ExtremeRavens

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday’s Week 16 game at M&T Bank Stadium: Brian Wacker, reporter: Ding dong the witch is dead — or at lest the Ravens’ gargantuan struggles against their archnemesis are for now. After losing eight of the past nine matchups, mostly because of self-inflicted wounds, silly mistakes, being out-coached and pushed around physically, the Ravens were on the other end of that spectrum, forcing costly turnovers and watching the Steelers be the ones to shout themselves in the foot. Baltimore also played mostly mistake free and took advantage of momentum plays — notably Ar’Darius Washington’s forced fumble and of course Marlon Humphrey’s game-sealing interception return for a touchdown — to come out on the winning end. Childs Walker, reporter: Finally, the Ravens decisively beat the team that has haunted them like no other. Pittsburgh moved the ball, but the Ravens’ defense made the biggest plays, with Ar’Darius Washington’s forced fumble that wiped out a potential touchdown and Marlon Humphrey’s pick-six to put Baltimore up 31-17 in the fourth quarter. Coordinator Zach Orr had said such plays would be the next step for his improving group. On offense, the Ravens ran as many times in the first half as they did in all of their November loss to the Steelers and surged past 200 yards. Lamar Jackson threw a brutal fourth-quarter interception to go with his three touchdowns, so it wasn’t quite the breakout he’d sought against his AFC North nemesis. But his teammates picked him up in an all-around effort that keeps the Ravens very much in contention to win their division. They rode Derrick Henry on their first scoring drive, taking advantage of excellent field position provided by their defense’s three-and-out deep in Pittsburgh territory. Russell Wilson quickly answered, marching the Steelers to a touchdown after two Ravens defenders let him wiggle away from a would-be sack on third-and-7 at midfield. Wilson was on the verge of adding to the lead when he broke free with the goal line in sight, but Washington knocked the ball free and sent the Ravens driving 96 yards the other way to go up 14-7. That forced fumble was another massive play from Washington, who changed the Baltimore defense when he stepped in for Marcus Williams on the back end. Mike Preston, columnist: The AFC North used to be the best division in football a year ago, but that’s not the case anymore. Regardless, the Ravens beat Pittsburgh on Saturday to pull into a tie for first place. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made some questionable decisions and counterpart John Harbaugh allowed offensive coordinator Todd Monken to gamble on a pass play after a 44-yard gain down to the Pittsburgh 11-yard line early in the fourth quarter on a run by Derrick Henry. Both were ridiculous and mismanaged by both coaches. The Ravens, though, are in good position with two games remaining in the regular season while Pittsburgh might be nearing collapse after losing two straight losses heading into a matchup against Kansas City on Christmas Day. The Ravens are a strange team. You never know which team will show up. Will it be the team that dominated Tampa Bay and Dallas, or the squad which lost to Cleveland and Las Vegas? Despite the up-and-down year, the Ravens are still in a good position to challenge for the AFC title. The Chiefs struggle in pass protection, and they have trouble in coverage. Unfortunately, so do the Ravens, but that’s what the NFL Is all about. It’s about being average, and the Ravens have had their moments of being mediocre and good at times. It’s hard to predict which team will show up. Sam Cohn, reporter: The Ravens spent all week lamenting their last loss to the Steelers — not because Pittsburgh outplayed them, but because they felt they beat themselves. Twelve penalties, three turnovers and two missed field goal attempts all back that argument. So to win on Saturday and keep their hopes of an AFC division title alive, they couldn’t beat themselves. That they didn’t. Baltimore fumbled three times but recovered all three. When Pittsburgh shanked a kickoff, giving the Ravens the ball near midfield, they needed only six plays to score. That put them over 20 points for the first time in their past eight meetings with the Steelers. And when Lamar Jackson threw a rare interception, giving Pittsburgh the ball down a touchdown, it was Marlon Humphrey who swung the game back in their favor with his first career pick-six. In 30-degree December weather, on their home grass, the Ravens were penalized thrice, turned the ball over only once and made both their field goal attempts. And for that, their divisional title hopes remain within reach. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens RB Justice Hill ruled out with concussion vs. Steelers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers, December 21, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers live updates: Baltimore leads 34-17 in 4th quarter Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers comes with big stakes — and something to prove Baltimore Ravens | Ravens waive WR Diontae Johnson, elevate Anthony Miller vs. Steelers with Nelson Agholor out C.J. Doon, editor: Sometimes you just need a little bit of luck. The Ravens recovered two of their own fumbles in the first half, the first after a strip-sack of Lamar Jackson and the second following a punt return by Desmond King II. Then, with Russell Wilson sprinting up the middle for what looked to be an easy touchdown, safety Ar’Darius Washington closed in to make a big hit and jar the ball loose. The Ravens pounced on it and proceeded to march 96 yards on just eight plays to take 14-7 lead. That 14-point swing is huge in a rivalry game like this with so much on the line. And just when it looked like the Ravens were ready to put the game away in the fourth quarter, Jackson threw an interception on a head-scratching throw across the middle after Rashod Bateman unexpectedly stopped his route. But before the frustration could fully set in, cornerback Marlon Humphrey stepped in front of a pass from Wilson and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown for his first career pick-six. It was a dizzying stretch of plays that encapsulated the wonkiness of this Ravens season. This time, it was the defense picking up its two-time Most Valuable Player instead of the other way around. That’s not to disparage Jackson’s performance, either. He was mostly on point, showing nice touch on the opening touchdown pass to Bateman while picking apart the Steelers’ banged-up secondary that lost Joey Porter Jr. early in the game. He now has a career-high 37 touchdown passes and should remain in the MVP conversation with Bills QB Josh Allen. But perhaps the biggest takeaway is how dominant Derrick Henry looked. He’s the ultimate weapon in late December and January and gives the Ravens the closer they have long needed. That clock-killing drive at the end of the game was mighty impressive. Bennett Conlin, editor: In previous meetings with the Steelers, the Ravens made too many mistakes and lacked the big plays needed to vanquish a rival. On Saturday, Baltimore flipped the script. The Ravens recovered their own fumbles on multiple occasions, forced a red-zone turnover, scored on defense and made all their field goal attempts. Outside of one horrid red-zone interception, Lamar Jackson played efficiently and Derrick Henry ran wild. It wasn’t always perfect, but the Ravens showed the required grit, toughness and competence to win the AFC North. They didn’t shy away from the moment — a loss would’ve handed Pittsburgh the division title — instead grabbing the lead and never trailing in a home triumph. This is what the Ravens needed to do in the biggest matchup of their season, as they leaned on Derrick Henry, who rushed for over 100 yards for the first time since Nov. 25. Lamar Jackson and the defense weren’t half bad, either. This version of the Ravens can win a Super Bowl, and they’ll have a chance with Saturday’s win clinching a playoff berth. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Ravens running back Justice Hill has been ruled out with a concussion for the remainder of Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the second quarter, Hill bounced a 25-yard run to the left before being brought down by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee. Kazee upended Hill, who appeared to land on his head and right shoulder. He was briefly attended to by trainers along the sideline before standing up under his own power and being taken back to the locker room. Hill’s concussion was diagnosed minutes later. The veteran backup had logged 30 yards on two carries to that point. Hill missed practice Wednesday of this week for the birth of his child. He returned a day later. Because of the short turnaround on the Ravens’ schedule, playing the Houston Texans on Wednesday, he will likely be unavailable in Week 17. Third-string running back Rasheen Ali was active for Saturday’s game, but second-year back Keaton Mitchell was not. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Ravens’ Lamar Jackson warms up before game against Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, right, goes back to the locker room after pregame warm up at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens’ Derrick Henry warms up before game against Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) At left, Robert Hudnet of Manchester, who plans to make a showing at the Baltimore VA tomorrow poses with Greg Thompson of Edgewood during pregame, before an NFL football divisional rivalry in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers prepares for the cold weather during pregame, before an NFL football divisional rivalry in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland during pregame, before an NFL football divisional rivalry in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) At left, Robert Hudnet of Manchester, who plans to make a showing at the Baltimore VA tomorrow and Greg Thompson of Edgewood pose with a happy fan during pregame, before an NFL football divisional rivalry in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson during pregame, before an NFL football divisional rivalry in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

The Ravens (9-5) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium in a pivotal AFC North showdown. The stakes are clear: With a win, the Steelers clinch the AFC North title, while a Ravens win secures a playoff berth for Baltimore and keeps hopes alive for the division crown. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis. View the full article

Not a hump. That was Marlon Humphrey’s ruling as he considered what’s at stake in the Ravens’ upcoming showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs? They qualify as a mountainous obstacle. But Humphrey wouldn’t ascribe the same difficulty to toppling the Steelers, even though they have defeated the Ravens in eight of nine matchups over the past five seasons. The veteran cornerback said he didn’t realize the recent history of the AFC North’s most enduring rivalry was so lopsided. “Eight out of the last nine — it’s not a good number at all,” Humphrey said. “This means a lot to a lot of people. It means a lot to me being here for a long time, and if you don’t understand, the message will be very clear as the week goes on.” It’s not that Humphrey and his teammates are downplaying the importance of Saturday’s rematch at M&T Bank Stadium. They know the Steelers made them look bad five weeks ago in an 18-16 defeat. They know that if they don’t step up this time, their quest to repeat as AFC North champs will officially end. That alone makes it their most important game of the season to date. But there’s something more existential at stake, a point team leaders are less eager to address. Fair or not, many fans view the Ravens of the Lamar Jackson era as front-runners — brilliant as any team in football when a game unfolds their way but no sure bet to put their best foot forward when a worthy rival punches them in the mouth. The Steelers are always eager to throw that punch, even when they’re overmatched on paper. Under coach Mike Tomlin, they always seem to believe they’ll be the last ones standing at the end of a rugged, messy, one-score game. Thus beating Pittsburgh would say much about the 2024 Ravens’ capacity for standing up to difficulty. Their recent record in the rivalry is particularly vexing because the Ravens have outplayed the Steelers overall since Jackson joined the team in 2018, going 75-38 to Pittsburgh’s 67-44-2 with two more playoff appearances than their nemesis. Again this year they’re darlings of the analytics community — No. 1 in DVOA, 10 spots above Pittsburgh — and the sportsbooks, which opened them as a six-point favorite for Saturday’s game. And still, the head-to-head record says what it says. “It’s not like, ‘Oh, we were just unlucky,'” Humphrey said, reflecting on his team’s losses to the Steelers. “I think Tomlin wants to just keep the game close, keep the game close and then win it at the end, and honestly, that strategy works pretty well when they play us.” He respects that Pittsburgh will come right at the Ravens with a determined running game and a craving for contact. “There’s a lot of teams out there that you can say, ‘They weren’t really tough. They didn’t really bring it,’” Humphrey said. “That’s one thing that I love about the rivalry — there’s not a lot of fair dodging. They’re going do what they’re going to do. They’ll run the ball, take their shots — it’s not really going to be a secret, and they feel that they can do that and be successful, and we’ve got to feel that we can stop it and do the opposite.” Matt Freed/ The Associated Press“Obviously, some games are hyped up, and some games aren’t, but for us, it’s being consistent, week in and week out,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said of facing the Steelers. (Matt Freed/AP) An honest look in the mirror for a team that will likely have to win an excruciating playoff game or two to achieve its Super Bowl aspirations. The Ravens’ 9-5 record is hardly devoid of quality wins. They blew out AFC No. 2 seed Buffalo at home, hung 41 points on Denver’s No. 1 scoring defense, slapped around the rising Chargers and Buccaneers and survived a pair of wild back-and-forth shootouts with the Bengals. They have rallied from double-digit deficits, ground opponents down with the NFL’s most efficient running attack, made clutch stops in the red zone. But losses to the Steelers, Chiefs and Eagles fed into the notion that they can be knocked off stride against tough-minded opponents on the grandest stages. It’s not a narrative Ravens players care to encourage by portraying this game as a referendum on their grit. “You try to go week by week and just try to focus on each game and doing your job,” tight end Mark Andrews said. “Obviously, some games are hyped up, and some games aren’t, but for us, it’s being consistent, week in and week out.” Andrews is as intense as anyone in the organization, but good luck getting him to ruminate on the stakes of any one game, no matter what he might be thinking or feeling. “Obviously, we’ve lost eight of the last nine, but I don’t think we’re going into this game like, ‘We can’t lose nine out of 10,’” safety Kyle Hamilton said. “We’re just trying to win this one game and take it one week at a time, and I know you all hear that a lot from us, but it’s really true. We have one-week lives, kind of, and last week, we were all about the Giants and got that win. Now, we’re all about the Steelers, and whatever comes next, comes next.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens waive WR Diontae Johnson, elevate Anthony Miller vs. Steelers with Nelson Agholor out Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers staff picks: Who wins Saturday’s game in Baltimore? Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens made changes at linebacker. It’s fueled their defensive turnaround. Baltimore Ravens | NFL playoff scenarios: Ravens have simple path to clinch berth Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman in walking boot; Steelers WR George Pickens out On the most recent episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” coach John Harbaugh referred to December as “the real season,” his implication being that if the Ravens can get on a roll now, it might carry them all the way through the playoffs. Another AFC North title is on the table if they beat the Steelers and win out to finish 12-5. That would mean home-field advantage in the wild-card round and a likely matchup against the Chargers or Broncos, teams they’ve already defeated soundly. But it’s difficult to get players to rank specific goals for the rest of the regular season. “We want everything,” wide receiver Zay Flowers said. “We want to end it the right way. We want to go out with a bang these last three games, finish the right way going into the playoffs with a little momentum and do what we got to do there.” Unsaid but obvious is that another loss to Pittsburgh would set them back on all those fronts and open them up for two weeks of uncomfortable questioning headed into the postseason. The stakes Saturday could not be higher. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

