ExtremeRavens

DeAndre Hopkins isn’t the focal point of the Ravens’ offense, but the veteran wide receiver turned back the clock for his first catch in Baltimore. With the Ravens up 27-19 late in the third quarter, Lamar Jackson finally looked Hopkins’ way. He threw the 13th-year wide receiver a deep ball. Hopkins’ left arm was being pinned down by Bills cornerback and Baltimore native Christian Benford, so he stuck his right hand up, snagged the ball and fell to the turf for a 29-yard touchdown reception. Jackson sprinted toward the end zone to celebrate his new teammate’s first catch as a Raven. NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth laughed at the play, repeating “Oh, wow!” His broadcast partner, Mike Tirico, yelled, “The veteran’s still got it!” The play put Baltimore up 34-19 at the end of the third quarter. Jackson’s first pass in Hopkins’ direction resulted in a touchdown, but the quarterback had plenty of success targeting his other playmakers, too. He found Zay Flowers six times for 134 yards and a touchdown in the first three quarters. Perhaps the only negative of Jackson’s opening three quarters was an interaction with a Buffalo fan after the Hopkins touchdown. As the Ravens celebrated near the stands, a fan reached over the wall separating players and fans to touch a pair of Baltimore players, including Jackson. Baltimore’s quarterback then shoved the fan before returning to the sideline with his teammates. This article will be updated. 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 NFL season is finally here. The Ravens take on the Buffalo Bills on “Sunday Night Football” in a rematch of last season’s AFC divisional round clash. Returning to Orchard Park, New York, Baltimore is seeking revenge after having its Super Bowl dreams dashed in that January defeat. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis before, during and after the game. View the full article

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell is inactive for Sunday night’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills. The move comes after Baltimore decided to keep four running backs on its roster, along with Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali. It is also mildly surprising. But with Ali featuring on special teams units and likewise able to return kickoffs, Mitchell, who is entering his third season and just over 18 months removed from a torn ACL, became less likely to chew up an active roster spot with the need for six inactive players. Though Mitchell had five kickoff returns for 134 yards, including a 32-yarder, in last season’s AFC divisional round loss at Highmark Stadium, he also did not play a snap on offense. The other inactive players for Baltimore were less surprising. Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and fullback/tight end Patrick Ricard (calf) were both ruled out Friday. Outside linebacker David Ojabo, who was a healthy scratch for four games last season, is once more. The Ravens’ other inactives are rookie offensive tackle Carson Vinson and undrafted rookie safety Reuben Lowery III. Among the inactives for Buffalo are cornerback and former Raven Tre’Davious White, who was listed Friday as doubtful with a groin injury. The Bills’ other inactive players are wide receiver Curtis Samuel, defensive back Jordan Hancock, center/guard Sedrick Van-Pran Granger, offensive tackle Chase Lundt and defensive end Landon Jackson. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens vs. Bills live updates: 2025 season begins with playoff rematch It takes a ‘village’: After Ravens cut, Beau Brade gets chance with Giants Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ defense can’t afford another September slip | COMMENTARY Ravens will be thin at key position in season opener against Bills Ravens vs. Bills staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s opener at Buffalo? View the full article

LANDOVER— Beau Brade hadn’t been cut since fifth-grade basketball. Then the former River Hill High School and University of Maryland star defensive back was released by the Ravens on Aug. 26, just before the start of the season. But it didn’t take long for Brade to find his next NFL destination as the New York Giants claimed Brade off waivers and signed him the following day. The Giants had the league’s third-highest waiver priority and were one of two teams to put in a claim on Brade along with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a strong preseason last year, Brade made the Ravens’ 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent and was active for 11 games, playing primarily on special teams. However, with the Ravens’ added secondary depth this offseason, namely first-round draft pick Malaki Starks and undrafted rookie standout Reuben Lowery, Brade was released. The 23-year-old safety said that he could sense something coming after his playing time in the last two preseason games. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta praised Brade on the day of his release and said that the team hoped to bring him back on the practice squad. That reunion didn’t happen, however, as the Giants were interested in adding Brade to their 53-man roster. After receiving confirmation from his agent, a sense of relief washed over as Brade quickly got to East Rutherford, New Jersey, and met everyone within the organization. Giants general manager Joe Schoen described Brade as “smart, tough and dependable” in his Aug. 27 press conference. “I for sure do feel like [I have a chip on my shoulder],” Brade told The Baltimore Sun. “Especially with that happening and then I feel like opportunities I had or didn’t have the last place I was at. I appreciate them for showing me and teaching me what they know. I had a lot of leaders that I could learn from the past season there, even coaches or players. We had a stacked safety room last year, so being able to take that here is great and also learn from the guys here. “All the guys and coaches here, I feel like really helps me in my mindset. I’ve had countless defensive back coaches in the last six years. I’ve had more than eight now. So, it’s been great to hear everybody’s teachings, and it makes me more of a better player.” Sunday afternoon against the Washington Commanders, Brade returned to Maryland for the first time as part of the visiting team. His parents, Ron and Angela, have rarely missed a game throughout his football journey, starting with his youth football days on the Columbia Ravens and Western Howard County Warhawks. Signing with the Giants is helpful in that regard, as more than half of Brade’s games are within a three-hour drive from home. While Brade was inactive for Sunday’s season opener, Ron and Angela were once again in the building, decked out in their Giants blue. Angela and Ron Brade, parents of former Maryland and River Hill football star Beau Brade, pose at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., for the Giants' season opener against the Commanders. Beau was claimed by the Giants after being cut by the Ravens. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Although they were Brade’s only family in attendance, his familial and community support runs deep, with many now repping Giants gear. It extends from Howard County to Southern Virginia and beyond, in what his parents affectionately described as “the village.” Brade’s younger sister Brielle was particularly ecstatic about the news as she’s been a longtime Giants fan. Meanwhile, Brade will now be closer to his older sister Bianca, who is in the second year of her MBA program at Columbia University. “I think that the nicest thing is that he has been so local, it’s been a lot easier for us,” Ron Brade told The Sun. “A lot of the Maryland games, there would be times where we had 10-15 people that were coming to the games. So, he’s been a part of this community. It’s been great that the community, the village as we refer to it, have been able to gain the experience and kind of follow as well. “I just think that it’s good that he can still remain a part of the community, so that’s important for us. He still does a lot of community activities. One foundation he supports did a back to school with Beau right before the school year started. We hope that he’ll be able to continue that in the New York-New Jersey area but also still in the Baltimore region as well.” The move to the Giants also means moving out of his parents’ house, where Brade stayed last season with its proximity to the Ravens’ training facility. “It’s very cool. It’s probably the best thing any parent, any mom could ask for,” Angela Brade said. “He’s a very good son and always has been. He loves the sport. So, he stays connected, and he also talks to the community, a lot of our friends, old coaches. He’s a good kid and we’re just delighted.” After going undrafted and now on his second NFL team, the characteristics that helped him reach this point, namely his relentless work ethic, determination and “lunch-pail mentality,” are not lost on Brade nor his parents. Those attributes were instilled from a young age as Ron and Beau watched Virginia Tech football games where Ron played. Expected to be drafted on Day 3 and then having to fight for a roster spot as a UDFA, Brade knows nothing is guaranteed. Only with the Giants for 10 days, he’s immersing himself in the playbook and getting assistance from teammates and another new defensive back coach in the process. Related Articles Ravens vs. Bills live updates: 2025 season begins with playoff rematch Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell surprise scratch for season opener vs. Bills Josh Tolentino: Ravens’ defense can’t afford another September slip | COMMENTARY Ravens will be thin at key position in season opener against Bills Ravens vs. Bills staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s opener at Buffalo? “When I was in college and younger, in my mind it kind of sucked seeing so much turnaround and switching,” Brade said of the constant change. “Being more mature, seeing the benefit that I’ve gotten from hearing all these different types of coaches, seeing how they coach, what they like, what they don’t like, what you should and shouldn’t see as the safety, where your eyes should be. Getting all the insight from those professionals and people who are really great at their job is amazing and it’s making me a better player.” While Brade doesn’t know exactly when his number will be called, he’s confident and remains ready for the opportunity. As Angela said, it’s all about, “applying what you know and doing what you do.” When that moment does come, Brade and the entire village supporting him will be more than ready. “My favorite play is going to be the play he makes for the Giants,” Angela Brade said. “Whenever that is, that’s going to be the best play of all.” Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Steinberg at jsteinberg@baltsun.com, 443-442-9445 and x.com/jacobstein23. View the full article

