head coaching job — is one of the biggest after allowing the most plays of 20 yards or more in the league. Bears quarterback Justin Fields runs for a touchdown against the Falcons on Sunday. (AP Photo/David Banks) 20. Chicago Bears (7-9, No. 24) Last week: Win vs. Falcons, 37-17 Up next: at Packers The Bears and general manager Ryan Poles once again control the draft after clinching the top pick Sunday thanks to the Panthers’ 14th loss. While picking a quarterback often felt like a no-brainer, Justin Fields has played well enough to keep his job, giving Chicago the option to trade down for the second year in a row and continue to build the roster around him. 21. Denver Broncos (8-8, No. 23) Last week: Win vs. Chargers, 16-9 Up next: at Raiders With the Broncos and Russell Wilson likely headed for a split this offseason after he was benched Sunday for Jarrett Stidham, Denver becomes one of the league’s most fascinating teams. Just how far will coach Sean Payton go to retool this roster, and who will be playing quarterback in 2024? Stidham did not impress against a bad Chargers defense, though he gets another chance to prove himself against the Raiders. 22. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9, No. 18) Last week: Loss vs. Colts, 23-20 Up next: vs. Broncos Two late defensive penalties against the Colts ultimately cost the Raiders a chance to extend their season. It also might have cost interim coach Antonio Pierce a chance to secure the full-time job. A new quarterback and coach — maybe Jim Harbaugh? — seem likely to usher in a new era after Josh McDaniels and Jimmy Garoppolo failed to meet expectations. 23. Atlanta Falcons (7-9, No. 20) Last week: Loss vs. Bears, 37-17 Up next: at Saints Does Arthur Smith deserve a chance to coach this team again next season? As exciting and innovative as his offense has looked at times, it has often failed to execute in critical moments despite having some of the best young talent in the league. Perhaps a better quarterback will make everything click, but that’s putting a lot of faith in a team that has been wildly inconsistent under Smith’s leadership. 24. Minnesota Vikings (7-9, No. 22) Last week: Loss vs. Packers, 33-10 Up next: at Lions With rookie quarterback Jaren Hall struggling and the defense missing several key starters, the Vikings did not stand much of a chance Sunday night. Injured quarterback Kirk Cousins, who ripped off his shirt and led the home crowd in a pregame chant, remains Minnesota’s best hope to turn things around in 2024. 25. Arizona Cardinals (4-12, No. 31) Last week: Win vs. Eagles, 35-31 Up next: vs. Seahawks It sure feels like the Cardinals will stick with Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback next season after his standout performance in Sunday’s upset win. Just over a year removed from a torn ACL, he completed 25 of 31 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns as Arizona outscored Philadelphia 29-10 in the second half. With two first-round draft picks and plenty of cap space, the Cardinals could return a much better team in 2024. 26. New York Jets (6-10, No. 25) Last week: Loss vs. Browns, 37-20 Up next: at Patriots The best thing you can say about this Jets season is that it’s almost over. Even the defense, considered the strength of the team, has looked vulnerable down the stretch, allowing 28 or more points in five of the past seven games. There’s plenty of blame to go around, but that’s a disappointing way to end the year. 27. New York Giants (5-11, No. 27) Last week: Loss vs. Rams, 26-25 Up next: vs. Eagles Tyrod Taylor’s missed throw to a wide-open Saquon Barkley on what should have been the go-ahead 2-point conversion in the final minutes Sunday is a microcosm of the entire season. The Giants have had their chances, but poor execution has often sunk the team in big moments. Give credit to coach Brian Daboll for keeping his team competitive heading into an important offseason that could push New York closer to the top of the NFC East. 28. Tennessee Titans (5-11, No. 26) Last week: Loss vs. Texans, 26-3 Up next: vs. Jaguars It will be an interesting offseason in Tennessee, and that’s assuming coach Mike Vrabel doesn’t leave for another job. The Titans are projected to have the second-most salary cap space in the league after an expected exodus of free agents, including Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill, and will likely have a top-10 pick in the draft. How aggressive they are in building around quarterback Will Levis is the biggest question. 29. New England Patriots (4-12, No. 28) Last week: Loss vs. Bills, 27-21 Up next: vs. Jets It’s still strange to see a team coached by Bill Belichick look so sloppy. With four more turnovers Sunday, including three interceptions by quarterback Bailey Zappe, the Patriots are poised to finish with a negative turnover differential (minus-10 entering Week 18) for the first time since the 2005 season. At least the outlook for 2024 is bright, especially if New England hits on a rookie quarterback. 30. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11, No. 29) Last week: Loss vs. Broncos, 16-9 Up next: vs. Chiefs The Chargers have big decisions looming this offseason in hiring a new coach and general manager, and that extends to the players on the field, too. After missing time with injuries again this season, defensive end Joey Bosa and wide receiver Keenan Allen could both be cut to clear cap space. It doesn’t seem like running back Austin Ekeler will be back either. Next season’s team could look remarkably different. 31. Washington Commanders (4-12, No. 30) Last week: Loss vs. 49ers, 27-10 Up next: vs. Cowboys With the Commanders climbing the draft board and Sam Howell looking shaky again in the second half Sunday after hastily being reinserted into the starting lineup, we’ll likely see a new quarterback in Washington next season. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s comments about wanting to build a culture similar to what he enjoyed at Ohio State and saw across the sideline with San Francisco resonate for a franchise that finally has an opportunity to completely overhaul its approach to building a winning team. 32. Carolina Panthers (2-14, No. 32) Last week: Loss vs. Jaguars, 26-0 Up next: vs. Buccaneers It’s hard enough to rebuild a team through the draft and even harder when top picks don’t work out. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu has allowed a league-leading 18 sacks this season after being drafted sixth overall in 2022, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo has not lived up to high expectations and quarterback Bryce Young looks incapable of rising above a weak supporting cast. One of the team’s few bright spots, defensive end Brian Burns, is heading for unrestricted free agency. Owner David Tepper is throwing drinks at rival fans. Oh, and Carolina’s No. 1 overall pick is heading to Chicago. There’s no guarantee 2024 is going to be any better. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson congratulates Charlie Kolar on the sidelines after he scored in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Ricard, right, catches a 4-yards touchdown pass against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard takes a selfie with fans following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens fan Keon Fisher holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens defenders celebrate in the end zone following an interception by Ravens Geno Stone in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown in front of Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronald Darby, left, upends Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson after a catch in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, top, wrestles the ball away from Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson for an incomplete pass in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith returns an interception past Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr., #23, and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4, cuts behind a stumbling Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver ..Rashod Bateman dives for a pass but was unable to make a catch in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens running back Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson, right, runs back a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson picks up a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens Melvin Gordon III, top, dives into the end zone over Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott for a touchdown n the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, runs against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 David Long, right, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill runs for 41-yards against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III runs for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill, left, catches