Wide receiver Anthony Miller will make his Ravens debut and play his first game in three years Saturday in what will also be Baltimore’s biggest game of the season. Miller, 30, is expected to be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster on the eve of Saturday’s showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told The Baltimore Sun. The move comes on the same day the Ravens ruled out wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) for the huge AFC North showdown. Baltimore was already thin at the position with Diontae Johnson not with the team this week after his one-game suspension last week and Rashod Bateman listed as questionable after he suffered a foot injury during practice earlier this week and was in a walking boot Thursday. Miller, whom the Ravens signed in August, hasn’t played since 2021 when he split time with the Houston Texans and the Steelers. He suffered a season-ending shoulder in Steelers training camp the following August and has bounced around several practice squads since before being released by the Kansas City Chiefs in May. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers staff picks: Who wins Saturday’s game in Baltimore? Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens made changes at linebacker. It’s fueled their defensive turnaround. Baltimore Ravens | NFL playoff scenarios: Ravens have simple path to clinch berth Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman in walking boot; Steelers WR George Pickens out Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s who fans are picking to win Ravens-Steelers showdown A 2018 second-round draft pick out of Memphis, Miller had 134 catches for 1,564 yards and 11 touchdowns over his first three seasons with the Chicago Bears. While the Ravens could be without as many as three wide receivers, the Steelers are also short-handed at receiver. George Pickens, who leads Pittsburgh in receptions (55) and receiving yards (850) and has three touchdowns, will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury. If Pittsburgh (10-4) wins Saturday, it would clinch the AFC North title. If Baltimore (9-5) wins — or if the Miami Dolphins lose or tie and the Indianapolis Colts do the same — the Ravens would clinch a playoff berth and pull into a first-place tie in the division with the Steelers with two games remaining in the regular season. View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Saturday’s Week 16 game between the Ravens (9-5) and Steelers (10-4) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 20, Steelers 17: The last time these two met, Baltimore had a dozen penalties and three turnovers and still only lost by two. That alone is reason to believe the Ravens can finally end their run of misery against the Steelers, who have won eight of the past nine meetings. Pittsburgh is also coming off a short week after getting beat up by the Philadelphia Eagles, while Baltimore had essentially what amounted to a 7-on-7 scrimmage against a borderline NFL-level team in the New York Giants. Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt is also banged up and wide receiver George Pickens is out, while Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the rest of the offense are refreshed. After not scoring 20 points in each of their past eight against Pittsburgh, Baltimore will get there this time — and that will be enough. Childs Walker, reporter Ravens 27, Steelers 20: The Ravens have looked like the better team going into almost every matchup with Pittsburgh over the past five years, but the Steelers have owned them in close game after close game. Picking the Ravens makes you Charlie Brown lining up to kick that next ball. At some point, Lamar Jackson has to break through with a great performance against his AFC North nemesis, and this feels like the occasion. The Ravens can run on Pittsburgh and stop the Steelers’ determined running game. Their offensive upside is far greater. They played perhaps their worst all-around game of the season in the first matchup and still lost by just two. They’ll finally get it done at home with a division title hanging in the balance. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 21, Steelers 17: This appears to be the perfect time for the Pittsburgh collapse. The Steelers, like the Ravens, were manhandled by the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-13, in the battle of Pennsylvania last week and now they must face Baltimore on the road in a short week. It’s the perfect time for the Ravens to beat Pittsburgh, which has won eight of the past nine matchups. Plus, Pittsburgh has to play Kansas City on Christmas Day. It’s a near-perfect scenario for the Ravens to win the game and capture the AFC North title. In addition, the Steelers aren’t fully healthy, while the Ravens basically had the week off against an undermanned Giants team last week. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 26, Steelers 16: It’s usually a war of attrition this time of year. George Pickens is out again, robbing Pittsburgh of its most talented playmaker. T.J. Watt is fighting through an ankle injury, perhaps limiting his ability to wreak havoc in Baltimore’s backfield. Defensive backs DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson might be sidelined, too. Meanwhile, Rashod Bateman is in a walking boot, Nelson Agholor is in concussion protocol and three other Ravens starters are banged up. It would be nice to have Diontae Johnson available this week, wouldn’t it? Maybe his loss is rookie Devontez Walker’s gain. Regardless, Baltimore should win this one so long as it keeps its cool and avoids costly turnovers and penalties. Easier said than done in this rivalry game, especially with the AFC North title at stake, but it feels like Lamar Jackson and company are ready to make a statement and finish the season strong. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The Ravens made changes at linebacker. It’s fueled their defensive turnaround. Baltimore Ravens | NFL playoff scenarios: Ravens have simple path to clinch berth Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman in walking boot; Steelers WR George Pickens out Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s who fans are picking to win Ravens-Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: What’s needed to beat the Steelers? | COMMENTARY Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 24, Steelers 21: Is this the Justin Tucker redemption game? It would be a good time for it, that’s for sure. As the others have mentioned, the Ravens played perhaps their worst game of the year in Pittsburgh and nearly won. They almost certainly couldn’t play worse with the talent they have, but these games have a knack for going sideways. I think Baltimore has learned its lesson by now and will fully grasp the importance of playing disciplined and not getting out of sorts. Or maybe I will eat these words Saturday night. A healthy and eager Lamar Jackson will solve the Steelers’ defense at some point, and I think it starts Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium with Tucker making a game-winning kick. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 28, Steelers 17: The Ravens rank first in the NFL in DVOA, suggesting they’re more of a Super Bowl contender than their 9-5 record indicates. Baltimore’s last loss to Pittsburgh was defined by errors, with the Ravens racking up 12 penalties, three turnovers and two missed field goal attempts. The Ravens still only lost that game 18-16 on the road. Pittsburgh is exceptional at finding ways to win, but the Steelers aren’t a legitimate Super Bowl contender, as Philadelphia made clear last week in a 27-13 dismantling of Mike Tomlin’s team. Baltimore makes a statement Saturday at home. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

Two hours before the Ravens kicked off against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12, linebacker Roquan Smith was on the field wearing black shorts and a cutoff T-shirt testing the integrity of his hamstring injury with slim hopes he might still be able to play. His backup, Malik Harrison, had been preparing all week as if he were the starting middle linebacker. And Chris Board, a seven-year veteran with three career starts, studied film like that Monday night might be his fourth. Smith was ruled out, opening the door for Harrison and Board to take over the middle of the defense. Something clicked. The Ravens are now using those two and Trenton Simpson in a rotating platoon at linebacker, shoring up a soft spot on a unit that struggled mightily the first 10 weeks of the season but has since turned a corner. “It’s been kinda crazy, honestly, just with the changing roles,” Board said. “But that’s kind of how the league works. You never know how things will shake out.” Before Week 12, Board had spent most of his time with special teams. He had 11 total defensive snaps in 11 weeks. He’s averaging 31.6 in the three games since. And Harrison jumped from 90 total defensive snaps in 11 weeks, only going over 15 once, to 44.5 on average. “They’re making the most of it,” coach John Harbaugh said. Entering that game against the Chargers, the Ravens were still ranked last in passing defense. Since Week 11, they’ve given up the NFL’s fewest net yards per game (269) and rank atop the league in third-down defense. Smith praised Harrison’s physicality. “The guy will knock your face mask off; it’s pretty crazy,” he said. Even running back Derrick Henry noticed, saying after the win at SoFi Stadium that there were a few hits where “everybody in the crowd went, ‘Oh.’” Harrison stepped into the starting post against Los Angeles. After the Chargers scored handily on the opening drive, he shook off some jitters and had a career day with a team-high 13 tackles. “They go down there the first drive, and we’re trying to figure out what’s going on and how we’re going to play these different things and talked through it, and he didn’t flinch for one second,” Harbaugh said. “I couldn’t be more proud of him.” Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison, left, cornerback Desmond King II, second from right, and linebacker Chris Board, right, tackle Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson in the fourth quarter Sunday. (Frank Franklin II/AP) Against the Giants on Sunday, Harrison played a season-high 79% of defensive snaps and again finished with a team-high eight tackles and a sack. It’s thanks to the evolution of how he prepares during the week. Harrison said he leans on veterans for advice. He’ll text Smith with film questions. Early in his career, there were days he’d practice just to practice. Now, and particularly these last few weeks, Harrison said he treats every day as if he’ll be the most important piece on the chess board come Sunday. “I just prepared my [butt] off all week,” he said. And some of his note-taking style is inspired by the veteran in a similar position. “Chris Board has always been a guy where he’ll get zero reps,” Harrison said, “then you put him somewhere and he’s gonna do it right.” Since taking a larger load on defense the past three games, Board logged 14 tackles and one for loss. That’s the best stretch of his career since 2021. Harbaugh called him an “underrated guy” with a knack for making plays on passing downs. “Heck, maybe we should have had him out there a little bit sooner,” Harbaugh said last month. Nonetheless, he was ready when the time came. “Snap-wise, it’s a toll on your body to play more,” Board said, “but mentally, I’ve been preparing for whenever this moment would come.” Defensive coordinator Zach Orr can relate. The former Ravens linebacker knew he was far down the depth chart as a rookie, “which was fine,” he said. “Honestly, I wasn’t ready.” He learned how to prepare for when the moment finally arrived and made the most of it: Week 13 in 2016 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, sealing the win with an interception in the final seconds. It’s the second mid-to-late season defensive shuffle Orr has pushed his chips in on and seen an immediate return. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | NFL playoff scenarios: Ravens have simple path to clinch berth Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman in walking boot; Steelers WR George Pickens out Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s who fans are picking to win Ravens-Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: What’s needed to beat the Steelers? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens trust LB Tavius Robinson in bigger role: ‘He’s just scratching the surface’ Baltimore’s secondary rotated options next to their All-Pro safety, Kyle Hamilton, until finding a key that fit with Ar’Darius Washington. At linebacker, Simpson was handling duties with Smith, a two-time All-Pro, before Orr conversely leaned into the linebacker platoon on the heels of Smith’s injury. The reason it’s worked is Harrison and Board — two more names Pittsburgh will have on its scouting report whio weren’t there when they played on Nov. 17. “They’re about as different as you can get defensively over the course of a month,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, days out from traveling to Baltimore for a highly anticipated AFC North matchup Saturday. Consider the age-old cliche: “Get ready so you don’t have to stay ready.” It’s been around as long as backups have had microphones pushed in front of their faces. Teammates say Harrison and Board embody it. “I think those guys are perfect examples of everybody, like, ‘I’m just doing what’s best for the team, and then when my number is called, and I get my opportunity to play more, I’m gonna go out there and play good football,’” Orr said. “And both of those guys are playing good football for us. We’re happy, but it’s not [anything] we’re surprised by, by any means.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. Week 16 Steelers at Ravens Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TV: FOX Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 6 1/2 View the full article