The Ravens won’t tiptoe into the 2025 season. The calendar might say Week 1. But the looming challenge sure looks like January. Baltimore is scheduled to open a season overflowing with expectations under the lights Sunday evening in Buffalo. The Ravens’ trip to upstate New York marks the first step in a six-week gantlet that will either confirm this defense’s muscle or expose its backside all over again. We’ll soon learn whether Baltimore fixed what cracked last season, or if the same flaws are still hiding underneath the surface. The Bills, Browns (meh), Lions, Chiefs, Texans and Rams line up before the bye in Week 7. Five of Baltimore’s first six opponents were playoff contenders in 2024. With the exception of Cleveland, each offense is loaded enough to punish a defense that buckles. And if we’re looking at recent history, the Ravens have been quick to stumble. For all of coach John Harbaugh’s success, September has too often been his team’s soft spot. Last year, it was back-to-back losses to Kansas City and Las Vegas, two early stumbles that set the tone before Baltimore regathered itself. But Baltimore can’t afford a repeat of last September. This gantlet doesn’t leave room for patience and the defense has to deliver from the first snap. On paper, there’s All-Pro talent across all three levels. Linebacker Roquan Smith sets the tone in the middle. Safety Kyle Hamilton, fresh off his $100 million contract, has grown into one of the NFL’s most versatile weapons. Cornerback Jaire Alexander, if healthy, adds necessary swagger to the secondary. However, swagger alone won’t slow Josh Allen’s 40-yard missiles, Patrick Mahomes’ seemingly inevitable dose of magic, or Amon-Ra St. Brown’s deep contested catches. Of course, last season’s bitter ending still stings. Related Articles Ravens will be thin at key position in season opener against Bills Ravens vs. Bills staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s opener at Buffalo? Ravens vs. Bills scouting report for Week 1: Who has the edge? Ravens 2025 betting preview: Odds and expert picks for Super Bowl hopeful Ravens kicker Tyler Loop ready for debut: Milkshakes, ‘Hoosiers’ and process The defense infamously forced zero turnovers in the AFC divisional round loss to Buffalo and finished minus-three in takeaways in the biggest game of the season. That wasn’t an outlier, either. It was the continuation of a season-long slide. After leading the NFL in takeaways (31) in 2023, Baltimore nearly cut the number in half with just 17 in 2024. Explosive plays only piled on. During their consecutive defeats to Kansas City and Las Vegas, the Ravens allowed 12 explosive plays (25 or more yards), according to TruMedia. The game-changing plays that once defined the Ravens defense dried up like a well. Now, after a long wait following the team’s brutal playoff exit, it’s Allen again who awaits Sunday night. The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player creates enough problems on his own. If Baltimore hands Allen free possessions, Buffalo is more than capable of making the Ravens pay. The Bills led the league in turnover ratio (plus-24) last season, proof of how quickly they cash in. Sunday evening is not just about going 1-0, but about proving the Ravens absorbed last year’s difficult lessons. Can they stay disciplined against a quarterback who thrives outside the pocket? Can they erase the chunk gains that crushed them? In an expected raucous road environment, can they topple a fellow AFC heavyweight that finished the 2024 season with a perfect 8-0 record at Highmark Stadium? Harbaugh sat in on a defensive meeting Wednesday morning at The Castle and praised Zach Orr for his attention to detail as the Ravens begin their first official game week, a nod to both the stakes of the onslaught of opponents ahead and the trust in a 33-year-old coordinator still early in his tenure. Harbaugh noted Orr’s consistency and high level of confidence heading into Year 2 with his defense supported by new additions, including Alexander and top rookies Malaki Starks and Mike Green. Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green participates in a tackling drill during practice. Green is expected to contribute immediately as a rookie. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Orr’s second season as the franchise’s top defensive coach won’t be defined by one game, but the schedule leaves little room for excuses. By mid-October, Baltimore will have faced Allen, Jared Goff, Mahomes, C.J. Stroud and Matthew Stafford. Shoot, even old friend and Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco, 40, returns in Week 2. That stretch will give a clear read on where this defense actually stands. The Ravens either buck their recent trend and start fast or risk falling behind. For Lamar Jackson and Co., there should be no waiting until October. Buffalo won’t wait. Neither will Detroit nor Kansas City. Will the Ravens dictate terms from the opening kickoff, or slip back into their familiar early season funk? The gantlet is here, and Buffalo is first in line. For a Ravens team chasing Super Bowl aspirations, there’s no room for another September slip. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article

The Ravens will enter their season opener against the Bills on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, largely healthy, with one notable exception. Fullback/tight end Patrick Ricard has been ruled out for the game. The 31-year-old veteran has been sidelined with a calf injury and hasn’t practiced since Aug. 14. That will leave Baltimore thin at tight end, with only Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar healthy. Tight end Isaiah Likely, who had surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot Aug. 1 and hasn’t practiced since, worked out on a side field Friday but was not in uniform and has also been ruled out. It also means that the Ravens will likely use one of their two practice squad elevations on either second-year tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden or undrafted rookie fullback Lucas Scott. Ricard’s injury could potentially limit what Baltimore does offensively as well, particularly in 12 personnel (one running back, tight ends, two wide receivers) or the rarely used 13 personnel (three tight ends) when they go with a heavy set. Baltimore will, however, have cornerback Jaire Alexander after the former Green Bay Packers star was a full participant in practice for a second straight day. After being limited with a knee injury earlier in the week, he does not have an injury designation for the game. “It feels good,” Alexander, 28, said Friday of his knee. It will also be his first game since Week 7 of last season with Green Bay. “No nerves, just excitement and extreme gratitude,” the 28-year-old former All-Pro said. Meanwhile, the Bills will be without their regular kicker Tyler Bass (left hip/groin) after placing him on injured reserve Friday. That means 41-year-old Matt Prater, whom Buffalo signed to its practice squad Thursday, will get the nod. Prater is also coming off his own injury, a torn meniscus that he suffered before Week 5 of 2024 that wiped out the rest of his season with the Cardinals. Related Articles Ravens vs. Bills staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s opener at Buffalo? Ravens vs. Bills scouting report for Week 1: Who has the edge? Ravens 2025 betting preview: Odds and expert picks for Super Bowl hopeful Ravens kicker Tyler Loop ready for debut: Milkshakes, ‘Hoosiers’ and process Ravens injury report: 2 key players expected to miss season opener Elsewhere, cornerback Tre’Davious White (groin) is listed as doubtful after not practicing for a third straight day. Cornerback Christian Benford and wide receiver Keon Coleman, both of whom were listed with groin injuries this week, have no injury designation and are expected to play. Bills receiver Khalil Shakir, who was previously listed with an ankle injury, also does not have an injury designation after being a full participant in practice for a third day in a row. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 1 game between the Ravens and Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 24, Bills 23: Upstate New York in September is a much different place than upstate New York in January. The Bills’ secondary is also banged up and the Ravens, simply put, have a more talented roster on both sides of the ball. Zooming in a little closer, there’s been a particular level of seething bubbling under the surface within Baltimore’s defense, which not only didn’t force any turnovers the last time these two met but barely breathed on quarterback Josh Allen. The Ravens’ offense, meanwhile, has been intentional about not being turnover-prone and likely won’t be in the rematch. Still, this one will have its share of theatrics and likely come down to the end. Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 24, Bills 17: Buffalo’s secondary is on life support, with several front-end cornerbacks missing because of injuries. Perhaps after a quarter or so of shedding rust, Lamar Jackson should take full advantage in upstate New York. The real test for Baltimore’s defense will be stopping the run, a regular-season strength that was an overshadowed hitch in the playoffs. Seven months later, running back James Cook’s name has come up as an MVP dark horse playing behind the reigning MVP Josh Allen. But a healthy Ravens front should temper the Bills’ ground game, even if it doesn’t completely shut it down. The Ravens’ secondary was concocted to win games like this, boasting movable parts to keep Allen guessing. Baltimore likely splits road games at Buffalo and at Kansas City in Week 4. This Sunday, with all its haunting bulletin board material, should be the one it gets. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 28, Bills 23: The key for the Ravens, as it will be all season, is to run the football. Buffalo stacked the line of scrimmage in the Ravens’ 27-25 loss in the AFC divisional round playoff game last season, but that game was played in the cold and windy conditions in Buffalo. It’s early September, so the decent weather will help Baltimore. Also, I’m still not sold on the Bills’ defensive line of ends Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa and tackles Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. Defensively, if the Ravens can shut down running back James Cook, they might win by at least 10 points. Josh Allen is a great quarterback, but receivers Joshua Palmer, Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman won’t put fear in the Ravens’ secondary. The Bills, though, do have a very good and athletic offensive line. Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 31, Bills 24: Baltimore heads back to Buffalo with January’s playoff collapse burned into its memory, and that hunger should show from the opening drive. The Ravens and their leadership group believe they’re built to finish the job this time, armed with one of the league’s deepest rosters and a defense eager to rewrite the script. Lamar Jackson should find opportunities against a depleted, banged-up secondary, while a retooled front seven is better equipped to disrupt Josh Allen. On the back end, rookie Malaki Starks has matched the first-round pedigree attached to his name throughout the summer, while veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was upgraded to a full participant in Thursday’s practice after dealing with a knee injury in training camp, should be a welcome addition to Zach Orr’s defense. Buffalo went undefeated at home last season, so it won’t come easy in front of an expected rowdy Bills crowd, but the Ravens’ talent and urgency should prove decisive late Sunday night. C.J. Doon, editor Bills 23, Ravens 20: Buffalo is projected to score the most points in the league this season, just ahead of Baltimore, so it will be a fascinating first test for a Ravens defense that wants to be feared again. There are still some players who need to prove they can hold up their end of the bargain, though, namely linebacker Trenton Simpson and rookie safety Malaki Starks. We’ve yet to see rookie Tyler Loop make a pressure kick in an NFL game yet, either. But like his 2018 draftmate and fellow NFL MVP Award winner in Baltimore, Josh Allen is too good to keep under wraps for an entire game, no matter how well Zach Orr’s unit plays. With the home crowd behind them, the Bills once again do just enough to pull out a late victory over their AFC rivals. Related Articles Ravens will be thin at key position in season opener against Bills Ravens vs. Bills scouting report for Week 1: Who has the edge? Ravens 2025 betting preview: Odds and expert picks for Super Bowl hopeful Ravens kicker Tyler Loop ready for debut: Milkshakes, ‘Hoosiers’ and process Ravens injury report: 2 key players expected to miss season opener Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 31, Bills 20: The Ravens played the Bills twice last season, outscoring them, 60-37. Of course, nobody cares about the 35-10 win in Week 4 because of the heartbreaking 27-25 defeat in the postseason. Even in that game, though, Baltimore put up 416 yards of total offense compared with Buffalo’s 273. The Ravens were the better team in both games — outside of a dreadful turnover margin of minus-3 in the playoff failure. The Ravens are still the better team, and without the pressure of the playoffs, they should avoid the sloppy mistakes that let Buffalo off the hook in January. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 28, Bills 24: What an exciting Week 1 matchup. Baltimore enters the game with high expectations and few holes, but we have seen several early-season lapses from this team in the past few years, so it’s hard to know what we’ll get. If the Ravens can rely on Derrick Henry to churn out yards and keep the offense on schedule and they can get timely first downs in the passing game, I don’t think the Bills will be able to slow them down. Josh Allen is the MVP for a reason, but I predict the Ravens’ secondary will be up to the task. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 27, Bills 20: This will be a close game. The Bills left a sour taste in the Ravens’ mouth all offseason, so there’s no better way to start the season then with a win against the team that ended their season last year. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