and runs for 23-yards against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Duke Riley in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Zach Sieler, top, strips the ball from Ravens running back Gus Edwards for a fumble in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker adds the point after try to the board as outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Miami Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell watch during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards looks for a hole as he picks up yardage in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justin Madubuike , top, sacks Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh, left, and Justin Madubuike celebrate after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a 25-yards pass for a first down against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce drags down Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who throws the ball away to avoid being sacked during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill breaks free for a 41-yard run in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby upends Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce reacts after stopping Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins during the second quarter Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith ruturns an interception between Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Show Caption of Expand View the full article

By nabbing the AFC’s No. 1 seed on Sunday, the Ravens have won themselves a bye week and earned Baltimore the home-field advantage for the postseason up to the Super Bowl. That means M&T Bank Stadium will hold the team’s divisional round playoff game later this month, on either Jan. 20 or 21, after Baltimore takes a week off for the wild card round. Tickets to the game will go on sale to the public Friday at 10 a.m. at baltimoreravens.com/playofftickets. The tickets will be on sale ahead of the Ravens’ regular season finale against the Steelers on Saturday. Although the afternoon game at M&T Bank Stadium won’t ultimately impact the Ravens’ postseason positioning, Baltimore’s rival team could increase their odds of making the playoffs with a win. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has not yet said if notable starters, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, will be playing the 4:30 p.m. finale. Those who already purchased wild card tickets for the Ravens will get pre-sale access to tickets for the divisional matchup. The public sale date for tickets to the Jan. 28 AFC Championship has not yet been announced. The NFL determines kickoff times for each postseason matchup after the previous week’s games end. The Ravens clinched the AFC North title and the conference’s top seed Sunday with a 56-19 win over the Dolphins in Baltimore. The success, combined with the Orioles entering the playoffs in October at the top of the MLB’s American League, is a first for Baltimore. View the full article

The similarities to 2019 are extraordinary if not eerie. Just like four years ago with one week remaining in the regular season, the Ravens are AFC North champs, have locked up the top seed in the AFC and will get a first-round bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is also almost certain to be the NFL’s Most Valuable Player again. And just like four years ago, they’ll play a Pittsburgh Steelers team that needs to win to keep their playoff hopes alive in what will be an otherwise meaningless contest to Baltimore in the final game of the regular season. Now it remains to be seen if the Ravens rest many of their starters — most notably Jackson — the same way they did back then. “I have not made a decision on any personnel yet,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “We gotta work through the injury part of it first, and it’ll take us 24 to 48 hours to get a real handle on that.” Among the notable players dealing with injuries are safety Kyle Hamilton (knee), cornerback Brandon Stephens (ankle) and right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad), none of whom were active Sunday. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey also suffered a calf injury in the first quarter against Miami, while defensive back Daryl Worley later suffered a neck stinger. Neither returned to the game. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce (neck stinger) and inside linebacker Patrick Queen (shoulder) were also banged up during the blowout 56-19 win. Those injuries alone could mostly dictate who doesn’t play against the Steelers on Saturday, given there’s only so much wiggle room with the roster on game day. But the sting of what happened four years ago still lingers. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Roquan Smith: ‘I’m just proud to be on his team’ | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 56-19 win over Dolphins | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to host Steelers at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Ravens and Orioles win division titles in same year for first time in history In that Week 17 finale, Robert Griffin III started in place of Jackson, completed 11 of 21 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown, and running back Gus Edwards rushed for 130 yards on 21 carries in a downpour as Baltimore pounded the Steelers, 28-10. Whatever enjoyment that was derived from dashing the dreams of a bitter division rival was short-lived, though. The Ravens laid an egg in a 28-12 divisional-round loss to the Tennessee Titans, as a rested but perhaps rusty Jackson threw two interceptions and fumbled once in the stunning home loss. In losing, Baltimore became the first No. 1 seed to fall to a six-seed since 2010 and just the sixth team since 1933 to win at least 14 games in a season but fail to win a postseason game. The stench of that memory is why Jackson hopes to avoid any complacency. “We have to finish this season the right way,” he said Sunday. “We have one obstacle. We finished that obstacle. We have [the] Steelers next week, so that’s how I’m staying focused this season. [I’m] just taking it one game at a time like I’ve been preaching to you guys all season.” The performance also raised questions about whether Harbaugh should not have rested many of his starters in the regular-season finale, giving them two weeks off between games. After dispatching the Dolphins on Sunday, that same question is again at the fore. But the scenario is also different this time. Ravens coach John Harbaugh, right, meets offensive coordinator Todd Monken after Sunday’s win over the Dolphins. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The Ravens are dealing with several injuries. They’re also operating on a short week after the NFL announced the game would be played Saturday at 4:30 p.m. after playing Sunday’s game against Miami on a short week. What lesson did Harbaugh take from 2019 that will inform his decision this year? “That was a disappointment,” Harbaugh said, recalling the experience. “Certain kind of seasons, different than this season, different team, different circumstances, different everything. “I remember the experience and the choices we made, but the decisions we made for certain reasons and we thought they were the right decisions. What impacted what, how, in terms of us not playing our best football that day, it’s hard to say what the cause and effect was. … You’ve gotta look at everything through the lens of today, this team and the challenges that we’re facing.” But after already losing running backs J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell to season-ending injuries and tight end Mark Andrews for at least the regular season, that should provide all the clarity Harbaugh’s lens needs. View the full article