It’s shaping up to be the most important week of the NFL season, and all eyes could be on Ravens vs. Steelers in Baltimore. With the AFC East (Buffalo Bills), AFC South (Houston Texans) and AFC West (Kansas City) champions already crowned, the AFC North is the only division in the conference that remains unsettled heading into the final three weeks of the regular season. Baltimore (9-5) and Pittsburgh (10-4) clash on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium, and the stakes are clear: The Steelers claim the division title with a win, while a Ravens victory extends the race and secures Baltimore’s spot in the postseason. The Ravens can also clinch a playoff berth if both the Miami Dolphins (6-8) and Indianapolis Colts (6-8) lose or tie against their respective opponents on Sunday. The Dolphins are slight home favorites against the San Francisco 49ers (6-8), while the Colts are 3 1/2-point favorites against the visiting Tennessee Titans (3-11). While the Ravens are all but assured of a playoff berth already, entering Week 16 with a greater than 99% chance of making the seven-team field, their potential seeding is much murkier. According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats playoff probability model, the Ravens are nearly as likely to finish the regular season as the second seed (2.4%) as they are the seventh (3.6%). An AFC North title would likely result in the No. 3 seed and a home wild-card game against either the Denver Broncos or Los Angeles Chargers — both of whom the Ravens beat earlier this season — while a second-place finish would lead to a road wild-card game at Houston in a rematch of a Christmas Day clash as well as last season’s divisional round. The top seed in the AFC could also be decided this weekend. Kansas City (13-1) clinches the lone first-round bye and home-field advantage with a win Saturday over the visiting Texans (9-5) and a Bills loss or tie Sunday against the New England Patriots, or a tie against Houston and a Bills loss. The Chiefs, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes cleared to start after he injured his ankle last week, are 3 1/2-point favorites against the Texans, while Buffalo (11-3) and NFL Most Valuable Player favorite Josh Allen are a whopping 14-point favorite against the visiting Patriots (3-11). If the Ravens win Saturday and finish the regular season with the same record as the Steelers, there are several tiebreakers that could decide the champion, starting with the best record in games played within the division and ending with an unlikely (but possible!) coin toss. Baltimore is a 6 1/2-point favorite against Pittsburgh, which will be without wide receiver George Pickens and potentially two other starters in safety DeShon Elliott and cornerback Donte Jackson. The Ravens, meanwhile, have three starters listed as questionable and will once again be without wide receiver Diontae Johnson after he was excused from team activities following his one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. Here are the full clinching scenarios for the AFC in Week 16: CLINCHED: Buffalo Bills (11-3) — AFC East Houston Texans (9-5) — AFC South Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) — AFC West Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) — playoff berth CHIEFS vs. Texans; Saturday, 1 p.m., NBC Kansas City clinches AFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye and home-field advantage with: 1. KC win + BUF loss or tie 2. KC tie + BUF loss STEELERS at Ravens; Saturday, 4:30 p.m., FOX Pittsburgh clinches AFC North division title with: 1. PIT win RAVENS vs. Steelers Baltimore clinches a playoff berth with: 1. BAL win or tie 2. MIA loss or tie + IND loss or tie Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman in walking boot; Steelers WR George Pickens out Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s who fans are picking to win Ravens-Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: What’s needed to beat the Steelers? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens trust LB Tavius Robinson in bigger role: ‘He’s just scratching the surface’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens have 4 starters limited at practice; Steelers’ T.J. Watt returns DENVER BRONCOS (9-5) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-6); Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video Denver clinches a playoff berth with: 1. DEN win or tie 2. MIA loss or tie + CIN loss or tie + IND loss or tie CHARGERS vs. Broncos Los Angeles clinches a playoff berth with: 1. LAC win + MIA loss or tie + IND loss or tie 2. LAC tie + MIA loss + IND loss + CIN loss or tie Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman did not practice Thursday and had a walking boot on his left foot in the locker room. His status for Saturday afternoon’s crucial AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium is unclear. The injury report is due out later Friday afternoon. Coach John Harbaugh was also non-committal about the fourth-year receiver’s availability. “I really have nothing to report on any of that stuff,” he said. “We’ll be working through all those things the next few hours, few days even.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s who fans are picking to win Ravens-Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: What’s needed to beat the Steelers? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens trust LB Tavius Robinson in bigger role: ‘He’s just scratching the surface’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens have 4 starters limited at practice; Steelers’ T.J. Watt returns Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 16 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Bateman is coming off the first multi-touchdown performance of his career after catching three passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore’s 35-14 road win over the New York Giants on Sunday. He’s also having easily the best season of his career with 38 catches for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. But the injury could be cause for concern. The boot was on the same foot that he underwent season-ending Lisfranc surgery on in 2022 and continued to bother him into training camp in 2023. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

We asked readers who will win Saturday’s AFC North showdown between the Ravens and Steelers. Here are the results from our online poll, Instagram and X: Ravens — 1,224 votes (71%) Steelers — 507 votes (29%) Here’s what some fans told us about their pick (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): The Ravens have been inconsistent all year. They have not been disciplined. Penalties have been the worst in the league. You can’t beat good teams playing this way. I was hoping that they would come back from the bye week and fix that issue. Unfortunately, they didn’t. I feel this is a coaching problem. If the Ravens don’t make it to the Super Bowl (which I don’t believe they will) it’s time to move on from John Harbaugh. He has shown us since the first Super Bowl that he does not want dawgs on his team. I don’t believe he will ever win one without some of those personalities. Just my opinion. — Danny Eight out of nine for the Steelers is plenty. If Justin Tucker makes his field goals in Pittsburgh, the Ravens probably win that game, too. Ravens have to have this in order to win the division. If they can cut down on the stupid penalties, they should take the rematch. — Chris McGloin Steelers have owned Lamar and I have a feeling that won’t change. Ravens won’t be able to run the ball and the Steelers offense will break down a shaky Baltimore defense. Hope I’m wrong. — Tom Speal If Lamar can show his best leadership side, that always brings the rest of the team along. But when he’s too self-absorbed in blaming himself for a poor pass, it seems to leave the others out of the equation. Lamar: Each play is a TEAM play; on the sidelines, confer as needed. Mr. Henry: We sure miss a Ray Lewis. He led by his example of stellar playing AND stellar motivation. All players looked up to his example— you are 95% of the way there. Coach: Please don’t stand on the sidelines with your mouth hanging open. Nothing the players or refs do should surprise you. But, evidently, they sometimes do. Don’t appear so distressed — you got this! — R. de Pontbriand We hired a “smash-mouth” running back for exactly this kind of game, and for the month of December and playoffs. If “King Henry” gets 20-plus touches, the Ravens win. If the coaching staff can’t figure that out then we lose. Just watch the Eagles game if you need convincing. — Thom Schiavone Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman in walking boot ahead of Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: What’s needed to beat the Steelers? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens trust LB Tavius Robinson in bigger role: ‘He’s just scratching the surface’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens have 4 starters limited at practice; Steelers’ T.J. Watt returns Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 16 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds I want to believe in the Ravens. I really do. But coaching has been less than good and we are not a consistently good team right now. Not to mention my daughter told me mercury is in retrograde, which apparently is bad, bad news. Color scheme-wise, we win. Football-wise, I think we lose. Hope I’m wrong. — Bill Spiel The Ravens will win big time. They also will win all of their regular-season games, My Lamar Jackson is ready!!!!! — Ms. Bee It’s a matter of coaching. If offensive coordinator Todd Monken calls another bad game, not having Henry get at least 22 carries and Harbaugh just stands there doing nothing about it, then the Ravens will lose. And if they do lose again to Pittsburgh, goodbye, Harbaugh! — Benny The Ravens will have learned from the previous Steelers game what works and what doesn’t and have had time to address the things that needed improvement. — Rich I think the Ravens can win. They have to get out of their head — they are better than them. Play hard but smart. — Jess The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a pass while Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt tackles him on Nov. 17 in Pittsburgh. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) View the full article