The Ravens have waited more than seven months for this. Sunday night, they’ll open their season at the site of their crushing loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round. It won’t make or break their season, but it shoulders enough emotional baggage to magnify a tone-setting rematch. Who will have the advantage in season opener? Ravens passing game vs. Bills pass defense Lamar Jackson is coming off the best passing season of his career, which happens to be one of the best passing seasons ever. No other quarterback has thrown more than 40 touchdown passes with fewer than five interceptions. Jackson topped 4,000 passing yards and finished with the fourth-highest single-season passer rating in league history. He’ll be without ascendent tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) in Buffalo but will have his first chance to throw meaningful passes to Hall of Fame-bound wideout DeAndre Hopkins. Don’t be surprised if Baltimore’s previously elite passing attack fires out of the gates against a scratched up Buffalo secondary. Tre’Davious White, a former Raven and the Bills’ No. 2 cornerback, is rehabbing from injury. First-round pick Maxwell Hairston is on injured reserve to start the year. And Christian Benford was limited in practice this week, which raises the question whether Buffalo believes that fielding him is worth the risk. Most teams are tight-lipped on that stuff as long as they’re able. There’s a chance Jackson is served some combination of a second-year role player, a sixth-round draft pick and a practice squad veteran on a silver platter. EDGE: Ravens Bills passing game vs. Ravens pass defense What Josh Allen does against Baltimore’s secondary is perhaps the most intriguing layer heading into Sunday night. Both groups bulked up this offseason. Baltimore used its first-round pick on safety Malaki Starks, signed cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie and expects a breakout year from sophomore cornerback Nate Wiggins — all complementary pieces to All-Pros Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey. Senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano called them the best secondary he’s seen in two decades coaching in the NFL, which speaks volumes compared with how that group struggled the first 10 weeks of last season. As for the Bills, Khalil Shakir figures to be the top-shelf guy after logging more than 800 yards and four scores in 2024. Both Keon Coleman and Dawson Knox missed time last season because of injuries but are the next-in-line go-to targets for Allen. Joining the mix is Joshua Palmer, a former Charger who Allen deemed “one of the best I’ve been around,” and veteran Elijah Moore. It’s a deep room with new faces. A fully healthy Ravens secondary can still make life difficult for that by-committee group, which has one combined Pro Bowl appearance. EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Bills run defense It feels like a distant memory severed by the gutting disappoint of a playoff curtain call, but the last time these teams matched up in the regular season offered the most electrifying play of Derrick Henry’s 2024 campaign. Henry took the first offensive snap 87 yards for a touchdown. And yet, that was against a Buffalo front at less than full strength. Buffalo’s run defense hushed Henry in January, then added five-time Pro Bowl selection Joey Bosa, a game wrecker when healthy. There’s reason to believe in Baltimore’s offensive line, but any significant Ravens offense is more likely to happen through the air. EDGE: Bills Bills running game vs. Ravens run defense Last month, Ravens defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. spoke candidly about how much “it sucked” to have Buffalo’s running backs thrash them in the playoffs. Baltimore had the top run defense in the league. It crumbled in the playoffs. “I think everybody took that pretty tough,” he said. The Ravens lost big man Michael Pierce to retirement but still have a healthy and high-ceiling trio of Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones and Washington. Like it is for Jackson and Andrews individually, Week 1 is a chance for the defensive front to avenge their demons. That might not be enough to sway the discourse. James Cook got paid like a top running back this offseason and he’ll be out to prove why. He’s flanked by Ray Davis and Ty Johnson, who combined for 60 yards against Baltimore in January. They’re all running behind one of the best offensive lines in the league, a proven commodity returning all parts unlike a Pierce-less defense. EDGE: Bills Ravens special teams vs. Bills special teams Both sides have an interesting storyline worth following at kicker. Baltimore will debut its rookie, Tyler Loop, who’s making his first appearance in a regular season game — the first time the Ravens will start a kicker not named Justin Tucker since 2012. Loop had an impressive preseason in which he made 9 of 11 field goal attempts capped by a 61-yarder in Washington. Ravens coach John Harbaugh thought that he passed the August test “with flying colors.” Ravens kicker Tyler Loop, right, works out in June. Loop will make his NFL debut Sunday against the Bills. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Buffalo might not even have its kicker. Tyler Bass, one of the league’s most efficient legs, missed a chunk of training camp for pelvic soreness. He returned by the preseason finale, but the Bills signing three veteran kickers to try out is enough of a sign that they are taking Plan B seriously in the event that Bass’ soreness lingers into the weekend. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and did not participate on Thursday, leaving a veil of mystery. Assuming Bass’ health, he’s got the edge, but the pendulum tips the other direction if it’s one of the new guys. EDGE: Bills Ravens intangibles vs. Bills intangibles It’s not hyperbole to say that Baltimore’s playoff loss influenced a reassessment on its offseason approach. Most obviously was Harbaugh’s more transparent grading system. Ravens staffers track all sorts of detailed stats from games. This offseason, on the heels of an unexpected playoff unraveling, he upped the ante to include every practice and gamified it on flat screens in every meeting room. Players are suffocated by evaluation. They love it. And it’s said to have yielded better practices. “I just think that they understand when you go through the things that we’ve gone through,” Harbaugh said, “in terms of different games and things like that, they can see when we do those things well, most of the time the game’s not even close.” Buffalo’s training camp transparency has come in the form of HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” Transparency might be a reach — those five episodes didn’t reveal much, a far cry from the old “Hard Knocks.” Cameras didn’t give much credence to injuries effecting White or Bass, nor internal talent evaluation. One of the few highlights was an interview with NFL Network host Kyle Brandt in which Allen poetically described what a Super Bowl parade in Buffalo might look like: “Five degrees, brisk, rolling down, hearing the bus roll over all the salt and the ice …” It sounded similar to Kyle Hamilton’s “we want to get greedy” for a Super Bowl line from last week. All told, Baltimore has the better roster. EDGE: Ravens Prediction This game will live up to its billing. Both teams have a sour taste in their mouths, having spent all offseason eager to avenge. Both sides have MVP quarterbacks, voted on by their peers as top-three players in the NFL heading into this season. Both offenses return 10 of 11 players. And both defenses invested in upgrades by way of top draft picks and Pro Bowl players. It will play out closer to how their last regular-season meeting did than the playoffs. Baltimore thrashed a Buffalo team that was without several defensive starters. Expect the Ravens to capitalize in similar fashion in this meeting, even if the scoreboard margin isn’t so wide. Ravens 24, Bills 17. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The Ravens enter the season with lofty expectations from fans, themselves and sportsbooks. Baltimore, despite not having won a Super Bowl in over a decade, is the betting favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. That’s what happens when a team has an MVP candidate at quarterback in Lamar Jackson, a defense loaded with All-Pro talent like Kyle Hamilton and a highly regarded staff returning its coach (John Harbaugh), offensive coordinator (Todd Monken) and defensive coordinator (Zach Orr). “It’s 100% deserved,” Covers senior betting analyst Jason Logan told The Baltimore Sun in an interview. “The Ravens are one of the best two-way teams in the league.” FanDuel lists the Ravens and Eagles as co-favorites, with each team holding +700 odds to win the title. The Bills (+750), Chiefs (+850), Lions (+1200) and Packers (+1300) are close behind. “If someone handed me a ticket on Baltimore to win the Super Bowl, I would say, ‘Thank you,’” Logan said. Always the favorite? Baltimore opens the season against the Bills, and the Ravens are 1 1/2-point favorites. Earlier this month, the Ravens were short underdogs but key injuries for Buffalo have played a role in shifting the line. As of Week 1, the Ravens’ look poised to spend every week as the betting favorite. This could change, of course, if Baltimore suffers key injuries or falls short of initial expectations. But to start the season, the Ravens are expected to make a strong push for the best record in the NFL and the Super Bowl. FanDuel offers +8000 odds on the Ravens to go 17-0, and the sportsbook lists the Ravens at -120 to win 12 or more regular-season contests. Fans expect a similar win total. Some of the Ravens’ toughest early season tests — games with the Lions, Texans and Rams — all come in the friendly confines of M&T Bank Stadium. “I think Baltimore gets the benefit of having a lot of those tougher opponents having to come to them,” Logan said. Road tilts with the Bills, Chiefs, Bengals and Packers pose the most obvious threats for losses. Related Articles Ravens will be thin at key position in season opener against Bills Ravens vs. Bills staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s opener at Buffalo? Ravens vs. Bills scouting report for Week 1: Who has the edge? Ravens kicker Tyler Loop ready for debut: Milkshakes, ‘Hoosiers’ and process Ravens injury report: 2 key players expected to miss season opener Best bet For best bets related to Baltimore that don’t include Super Bowl futures, Logan suggests looking at the Ravens to simply win the AFC North. They’re a huge favorite in the division at -155 on FanDuel, but Logan has a hard time seeing anyone else taking the division crown. Cincinnati (+240) has defensive problems. Pittsburgh (+550) has an aging quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. And the Browns (+3000) might be one of the worst teams in the NFL. “It’s not a long-shot bet, but considering what this team can do and the different ways they can win games … for me, it’s a surefire winner,” Logan said. Baltimore’s season begins Sunday night against the Bills. 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 evening before the Ravens open their season against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, rookie kicker Tyler Loop will do what he always does: Have a cookies and cream milkshake. It’s a habit, Loop told The Baltimore Sun, that started during his freshman year of college at Arizona. The dining hall features an ice cream bar, so during team dinners on the eve of the next day’s game he would mix together ice cream, Oreos and milk. “It just kind of stuck,” he said with a boyish smile. The 24-year-old Texas native is confident that he will do the same in Baltimore, though it won’t be easy. M&T Bank Stadium is one of the windiest and therefore toughest venues to kick in across the NFL, long snapper Nick Moore told The Sun. Loop is also replacing the most accurate kicker in league history, Justin Tucker. The Ravens released Tucker, 35, after 13 seasons on May 5 after he made just 73% of his field goal attempts last season and more notably following accusations of sexual misconduct from more than 15 massage therapists. Just under two months later, the NFL suspended Tucker without pay for the first 10 weeks of the season following a months-long investigation. If Loop is feeling any pressure filling the shoes of one of the best to ever put foot to leather in the league, he isn’t showing it. At least not at the moment. Asked how he is feeling with his NFL debut looming, he said that he’s “excited.” He added that he also feels like he has already crossed that mental bridge. “It’s kind of the same; first regular-season game but it really felt like the Colts [game] was the same,” he said of the Ravens’ preseason opener last month. In many ways it is. Like the famous scene from the movie “Hoosiers,” Loop pointed out that the dimensions of the Bills’ field — 120 yards long, 53 1/2 wide — and its uprights — 18 feet, 6 inches wide — are the same as every stadium he has kicked in since college. “That’s the same thing it’s gonna be on Sunday,” he said. “Having that mindset of I’ve been kicking a football on a big stage since college and now in the NFL. It’s fun. “It’s the same game and it’s the same operation.” That operation is perhaps why Loop, a sixth-round pick and the first kicker to be drafted in Ravens history, has an added layer of confidence. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop watches the ball clear the uprights during training camp. Loop is the team's starting kicker after a stellar training camp and preseason. He says he's "excited" but not nervous about making his NFL debut against the Bills. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) From Moore to holder and punter Jordan Stout to the mechanics of the ball being snapped, Loop says that he has been able to develop a much more consistent process than he had during his college days. It has shown. During training camp, Loop beat out undrafted free agent John Hoyland and unofficially made 78 of his 84 field goal attempts before being named the starter Aug. 16. Across three preseason games, he made nine of 11 field goal attempts, including a 61-yarder against the Commanders in the preseason finale. The games will count from here forward, but the process doesn’t change. Though Loop said he isn’t much of a golfer, he does see the similarities between the two endeavors, including the need for a repeatable motion and honing in on the apex of his kicks. The Ravens even use Trackman, a popular ball-tracking device originally developed from military missile tracking systems, that uses Doppler radar and cameras to capture ball speed, launch angle and several other metrics. The farthest distance Stout has seen the Trackman record for one of Loop’s kicks, he said, is 78 yards. To unleash such power and accuracy, Loop, Moore and Stout have to be as rhythmic and precise as a three-man orchestra. It also took time — until about early in training camp — to dial into a process that was much different from Tucker’s. Moore told The Sun that the biggest difference between the two is that Tucker got his timing mechanism — the moment he started his kick — from watching the snap, which is unusual for most kickers, Moore said. Loop, he added, is more traditional, watching for when Stout’s back hand comes off the ground to catch the snap. There are other, nuanced differences as well. For example, once Moore, who likes to wait for the last second to grab the ball, gets set, he has to wait for Loop to move all the way over to his final spot. Once Loop is there, Moore knows he has “about five-ish seconds” before he has to snap the ball. “He takes more time at the back end of it,” Moore said. “Whereas Tuck, by the time he got to his last step, he was ready to go. With [Loop], once he’s all the way over and turns his body, then I’ll go.” Related Articles Ravens injury report: 2 key players expected to miss season opener READERS RESPOND: Fans expect Ravens to win 12 or more games in 2025 Staff picks for Week 1 of 2025 NFL season: Cowboys vs. Eagles, Chiefs vs. Chargers and more Mike Preston: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must grow up as a leader | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson get fresh start vs. Bills: ‘New season’ Stout then gets the nod from Loop, turns his head toward Moore, flashes his right hand at Moore, who then spins the ball to Stout, who puts it down with a slight lean. All of it happening in a few seconds and with marksmanship accuracy. “Overall I’ve been very happy with what we’ve done the last six weeks,” Moore said. “I’m confident going into Sunday.” And when successful, as it often has been so far, signs and chants of “Loop there it is” usually proliferate through the crowd in homage to the 1993 Tag Team hit song. “Oh gosh,” Loop says with a laugh. “It’s hilarious. “Sometimes if I get recognized in public, I’ll hear [it]. It’s fun. It’s something that my family likes to adopt and make jokes about. It’s been really cool to see Baltimore embrace me like that and made me feel very supported here.” Now all that’s left to see is if Loop will become a hit, too. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens will likely be without two key contributors for Sunday night’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills. Fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) and tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) both missed their third consecutive practice this week. However, cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and offensive lineman Daniel Faalele (illness) were upgraded to full participants Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Alexander is trending toward making his Ravens debut Sunday night after practicing twice this week. The 28-year-old cornerback has been nursing a knee injury all offseason. While coach John Harbaugh said that Likely was “a little ahead of schedule” Wednesday, the tight end’s initial timetable of a six-week recovery from foot surgery would hold him out of the season opener. Likely watched practice in street clothes, walking back into the building with defensive coordinator Zach Orr at the conclusion of practice. He talked with quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley in the locker room after practice. Ricard has not practiced since the middle of August, which means that he likely won’t appear against the Bills. The five-time Pro Bowl selection is dealing with a calf injury. Ricard, who’s played in 17 games each year since 2022, could potentially be replaced in the lineup by undrafted rookie Lucas Scott. Meanwhile, the Bills’ injury list is much lengthier. Kicker Tyler Bass (left hip/groin) did not practice Thursday after being limited the previous day. Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (Achilles tendon), cornerback Tre’Davious White (groin) and wide receiver Elijah Moore (personal) also did not practice Thursday. Carter was moved to injured reserve. The Bills added veteran kicker Matt Prater to the practice squad Thursday, so it seems likely that Bass will miss Sunday’s game. Coach Sean McDermott also said that White is working to play, but the veteran defensive back who spent half of last season with the Ravens has not practiced in the past two weeks. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir practiced fully for the second straight day and wideout Keon Coleman was a limited participant again with a groin injury. Cornerback Christian Benford was also upgraded to a full participant, meaning the Baltimore native will likely start Sunday night. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. Related Articles Ravens kicker Tyler Loop ready for debut: Milkshakes, ‘Hoosiers’ and process READERS RESPOND: Fans expect Ravens to win 12 or more games in 2025 Staff picks for Week 1 of 2025 NFL season: Cowboys vs. Eagles, Chiefs vs. Chargers and more Mike Preston: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must grow up as a leader | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson get fresh start vs. Bills: ‘New season’ View the full article