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The Ravens left no doubt they’re the NFL’s best team or that Lamar Jackson is a strong favorite to win his second MVP, earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed and some much-needed rest with a 56-19 shellacking of the Miami Dolphins. Here are five things we learned from the game. The Ravens are the best team in the NFL and mature enough to know how little that means at this stage There was euphoria, sure, epitomized by 61-year-old John Harbaugh boogying through the postgame locker room like it was Studio 54. He and his team had earned a moment to take in their achievements: 13 wins, including 10 in the past 11 games, a string of double-digit thumpings against playoff-bound opponents, capped off by thrashings of the top team in the NFC and the second best in the AFC. They had less than six full days to recover from an intense, brutal victory over the San Francisco 49ers, yet with injuries mounting by the quarter, they somehow surpassed it against the Dolphins, who had just as much to play for as they did. “I don’t know if I’ve seen a more impressive performance in a game,” said Harbaugh, normally loath to reach for sweeping comparisons. “I’m not sure I’ve seen a more impressive performance in a season to date.” The “to date” part was important and helped explain why the Ravens, especially quarterback Lamar Jackson, did not give in completely to ecstasy after vanquishing the Dolphins and securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed for the postseason, which won’t begin for them until the third weekend in January. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 56-19 win over Dolphins | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to host Steelers at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Ravens and Orioles win division titles in same year for first time in history Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens and Lamar Jackson have been here before. This time, something’s different. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Arthur Maulet on the defense’s coverage | VIDEO The Ravens have come far enough — and this quest really goes back to Jackson’s first great season in 2019 — to know how far they still must go before they rest. “We’ve got to finish this season the right way,” Jackson said. For him, that means not thinking past the next play, much less the next opponent. “We have a lot of work to do in front of us,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a mature football team, and they understand that.” The Ravens’ every-week toughness and resourcefulness were on display again Sunday, when they faced an opponent talented enough to embarrass them and steal their first-round playoff bye. Both teams arrived to their most important game of the year beat up. The Ravens played without their most versatile defender, Kyle Hamilton, their most reliable cornerback, Brandon Stephens, and the rock of their offensive line, Kevin Zeitler. The Dolphins didn’t have their Robin to Tyreek Hill’s Batman, Jaylen Waddle, their most rugged runner, Raheem Mostert, or their starting right guard, Robert Hunt. The Ravens’ toll quickly worsened when cornerback Marlon Humphrey hobbled off on an injured calf in the first quarter. They were almost out of defensive backs to stop Tua Tagovailoa and Hill, only the league’s most productive passing connection. But nothing seems to daunt this team, which pulls from a deeper bag of answers than any other in the NFL. Jackson responded to Tagovailoa’s opening touchdown drive with one of his own, missing just three times all afternoon and throwing five touchdown passes without a hint of a turnover. Harbaugh turned riverboat gambler in the waning moments of the first half, so confident in his offense that he went for it on fourth-and-7. Tight end Isaiah Likely paid off the risk with a one-handed touchdown catch, because the Ravens are on that kind of roll right now. If we doubted the fairy dust in the air at M&T Bank Stadium, Justice Hill confirmed it with a 78-yard kickoff return to start the second half. Perhaps fans fretted when the Ravens led 35-13, nearly the same advantage they squandered against the Dolphins last season, to start the fourth quarter. This is not the same team, however. The Ravens extended their margin rather than fritter it away. The Ravens hinted they could become this good a team by hammering the Lions in Week 7 and the Seahawks in Week 9. They have left no doubt over the last week, destroying the 49ers and Dolphins by a combined 89-38. Not even the regular season fever dream of 2019 concluded with such a flourish. Does that mean the Ravens are equipped to write a happier ending in the playoffs? Just know that it’s all they’re thinking about. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walks to the locker room after beating the Dolphins on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The Ravens needed their offense to carry this one. Lamar Jackson answered with the finest performance of an MVP season. The Ravens began their first drive under a black cloud. A wide-open Rashod Bateman could not get a firm handle on Jackson’s slightly overthrown deep ball. Then, offensive pass interference wiped out a 23-yard pass to Hill. These miscues turned out to be anything but ill omens. If anything, they set the stage for Jackson to reveal just how far he has come as a big-game performer. He had made himself MVP favorite by outdueling the previous betting choice, Brock Purdy, on Christmas night. That game established the Ravens as the league’s best team. This one meant more to their playoff fate. Faced with the task of outpacing the league’s top-scoring offense with a No. 1 seed on the line, Jackson played better than he had against the 49ers. “He played a perfect football game in terms of the passing game,” Harbaugh said. “I was like a little kid at the movie theater,” linebacker Roquan Smith said of watching Jackson this day. “Only I didn’t have any popcorn.” This was a shot across the bow of anyone who ever said Jackson could not throw beautiful, and beautifully timed, balls from the pocket, to anyone who said he would shrink from a grand stage. He still has to do it in the playoffs to silence those who scoff at his raw passing statistics or say he’d be no MVP without an elite defense. But those who’ve watched Jackson through every game and every practice the last six seasons know this is a man in control of his world. “That’s the type of game I like,” he said when asked about offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s plan. “He was dialing it up, being aggressive, but he was letting me be the decision-maker.” Letting me be the decision-maker. It’s what Jackson always wanted. He talked about becoming a Tom Brady — less jaw-dropping athlete than master of all he surveyed — as early as his rookie year. This is what he and his mother meant when they insisted to high school and college coaches that he was a quarterback. The Ravens hit their previous efficiency peak of 9.1 yards per play in a 38-6 demolition of the Detroit Lions. But that was October. Given the stakes, their 9.1 per play against the Dolphins said a whole lot more about where Jackson stands as he prepares for a defining postseason. He’s going to win that second MVP, but he and his teammates know it’s side candy. Jackson often turns conversations back to February. Only one game is played that month, and it’s the one he promised to win when the Ravens drafted him. It’s remarkable to think that just nine months ago, Jackson said he wanted to leave Baltimore, to renew his quest with a different team. Imagine the hole at the heart of this franchise if that had happened. Instead, we’re watching a pantheon Baltimore athlete strive for the summit. “The things he does, no other player in the NFL can do, and he’s underrated at many aspects still,” left tackle Ronnie Stanley said. “He’s taken complete control over the offense.” The Ravens’ defensive line gets ready for a snap in the first quarter Sunday against the Dolphins. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Adaptability sets this Ravens defense apart There was no way the Ravens could stifle this fleet of an offense for 60 minutes. The question was, could they answer each Miami haymaker with one of their own, as they had six days earlier against the 49ers? Tagovailoa is the quickest draw in the league, releasing the ball in 2.37 seconds on average, so the Ravens were not going to reach him as regularly as they did Purdy. They did not have Hamilton and Stephens, who had direct hands in three of their five interceptions against the 49ers. But the ease with which Miami initially cut through the league’s top scoring defense startled the eye. The Dolphins put the Ravens on their heels from the game’s first snap, starting with a quick flick to devilishly quick rookie De’Von Achane, who sliced through a half-dozen would-be tacklers for 23 yards. Hill popped open wherever he pleased. The entire right edge of the Ravens’ defense crumbled on a 45-yard Achane gallop to set up a field goal on Miami’s second drive. The Ravens had allowed 4.5 yards per play through 15 games. The Dolphins averaged 9.7 in the first quarter. The initial story, however, is not the final story with a defense coordinated by Mike Macdonald. Over and over this season, we’ve seen the Ravens adjust after a disastrous drive or a dodgy half, even against the NFL’s very best offenses. “Are you going to fold?” Smith said. “Or are you going to stand up to it?” The Ravens stood up. After sprinting out of the gate, the Dolphins finished the game at 5.7 yards per play, almost a full yard below their season average. The Ravens picked off Tagovailoa twice, sacked him three times and held him to his lowest passer rating of the season. Hill caught a modest six passes for 76 yards, 41 below his season average. This wasn’t the defensive masterpiece we saw against the 49ers, but the Ravens, down three seemingly indispensable starters, kept coming. Smith did not point to any grand tactical adjustment when explaining the in-game turnaround, though surely some of Macdonald’s tweaks will become apparent when we review the all-22 film. “We just had to settle down,” the Pro Bowl linebacker said. “Do what we do.” Their perseverance had to feel especially sweet against an opponent that erased a 35-14 deficit against them on the same field 15 months earlier. That loss was exhibit A when we talked about the Ravens’ difficulties finishing off opponents. It’s a criticism that no longer holds after we’ve watched the Ravens win nine games by at least two scores this season. Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins during the second quarter Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Depth was every bit as important as star power to this triumph Many of us placed Ben Cleveland on the wrong side of the bubble when we projected the Ravens’ 53-man roster in August. Even after he made the team, he could not have been more out of sight or out of mind for most of his third NFL season. He seemed headed for the same fate Sunday until Kevin Zeitler winced his way through a pregame workout, unable to plant comfortably on his right leg. Just like that, Cleveland was up, the man tabbed to stand in for the Ravens’ most dependable blocker. Faced with this crucial opportunity in his NFL existence, Cleveland stood in as part of an offensive line that swaddled Jackson as safely as a baby’s blanket. “I’m very proud of Ben, the way he stepped in there and handled business,” Stanley said. “Big game, and it can’t be overstated how hard it is to do what he did. He came in and played at a high level. He gave us what we needed.” Cleveland’s name was one of those Harbaugh highlighted when he celebrated his team’s depth during his postgame remarks. This was a day when the Ravens needed every defensive back left standing, when often anonymous professionals such as Ronald Darby, Rock Ya-Sin and Arthur Maulet had to fill the voids left by Humphrey, Stephens and Hamilton. Somehow, this threadbare secondary held the most prolific passing offense in the NFL to nine points on 10 drives after the first quarter. “There should’ve been no dropoff,” Maulet said, expressing the mentality that animates this group. “We held each other accountable.” Meanwhile, Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews, who still hopes to return from an ankle injury in the postseason, watched his young protégés, Likely and Charlie Kolar, catch three touchdown passes between them. Another investment in depth — Likely and Kolar were two of the Ravens’ six fourth-round draft picks in 2022 — that paid off. Few other teams, maybe no other, could have started so many second- and third-stringers and blown out an opponent as dangerous as the Dolphins. This was a validating triumph for the Ravens’ front office almost as much as for the players and coaches. Jackson said as much: “I believe Eric DeCosta does a great job of going and getting those guys who already have that Raven in them.” The most important thing the Ravens earned is three weeks’ rest Home-field advantage is a sweet treat for the Ravens and their fans, but the far more valuable prize was a first-round bye that will afford an extra two weeks — they will have little incentive next Sunday against the Steelers — of rest and recuperation to a roster that needs it badly. If the Ravens needed to beat Pittsburgh next weekend or win a wild-card game the weekend after, Hamilton’s knee, Stephens’ foot, Humphrey’s calf and Zeitler’s right leg would be urgent, vital concerns. Instead, they will have time to get right, as will the many battered Ravens — including Stanley, right tackle Morgan Moses, Smith and linebacker Patrick Queen — who made it to the end of Sunday’s game. “It’s going to be valuable, no doubt about it,” Harbaugh said. He’s thought about how to handle the next three weeks, more specifically how to avoid the letdown the Ravens experienced in 2019, when they lost to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round after closing the regular season with 12 straight wins. That analysis switched from abstract to pressing as soon as Harbaugh’s team finished off the Dolphins, but he said he has not decided, for example, if Jackson will play at all against the Steelers. As much as the Ravens want to avoid the mistakes of 2019, it would be surprising if Harbaugh asks anything of his franchise player in the season finale. Why keep four quarterbacks on the roster if you’re not going to use them in a situation like this? In recent seasons, Harbaugh has trended more and more toward resting his irreplaceable players when he can. He should not abandon this tendency for fear of four-year-old postseason ghosts. The Ravens have reason to trust in their maturity, to believe they’re more equipped to make good use of this well-earned break than they were at the end of Jackson’s first full season. “I think the rest is a blessing, but we also need to make sure we’re using that time to make sure our fundamentals and everything we do mentally is at a high level,” Stanley said. “I think [2019] was a big learning experience for this team. Just to get to this point, that learning experience helped us to overcome so many things. We know where we still have to go, and that memory is always going to stay with us.” Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson congratulates Charlie Kolar on the sidelines after he scored in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Ricard, right, catches a 4-yards touchdown pass against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard takes a selfie with fans following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens fan Keon Fisher holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens defenders celebrate in the end zone following an interception by Ravens Geno Stone in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown in front of Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronald Darby, left, upends Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson after a catch in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, top, wrestles the ball away from Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson for an incomplete pass in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith returns an interception past Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr., #23, and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4, cuts behind a stumbling Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver ..Rashod Bateman dives for a pass but was unable to make a catch in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens running back Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson, right, runs back a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson picks up a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens Melvin Gordon III, top, dives into the end zone over Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott for a touchdown n the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, runs against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 David Long, right, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill runs for 41-yards against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III runs for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill, left, catches and runs for 23-yards against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Duke Riley in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Zach Sieler, top, strips the ball from Ravens running back Gus Edwards for a fumble in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker adds the point after try to the board as outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Miami Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell watch during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards looks for a hole as he picks up yardage in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justin Madubuike , top, sacks Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh, left, and Justin Madubuike celebrate after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a 25-yards pass for a first down against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce drags down Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who throws the ball away to avoid being sacked during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill breaks free for a 41-yard run in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby upends Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce reacts after stopping Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins during the second quarter Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith ruturns an interception between Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Show Caption of Expand View the full article