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions in the middle of each week throughout the Ravens’ season. After an easy win over the lowly New York Giants, Baltimore (9-5) hosts the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) in Week 16 of the NFL season. Here’s Preston’s take on a handful of questions from readers: (Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.) Lamar is having an amazing year. But how can he be MVP material if he can’t beat Pittsburgh at least once? — Dan Gainor on X Dan, forget about beating Pittsburgh just once. Jackson has great statistics and is a threat from anywhere on the field. He is the most dangerous running quarterback in NFL history, but the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 season should be Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen over both Jackson and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. We don’t need to compare numbers, just rosters. Barkley might have the best offensive line in the game, especially tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Jackson has weapons in running back Derrick Henry, receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. On defense, the Ravens have middle linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Kyle Hamilton, while the Eagles might have the best front four in the NFL. Those are pretty impressive groups. Allen has running back James Cook. That’s pretty much it. The Bills added wide receiver Amari Cooper, but that was well into the season, and he has missed time because of injuries. As for the defense, Buffalo has no defense. In fact, if the Ravens somehow play the Bills in the AFC championship game, the Ravens would destroy them with their running game. It’s the same with the Eagles if they play Buffalo in the Super Bowl. The analysts and so-called experts want to compare numbers and so forth, but without Allen, the Bills are horrible. Without Jackson, the Ravens wouldn’t be as successful, but they could at least hold their own in the mediocre, watered-down NFL. I understand the Jackson “syndrome” in Baltimore, including how some of the local media want to jump on the bandwagon. But let’s not get too carried away, and show some good, old common sense. How do the Ravens beat the Steelers? — James Spragins on X First, eliminate the head games. Pittsburgh has won eight of the past nine matchups against Baltimore, but that will be meaningless Saturday. The Ravens simply need to go out and “out-tough” the Steelers. They’ve beaten the Ravens because they play much more aggressively and attack physically. Second, score touchdowns instead of trading field goals. The Steelers have problems scoring inside the red zone and are content kicking field goals and keeping the score close. That’s been their strategy all season. They rely on defense, winning the field position game and getting enough big plays in their short-passing offense. The Ravens also have to control Pittsburgh edge rushers Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt. Many national critics want to know why Jackson has played so poorly against Pittsburgh in the past. The Steelers are disciplined with their lane integrity, and both Watt and Highsmith can bring the heat from the outside. Not only are they athletic, but they are complete players. Both are sound in every aspect of the game. The Ravens should win the game. A week ago, they played the NFL’s version of the junior varsity beating up on the Giants. Meanwhile, the Steelers were physically beaten up and worn down by the Eagles in the battle of Pennsylvania. This is a short week for the Steelers and Ravens, but the Steelers are at a disadvantage because they are on the road. The Ravens just need to come out with a tough-guy attitude. They have it against a lot of teams, but not Pittsburgh. It’s time for a change. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has struggled in recent meetings against the Steelers. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) It’s now Week 16 and these Ravens have been together as a team (not counting minicamps) for 23 1/2 weeks, approximately 150 practices and 14 regular-season games. Every team in the NFL appears to have flaws, but two of Baltimore’s are frustratingly head-scratching; avoidable penalties and professional defensive backs not being able to turn their heads and look for the ball. At this stage of the season, is it possible to think either of these can be fixed? And if not, why? — Brian Anything can be fixed; players just have to have the right attitude. Some penalties, like holding, can’t be reduced because it essentially happens on every play. Pass interference calls are questionable because they’ve become more subjective than objective. But these penalties for illegal formations on the offense are ridiculous. It’s the same for having a nose guard or defensive tackle jump offside when the ball is right in front of them. I still don’t know why certain cornerbacks don’t turn around and look for the ball. That’s something coach John Harbaugh should have addressed with secondary coach Chris Hewitt by now. There are calls to alert offensive linemen when to release and run down the field, but the Ravens still get a couple of those penalties — although Jackson might be partly to blame. I’ve had people email me and say that a coach can’t be blamed for the penalties because it might hurt the overall play of the team if that player is benched. Big deal. Consistency is a major word in the NFL and the key to greatness. If a player doesn’t perform to that status, then he needs to get benched. This is the NFL. You can always find a replacement. Once the players’ personality or reluctance to change becomes greater than his production, then it’s time to move on. Are there any Ravens you’d characterize as “unsung heroes” for offense and defense? — Grant H. from North East Offensively, it would be running back Justice Hill. He doesn’t get the notoriety of Henry, but he does have 45 carries for 198 yards and a touchdown this season. As a receiver, he is third on the team in catches behind Flowers and Andrews with 42 for 383 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per reception. Maybe his most impressive trait is being able to block or chip on ends or outside linebackers in pass protection. I think he is a great complement to Henry. Defensively, it would be tackle Travis Jones. His future looks bright and the Ravens are a much better run-stopping group when he is in the game. Jones has 34 tackles this season, including one sack. He has been bothered by an ankle injury since the midway point of the season, but he can also provide pressure up the middle as a pass rusher. What has happened to Brandon Stephens? It seems if he’s isolated on a receiver it’s an automatic pass interference call. — Clarke Fox Opposing teams have zeroed in on Stephens, and that’s been evident since the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. At this point, I’m not sure what else can be done. He either makes the play or he doesn’t. It’s about instincts and awareness. The instincts are there, but I’m not sure about the awareness part. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman in walking boot ahead of Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s who fans are picking to win Ravens-Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | Ravens trust LB Tavius Robinson in bigger role: ‘He’s just scratching the surface’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens have 4 starters limited at practice; Steelers’ T.J. Watt returns Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 16 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Is possible the Ravens are holding back Keaton Mitchell so they don’t put a lot of tape out on him? Then swing some special packages for him in the playoffs and catch teams off guard? — Rob Kalish What is going on with Keaton Mitchell and why has he been inactive two straight weeks? — timpoole78 on X Honestly, I can’t say what is going on with Mitchell. First of all, who is he going to replace? Both Henry and Hill have played well in their designated roles. Mitchell’s knee injury a year ago was extremely serious, so there really is no need to rush him back onto the field. In addition, there have been a lot of questions surrounding the playing surface at MetLife Stadium, so the Ravens didn’t need him on the field to pummel New York. The Ravens will probably have a couple of new wrinkles with Mitchell for the postseason, but I’m not sure that’s the reason he isn’t on the field. All teams like to have a few aces up their sleeves in the postseason, but it isn’t as if the NFL didn’t get a chance to see Mitchell last season. The kid could flat-out fly, but there is no need to get him on the field at this point. It’s good to be patient. Is it too early to think about what the Ravens will be looking for in April’s NFL draft? — Bob in North Carolina Bob, it’s never too early and I am sure the Ravens have already had preliminary discussions. But the injury bug could hit and alter plans. Right now, there is a need for a pass rusher and a team can never go wrong with an offensive lineman. Another cornerback to complement rookie Nate Wiggins would be an excellent choice as well. Have a question for Mike Preston? Email sports@baltsun.com with “Ravens mailbag” in the subject line and it could be answered in The Baltimore Sun. View the full article

You can’t see it when Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson is on the field, but there’s a good chance he’s smiling underneath his helmet. “He’s always smiling!” fellow linebacker Odafe Oweh exclaims, eyes widening. “He always has good energy. He’s never mad at nobody. If something bad happens, he doesn’t fret. He’s always even-keeled. He’s always smiling, though. I think it’s a Canadian thing.” Defensive end Brent Urban — the only other Canadian on the roster — concurs. “Canadians are generally regarded as nice, polite, friendly,” he says, laughing, of course. “It’s hard to generalize an entire country, but all the Canadians I know are happy-go-lucky.” It’s not the first time this has been pointed out to Robinson, a 2023 fourth-round draft pick out of Ole Miss by way of the University of Guelph. “I’m a happy person,” Robinson grins. “When I’m on the field, I’m not smiling.” Baltimore certainly is these days when it comes to the progress the organization has seen in the rangy 25-year-old, who has ascended to starter status over the past four games — in part out of necessity, but also because of his improvements in his second season. Statistically, Robinson does not particularly impress — he has 26 tackles, including four for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, 13 pressures and one pass breakup — but he has flashed in spurts and has quickly developed into a trustworthy defender. In a blowout win over the Broncos last month, he sacked Denver quarterback Bo Nix twice, one of which came on third down. Against the Steelers two weeks later, he blew up a pulling tight end on one play. Last week against the New York Giants, coach John Harbaugh lauded him for retracing on a draw to make a tackle. It’s plays like those that have resulted in more playing time, with Robinson seeing his snaps per game climb from an average of 22.6 in the first 10 weeks of the season to an average of 43 over the past four games. “He’s always been a really smart player,” Urban said. “Early on, he knew the playbook in and out. He’d always be on top of what’s really going on. He’s become a guy that’s just dependable. “He plays a lot more mature than he is — just being consistent and dependable. You don’t see a lot of young players doing that, to be honest. That’s a really hard thing to do in this league.” Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson has gained the trust of his teammates and coaches in his second NFL season. (Jason Behnken/AP) To the point, 2022 second-round draft pick David Ojabo, who was beset with injuries his first two seasons, was expected to be a meaningful contributor on the edge this season. It hasn’t worked out that way. He’s been inactive for four games this year, has just four tackles in the 10 he has appeared in and has seen his snap count diminish. Likewise, this year’s third-round pick, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, has also been injury-prone and has appeared sparingly in just four games. “It’s very significant,” Harbaugh said of Robinson’s role. “He has established himself as a three-down player. He’s gone from a run-down player to a guy that’s out there all the time.” Long and rangy at 6 feet 6 and 262 pounds, Robinson had all the physical attributes to be a stout defender, particularly against the run. In his final season at Ole Miss in 2022, he finally broke through. Robinson tied for second in the FBS with five forced fumbles and had 44 tackles, including eight for loss, with seven sacks in 13 games. As a rookie in Baltimore, though, his lack of pass rush moves was obvious. He was a hard-working but raw prospect who lacked polish. The Ravens, who led the NFL in sacks, takeaways and points allowed last season, could afford to let him continue to develop. The speed of the professional game was also something that took getting accustomed to. “Your brain is so cluttered,” Robinson said. “My rookie year to now, it was more of trying not to make a mistake rather than trying to make plays. Having a year under your belt and another full [training] camp is huge, for sure.” He’s still working on those pass rush moves, but they’re coming along. In college, he studied players such as Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. When he got to Baltimore, he had the Ravens put together a cut-up of the team’s all-time sack leader, Terrell Suggs. He has also learned to study the tendencies of opposing offensive linemen around the league and what moves work best against them. Teammates have also praised not just his improvements from Year 1 to Year 2, but his work ethic. Veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy describes Robinson as a “weight room junkie” and “gladiator.” Oweh added that he’s learning how to use his strength, specifically when it comes to dipping his shoulder to create space to bend the edge, something Oweh said Robinson didn’t do his first year. And he’s a guy that enjoys mixing it up. Said Oweh: “One thing everybody here knows about him is he’s not afraid of contact.” Perhaps not coincidentally, about the time that Robinson was inserted into the starting lineup is when the Ravens’ defense began to show significant signs of improvement from its struggles earlier in the season. Much of that turnaround can be attributed to changes in the secondary as well as a more simplified scheme, but Robinson has played his part. “I think now that the game has kind of just slowed down for him, and you’re able to see him just play even faster, play more aggressive and play more even more physical, and I think he’s even developed better as a rusher as well,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “‘T-Rob’ is one of those guys who [is] a Raven through and through. “[He’s] not talked about a lot, but just does his job consistently. He might not get the praise on the outside, but he gets the praise in our meeting room and our building because he does everything the right way. If he doesn’t do it right, then he’s trying to do it right and he’s going to correct it. … I think he’s only going to continue to grow and get better, and he’s going to be very important for us down in these last four games.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman in walking boot ahead of Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s who fans are picking to win Ravens-Steelers showdown Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: What’s needed to beat the Steelers? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens have 4 starters limited at practice; Steelers’ T.J. Watt returns Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 16 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Off the field, Robinson and the rest of the defense have grown, too. Last season, dinners among teammates were a staple of the schedule. But that had fallen by the wayside earlier this year until more recently, with most if not all of the defense dining together at a local Ruth’s Chris or other restaurants in the area. The camaraderie, he says, has made a difference. “It’s been huge,” Robinson said. “It just makes us closer and that makes us closer on the field. I think it translates, for sure. These guys are like my brothers now.” Now, Robinson is one of them, too. “Where he’s come as a football player, it’s been remarkable,” Harbaugh said. “It’s been really fun to watch, but I think he’s just scratching the surface. I really think he’s going to be even better than he’s been so far.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Week 16 Steelers at Ravens Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TV: FOX Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 6 1/2 View the full article

The bye week provided the Ravens a healthy breath of fresh air. It’s already starting to evaporate. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman (foot), guard Daniel Faalele (knee) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) were all limited in Wednesday’s practice. Safety Ar’Darius Washington (ankle) was also limited for the second straight day. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor is still in concussion protocol, cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis again missed practice with a hamstring injury and running back Justice Hill was absent for personal reasons. This hefty list comes four days out from a long-awaited and decisive matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday afternoon in Baltimore. With a win, the Ravens (9-5) keep their hopes of an AFC North title alive. A loss would give Pittsburgh (10-4) the division crown and pin Baltimore to a wild-card berth and almost certainly a playoff path entirely on the road. Bateman was limited in practice last week as well while dealing with lingering knee soreness from a Dec. 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But the fourth-year receiver was healthy by Sunday, scorching the New York Giants for 80 yards and two touchdowns — the first multi-score game of his career. Rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa was listed as a full participant for both practices this week. And, as expected, wide receiver Diontae Johnson is not with the team having been excused from all team activities this week. The Steelers, meanwhile, got a bit of positive injury news. All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt was seen going through agility work off to the side of Wednesday’s walk-through. He was a limited participant and is the most notable question mark heading into Saturday as the cornerstone of a top-10 defense. When the Ravens and Steelers met in November, Watt had three tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and landed two hits on quarterback Lamar Jackson. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that he’s “optimistic” Watt will be available for Saturday. That said, both sides are preparing for either scenario. “I think with a young Nick [Herbig] coming on and having Preston [Smith] as a veteran guy, I know those guys aren’t T.J., but we feel they’re good quality players that we can fit in our system and do the things that we need to do,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “Obviously if you don’t have an impact player like T.J., it affects your game, but I don’t think it’ll affect our overall schematics.” Austin declined to comment on when the Steelers might know Watt’s status but said simply, “I just know if he is available, we’ll be happy. If he’s not available, we won’t be very happy.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 16 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 16: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | ‘Hard Knocks’ episode 3 recap: Ravens LB Roquan Smith makes an impression Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers says Steelers’ defense doesn’t do anything to stress him Baltimore Ravens | Steelers LB and ex-Raven Patrick Queen expects boos, ‘FUs’ in Baltimore return “We assume he’s gonna play,” Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken added. “Would be much easier if he doesn’t.” Elsewhere in western Pennsylvania, defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi was limited for the second consecutive day. Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, who is anticipating boos in his return to Baltimore, was a full participant. Wide receiver George Pickens, safety DeShon Elliot (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (back), defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (rest) and backup quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal) were all out both Tuesday and Wednesday. Their Thursday status should provide more clarity for Saturday’s availability. Pickens has missed the past two games with a Grade 2 hamstring injury. Without their top receiver, the Steelers’ passing attack has noticeably struggled. Their 163 yards of offense in a recent loss to the Eagles sans Pickens was Pittsburgh’s lowest output since the 2010 season. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