We asked readers how many games they think the Ravens will win during the 2025 regular season. Baltimore went 12-5 in 2024 after starting the season with consecutive losses. Entering 2025, the Ravens are considered a Super Bowl favorite by both national experts and sportsbooks. Fans feel similarly. Here are the results from our online poll: 12 or 13 wins — 54% (107 votes) 14 or more — 26% (52 votes) 10 or 11 — 17% (33 votes) 8 or 9 — 2% (4 votes) 7 or fewer — 2% (3 votes) Here’s what some fans told us about the Ravens’ 2025 outlook: (Answers have been edited for clarity and grammar.) Ravens always seem to start slow and lay a couple of eggs during the year. My head says 11 wins, but my heart says 13. We shall see if this is the year the Ravens get over the playoff hump. — Dale Summers The Ravens will go 17-0 with a first-round bye. Win the divisional playoff game vs. the Bills to move to 18-0. Then win the AFC championship game vs. the Chiefs to be 19-0. And then beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl to finish 20-0. History will repeat itself from the 1972 Dolphins. That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it. — Joe Barrett I hope enough to get to the Super Bowl so Lamar Jackson can get a ring that he deserves. — Pam With the weapons the Ravens have around Jackson, it’s the Super Bowl or bust. Anything less John Harbaugh should be fired. — Patrick A 10-7 record. Wild-card appearance. Bounced. Cancún. — Chris 13-4 and an AFC North three-peat. — Douglas Dapp Super Bowl or bust. — Keith Bridgeforth They have all the weapons they need. Probably the best secondary in the NFL. If they don’t do anything in the playoffs this season, there will have to be some big changes. — Richard Bearns II 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 Related Articles Staff picks for Week 1 of 2025 NFL season: Cowboys vs. Eagles, Chiefs vs. Chargers and more Mike Preston: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must grow up as a leader | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson get fresh start vs. Bills: ‘New season’ Ravens CB Jaire Alexander returns to practice ahead of opener against Bills Other NFL teams backed off, but the Ravens are backing Mike Green View the full article