The Ravens have clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the first-round bye that comes with it. But one thing they haven’t done this season is beat their archnemesis, the Steelers. Baltimore (13-3) hosts Pittsburgh (9-7) in the regular-season finale, and the NFL announced Sunday night that the game will be played at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The league had not announced kickoff times for any of the scheduled games in Week 18 as it waited to see which matchups would have playoff implications and be played in prime time. Saturday’s game won’t have any implications for the Ravens, who won’t play a postseason game until the third weekend in January after dismantling the Dolphins, 56-19, to earn the coveted week off in the wild-card round. The Steelers, however, have plenty to play for as they can still clinch a playoff berth with a win in Baltimore — and some help. The Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks, 30-23, on Sunday for their second straight win after a three-game losing streak to keep their playoff hopes alive. The New York Times’ playoff simulator gives them a 28% chance at making the postseason, but it jumps to 72% if they beat the Ravens in Week 18. Pittsburgh can’t do it alone, however. Its most likely way into the postseason is to beat the Ravens and have the Buffalo Bills (10-6) lose to the Miami Dolphins (11-5), a game that will decide the AFC East, or have the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) lose to the Tennessee Titans (5-11). Here are all their playoff-clinching scenarios: Steelers beat Ravens; Colts tie Texans Steelers beat Ravens; Bills lose to Dolphins Steelers beat Ravens; Jaguars lose to or tie Titans Steelers tie Ravens; Colts and Texans do not tie; Jaguars lose to Titans Steelers lose to Ravens; Colts and Texans do not tie; Raiders lose to Broncos; Jaguars lose to Titans The Steelers opened as 3 1/2-point favorites as the Ravens are likely to rest several starters in preparation for the playoffs, though coach John Harbaugh said after Sunday’s win that he hasn’t decided if quarterback Lamar Jackson, or any other top players, will suit up in Week 18. But considering the Ravens fell to the Steelers on Oct. 8 in their worst performance of the season, Harbaugh and the Ravens might have incentive to keep their rival out of the playoffs. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson congratulates Charlie Kolar on the sidelines after he scored in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Ricard, right, catches a 4-yards touchdown pass against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard takes a selfie with fans following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens fan Keon Fisher holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens defenders celebrate in the end zone following an interception by Ravens Geno Stone in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown in front of Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronald Darby, left, upends Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson after a catch in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, top, wrestles the ball away from Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson for an incomplete pass in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith returns an interception past Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr., #23, and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4, cuts behind a stumbling Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver ..Rashod Bateman dives for a pass but was unable to make a catch in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens running back Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson, right, runs back a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson picks up a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens Melvin Gordon III, top, dives into the end zone over Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott for a touchdown n the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, runs against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 David Long, right, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill runs for 41-yards against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III runs for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill, left, catches and runs for 23-yards against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Duke Riley in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Zach Sieler, top, strips the ball from Ravens running back Gus Edwards for a fumble in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker adds the point after try to the board as outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Miami Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell watch during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards looks for a hole as he picks up yardage in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justin Madubuike , top, sacks Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh, left, and Justin Madubuike celebrate after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a 25-yards pass for a first down against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce drags down Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who throws the ball away to avoid being sacked during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill breaks free for a 41-yard run in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby upends Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce reacts after stopping Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins during the second quarter Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith ruturns an interception between Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Show Caption of Expand View the full article

The Ravens’ win Sunday naturally brought upon comparisons to the 2019 team. Both squads dominated throughout the season, earning the AFC’s top seed behind an MVP-caliber quarterback. These Ravens and those Ravens have their similarities. The same can’t be said for their next-door neighbor. In 2019, the Orioles lost 108 games amid a four-year stretch when they were one of the major leagues’ worst teams. Five years later, they won 101 games and ended the regular season as the best team in the American League. Since the Ravens moved to town in 1996, both Baltimore teams have rarely been good at the same time. 2023 is unique in that regard. When Lamar Jackson and company clinched the AFC North title Sunday with a rout of the Miami Dolphins, it marked the first time the Orioles and Ravens have won division crowns in the same season. That fact is mostly the Orioles’ fault, as the local nine have slogged through 17 losing seasons this century. It’s also a credit to the difficulty of the divisions in which both teams play, as the AL East and AFC North are regularly among the best in their respective sports. The Orioles’ AL East title in 2023 was just the franchise’s third since the Ravens’ first season. In 1997, as the Davey Johnson-led Orioles edged out the New York Yankees to claim the AL East crown with 98 wins, the Ted Marchibroda-led Ravens won six games. It took 17 years for the Orioles to win another division title, as manager Buck Showalter led the club to 96 wins as the AL’s top regular season team in 2014. The Ravens, meanwhile, made the playoffs — two years after Joe Flacco led them to a Super Bowl title — with 10 wins but finished third in the division behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 56-19 win over Dolphins | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to host Steelers at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens and Lamar Jackson have been here before. This time, something’s different. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Arthur Maulet on the defense’s coverage | VIDEO The Ravens’ AFC North crown this season was their third since Jackson became the team’s quarterback in 2018, fifth since John Harbaugh took over as coach in 2008 and seventh since the franchise moved to Baltimore. Under coach Brian Billick, the Ravens won the AFC North in 2003 and 2006 with Kyle Boller and Steve McNair at quarterback, respectively. The Orioles failed to win more than 71 games in either of those seasons. Harbaugh’s Ravens then won back-to-back division crowns in 2011 and 2012. The former ended with a missed kick by Billy Cundiff in the playoffs; the latter ended with a Super Bowl trophy. The Orioles won just 69 games under Showalter in 2011, but they started to show life over the season’s final two months. In 2012, they made the playoffs for the first time since 1997, winning 93 games and making the playoffs as a wild-card team. A year before the Ravens’ illustrious 2019 campaign, a 21-year-old Jackson stepped in for Flacco midway through the 2018 season and led the team to its first division title since 2012. The Orioles lost 115 games, traded Manny Machado and others at the deadline to ignite the rebuild, and fired Showalter and general manager Dan Duquette after the season. Of course, 2023 isn’t the first time both the baseball and football teams in Baltimore have been humming. The Johnny Unitas-led Colts won two championships in the late 1950s as the Orioles gained their footing in Baltimore. Then, for a decade beginning in 1966, few sports towns had it better than Baltimore, as the Orioles played in four World Series, winning two, and the Colts made the playoffs six times, winning a Super Bowl and losing another. Ravens fan Keon Fisher holds up a stadium edition of The Baltimore Sun after the Ravens beat the Dolphins, 56-19, to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) 2023 will go down as one of the best years in Baltimore sports history — especially if the Ravens can go on a playoff run the Orioles couldn’t. But it can’t be the best. In 1970, like in 2023, the Orioles and Colts both won their respective leagues in the regular season. The Orioles won 108 games to lead the AL, while the Colts went 11-2-1 to finish atop the AFC. They both won championships, with the Colts beating the Dallas Cowboys, 16-13, and the Orioles topping the Reds in five games. But there were no divisions in either sport back then. Success like 1970 and 2023 is difficult to achieve. But with Jackson signed long term and the young Orioles still boasting MLB’s best farm system, it’s possible 2023 is just the start. View the full article