It’s not an exaggeration to say Saturday’s game is the Ravens’ most important of the season. With a win over the visiting Steelers, Baltimore pulls into a tie for the AFC North lead. With a loss, the Ravens are officially out of the race to win the division and guarantee a home playoff game. “We just know what’s at stake,” tight end Mark Andrews said. “It’s the time of year. We’ve got to win games. We’ve put ourselves in a great position.” For those that put stock into sports betting odds, it spells good news for the Ravens (9-5). Sportsbooks across Maryland list Baltimore as nearly a touchdown favorite against the division-leading Steelers (10-4). The bad news for Ravens fans? Coach Mike Tomlin’s team has far surpassed oddsmakers’ expectations through their first 14 games of the year. What are the odds? The Ravens will enter a game as a betting favorite for the 14th consecutive time this season. They’ve been favored in every game this year, aside from the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Spread: Ravens by 6 1/2 (FanDuel) Total: 45 1/2 points Moneyline: Ravens -290, Steelers +245 The Steelers are one of the NFL’s best teams against the spread, boasting a 10-4 record. The Ravens, meanwhile, are a solid 7-6-1. Ravens games often trend toward the over, with 11 of their 14 games going over the projected point total. Baltimore had its lowest scoring output of the season in an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh on Nov. 17, as the Steelers’ defense stifled the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson. The NFL Most Valuable Player candidate completed fewer than 50% of his passes, only averaging 6.3 yards per attempt and throwing one of his three interceptions this season in the November meeting. “They do a lot of things well,” Andrews said of Pittsburgh’s defense. Ravens send a message The recent series history paints a bleak picture for the Ravens against the Steelers. Baltimore has lost eight of its past nine meetings with its division rival, forcing players to answer questions about why the Steelers have their number. Even this year’s record suggests the Steelers are the superior team, as they hold a one-game lead in the division. The advanced analytics tell a different story. Baltimore ranks first in the NFL in DVOA, implying the Ravens are just as worthy a Super Bowl contender as the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, ranks 11th, behind teams such as Denver and San Francisco. Advanced analytics aren’t gospel, but it’s fair to question this iteration of the Steelers. Just last week, Pittsburgh suffered a 27-13 loss to the Eagles, but the final score masks the lopsided matchup. Philadelphia recorded 238 more yards, 16 more first downs and nearly 20 more minutes of possession than Pittsburgh. The Steelers were thoroughly outplayed by one of the NFL’s best teams. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 16: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | ‘Hard Knocks’ episode 3 recap: Ravens LB Roquan Smith makes an impression Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers says Steelers’ defense doesn’t do anything to stress him Baltimore Ravens | Steelers LB and ex-Raven Patrick Queen expects boos, ‘FUs’ in Baltimore return Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews’ head butts and TDs are ‘a reflection of the Raven way’ In the first meeting between the Ravens and Steelers, penalties (12 for 80 yards), turnovers (three that led to nine points) and missed field goal attempts (two) were Baltimore’s undoing. The Ravens beat themselves. “Us just being on schedule with those guys, I feel like we’ll be where we need to be,” Jackson said this week. If Baltimore can avoid those self-inflicted mishaps — a task that’s easier said than done this season — the Ravens are the better team. They’re playing at home, and they’re coming off a crisp showing against the lowly Giants. Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is healthy, and Pittsburgh’s No. 1 wide receiver, George Pickens, is battling a hamstring problem. Baltimore has delivered a few special home showings this season against likely playoff teams, beating the Bills, Commanders and Broncos by a combined 63 points. Saturday will be another statement win for the Ravens. Best bet: Ravens by 6 1/2 Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

The Ravens blew past the hapless Giants, 35-14. The Steelers were pummeled by the Eagles, 27-13. Who will have the advantage when these AFC North rivals meet Saturday with divisional supremacy hanging in the balance? Ravens passing game vs. Steelers pass defense Lamar Jackson delivered a near-perfect performance (21-of-25, 290 yards, five touchdowns) against the Giants, adding to the best passing season of his career. He leads the league in passer rating and yards per attempt, with 34 touchdown throws and just three interceptions. But Pittsburgh’s defense is one of the few hills the two-time Most Valuable Player has not surmounted. Jackson completed just 16 of 33 and threw an interception in the Ravens’ 18-16 loss to the Steelers last month. His passer rating that day, 66.1, was nearly identical to his career mark against Pittsburgh. He’s 2-5 in seven career starts against the Ravens’ archrival. The Steelers don’t throw many blitzes at him, trusting edge rushers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig and interior star Cam Heyward to pressure without aid from extra bodies. The Steelers also rank first in the league with 30 takeaways. A key part of Watt’s greatness is his gift for knocking the ball loose; he leads the league with 18 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles. he injured his ankle against the Eagles but appears on track to play Saturday. The Ravens’ offensive line did not play terribly in Pittsburgh, but this will be another major test for a group that has delivered uneven results over the last month. Rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten is coming on, and right guard Daniel Faalele has exceeded expectations as a pass blocker. On the left side, tackle Ronnie Stanley and guard Patrick Mekari have not performed as consistently as they did early in the season. The Ravens need to attack cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson, who struggled to cover Philadelphia wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith last Sunday. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman combined for just four catches on 11 targets in Pittsburgh. Tight end Isiah Likely led the Ravens with 75 receiving yards in that loss, and it will be interesting to see if coordinator Todd Monken makes a concerted effort to get his No. 2 tight end into the game plan. EDGE: Even Steelers passing game vs. Ravens pass defense The Ravens did a good job denying Russell Wilson deep shots in the November matchup. He managed just 205 yards on 36 attempts and threw an ugly interception to Marlon Humphrey in the end zone. His top target, George Pickens, caught eight passes for 89 yards in that victory, but 37 of those came on one play. Pickens did not play against the Eagles because of a hamstring injury, and his absence left Wilson (14-of-22 for 128 yards in that loss) bereft of big-play threats. It’s unclear if Pickens will be healthy enough to face the Ravens. If he’s not, Wilson will have to rely on wide receiver Calvin Austin III (16.1 yards per catch) and tight end Pat Freiermuth against a Baltimore secondary that has cleaned up its act in the second half of the season. The Ravens finally pulled out of last place in total pass defense with a solid outing against the anemic Giants, led by safety Ar’Darius Washington and rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins. On the other hand, cornerback Brandon Stephens continued to struggle with a pair of pass-interference penalties, and it’s easy to envision Wilson picking on him with downfield targets. Wilson holds the ball, waiting for big plays to develop, and the Ravens sacked him three times in Pittsburgh. They’d like to get more than 14 total pressures. A healthier Travis Jones, who played just 18 snaps in the previous meeting, will help, but the Ravens will need more production from their highest-paid defensive lineman, Nnamdi Madubuike, who wasn’t much of a factor. Pittsburgh right tackle Broderick Jones is a vulnerable target. For all Wilson has done to lift the Steelers’ offensive ceiling, they still rank just 15th in passing DVOA. EDGE: Even Ravens running game vs. Steelers run defense Jackson made good on his promise to come out running more aggressively against the Giants, carrying four times for 55 yards in the first half. He’s averaging a career-low 8.4 attempts per game but leading the league at 6.4 yards per carry. The Ravens didn’t need to lean on Derrick Henry against New York, but this could be a big week for the league’s second-leading rusher, who has traditionally thrived in December. The Steelers have allowed the fifth-fewest yards per game and per attempt in the league and held the Ravens to 124 yards on 19 attempts in Week 11. Both Henry and Jackson were efficient, but they did not carry enough to dictate the flow of the game, especially in the second half, when the Ravens played from behind. Linebacker Patrick Queen played well against his former team with six tackles and a forced fumble. Watt is the rare edge defender just as capable of making a game-altering play against the run as against the pass. Former Ravens safety DeShon Elliott is another key thumper in Pittsburgh’s run defense, but he missed the Eagles game with a hamstring injury. EDGE: Ravens Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, left, was injured during the first Ravens-Steelers game this season. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) Steelers running game vs. Ravens run defense The Ravens continue to allow the fewest yards per game and per attempt of any defense in the league. Nose tackle Michael Pierce came back from a calf injury with a strong performance against the Giants, and linebacker Roquan Smith appeared fully recovered from the hamstring injury that knocked him out of the first Steelers game and sidelined him for Baltimore’s Thanksgiving week victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Steelers were one of just four opponents to surpass 100 rushing yards in a game against the Ravens. They’re not efficient, averaging just 3.9 yards per attempt (the Ravens average 5.7), but they keep at it, ranking second in the league in attempts. Their 122 yards against Baltimore came on 34 carries, with running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren combining for the lion’s share. Philadelphia’s mauling run defense rendered them non-factors as the Steelers went for just 56 yards on 17 carries. The Ravens would love to do the same and win the time-of-possession battle as handily as the Eagles did. If the game is close, they’ll have to account for Wilson’s backup, Justin Fields, as a running threat on key short-yardage downs. EDGE: Ravens Ravens special teams vs. Steelers special teams This is the game’s biggest mismatch, with Pittsburgh’s league-best special teams unit pitted against the Ravens’ mistake-prone crew. Justin Tucker did not attempt a field goal against the Giants but did not flirt with misses on any of his five extra points. He has made 19 of 27 field goals, easily the worst accuracy of his glittering career, and the crowd at M&T Bank Stadium will grow tense if he lines up for a clutch kick Saturday. The Ravens showed signs of life in their return game against the Giants, with Justice Hill running the opening kickoff back 59 yards and new punt returner Desmond King II giving them excellent field position on an aggressive 22-yard runback later in the first quarter. Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell has made 38 of 41 field-goal attempts, including 11 of 13 from 50 yards or beyond, and is one of the team’s most valuable weapons. Punter Corliss Waitman is also a Pro Bowl candidate. To top it off, the Steelers excel at blocking field goals. EDGE: Steelers Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 16 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | ‘Hard Knocks’ episode 3 recap: Ravens LB Roquan Smith makes an impression Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers says Steelers’ defense doesn’t do anything to stress him Baltimore Ravens | Steelers LB and ex-Raven Patrick Queen expects boos, ‘FUs’ in Baltimore return Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews’ head butts and TDs are ‘a reflection of the Raven way’ Ravens intangibles vs. Steelers intangibles It’s difficult to pinpoint why the Steelers have seized such firm control of the AFC North’s most enduring rivalry, but they have won eight of their last nine against the Ravens, none of those by more than a touchdown. Pittsburgh disrupts Jackson’s beautiful game like no other opponent, and coach Mike Tomlin’s team delights in winning ugly. The Steelers are underdogs on paper, but Tomlin will surely use that as another motivational tool in his team’s quest to clinch the AFC North in Baltimore. The Ravens will come in healthier and better rested after enjoying their bye week and an easy win over the Giants. Coach John Harbaugh won’t need to remind his team that its only chance to capture home-field advantage in the first round of the playoff depends on beating the Steelers. The Ravens have fixed their defense on the fly, and Jackson is 67-24 as a regular-season NFL starter, but he and his team have much to prove against Pittsburgh. EDGE: Steelers Prediction The Ravens have looked like the better team going into almost every matchup with Pittsburgh over the last five years, but the Steelers have owned them in close game after close game. Picking the Ravens makes you Charlie Brown lining up to kick that next ball. At some point, Jackson has to break through with a great performance against his AFC North nemesis, and this feels like the occasion. The Ravens can run on Pittsburgh and stop the Steelers’ determined running game. Their offensive upside is far greater. They played perhaps their worst all-around game of the season in the first matchup and still lost by just two. They’ll finally get it done at home with a divisional title hanging in the balance. Ravens 27, Steelers 20 Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