Baltimore Sun staff writers and FOX45’s Patrice Sanders pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 1: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday, 8 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Eagles Sam Cohn: Eagles Mike Preston: Eagles Josh Tolentino: Eagles C.J. Doon: Eagles Bennett Conlin: Eagles Tim Schwartz: Eagles Patrice Sanders: Eagles Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (Friday, 8 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Chiefs Sam Cohn: Chiefs Mike Preston: Chiefs Josh Tolentino: Chiefs C.J. Doon: Chiefs Bennett Conlin: Chargers Tim Schwartz: Chiefs Patrice Sanders: Chiefs Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Buccaneers Sam Cohn: Buccaneers Mike Preston: Buccaneers Josh Tolentino: Buccaneers C.J. Doon: Falcons Bennett Conlin: Buccaneers Tim Schwartz: Buccaneers Patrice Sanders: Buccaneers Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson must grow up as a leader | COMMENTARY Ravens’ Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson get fresh start vs. Bills: ‘New season’ Ravens CB Jaire Alexander returns to practice ahead of opener against Bills Other NFL teams backed off, but the Ravens are backing Mike Green Maryland Stadium Authority deploying drones for Ravens game traffic Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Bengals Sam Cohn: Bengals Mike Preston: Bengals Josh Tolentino: Bengals C.J. Doon: Bengals Bennett Conlin: Bengals Tim Schwartz: Bengals Patrice Sanders: Bengals Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Colts Sam Cohn: Dolphins Mike Preston: Dolphins Josh Tolentino: Dolphins C.J. Doon: Dolphins Bennett Conlin: Colts Tim Schwartz: Dolphins Patrice Sanders: Dolphins Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Jaguars Sam Cohn: Jaguars Mike Preston: Jaguars Josh Tolentino: Jaguars C.J. Doon: Jaguars Bennett Conlin: Jaguars Tim Schwartz: Jaguars Patrice Sanders: Jaguars Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Patriots Sam Cohn: Patriots Mike Preston: Patriots Josh Tolentino: Patriots C.J. Doon: Raiders Bennett Conlin: Patriots Tim Schwartz: Raiders Patrice Sanders: Patriots Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Cardinals Sam Cohn: Cardinals Mike Preston: Cardinals Josh Tolentino: Cardinals C.J. Doon: Cardinals Bennett Conlin: Cardinals Tim Schwartz: Cardinals Patrice Sanders: Cardinals Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Steelers Sam Cohn: Steelers Mike Preston: Steelers Josh Tolentino: Steelers C.J. Doon: Steelers Bennett Conlin: Steelers Tim Schwartz: Jets Patrice Sanders: Jets New York Giants at Washington Commanders (Sunday, 1 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Commanders Sam Cohn: Commanders Mike Preston: Commanders Josh Tolentino: Commanders C.J. Doon: Commanders Bennett Conlin: Commanders Tim Schwartz: Commanders Patrice Sanders: Commanders Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Broncos Sam Cohn: Broncos Mike Preston: Broncos Josh Tolentino: Broncos C.J. Doon: Titans Bennett Conlin: Broncos Tim Schwartz: Broncos Patrice Sanders: Broncos San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m.) Brian Wacker: 49ers Sam Cohn: 49ers Mike Preston: 49ers Josh Tolentino: 49ers C.J. Doon: 49ers Bennett Conlin: 49ers Tim Schwartz: 49ers Patrice Sanders: 49ers Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Lions Sam Cohn: Packers Mike Preston: Packers Josh Tolentino: Lions C.J. Doon: Packers Bennett Conlin: Lions Tim Schwartz: Lions Patrice Sanders: Packers Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Rams Sam Cohn: Texans Mike Preston: Rams Josh Tolentino: Rams C.J. Doon: Texans Bennett Conlin: Rams Tim Schwartz: Rams Patrice Sanders: Rams Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (Monday, 8:15 p.m.) Brian Wacker: Vikings Sam Cohn: Vikings Mike Preston: Vikings Josh Tolentino: Vikings C.J. Doon: Bears Bennett Conlin: Vikings Tim Schwartz: Vikings Patrice Sanders: Bears Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