Underneath the surface of the Ravens’ 56-19 victory Sunday over the Miami Dolphins, which clinched the AFC North title, home-field advantage in the postseason and most likely quarterback Lamar Jackson’s second NFL Most Valuable Player Award, there is a bigger story about the team being able to throw the long ball again. That’s a major key heading into the postseason. It’s been a problem for this franchise for five years, but that wasn’t the case Sunday. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 18 of 21 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns and finished with a perfect rating of 158.3. He had completions of 23, 75, 35, 33 and 19 yards as the Ravens ran enough vertical routes to run the Dolphins out of M&T Bank Stadium. The missing element in the offense has been found. “They were massively good,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the long passes. “To me, that was a part of it. We kept saying, ‘If we can start hitting the deep ball, we can make those big plays. That’s going to be a backbreaker.’ It turned out to be a backbreaker today. It was great to see.” Jackson’s performance Sunday turned the MVP vote into a no-brainer. There is no competition. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is struggling and Buffalo’s Josh Allen is as unpredictable as the Bills. Aaron Rodgers, a four-time MVP winner, hasn’t played since tearing his Achilles tendon on his fourth snap with the New York Jets, and the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow was never seriously in the race after the first quarter of the season. Then Jackson turns in a performance like Sunday’s. It wasn’t that close anyway. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 56-19 win over Dolphins | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to host Steelers at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Ravens and Orioles win division titles in same year for first time in history Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Arthur Maulet on the defense’s coverage | VIDEO During his first five seasons in the NFL, Jackson was inaccurate even on short to midrange passes, but he was still good enough to win. However, opposing teams didn’t have to respect his deep throws. In the previous 16 games, Jackson often overthrew or underthrew open receivers. Rookie Zay Flowers or Rashod Bateman had success getting one or two steps behind defensive backs, but to no avail. You could see the frustration growing on their faces. Even when Jackson threw deep to Odell Beckham Jr., the veteran receiver had to make twisting turns and adjustments. On Sunday, Jackson threw a 42-yard pass down the right sideline that Bateman had to stretch out for, but it was catchable. Then it got worse for Miami. Jackson threw a nice spiral to running back Justice Hill for a 26-yard gain, but that was nullified because of a penalty. Jackson was just warming up. He had another 25-yard pass to Flowers in the same series, then a 20-yard touchdown pass to Hill. The 75-yard touchdown pass to Flowers with 2:58 left in the second quarter made it 21-13, and that was a beauty, too. There is a theme brewing here. In Jackson’s first three seasons in Baltimore, opposing teams would stack the box and take away the Ravens’ running game. That strategy neutralized Jackson, but there’s another major difference this year compared with 2019, the last time Baltimore had the best record in the AFC and home-field advantage. Todd Monken replaced Greg Roman as offensive coordinator in February, and he and Jackson were dialing up some big plays Sunday. “That’s the type of game I like, he [Monken] was dialing it up [and] being aggressive, but he was letting me be the decision-maker,” Jackson said. “I can be aggressive, but just take what the defense gives us, and it was hand and hand with that. That’s pretty much how I like the game to go, and he did a great job today.” But it’s not just about Monken or Jackson’s development. The Ravens went out and got Jackson some playmaking receivers in the offseason, such as Beckham and Flowers. No one knew that tight end Mark Andrews would miss almost the entire second half of the season with an ankle injury, but backup Isaiah Likely has performed well and caught two touchdown passes Sunday, including a one-handed, 35-yard touchdown catch across the middle late in the first half. Those kinds of passes open up the field. Opposing teams can’t stack the box with six or seven players, and it forces them to defend the entire field. That was Harbaugh’s goal when he hired Monken. So as the Ravens head into the postseason with what amounts to a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, they might have found themselves. On Sunday, Jackson was able to throw accurately down the field and outside the numbers. “We’ve got the best fans in the world,” Hill said. “No matter what the weather is, no matter what the record is. They’re going to be here [and] they show up. This place was rocking. The playoffs, I’m glad we have them here. We’re on a roll and they’re going to help us tremendously.” The Ravens have another dimension, too. They’ve got the long ball in the arsenal, and with it, Jackson should have another MVP award. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson congratulates Charlie Kolar on the sidelines after he scored in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Ricard, right, catches a 4-yards touchdown pass against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard takes a selfie with fans following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens fan Keon Fisher holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens defenders celebrate in the end zone following an interception by Ravens Geno Stone in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown in front of Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronald Darby, left, upends Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson after a catch in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, top, wrestles the ball away from Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson for an incomplete pass in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith returns an interception past Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr., #23, and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4, cuts behind a stumbling Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver ..Rashod Bateman dives for a pass but was unable to make a catch in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens running back Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson, right, runs back a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson picks up a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens Melvin Gordon III, top, dives into the end zone over Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott for a touchdown n the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, runs against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 David Long, right, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill runs for 41-yards against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III runs for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill, left, catches and runs for 23-yards against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Duke Riley in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Zach Sieler, top, strips the ball from Ravens running back Gus Edwards for a fumble in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker adds the point after try to the board as outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Miami Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell watch during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards looks for a hole as he picks up yardage in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justin Madubuike , top, sacks Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh, left, and Justin Madubuike celebrate after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a 25-yards pass for a first down against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce drags down Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who throws the ball away to avoid being sacked during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill breaks free for a 41-yard run in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby upends Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce reacts after stopping Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins during the second quarter Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith ruturns an interception between Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. 