The Ravens are back on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” for the first time since the venerable series’ 2001 premiere season, this time sharing each hour with their AFC North neighbors. The third episode of this in-season look at the division debuted Tuesday night, placing a spotlight on one leader from each team: Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. From now until the end of the season, we’ll recap each episode, highlighting striking moments, memorable characters and tasty Ravens-related nuggets. Key Ravens scene Smith dominated the first quarter of the episode, with a camera capturing his free-flowing thoughts as he drove to the Ravens’ practice facility in Owings Mills. “I’ve had the mentality — just try to embarrass a cat every chance you get,” he said, drawing a connection between himself and the greatest Ravens linebacker, Ray Lewis. Managing stress was a major theme of the segment. “Man, why does my mind feel so clear?” Smith said, reflecting on the benefits of his bye week. Then, we saw him enjoy a massage from therapist Sara Miranda. “She goes from scalp all the way to my big toe,” he said. Those scenes set up the contrast between Smith in preparation and Smith on game day when he’s an all-confident, yapping menace. “You told it, running back,” he taunted early in the Ravens’ 35-14 rout of the New York Giants, reading ball carrier Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s eyes. “You’re going that way.” Even on the sideline, Smith’s innate curiosity shined through. A glimpse at a bird flying overhead evoked an article he had read — maybe nonsense, he noted — about Chinese drones disguised as birds. Other Ravens tidbits Coach John Harbaugh stood before his players at the front of the team auditorium, laying out his message for the last four weeks of the regular season. “We had an opportunity to get a bye week late, heading into December football, heading into the real season,” he said. “It’s time, man. We get on a roll, this thing is going to look how it’s supposed to look, right on time.” The episode featured plenty of Lamar Jackson, from him lamenting the frigid air — “It’s cold!” — at a midweek practice to his five pristine touchdown throws against the Giants. As No. 8 used one hand to hold up his pants on a magic scramble, narrator Liev Schreiber commented, “If Jackson can juke himself out of his own pants, what chance do the Giants have?” “That was my play!” Harbaugh shouted with glee after Jackson rolled right, stopped suddenly and found rookie Devontez Walker in the back of the end zone. Apparently, the play is named “Harbs” for reasons “Hard Knocks” did not elucidate. Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker’s touchdown catch was highlighted on the latest episode of “Hard Knocks.” (Adam Hunger/AP) Best non-Ravens scene Steelers coach Mike Tomlin remains unmatched on this show at capturing the stakes of a given week’s matchup. He opened the episode telling the Steelers they’d be playing for the five-star Pennsylvania championship against cross-state foe Philadelphia. “I love playing good people because it brings out the best in us,” he said. “I always want to be the group that puts the fire out.” It wouldn’t be about schemes, he promised, so much as collective ferocity. “If you consider yourself kick-ass in any way, bring it everywhere you go,” Tomlin said. “That kick-ass travels.” Ravens fans no doubt found it satisfying to watch the Eagles turn that kick-ass around on Tomlin’s crew. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 16 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 16: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers says Steelers’ defense doesn’t do anything to stress him Baltimore Ravens | Steelers LB and ex-Raven Patrick Queen expects boos, ‘FUs’ in Baltimore return Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews’ head butts and TDs are ‘a reflection of the Raven way’ Episode MVP The last segment of the episode offered a panoramic depiction of Wilson, who has revived his career and Pittsburgh’s deep passing game over the last two months. He ran through quarterback drops and sprints in a pool. He recounted a rookie-year conversation with a veteran teammate, who advised him to get three massages a week and promised the $6,000 he’d spend over a season would ultimately be worth $60 million in career earnings. He opened a Pittsburgh rec center with his pop-star wife, Ciara. He sat in an offensive meeting, hearing how Philadelphia’s two-deep defense was designed to “stop the shots” that are Wilson’s bread and butter. The Eagles did take those shots away and took the ball out of Wilson’s hands, leaving him to watch helplessly from the sideline. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been in a game where we got two possessions in a half,” he said as Philadelphia ground through more than 10 minutes of a clock-killing drive. Wilson has long been a divisive NFL figure, but this “Hard Knocks” offered a sense of why he has endured. The episode ended with him looking ahead to Saturday’s matchup with the Ravens and a golden chance to clinch the AFC North with two weeks to go. “We gotta go take it,” Wilson said. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has only played the Steelers twice in his burgeoning career, so perhaps a lack of mental scar tissue and an abundance of youthful bravado explains his perspective on Pittsburgh’s recent dominance over Baltimore. “Nothing,” the second-year player said bluntly Tuesday when asked what the Steelers do that makes the Ravens’ life so difficult against them. “They don’t really do nothing that really stresses me, if I’m being honest. “I don’t think it’s trouble. I think we always have turnovers, missed kicks, stuff like that during the game, so if we just eliminate those — because we move the ball downfield — I know you see that. … We just have to take care of the ball, make kicks and try to put the ball in the end zone.” Of course, that’s been easier said than done with the Steelers winning eight of their past nine against Baltimore, including earlier this season in Pittsburgh. Now the two will meet again, this time at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday with the AFC North on the line. If the Steelers win, the division title is theirs. If the Ravens do, they still have a shot, though they’ll need help. But if Baltimore has any hope, it will have to reverse what’s been a frighteningly bad trend against their most hated rival. Over their past nine meetings, the Ravens have racked up a whopping 53 penalties for 458 yards. They’ve also turned the ball over an astonishing 19 times. That included a bumbling, mistake-filled 18-16 loss in Week 11 in Pittsburgh, where Baltimore committed 12 penalties for 80 yards, coughed it up three times and Justin Tucker missed two of four field goal attempts. He wasn’t the only culprit, though. Flowers had just two catches for 39 yards and a touchdown but also had a crucial drop when he was wide-open and was flagged for a false start on third-and-5 at the start of the fourth quarter from deep in the Ravens’ end that led to a punt two plays later. In two career games against the Steelers, he has seven catches on 17 targets for 112 yards and one score but also has three drops, and his second-lowest graded games of last season and this one, per Pro Football Focus, have come against Pittsburgh. It’s not an indictment of Flowers — who leads the Ravens in catches (66) and receiving yards (916) to go with four touchdowns — as much as it is a microcosm of Baltimore’s struggles against its fiercest rival. “Coach Harbaugh always tells us we have to learn how to not lose games before we can win games, so it’s very true in this sport,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. “There is stuff that we have to clean up, and we know we will.” So far, they haven’t been able to. Some of Baltimore’s struggles, of course, can be traced to not having quarterback Lamar Jackson for nearly half of those nine games. In the 2023 regular-season finale, the Ravens rested Jackson and others with their playoff seeding already secured. In 2020, he missed a December game in Pittsburgh because of COVID-19. The next season, he was out with an ankle injury for a Week 18 game in Baltimore. In 2022, a season-ending knee injury caused him to miss both contests. But even when he has been on the field, Jackson has been flummoxed by Pittsburgh, with the Ravens just 1-4 with him as a starter; his lone win was a 26-23 overtime victory in Week 5 in 2019. In their most recent meeting, he completed just 16 of 33 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown pass with one interception and was sacked twice. For his career, Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, has completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,077 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions in seven games. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson struggled in Week 11 against the Steelers. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) “Just losing in general bothers me,” he said Tuesday, noting the proliferation of penalties and self-inflicted mistakes that always seem to play a significant role when the two teams meet. “Not the team really. Just gotta find a way to get a ‘dub. “I’m one of the vets now, so obviously I gotta lead by example.” He’s not the only one. “There’s been a lot of different things that seems like it hasn’t went our way,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “But it’s not like we were just unlucky. It was just you gotta play disciplined.” That’s been a major problem for Baltimore and a point of emphasis this week. “We all believe we should’ve won the last game,” defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike said. “We made mistakes, self-inflicted mistakes, so we’re here to finish the mess that we started earlier.” Yet, the Ravens have the dubious distinction of continuing to lead the NFL in penalties with 117 after committing a dozen against the lowly 2-12 New York Giants on Sunday. It hasn’t been on just one side of the ball, either. Baltimore has the second-most offensive holding penalties this season with 23. On defense, they share the lead with the most holding penalties (12), are tied for the most roughing the passer penalties (6) and have drawn the third-most pass interference flags (13). In a series in which the average margin of victory over the past nine games has been 3.78 points, those kind of mistakes prove costly and show a lack of discipline. Now all that’s at stake is the division title, and ending what’s been a miserable run in a very particular way. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 16 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 16: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | ‘Hard Knocks’ episode 3 recap: Ravens LB Roquan Smith makes an impression Baltimore Ravens | Steelers LB and ex-Raven Patrick Queen expects boos, ‘FUs’ in Baltimore return Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews’ head butts and TDs are ‘a reflection of the Raven way’ “I don’t think we’re going into this game like, ‘We can’t lose nine out of 10,’” Hamilton said. “We’re just trying to win this one game and take it one week at a time, and I know you all hear that a lot from us, but it’s really true. We have one-week lives, kind of, and last week, we were all about the Giants and got that win. Now, we’re all about the Steelers, and whatever comes next.” Which begs the question: Can the Ravens solve their Steelers riddle, or will it be more of the same? “[Pittsburgh coach Mike] Tomlin, I feel like he wants to just keep the game close, keep the game close and then win it at the end,” Humphrey said. “Honestly, that strategy works pretty well when they play us.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens Steelers FootballMatt Durisko/APSteelers linebacker T.J. Watt, right, breaks up a pass intended for Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers on Oct. 8, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (Matt Durisko/AP) View the full article

Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen expects a hostile crowd in his return to M&T Bank Stadium. Queen, who began his career in Baltimore and played for the Ravens from 2020 through 2023, will play in M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday for the first time as a visiting member. “I’m probably going to get a lot of FUs and boos and stuff, but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t want [it] any other way,” Queen told reporters Tuesday. “That’s football, that’s competition.” Earlier this season, Queen starred in a Steelers victory over the Ravens. The linebacker posted 10 tackles and forced a key fumble in an 18-16 win on Nov. 17. The Pittsburgh triumph is currently the difference in the AFC North, with the Ravens (9-5) entering Saturday’s home contest one game back of the AFC-North leading Steelers (10-4). After the November win, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin praised Queen while taking a shot at the Ravens’ decision not to re-sign the linebacker to play alongside Roquan Smith. Queen leads the Steelers with 109 tackles this season. “You know, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” Tomlin told reporters after the November meeting. “I’m glad he is on our team.” While Queen says he expects boos this weekend from Baltimore fans, he mostly downplayed his role in Saturday’s rivalry game when meeting with the media Tuesday. Queen instead spoke about the importance of the game, which would give the Steelers the AFC North title if they come away with the road win. “I’m all for the rivalry, but I’m over the ‘my old team’ stuff,” Queen said. Pittsburgh’s new linebacker spoke highly of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is enjoying perhaps the best year of his career. Jackson is averaging a career-best 8.9 yards per pass attempt, throwing for 34 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. He’s also added 743 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews’ head butts and TDs are ‘a reflection of the Raven way’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Nelson Agholor in concussion protocol; 6 Steelers starters absent Tuesday Baltimore Ravens | Social media chef Tini Younger to cook at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood tailgate for Ravens vs. Steelers game Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 15: Lamar Jackson back in MVP race? He never left. Baltimore Ravens | Steelers coach Mike Tomlin optimistic T.J. Watt will be available against Ravens Jackson ranks second to Buffalo’s Josh Allen in QBR, and only Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow (36) has more passing touchdowns this season. If Allen wasn’t having such a strong season for the 11-3 Bills, Jackson would likely be the favorite to win his third career MVP Award. Queen called Jackson “the most dangerous guy in the NFL,” although the Steelers did well to slow him in their first meeting. Jackson completed just 16 of his 33 passes in the Nov. 17 meeting between the division foes, throwing for 207 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His passer rating of 66.1 against Pittsburgh is the lowest of the season. Jackson has thrown nine touchdowns and zero interceptions in the three games since, hitting his stride as the season hits its final stretch. Perhaps Jackson’s late-season surge is why Queen is more focused on stopping Baltimore’s quarterback than the insults he expects Ravens fans to hurl his way in a few days. “He’s a great player,” Queen said, “the best in the world, honestly.” Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