The only thing missing from Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s Pro Football Hall of Fame resume is a Super Bowl title. It’s also absent from other Hall of Fame quarterbacks like Fran Tarkenton, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. They are all enshrined in Canton, Ohio, but it’s the Lombardi Trophy that distinguishes the greats. Jackson is considered the best dual-threat quarterback in NFL history. In seven seasons, he has already rushed for 6,173 yards. No other quarterback is even close, not even former Falcons and Eagles star Michael Vick nor 49ers legend Steve Young, a three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer. So, what’s missing from Jackson’s game compared with other great ones before him? It’s called maturity, but not in a physical sense. The 28-year-old Jackson isn’t mean or vicious, but a kid locked in a grown man’s body, and that has to change to win a title. I grew up in the eras of great Baltimore quarterbacks like Johnny Unitas and Bert Jones. Of course, some will say that they were white and Jackson is Black, but race has nothing to do with it. It comes down to being a leader because that’s the nature of the position. Both Unitas and Jones were fiery competitors and never hesitated getting in the faces of teammates. As a franchise quarterback, Jackson has yet to accept that role, so a change is necessary. Instead of slamming his helmet down after a poor play or going into isolation on the sideline, he needs to rally his teammates because deeds can speak louder than words in tough situations. It was tough a year ago when the Ravens lost to Buffalo, 27-25, in the AFC divisional round. A leader shows up shortly afterward, once the emotions die down, but Jackson was barely seen at The Castle during the offseason. Leaders show up, not disappear. He was more vocal in training camp practices this summer, but that has to carry over into the season as well. The Ravens are to blame, too. The franchise hides behind those 3 p.m. summer training camp practices, but it’s a well-known fact that those sessions were scheduled later in the day because of Jackson’s habits. Here is another example: Last season, Jackson missed practice Wednesday and Thursday ahead of a Week 9 matchup against the Broncos after being listed on the injury report with knee and back issues, but Harbaugh said that the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player was just getting a “rest” day. Jackson then missed the team’s only full practice the following Tuesday ahead of a “Thursday Night Football” game against the Bengals but still played without any obvious limitations. Imagine that, a quarterback healthy enough to play not practicing on the most important day of the work week. Lamar Jackson is one of the NFL's most dynamic and entertaining quarterbacks, but he's yet to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) That goes hand-in-hand with him not checking his text messages or emails during offseason contract talks. In details from an arbitration hearing over a November 2022 grievance filed by the NFL Players Association against the NFL over concerns about teams colluding to limit fully guaranteed contracts, Jackson cited a broken microphone on his phone as a reason for difficulties in his previous negotiations with Baltimore in 2022 and 2023 before he signed a five-year, $260 million contract with $135 million fully guaranteed. Coach John Harbaugh shared a revealing sentiment after the Ravens’ final preseason game against Washington last month. When asked whether Jackson was going to practice after exiting a previous session early with an apparent injury, Harbaugh said that he would, “unless he doesn’t want to,” which drew laughs from the reporters in Landover. “He is Lamar,” Harbaugh joked. Standards change for different players, especially quarterbacks, but this has been extreme. In the past, the Ravens had veterans who would fill leadership roles. During their 2000 championship season, defensive linemen like the late Tony Siragusa, Sam Adams, Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett and safety Rod Woodson ran the team. Twelve years later, middle linebacker Ray Lewis, safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard and receiver Anquan Boldin accepted the mantle that was passed on as the Ravens won another title. There is a void on this 2025 team of charismatic or dominant personalities. A year ago, we saw Buffalo toning down quarterback Josh Allen in the postseason. The Bills rushed for 147 yards against Baltimore and Buffalo kept Allen under control as he completed 16 of 22 passes for only 127 yards but had two short touchdown runs. Meanwhile, Jackson completed 18 of 25 passes for 254 yards, but his fumble and interception lead to a 21-10 deficit at the half. Ravens running back Derrick Henry became a nonfactor after rushing for 1,921 yards during the regular season. In 2024, Jackson got so caught up in trying to outduel Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the AFC championship game that he failed to execute several run-pass option plays that would have hurt Kansas City. Instead, the Ravens hurt themselves, losing 17-10 at home. Baltimore has committed three turnovers in each of its past two playoff losses. It’s a mind game. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Bills safety Damar Hamlin in the 2024 postseason. Jackson's recent playoff performances have included turnover-fueled defeats. (Frank Franklin II/AP) The Ravens have to keep Jackson focused for three or four straight games to reach or possibly win the Super Bowl. In the playoffs, attention to the finer details are a major key and Jackson has yet to focus for four full quarters in any playoff game. The term “locked in” is more than a phrase. It’s been incredible to watch Jackson’s progress during the past seven years. Remember when he would scramble without a purpose? Now, he looks to buy more time to find a receiver. He previously had to roll to his right because he couldn’t throw to his left, but that wasn’t a problem during training camp this year. Years ago, he was criticized for not having touch on the long ball and that has improved, even though there needs to be more consistency. Related Articles Staff picks for Week 1 of 2025 NFL season: Cowboys vs. Eagles, Chiefs vs. Chargers and more Ravens’ Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson get fresh start vs. Bills: ‘New season’ Ravens CB Jaire Alexander returns to practice ahead of opener against Bills Other NFL teams backed off, but the Ravens are backing Mike Green Maryland Stadium Authority deploying drones for Ravens game traffic As a passer, Jackson can make every throw imaginable. As a runner, there are no quarterback comparisons. Only two running backs in the modern era, Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers and former Detroit Lions star Barry Sanders, have been able to make cuts and change directions running at full speed like Jackson can. But like Marino, Tarkenton and Kelly before him, Jackson is missing the title that has eluded him, one that he promised this city when former general manager Ozzie Newsome selected him as the last player in the first round of the 2018 draft. Since then, Jackson is 3-5 in the postseason. A Super Bowl win further legitimizes his greatness, as it did for Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway when he won titles in 1998 and 1999. Now, it’s Jackson’s turn to win, but growing up has to come first. He has to carry this team both mentally and physically. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Mark Andrews’ brow furrowed. An intensity shot from his eyes like a laser. The Ravens tight end knew what was coming Wednesday afternoon in Owings Mills and he wasn’t having any of it. “At the end of the day this is a new season,” he said, his tone and brevity speaking louder than his words. “For me, it’s just looking at it as two really good teams going against each other.” It is, of course, much more than that. Baltimore will open its 2025 season on Sunday night where its 2024 playoff run ended, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, against the Buffalo Bills. Put another way, it’s like an art thief who fumbled the Mona Lisa walking out of the Louvre returning to the scene of the crime eight months later. Only it was Andrews, along with quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, who were the central figures in this cast. In that dispiriting 27-25 divisional round defeat at the hands of the Bills, Andrews had a costly fourth quarter fumble and dropped would-be game-tying 2-point conversion with 93 seconds remaining. Jackson added to his and Baltimore’s postseason foibles with a fumble and an interception as well. So how does one get over such mental hurdles and clear the next in a showdown that pits two of the AFC’s best teams against one another with playoff implications potentially determined months from now? “I’m a pro,” Andrews, who will turn 30 Saturday and is in the last year of his contract with the Ravens, said. “This is my whole entire world. “For me, it’s about focusing, doing my job and just knowing the type of player I can be in this offense and for this organization and for this city. I’ve never lost sight of that.” Those around the three-time Pro Bowl selection aren’t worried, either. “[He’s] the same guy,” Jackson said. “Nothing has changed.” “I think he’ll handle it great,” coach John Harbaugh said. “Mark’s a pro. He’s been doing this a long time, he’s been in a lot of tough stadiums, a lot of tough environments to play football.” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews reacts after dropping the game-tying two-point conversion against the Bills in the AFC playoffs. Andrews says he's focused on this season, not the heartbreak of the past year's postseason, entering Sunday's game in Buffalo. (Adrian Kraus/AP) Added left tackle Ronnie Stanley, the longest tenured player on the team: “I know the type of competitor Mark is, and he’s not going to let one moment, one bad thing [that] happened to set him back. He’s a true warrior. He’s going to push forward through those moments, and I know he’s excited to prove himself and everyone else that he’s still that guy.” Jackson’s thought process is even less complex on the matter. Asked what the keys to avoiding a similar outcome in the highly anticipated rematch are, he said, “Don’t turn the ball over, finish drives, put our team in a great position to win. That’s all. “It’s just like another game. Just trying to win. I don’t look at no opponent like we gotta beat them. I feel like we gotta beat everybody.” Starting with not beating themselves. If someone from another planet landed on earth, knew nothing about football and perused most of the details of the box score from that snowy January night save for the final score, there’s a good chance they would come away thinking the Ravens won in a rout. Almost all of the statistical differences were that stark. Baltimore had more total yards (416-273), passing yards (240-126), rushing yards (176-147), yards per play (7.3-4.6), yards per pass (8.9-5.5), yards per rush (5.9-4.1), first downs (23-20), converted 7 of 10 third downs to Buffalo’s 5 of 11 and didn’t have a single punt. Eventually though, an ugly and familiar truth would emerge: The Ravens turned the ball over three times, the Bills none. Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard strips the ball from Ravens tight end Mark Andrews during the fourth quarter of an AFC divisional-round playoff game this past season. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) It wasn’t just that Baltimore couldn’t hold onto the ball on the chilly, slippery evening; it was what happened as a result and the moments bear repeating. Jackson getting strip-sacked in the second quarter at the Bills’ 34-yard line not only ended the chance for Baltimore to forge ahead, it helped set up Buffalo’s second touchdown to go up 14-7. Andrews’ fumble at the Bills’ 44 with just under 9 minutes to go in the fourth quarter not only killed another drive, it led to a field goal that ended up being the decisive score. And when Jackson was intercepted on a deep pass intended for Rashod Bateman that ended up instead in the awaiting arms of safety Taylor Rapp — the only turnover that didn’t lead to points for the Bills — it was because he threw off his back foot to the wrong part of the field while under duress. While the Bills blitzed 15 times on Jackson’s 31 pass attempts, generating nine pressures when bringing at least one extra defender, Baltimore’s defense barely breathed on Bills quarterback Josh Allen. After tallying the second-most sacks in the league during the regular season, it was another departure from the norm in the postseason for Baltimore. The same was true of its run defense, which was gashed for 147 yards and three scores, a point not forgotten by Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith. When he was asked the key to slowing the Bills, he said it starts with “stopping the run, making the guys one dimensional.” “When you do that, things can go a different direction,” he said. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike concurred. “Their backs are really shifty, [so] making them one dimensional, making the QB very uncomfortable,” he said. “When he’s very, very uncomfortable, he starts to do things that are unorthodox of him. So, we want to put him in spots that are very tight and that are very uncomfortable so we can capitalize on those opportunities.” If there is a silver lining for the Ravens, it’s that they have looked comfortable in the regular season. Related Articles Ravens CB Jaire Alexander returns to practice ahead of opener against Bills Other NFL teams backed off, but the Ravens are backing Mike Green Maryland Stadium Authority deploying drones for Ravens game traffic What’s new on M&T Bank Stadium’s $5-and-under menu? Watch ‘Overtime’ of Ep. 2 of the Bmore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law In last season’s opener against the Chiefs in a rematch of the 2024 AFC title game, Baltimore came within an Isaiah Likely toenail of potentially tying — or potentially winning — the game at the buzzer. What will it be like facing the Bills in a similar scenario on Sunday night? “It’s going to be a great motivation,” Madubuike said. “Definitely, you want to get that bad taste out of your mouth from the last game that we played.” Stanley acknowledged there has also been a quiet intensity bubbling under the surface within the team this week. “That team sent us home out of the playoffs, so I don’t think it’s just [like] going into a normal game, per se,” he said. What’s required to bounce back? To vanquish the ghosts of playoffs past and take the first step toward what the Ravens hope to be an eventual run to the Super Bowl? “It’s the guys that you have coming back,” Andrews said. “What type of guys do you have in the locker room? Are they guys that are looking toward the end goal? Are they focused? Are they someone that gets down on themselves? “I don’t think that’s the type of group that we have is people that get down.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens enter the season mostly healthy, as only two starters missed practice Wednesday in the lead-up to Sunday night’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills. Fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) and tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) were absent, while cornerback Jaire Alexander returned to the field after not practicing for over a month. Alexander (knee) last practiced Aug. 9 and looked healthy Wednesday, as he appeared to not be wearing a brace or wrap on his knee. The 28-year-old two-time Pro Bowl selection participated in some drills and worked off to the side in others. Coach John Harbaugh said that the Ravens will “see how it goes this week” when asked about Alexander’s availability for Sunday. Right guard Daniel Faalele was also limited Wednesday with an illness but is expected to play Sunday. Likely is not expected to play in Week 1 after having surgery to fix a small fracture in his foot last month. His initial timetable of a six-week recovery would hypothetically hold him out of the season opener. Harbaugh did not comment on Likely’s status Monday but said Wednesday that the 25-year-old is a little ahead of schedule. The Bills, meanwhile, could be missing several key contributors. While cornerback Christian Benford returned to practice Wednesday after being held out with an undisclosed issue, cornerback Tre’Davious White missed another practice. Benford, a Baltimore native, had 64 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and 10 passes defended last season and was rated among the best cornerbacks in football. White, the 30-year-old former All-Pro who was acquired by the Ravens last season in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, was expected to start opposite Benford. Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston was placed on injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss Sunday’s game, and defensive tackle DeWayne Carter is out for the year after tearing his Achilles tendon last week. Kicker Tyler Bass (pelvis) and wide receiver Keon Coleman (groin) were also limited at practice Wednesday. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) was a full participant. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