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Is Lamar Jackson “quarterback-y” enough yet? The superlatives for the Ravens’ leader flowed as freely and sweet as the celebratory nectar of not just a 10th victory in the past 11 games, but a 56-19 dismantling of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium. With the win, Baltimore won the AFC North, clinched the conference’s No. 1 seed and secured the first-round bye in the playoffs and home-field advantage throughout the AFC title game. At the nexus of all of Baltimore’s successes, against the Dolphins and against the rest of the NFL this season, was Jackson. Six days earlier, Jackson threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 45 yards and led Baltimore to a 33-19 bullying of the NFC-leading San Francisco 49ers on Christmas night. Afterward, Ravens coach John Harbaugh called it an “MVP” performance. Sunday, Jackson torched Miami, completing 18 of 21 passes for 325 yards and five touchdowns (along with 35 rushing yards). “He played a perfect football game in terms of the passing game,” Harbaugh said in the afterglow. “He was on point.” Harbaugh might’ve sounded hyperbolic, but he was accurate. Jackson finished with a perfect quarterback rating (158.3). It was the third time he has done so in his career, tying him with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger. Hall of Fame company. And who was the last quarterback to have a perfect passer rating and more passing touchdowns than incompletions in the same game? All Jackson had to do was look in the mirror. He did it against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019. And against the Dolphins earlier that same season. That’s also the last time he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, when he joined Brady as the only unanimous choices in history. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson reacts at the conclusion of the game against the Miami Dolphins during an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson makes a completion against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, #8, scrambles for yardage as Miami Dolphins linebacker Duke Riley (45) pursues during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) The Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Lamar Jackson throws a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens fans shout for quarterback Lamar Jackson who enters to practice during pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates tight end Charlie Kolar catching his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Dolphins. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar is congratulated by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar is congratulated by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks at a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Ravens win over the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, congratulates Charlie Kolar on the sideline after the tight end scored his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar sprints onto the field after the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson, right, runs back a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson picks up a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens Melvin Gordon III, top, dives into the end zone over Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott for a touchdown n the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, runs against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 David Long, right, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill runs for 41-yards against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III runs for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Zach Sieler, top, strips the ball from Ravens running back Gus Edwards for a fumble in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill, left, catches and runs for 23-yards against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Duke Riley in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker adds the point after try to the board as outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Miami Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell watch during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards looks for a hole as he picks up yardage in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justin Madubuike , top, sacks Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh, left, and Justin Madubuike celebrate after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a 25-yards pass for a first down against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Musical group All Time Low perform during halftime of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Baltimore Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of the Miami Dolphins. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce drags down Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who throws the ball away to avoid being sacked during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill breaks free for a 41-yard run in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby upends Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce reacts after stopping Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins during the second quarter Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) \\tpbalhc\\ applauds the team offense against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith ruturns an interception between Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers catches a pass by quarterback Lamar Jackson for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts when replays show that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made a successful catch against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, top, wrestles the ball away from Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson for an incomplete pass in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronald Darby, left, upends Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson after a catch in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronnie Stanley, right, celebrates teammate Isaiah Likelyxe2x80x99s touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown in front of Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), taking the rest of the game off with wide receiver Zay Flowers (4), celebrates with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) who connected with tight end Charlie Kolar for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravens defenders celebrate in the end zone following an interception by Ravens Geno Stone in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), taking the rest of the game off with wide receiver Zay Flowers (4), celebrates with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) who connected with tight end Charlie Kolar for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) With the game in hand, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and wide receiver Zay Flowers react after quarterback Tyler Huntley connects with tight end Charlie Kolar for his first career touchdown during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Ravens fan Shawn Means holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Year\xe2\x80\x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard takes a selfie with fans following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens fan Keon Fisher holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Ricard, right, catches a 4-yards touchdown pass against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh holds a newspaper that reads "AFC\'s Best" during an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson (30) holds the football, celebrating his interception of a Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa pass with cornerback Ronald Darby (28) and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (95) during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) A Ravens fan holds a sign declaring quarterback Lamar Jackson the NFL Most Valuable Player during Sunday's game against the Dolphins. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) gets sacked by Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens fans react to an interception of a pass by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones (98) and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike celebrate a sack by outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (right) of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, behind, during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) The Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Lamar Jackson throws a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard celebrates his 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Year\xe2\x80\x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard celebrates his 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Year\xe2\x80\x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard scores a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Year\xe2\x80\x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, left, shows the AFC\xe2\x80\x99s Best headline newspaper to Rashod Bateman, right, after beating the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh shows the AFC\xe2\x80\x99s Best headline newspaper after beating the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen, #6, watches inside linebacker Roquan Smith haul in an interception of a Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa pass during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith returns an interception past Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr., #23, and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4, cuts behind a stumbling Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, #80, dives to the pylon, scoring a touchdown in front of Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott (21) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver ..Rashod Bateman dives for a pass but was unable to make a catch in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens running back Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) The Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald is with Roquan Smith before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is on the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald looks on before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) The Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh runs on the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Eric DeCosta, executive vice president and general manager of the Baltimore Ravens during pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Still unable to play because of an injury, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews chats with fullback Patrick Ricard during pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Nursing an injury, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews watches pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout poses for fans during pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice seen during player introductions before an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Show Caption of Expand Now he’s poised to become the 11th player to win the award twice, at just 26 years old and in the sixth year of his career. “It’s like watching a video game, bro,” Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet said. “Every week, he does something and it’s like, ‘really?’ I played against him in Pittsburgh. I’m glad I’m on this side now. I don’t have to chase him around.” The only difference between Jackson and a video game is that what he does is real, and it manifested itself in several ways Sunday, much the way it has most of the season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 56-19 win over Dolphins | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to host Steelers at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Ravens and Orioles win division titles in same year for first time in history Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens and Lamar Jackson have been here before. This time, something’s different. | COMMENTARY Last year against Miami, Jackson put on an epic and historic performance, racking up 437 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, including a highlight reel 79-yard scoring run. Then the Ravens’ defense disintegrated, choking away a 21-point fourth-quarter lead in a 42-38 loss. After the disastrous outcome, Harbaugh said the team had to “own” the collapse, and that how his players responded would be the story. Jackson eventually got hurt and missed the last six games of the season, of course. The story this time was that there wouldn’t be so much as a whiff of a comeback, thanks to a largely dominant defense that was without two main contributors, All-Pro-level safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Brandon Stephens, and because of the play of Jackson, who seems to grow by leaps and bounds by the week. The 2019 NFL MVP all but locked up another one with his first-half performance alone Sunday, completing 12 of 14 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the first 30 minutes to stake the Ravens to a 28-13 lead. The signature moment in a season full of moments came when he let fly a 33-yard bomb down the right sideline to a streaking Odell Beckham Jr., the three-time Pro Bowl selection who Baltimore wasn’t even sure could run when they signed him a one-year, $15 million deal before Jackson signed his own $260 million deal in the offseason. It was the kind of poetry Baltimore has longed for from its wide receivers and has gotten more and more as the season has worn on, from rookie Zay Flowers, to veteran Nelson Agholor, to Rashod Bateman, to Beckham. Much of it traces back to Jackson. “We were on the same page, I got the signal, he threw a dot,” said Beckham, who made a diving, over-the-shoulder grab on a perfectly thrown ball and dragged his second foot in bounds as he tumbled out of bounds at the 1-yard line. “I expect myself to make those plays, I think everyone here does. To me, it felt like it was just a normal catch.” And to many, it looked like just another normal performance from Jackson. All afternoon, fans chanted “M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!” just the way the Ravens had in the locker room in Santa Clara, California, after the victory over the 49ers. Jackson was immune to them and kept pouring gas on the fire, lighting up Miami with two more touchdown passes in the second half. “[I was thinking,] ‘We need to finish this game.’ I’m not really paying attention to the chants,” he said. “Last year, the score was looking like that at halftime and stuff like that and [in the] third quarter. Then, those guys started making plays, and we didn’t do anything, but the only thing on my mind was to finish the game, and today, we did.” And with it finished off any lingering questions about whether he should be the MVP. With one game remaining in the regular season, Jackson has thrown for a career-high 3,682 yards and 24 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He has also completed a career-best 67.2% of his passes. And he’s the best player on the best team, one that has been besieged by injuries, from running backs J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell to tight end and security blanket Mark Andrews. Importantly, Jackson has been at his best in the biggest games, too, with Sunday just the latest given what was at stake. “It was very important,” Jackson said. “We had a lot of guys banged up, nicked up with injuries, [and] guys who couldn’t play. We had guys who stepped up [and] knew the situation, and they played lights out [in] all phases.” No one more so than Jackson. “Ain’t no argument,” said tight end Isaiah Likely, the recipient of two of Jackson’s touchdown passes, including one on fourth-and-7. “You go out every Sunday and you tell me somebody better than 8.” Added backup quarterback Tyler Huntley: “I just see how he’s locked in every play every second of the day. He don’t take no plays for granted. He don’t let a play go by where he’s not trying to get the best out of it. You’re damn sure right [he’s the MVP].” Fullback Patrick Ricard, who caught the last of Jackson’s touchdowns on the day, hauling in a 4-yard pass on a play that he said the Ravens have been working on for weeks, agreed. “He’s clearly a quarterback,” Ricard said. “He makes the plays with the throws. OK, because he can run the ball pretty well he’s not quarterback-y? I don’t get it.” Neither do LeBron James or Ray Lewis. “Quarterbacky huh!?!? NAAAAHHHHH!! H.I.M.,” James posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Looks real ‘quarterbacky’ to me,” Lewis wrote. None of them need to worry, because anyone who watched Sunday, and this season, gets it now. View the full article