When Mark Andrews caught his Ravens record 48th career touchdown pass through a cluster of New York Giants defenders on Sunday, notice his teammates celebrated from every other corner of the field. Isaiah Likely’s crossing route took him toward the left sideline, where he threw his arms up. Tylan Wallace did the same from that corner of the end zone. Quarterback Lamar Jackson made sure to meet his tight end in the air for a chest bump. These were business decisions. “Nobody’s ever trying to be the first one [there] when Mark scores after the spike because that’s the strongest head butt that’s gonna happen the whole game,” Likely laughed. “You’ll see everybody trying to see who’s gonna be over there first, then you’ll see everybody try to get the little side head butt in.” That’s because Andrews’ celebratory head butts are vicious, emblematic of the football alter ego of the new all-time Ravens’ touchdown leader, passing running back Jamal Lewis on Sunday to become the only tight end in NFL history atop a franchise’s total touchdowns leaderboard. But the 29-year-old’s reputation for thumping his forehead to greet teammates like an ox — which wideout Nelson Agholor loves from afar and Likely caps after two — is a testament to his longstanding success through a lens illustrating the rugged veteran who Agholor dubbed, “a reflection of the Raven way.” Baltimore drafted Andrews in the third round of the 2018 draft out of Oklahoma. He caught his first two touchdown passes from Joe Flacco before fellow rookie Lamar Jackson was given the keys to the offense. The two quickly became a dynamo pair. Andrews has been Jackson’s most reliable target through years of a revolving wide receiver group. But this season began with doubts that maybe the partnership had reached its final stage. Andrews’ usage rate in the pass game tanked to the tune of six catches in four weeks. He was scoreless until Week 6. This all coming after a severe ankle injury sidelined him much of last season and a car accident kept him out for over two weeks of training camp. “He got injured last year, came back, [and] people were talking about this and that. ‘We need to trade Mark, this and that,’” Jackson said. “I didn’t forget that. And I know he didn’t forget that.” Since then, he’s been back to his copper-bottomed, head-butting self. With Sunday’s romp, Andrews is up to 514 yards on 45 catches. His eight touchdowns are tied with San Francisco’s George Kittle for a league-high among tight ends and two shy of tying his single-season career high (10 in 2019). Last week, Jackson tried to think back on a favorite Andrews moment. His face crinkled. “There’s a lot,” he said, thinking back on more than half a decade together. He and Andrews came into the league at the same time. He’s responsible for the lion’s share of the record mark. The memory he landed on has two connecting pieces. First was Week 12 in 2018. The Ravens were hosting the Oakland Raiders. In the second quarter, pinned inside their own 20-yard line, Jackson faked the handoff and scanned upfield. To his right was a streaking Andrews. Jackson found him with only green grass ahead. “It’s a foot race!” the announcer shouted. But Andrews lost that foot race, dragged down five yards shy of the end zone. He walked right up to Jackson on the sideline, as the quarterback recalled, and said, “That’s not happening anymore.” Four weeks later, they’re in Los Angeles playing the Chargers. Andrews burst off the line of scrimmage into a cross route. He knifed through the middle of the defense and caught a lob over the linebackers, shed a tackle and, as his quarterback remembers, “just hauled tail” for the duo’s first touchdown connection. “After that,” Jackson said, “it was like, ‘Yes, that’s my guy right there. That’s my guy.’” Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) celebrates with quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) “He can go up and get the ball [and] track the ball well like a receiver,” Jackson continued. “He’s a big body receiver. I feel like anybody [who] guards him, I have a shot at having a successful catch with Mark. Him just being who he is since we first stepped foot in the league, he’s just made my job a lot easier. I always say that.” That relationship between quarterback and tight end, in coach John Harbaugh’s words, is “institutionalized,” and “proven now with the record.” The coach who has been there for every bit of the duo’s interwoven ascension grinned, revealing, “they make route adjustments that are not always in the playbook. … A lot of those touchdown passes are those two guys just having that chemistry.” Mention Andrews to anyone around the Ravens’ Owings Mills facility and you’ll hear some variation of the same 10-letter word: Competitor. Harbaugh said the thing he loves most about Andrews is how he’s all ball, all the time. “He probably dreams about football,” Harbaugh said. Andrews is the “pinnacle” of a competitor, according to All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, who sits next to the veteran in meetings trying to mimic his detail-oriented approach. Same goes for Likely, who has leaned on his vet since he got in the league. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has been coaching football for over three decades and firmly called Andrews, “one of the top competitors I’ve ever been around.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Steeler and ex-Ravens LB Patrick Queen expects boos, ‘FUs’ in Baltimore return Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Nelson Agholor in concussion protocol; 6 Steelers starters absent Tuesday Baltimore Ravens | Social media chef Tini Younger to cook at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood tailgate for Ravens vs. Steelers game Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 15: Lamar Jackson back in MVP race? He never left. Baltimore Ravens | Steelers coach Mike Tomlin optimistic T.J. Watt will be available against Ravens It’s helped Andrews reach the Pro Bowl three times (2019, 2021 and 2022). He made first-team All-Pro in 2021. His other Ravens record was from a 2021 outburst, logging the most single-season receptions (107) and yards (1,361) of any position. And in February of this year, while on a flight home to Arizona, he helped save a woman’s life. A pretty well-rounded resume; the least bit surprising to teammates because of his attention to detail. “Mark doesn’t only know the tight end position on offense, he knows what everybody’s supposed to be doing,” Likely said. “All you see is post-snap, what he’s doing mid-route, mid-block. But to see it from his eyes before the ball even snaps, that’s what I admire about Mark. “He knows everything that’s going on before the play and that’s when he’s able to show he’s Mark Andrews.” And that’s when the head butting starts. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The Ravens continue to have an uncommonly clean sheet of health for mid-December. They’ll face a Steelers team that isn’t as fortunate leading into the rivalry showdown Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium that will help decide the AFC North division title. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor was Baltimore’s lone surprise nonparticipant. According to the injury report, which was a practice estimation for Tuesday’s walk-through, he is in the concussion protocol. Agholor caught his only target for 26 yards in Sunday’s win over the New York Giants — his first catch since Week 10 vs. Cincinnati. Diontae Johnson will not practice this week having been excused from team activities following his one-game suspension. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) did not practice. Coach John Harbaugh said Monday it was a soft-tissue injury that happened before Sunday’s game against the Giants but it’s “not too serious.” Safety Ar’Darius Washington (ankle) was limited but appeared to move around the locker room without issue. Rookies Sanoussi Kane (hamstring) and Adisa Isaac (hamstring) were limited, too. Cornerback T.J. Tampa (ankle) was listed but was a full go. Pittsburgh had seven players, including six starters, absent from their practice Tuesday. Linebacker and former Raven Patrick Queen (rest), wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring), safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (back), linebacker T.J. Watt (ankle) and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (rest) were all out for the first practice of the week. Fellow starting defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (groin) was limited. And backup quarterback Justin Fields, whom the Steelers have used in specific packages since Russell Wilson claimed the starting job, was absent Tuesday because of an abdominal injury. Watt missing Saturday’s contest would be the biggest blow for Pittsburgh, which has bested Baltimore in eight of the past nine meetings. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Steeler and ex-Ravens LB Patrick Queen expects boos, ‘FUs’ in Baltimore return Baltimore Ravens | Ravens TE Mark Andrews’ head butts and TDs are ‘a reflection of the Raven way’ Baltimore Ravens | Social media chef Tini Younger to cook at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood tailgate for Ravens vs. Steelers game Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 15: Lamar Jackson back in MVP race? He never left. Baltimore Ravens | Steelers coach Mike Tomlin optimistic T.J. Watt will be available against Ravens The outside linebacker exited in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Eagles with a low ankle injury. That came after recording two sacks and a forced fumble. Watt told reporters on Tuesday he’s in “wait-and-see mode” for Saturday’s game. Coach Mike Tomlin added he was walking around the facility “rather comfortably” and is optimistic the star pass rusher who is third in the NFL with 11 1/2 sacks can play. As for the rest of Pittsburgh’s absences, Tomlin told local reporters he’ll “formulate a plan for having increased participation from those guys over the course of the week.” Like the Ravens managing three games in 11 days, the Steelers are on a short-week schedule facing Baltimore then Kansas City in an 11-day span. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Maryland native and cooking sensation Tineke “Tini” Younger is bringing her viral mac and cheese to Baltimore. The social media chef will cook at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood’s tailgate party on Saturday before the Ravens take on the Steelers. Born a Ravens fan, the cookbook author and Next Level Chef competitor from Frederick has amassed over 11 million followers between Instagram and TikTok. Her online fans often see her outfitted in several Ravens jersey options in her closet, including a black No. 52 for her favorite player, former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Younger shared a link to the tailgate party’s tickets along with a promotional photo stating her Maryland crab dip, famous mac and cheese and Old Bay hot honey sliders will be on the menu at 1 p.m. before the game. Jimmy’s TailGOAT party at 1300 Russell Street will also feature boy band O-Town and Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC. Guests will be able to partake in a buffet and bottomless drinks, as well as cornhole and jousting among other entertainment options, according to the event’s ticketing page. Transportation to the event from Jimmy’s is available for an additional fee. The tailgate will end half an hour before the game. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. View the full article

Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will recap the best and worst from around the league. Here are our winners and losers from Week 15: Winner: Lamar Jackson Here’s your annual reminder: The NFL Most Valuable Player Award race isn’t over until the final votes are cast. The NFL is a week-to-week league, so it’s tempting to declare a favorite after each game. Who played the best in prime time? Who put up the best stats? Which team has a better record? Who is getting more help from their teammates and coaches? This year is no different. Entering the season, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had the best odds at +650, according to Vegas Insider, followed by Bills quarterback Josh Allen (+800), Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (+1,000), Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (+1,100) and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (+1,200). Unsurprisingly, the odds have shifted throughout the season. Mahomes is now considered a longshot despite leading the Chiefs to an AFC-best 13-1 record because of his pedestrian stats. Ditto for Jalen Hurts, who has helped the Eagles go 12-2. Burrow leads the league in most passing categories, but his team is 6-8 and unlikely to make the playoffs. By virtue of their scintillating performances and team records, Allen and Jackson are the top two names still in the hunt, but they’ve been joined by a running back (Saquon Barkley) and a trio of unlikely quarterbacks (Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold). In other words, it’s pretty wide-open. That’s why it’s odd to see Allen listed as the overwhelming favorite after Week 15 at -1,000, according to Vegas Insider. Recency bias might help explain that, since Allen is coming off huge performances in shootouts against the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions in which he’s thrown for a combined 704 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 150 yards and five scores to lead the AFC East champion Bills (11-3). Before that, he led high-profile wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Chiefs, the latter of which was Kansas City’s first loss of the season and first since Christmas. The splash moments have been there, too, with Allen scoring a touchdown on a pass he threw thanks to a lateral from Amari Cooper and some more highlight-reel plays — including a chest pass that ultimately didn’t count — in Sunday’s win over the NFC-leading Lions that was hyped as a potential Super Bowl preview. ESPN’s Rex Ryan went as far as to say that anybody who doesn’t vote for Allen this season should no longer be allowed to vote for the award. That’s extreme. Both Jackson and Barkley have legitimate cases, and the season is far from over. Take Jackson’s case, for example. The reigning and two-time MVP completed 21 of 25 passes for 290 yards with five touchdowns and had six carries for 65 yards in a 35-14 win over the Giants on Sunday. Beating a team in contention for the league’s worst record won’t earn many style points, but he completely dominated New York in a way no other quarterback has this season. He also accomplished a feat that we should start naming in his honor: Jackson now has five career games with five or more touchdown passes and five or fewer incompletions. In NFL history, nobody has more than three such games. By the numbers, this might be the best season of Jackson’s career. With 3,580 passing yards and 743 rushing yards, he could become the first quarterback in NFL history to eclipse 4,000 through the air and 1,000 on the ground in a single season. He’s just two touchdown passes away from matching his career high (36) and is trailing only Justin Herbert in interception rate (0.7%) with just three picks on 404 attempts. And if we’re talking simply about the word “valuable,” Jackson’s offense is by far the best in the league while carrying a defense that has been one of the worst. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is playing perhaps the best football of his professional career, but betting markets say Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the MVP favorite. (Adam Hunger/AP) Just like last season, the next few weeks could favor Jackson in terms of national attention, too. Saturday’s home game against the Steelers is a de facto AFC North championship game with the Ravens (9-5) needing to win to keep their division title hopes alive. Then Baltimore heads to Houston on Christmas Day in front of a first-of-its-kind Netflix audience before closing the regular season against Cleveland. Allen, meanwhile, faces the lowly Patriots (twice) and Jets to finish the campaign, and he might not play all of those games if Buffalo’s seeding is secured. (Don’t forget that Jackson’s Ravens crushed Allen’s Bills, 35-10, way back in Week 4.) If Jackson plays well down the stretch and leads the Ravens to an AFC North title, MV3 watch is on. Loser: More injuries Mahomes reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain. Geno Smith exited “Sunday Night Football” with a knee injury. T.J. Watt is in “wait-and-see” mode with his ankle injury. The Lions lost two more defensive starters, and now running back David Montgomery is likely out for the season with a knee injury. Not even Barkley was spared, with the Eagles’ star running back was sidelined for most of the second half Sunday with an undisclosed issue. All he would say is that he’s “dealing with a little something.” The NFL season is a grind, and injuries, however random, always play a factor in determining the champion. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see stars such as Mahomes, Watt and Barkley banged up and a Super Bowl contender like the Lions hanging on by a thread heading into the most exciting time of the year. The schedule really should be more favorable, especially this late in the season. Like the Ravens, Steelers and Texans, the Chiefs are in the middle of a stretch of three games in 11 days that includes a rare Wednesday kickoff on Christmas Day. It’s an unfair arrangement that puts television money over player health, and the NFL and Netflix could be paying for it if Carson Wentz is taking snaps for Kansas City. Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers On a day of outstanding quarterback performances, Mayfield’s shouldn’t be overlooked. The 29-year-old journeyman completed 22 of 27 passes for 288 yards with four touchdowns and one interception, propelling the Buccaneers to a 40-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers that puts Tampa Bay on the cusp of a fourth straight NFC South title. It was even more impressive when you consider the competition. Coach Jim Harbaugh’s team had held opponents to 20 points or fewer in 11 of 13 games, and coordinator Jesse Minter’s defense hadn’t yielded more than 30 all season. Wide receiver Mike Evans had a season-high 159 yards receiving and two touchdowns, rookie Jalen McMillan had five catches for 75 yards and a score and rookie running back Bucky Irving returned from injury to rush for 115 yards on just 15 carries, providing plenty of hope that the Bucs’ offense can remain effective without star Chris Godwin. A four-game winning streak has Baker Mayfield, right, and the Buccaneers on the verge of the postseason again. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty) One of the biggest reasons is the play of offensive tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. Among the 47 offensive tackles who have had at least 400 snaps in pass protection, as noted by analyst Jon Ledyard per Pro Football Focus, Wirfs has surrendered the fewest pressures in the NFL (nine). Goedeke is second with just 12 pressures surrendered. After losing four straight in the middle of the season, Tampa Bay has bounced back in a big way, winning four straight while averaging 31 points and allowing just 15. Coach Todd Bowles’ defense has leaned into its aggressive approach, increasing its already high blitz and stunt rates since its Week 11 bye, and it’s paying dividends. Last season, the Bucs beat the Eagles in the wild-card round and nearly took down the Lions the following week. With injuries mounting in Detroit, Philadelphia seemingly teetering on the edge of combustion every week and untrustworthy quarterbacks in Minnesota and Green Bay, it might be time to take Tampa Bay seriously as a Super Bowl contender. Loser: Indianapolis Colts The Colts quite literally threw their season away. Needing a win to keep pace in the AFC playoff race, Indianapolis led the Broncos, 13-7, in the third quarter Sunday. A calamity of errors followed. First, running back Jonathan Taylor broke free for what appeared to be a 41-yard touchdown run, giving the Colts a commanding lead. But the celebration was short-lived, as replay confirmed that Taylor dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line. It bounced out of the end zone for a touchback, giving Denver the ball. Then, after the Colts forced a punt and recorded their third interception of rookie quarterback Bo Nix to regain possession midway through the third quarter, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. fumbled, allowing Denver to kick a 44-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 13-10. A three-and-out by the Colts to begin the fourth quarter led to a punt that Broncos receiver Marvin Mims Jr. returned 61 yards to the 15-yard line, and Denver scored two plays later to take its first lead, 17-13. What was shaping up to be an uplifting win had suddenly gone sideways. So what did coach Shane Steichen draw up with the season on the line? One of the worst trick plays you’ll ever see. Quarterback Anthony Richardson threw a quick pass to rookie receiver Adonai Mitchell, who drifted behind the line of scrimmage and threw back across the middle of the field to Richardson, who was waiting to throw the ball again to another receiver down the field. Only Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonnito sniffed it out, jumping in front of the pass from Mitchell and racing 50 yards for a touchdown to effectively seal the victory. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Steelers coach Mike Tomlin optimistic T.J. Watt will be available against Ravens Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh explains benching of LB Trenton Simpson Baltimore Ravens | Ravens excuse Diontae Johnson from team activities ahead of Steelers game Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Who will win Saturday’s AFC North showdown between Ravens and Steelers? Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 35-14 win over the New York Giants It goes in the books as a fumble recovery, but it was essentially a pick-six. “We worked on that play all week, and it was great,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “It looked great all week. We padded up, and it was good in practice. He threw it great. Obviously, he’s thrown double passes before that he’s had success with, and that one didn’t work out.” It’s impossible to overstate just how crushing this loss is for Indianapolis. A win would have given the Colts (6-8) a 61% chance of making the postseason, but now they only have a 15.6% shot, according to The Athletic’s playoff projection model. The Houston Texans (9-5) clinched the AFC South title on Sunday with a win over the Miami Dolphins, so the Colts’ only chance is vaulting over the Chargers (8-6) for the final wild-card spot. The good news is the Colts have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league that includes the Titans, Giants and Jaguars, while the Chargers face the Broncos, Patriots and Raiders. It’s not inconceivable for Indianapolis to go 3-0 and L.A. to stumble to 1-2 down the stretch, but the Colts’ best chance went up in smoke Sunday in brutal fashion. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic star linebacker T.J. Watt’s balky ankle won’t keep him out of Saturday’s visit to Baltimore. The perennial All-Pro twisted his left ankle late in the fourth quarter of a 27-13 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. Watt said afterward X-rays on the ankle were negative and he was in “wait and see” mode. Tomlin said he saw Watt walking around the team’s facility on Monday morning without much issue. The 30-year-old was one of the few bright spots for the AFC North-leading Steelers (10-4) in the loss, getting two sacks and forcing a fumble. Tomlin defended having Watt in the game with Philadelphia driving up two scores in the waning minutes, saying he was playing to win. Watt made a notable impact in the first meeting between the AFC North rivals, as he recorded three tackles and a sack against Baltimore on Nov. 17. The Steelers held the Ravens to a season-low 16 points in a Pittsburgh. The Ravens are coming off one of their most efficient offensive performances in recent weeks, scoring 35 points and averaging 7.5 yards per play in an easy win over the Giants. There’s a chance injured Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring), safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) would be available to practice this week as well. Pittsburgh’s passing game has slowed in two games without Pickens. Russell Wilson has averaged 143 yards passing with Pickens out of the lineup, including a season-low 128 against the Eagles. Pickens led the Steelers with eight catches for 89 yards in the first Ravens-Steelers game, leading Pittsburgh in targets (12), receptions and receiving yards. Baltimore Sun staff contributed to this article. View the full article

The Ravens’ defense continues to undergo changes. After benching struggling starting safety Marcus Williams in favor of Ar’Darius Washington last month, inside linebacker Trenton Simpson was the latest to get the treatment in Sunday’s win over the Giants. Simpson, who started the first 13 games this season, played just five snaps in garbage time of Baltimore’s 35-14 blowout of New York. It continued a downward trend for the the 2023 third-round pick out of Clemson who was drafted to replace the departed Patrick Queen this season. In the Ravens’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Simpson played just 22 snaps. The week before in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers, he was on the field for 30 snaps. The turning point perhaps was Baltimore’s loss to the Steelers in Week 11 when he had one of his worst games of the year with two missed tackles and three catches allowed on three targets for 31 yards, 22 of which came after the catch, per Pro Football Focus. That earned him a dismal overall grade of 32.2. Simpson played 66 snaps in that game but has seen his time on the field cut significantly since and even then continued to struggle with an even lower PFF mark (26) against the Eagles, despite the limited role. “From the standpoint of Trent it’s good for Trent, maybe takes some pressure off him a little bit,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “He’s a young guy. “He can take a breath a little bit just in terms of his picture, his side of it.” While Harbaugh said only that the decision is “week to week,” it seems likely Baltimore will continue to rely on others instead of Simpson in the middle of its defense. Veterans Malik Harrison and Chris Board have both seen significant increases in their snap counts and that figures to continue, with the former a reliable run defender who has also played outside and the latter the Ravens can utilize against the pass. Safety Kyle Hamilton being deployed deeper on the field more often to shore up the back end of the defense also means fewer snaps closer to the line of scrimmage as a dime linebacker. Harbaugh has also been pleased with the performances of the two veteran linebackers. Over the past three games, Board has 14 tackles (one for loss), which included seven against the Eagles. Harrison, meanwhile, has 29 tackles (two for loss) in his last four games, which included a career-high 13 in a win over the Chargers when Smith was out with a hamstring injury. That earned Harrison a game ball. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens excuse Diontae Johnson from team activities ahead of Steelers game Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Who will win Saturday’s AFC North showdown between Ravens and Steelers? Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 35-14 win over the New York Giants Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers battle for AFC North could come down to tiebreakers Baltimore Ravens | Steelers lose to Eagles, 27-13, but still clinch playoff spot; T.J. Watt injured “It’s a lot of people that doubted me coming into this game,” he said after the win over Los Angeles. “So I’m happy I was able to ball out and show them that I can be in this league, and I can play at a high level.” Harrison’s PFF grade of 81.5 that week was the highest on the team and it came when he played a team-high 73 snaps. In all, Board has played 107 snaps on defense (11%) and Harrison 269 (33%) this season. But those numbers figure to only go up. “They played really well,” Harbaugh said of their performance against the Giants. “For Malik to get this opportunity to prove himself – he’s been working hard for that opportunity, and he’s done great with it. And Chris Board same thing – he’s even more of a veteran guy. I know those guys appreciate that, and they’re making the most of it.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article