Andy Linn’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing. In the months leading up to this year’s NFL draft, about 20 different teams called the longtime Lafayette High School football coach to grill him about one of his former players, Mike Green. The Los Angeles Rams, Linn said, even sent an official to his Williamsburg, Virginia, office, where the two men spoke for 90 minutes. “I was getting phone call after phone call,” Linn told The Baltimore Sun, adding that he also fielded inquiries from the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders, among others. He also said that “about 85%” of the questions he fielded centered on the outside linebacker’s character. “The funny thing is, I never talked to the Ravens.” That officials from Baltimore did not call the high school coach of a player the organization ended up later selecting in the second round this past April was not overly unusual. What was unusual in this circumstance, of course, was that during the NFL scouting combine in February, Green said that he had previously faced two accusations of sexual assault. One of those came in the spring of his senior year in high school. The other took place during his freshman year at the University of Virginia in 2022 when he said an “anonymous” report was filed against him. Because Green had a prior allegation against him, he had signed a “zero tolerance” agreement with the school. Green said that he was suspended by Virginia in 2022 before transferring to Marshall in 2023. But even though Green was never charged, has denied the allegations and said he had “done nothing wrong,” several teams that had investigated and interviewed the explosive 6-foot-3, 250-pound pass rusher who led college football with 17 sacks last season decided to take him off their draft board. In short, many of them had found his explanations for the accusations unsatisfactory. “There were some teams that came in and said we’re not gonna be able to touch him, and I understood that,” Green’s former coach at Marshall, Charles Huff, told The Sun. “Mike and I had a conversation at the beginning of the year and I told him this is the reality of it and this is the world you’re gonna live in. You have to be prepared for the repercussions of your decisions. Whether it was right, wrong or indifferent. It happened.” What exactly happened is also unclear. Neither Linn nor Huff went into detail about the two alleged incidents, though both summed each up to Green putting himself in the wrong position at the wrong time. Elliott, who was in his first year as Virginia’s coach when Green was a freshman, also declined to be interviewed through a spokesperson, who said in an email only that there is “no ill will towards Mike from the current staff and they wish him nothing but the best as he starts his professional career.” The email noted that Elliott’s staff did not recruit Green. Charlottesville Police also declined to release a police report that was filed in August 2022 and the investigation into the incident has been suspended. The Ravens did their own investigating, too. They reached out to Huff, among others. General manager Eric DeCosta said that he spent 90 minutes in his office with Green prior to the draft. “The allegations are severe,” DeCosta said after the second round of the draft. “We take it seriously. We look at them individually, and we do as much homework as we can, and specifically to Mike, in Mike’s case, I feel like we did a good job talking to as many people as possible. We talked to Mike at length, we did our own kind of work behind the scenes, looking at all the different things, and we felt comfortable taking him.” Ravens defensive end Mike Green, shown speaking at the NFL scouting combine, is expected to play an important role for the team as a rookie. Green was drafted in the second round after sexual misconduct allegations hurt his draft stock. (Michael Conroy/AP) Coach John Harbaugh, who said he was not in Owings Mills the day Green met with DeCosta, echoed similar sentiments. The organization was also in the midst of eventually parting ways with Justin Tucker after the kicker faced sexual misconduct allegations from more than 15 massage therapists and was later suspended 10 weeks by the NFL. “The coaches and administrators and teammates at Marshall were fully supportive of everything he had done there, and same at UVA,” he said. “So you talk about due diligence, it was exhaustive — what these guys have done — and we made a decision based on what we felt was fair.” When it comes to Green’s tantalizing abilities on the field, there have been far fewer questions and plenty of answers, at least so far. “He plays with kind of a relentless mindset,” said Ravens outside linebackers coach Matt Robinson, adding that Green really “pops” on tape. “He is tenacious at the point of attack. I think you guys have seen it in the games, his ability to affect the play pretty much every time he’s in there. He is going to set a violent edge, get pressure on the quarterback.” That was evident in training camp and over the past month. In one particular practice in June, he read a bootleg from backup quarterback Cooper Rush, cut underneath the receiver’s route and intercepted the pass in the flat. Across three preseason games, he finished with six pressures, per Pro Football Focus, including three in his debut against the Indianapolis Colts, and six tackles. Green has impressed coaches, teammates and even those outside the building. “He threw every kind of pass rush move you could throw at somebody,” Brian Baldinger said on NFL Network following Green’s debut against the Colts. “He had no fear. “Sometimes it takes a rookie defensive lineman a redshirt year to figure it out. But I’m not going to be surprised if he succeeds this year with his ability right now.” Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith has praised Green’s effort, said that he has “a great grasp for the defense” and that he is “everything he was advertised to be.” Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has touted Green’s get-off and said he expects him to be a valuable and significant part of a Baltimore defense that last season finished second in the NFL in sacks and two years ago captured the triple crown, leading the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed. “He is a dog,” Green’s fellow outside linebacker Odafe Oweh said. “He gets after it. … So yes, he’s good. A twitchy guy, just puts his head down and works, picks up things fast, does things within the defense, [does] what he’s told to do and still makes flashy plays, and he’s physical. So, the sky’s the limit for him.” Second-year outside linebacker Tavius Robinson, who has become a confidant if not mentor to Green, said that the rookie has been on top of the details of the defense since “Day One.” “He’s on his playbook. He’s taking great notes every day,” Robinson said. “We sit beside each other, so really proud of him and the strides he’s taken from OTAs to now. He has that dog mentality, and he’s going to be a dog for sure.” Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green looks at fullback Lucas Scott during practice prior to the Ravens' Week 1 game against the Bills. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Green should also be a good fit amid a defense that looks to cause chaos at every opportunity. Last season, Oweh and Kyle Van Noy had career highs in sacks with 10 and 12 1/2, respectively. Whether either player can replicate those numbers remains to be seen, but Green’s addition should only help. Huff, who is now at Southern Mississippi, said that when he was at Marshall, defensive coordinator Jason Semore used to show clips of Baltimore’s defense during installs. The verbiage and concepts were also similar. There is also the belief from Linn and Huff that Green has a track record of learning from hard lessons along his journey, off the field and on it. That includes from a specific practice at Marshall: Oct. 17, 2024. That was the day, Huff said, that Green took his practice habits to “another level.” Afterward, the coach texted his pupil clips of the practice and told him that “this is the guy that will get drafted.” Related Articles Maryland Stadium Authority deploying drones for Ravens game traffic What’s new on M&T Bank Stadium’s $5-and-under menu? Watch ‘Overtime’ of Ep. 2 of the Bmore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law Ravens eager for Year 3 of Todd Monken: ‘I’ll do anything to score points’ Watch Episode 2 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law “He said, ‘Don’t worry, that guy’s never leaving,'” Huff said, adding that Green wrote the date on his mirror as a daily reminder. “It’s what made the difference.” Months later, after the Ravens had drafted Green, Linn called his former player to congratulate him. He also wanted to pass along a message. “I told him this is just the beginning,” Linn said. “Now the real work starts. “He’s a very grateful person. He’s very grateful for the opportunity and I don’t think it’s one he’s going to waste.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Maryland Stadium Authority board member Joseph Bryce raised concerns Tuesday about heavy traffic getting into M&T Bank Stadium on Ravens’ game days. Bryce said it took him and other fans more than an hour to reach Lot B before the Ravens’ Aug. 7 preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. In response, Vernon J. Conaway Jr., the MSA’s vice president for public safety and security, said the agency is turning to technology to help ease congestion. A licensed drone operator will be hired this season to survey post-game traffic patterns and make real-time adjustments in coordination with city transportation officials and police. “We’ve been working with DOT and the police to figure out improvements to the overall traffic plan around the stadium,” Conaway said at the agency’s monthly meeting. “One of the things we will be doing this season is operating a drone to survey and monitor traffic around the stadium, mainly to fill in some of the gaps where we don’t have camera coverage from CitiWatch cameras to get a better perspective of the intersections.” On the security front, Conaway assured MSA Chairman Craig A. Thompson that his team is better prepared to handle unauthorized drones flying over the stadium during games. Last year, the Ravens dealt with several incidents involving drones in restricted airspace. MSA data shows that eight temporary flight restriction violations and unauthorized drone flights occurred during the Ravens’ five regular-season home games in 2024. No incidents were reported during the final two months of the season. Federal law prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying within a three-mile radius of stadiums with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more during NFL, MLB, NCAA Division I football, and major motor speedway events, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. “I feel good after the last couple of years, the kind of trial by fire,” Conaway said. “Each one of those incidents gave us an opportunity to reevaluate our response plans. We have dedicated law enforcement officers who are trained in the drone laws, who will respond to the location of any drone operator. Software will track and monitor the airspace for drones that fly in violation of the FAA’s TFR. So I feel very good about our response plan.” In addition, the MSA is keeping tighter restrictions on unlicensed merchandisers around the stadium. Under Maryland law, selling illegal merchandise is a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $500 upon conviction. “Like last year, for this season we are bringing in the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, who will work on vending enforcement around the stadium to target unlicensed vendors selling merchandise in prohibited areas,” Conaway said. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich. View the full article

Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium is making some additions to its budget-friendly menu. Since 2018, the Ravens stadium, located at 1101 Russell St., has offered a “Flock Friendly Fare value menu” during football season, with items for $5 and under. This year, the venue will sell 11 food options across all levels of the stadium . “We regularly evaluate fan feedback to enhance the M&T Bank Stadium gameday experience and ensure it reflects what our fans value most,” said Chris Inouye, Ravens vice president of retail and food and beverage operations, in a Tuesday news release. “The newly-expanded Flock Friendly Fare menu was designed with affordability in mind, featuring high-quality fan favorites alongside several exciting new additions. We’re pleased to offer these options stadium-wide, giving fans convenient access to concessions without missing game action.” New bites on the menu include house-made kettle chips with a proprietary “Blackbird” spice blend for $2.49, as well as a barbecue chicken sandwich for $4.99. Additionally, 12-ounce beers will have $2 shaved off their price tags this season, now being listed for $4.99. Also getting an upgrade this year are the stadium’s $3.49 hot dogs, which are now “a new premium all-beef natural casing frank from Bovine & Swine,” according to the release. “We strive to make every detail unique and authentic to Ravens fans,” said Adam Lizak, executive chef of M&T Bank Stadium hospitality company Hospitality Evermore. “The Ravens Flock is going to feast, and we can’t wait for kickoff.” Have a news tip? Contact Jane Godiner at jgodiner@baltsun.com or on Instagram as @JaneCraves. View the full article

Watch the “Overtime” segment of the second episode of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law. The longtime sports columnist answers reader questions from Baltimore Sun subscribers. Missed the second episode of the pod? Watch here. Have a question for Preston about the Ravens? Message us at sports@baltsun.com. You can watch the BMore Football Podcast weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

At a microscopic level, the lines look like routes in the Ravens’ offense. Zoom out, and the creases and furrows around coordinator Todd Monken’s eyes shape a lifetime spent in the game. It’s all the 59-year old has ever known. “When I look at a football field, I think about it’s been my life,” he told The Baltimore Sun. “I’ve been part of a team since I’ve been 5 years old.” That’s not all Monken sees as he gazes toward a 120-yard long, 53 1/3-yard wide patch of grass. “I see opportunity,” he continues. “I see grass. I see space. But more importantly I dream of great players, because that makes [crap] a lot more fun.” To play in Monken’s scheme is as much that as it has been staggeringly historic. In 2024, Baltimore became the first team in NFL history to top 4,000 yards passing and 3,000 rushing in the same season. It led the league in yards per game (424.9) and was tops in offensive defense-adjusted value over average (35.1%), per FTN Fantasy. Quarterback Lamar Jackson had career highs in passing yards (4,172) and touchdown passes (41), while running back Derrick Henry boasted a career best in yards per carry (5.9) en route to the second-most rushing yards (1,921) in the NFL. The year before, in Monken’s first year as the architect of the Ravens’ offense, Jackson won his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award and Baltimore reached the AFC championship game. All of which begs the question, what will the third act provide? As Jackson is fond of saying, the “sky’s the limit” when it comes to the offense. Monken also believes his quarterback is just “scratching the surface.” “It started [to jell] last year after the first year in the offseason with [Harbaugh] saying here’s what we did, here’s what I think is us,” Monken told The Sun. “Where do we take this to 2.0 and where do we take for this Lamar?” Jackson’s view? Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken takes questions after an August practice. Monken enters his third year leading the Ravens' historic offense. (Kim Hairston/Staff) “I’m pretty much knowing what coach thinks,” he said of Monken. “He wants me to do certain things the way he has designed them. We just have to follow suit, and it is pretty good. Just piggyback off of each other.” That, along with more nuanced changes, could lead to even greater heights for the offense. Zay Flowers, fresh off being the organization’s first wide receiver selected to a Pro Bowl after 1,059 yards and four receiving touchdowns on 74 catches, got faster this offseason running hills in a weighted vest all summer. Henry is entering his second season in the scheme and that much “more comfortable” with the offense. The Ravens also added three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who, even at age 33 remains a crafty route runner with elite hands, particularly in contested catch situations. And the offensive line is ostensibly intact from a year ago with left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum coming off Pro Bowl seasons. With everything built around Jackson, Monken says, the quarterback has been more vocal and intentional as well. It hasn’t gone unnoticed by others, too. “It’s the attention to detail and getting things exactly the way he wants it,” quarterbacks coach Tee Martin said. “Whether it’s a route, whether it’s a protection, he checks to something [and thinks], ‘Could I have checked to something different?’ The conversation has more depth, and it’s good to see that. It makes for great conversations in our meetings, and it makes for growth in our system, because sometimes he suggests things that, as coaches, we see it one way, but he’s the quarterback out there playing, and so we listen to him. “Todd has done a great job of taking his suggestions and implementing them into our system, whether it’s a play or just a way to tweak a play.” Monken also a lot of hands to feed, though. Add in receiver Rashod Bateman, who is coming off career highs in touchdowns (nine) and receiving yards (756), tight ends Mark Andrews and the ascending Isaiah Likely and he is suddenly faced with a math problem. There is only one football to go around. “That’s hard,” Monken said of balancing the distribution. “But it’s a great problem to have. “I think our players have done a great job of understanding this — that they’re going to get theirs over the course of a season. But there’s no guarantee that’s going to happen every week … especially at the skill spots.” Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman runs during camp. Bateman is one of several wide receivers expected to contribute in 2025. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) From where he sits — literally, up in the booth during games, and figuratively as one of the sport’s more creative minds — it doesn’t matter who touches the ball. “I like to think I’m relatively flexible,” he says. “I’m not so stuck where we don’t do that. No, no. No, no, no. I’ll do anything to score points. I’ll do anything to get in the damn end zone. “Now, we better be damn efficient at it and we better be damn good at it, but to say that’s not us? No that is us, whatever it takes to score.” Leaning on long experience helps. Monken comes from a family of coaches. His late father, Bob, who died last August after a long bout with Parkinson’s, coached for 30 years at Lake Park High in Illinois, where as a young boy Todd would saddle up to watch his father’s practices. His cousin, Jeff, is the coach at Army. His brothers and uncles are also coaches. “We talk a lot of football,” Jeff Monken told The Sun. “Probably our whole life our conversations have been about football.” That included when the two were drawing up plays in sandlot games during their formative days in Illinois, where they grew up about 30 minutes apart. “He’s got a great mind in terms of developing scheme and calling the right plays at the right time recognizing what can and will be successful,” Jeff continued, adding that he has even borrowed from his older cousin when designing his plays. Jeff also knows another side of Todd, one that has come in handy in Baltimore on more than a few occasions. “He’s very funny and very witty,” Jeff says. “He’s always got a one-liner or a comeback.” It’s that ability as a play caller coupled with an engaging personality in front of the camera and behind closed doors that has made him a coaching candidate each of the past two years. Monken has interviewed with the Bears, Jaguars and Raiders in that span. His only head coaching job, however, remains Southern Mississippi from 2013 to 2015. Related Articles Watch Episode 2 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law READER POLL: How many games will the Ravens win this season? Inside Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s latest evolution: ‘We need to be intentional’ Mike Preston: Ravens leaders should be prepared for some drama | COMMENTARY Ravens QB Lamar Jackson didn’t speak up. He’s ‘not having that this year.’ With coaches skewing younger seemingly every year, Monken’s odds of landing a head coaching job perhaps grow longer by the season, but he’s not worried about that now. A rematch against the Bills, who knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs in January, awaits Sunday night at Highmark Stadium. That’s where opportunity begins again, for Baltimore and for Monken. “We’ve got these core principles of what wins,” he said. “Not turning it over, being explosive, being physical up front, scoring touchdowns in the red zone, conversions on third and fourth downs. If you follow these things you’re going to win and you’re going to be really good on offense. You put your brain power into these areas that win. “Well, at least you try to, but sometimes you [mess] it up.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, right, speaks with wide receiver Anthony Miller, left, during training camp. Monken helped the Ravens lead the NFL in yards per game in 2024. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

Episode 2 of the BMore Football Podcast with The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston and Jerry Coleman presented by Rice Law is here. You can watch it weekly, posting every Tuesday during the NFL season on YouTube and The Baltimore Sun, and listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and iHeart. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The Ravens kick off their 2025 season this weekend against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York, with a national audience tuning in to the playoff rematch on “Sunday Night Football.” Baltimore enters the year with high expectations — Super Bowl favorites, according to several sportsbooks — as it features one of its best rosters in franchise history, headlined by two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and quarterback Lamar Jackson. How many games will the Ravens win this season? We want to hear from you. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

Inside the Ravens’ facility in Owings Mills and amid a $20 million renovation this past offseason, a pair of 110-inch television screens grace two matte charcoal walls in between a pair of slick glass doors that lead to an airy and light-filled training room adjacent to the team’s locker room. At any given time, the day’s practice is replayed on them with cutaways to the afternoon’s leaders in hyper-specific categories. EXPLOSION PLAYS, BLOCK DESTRUCTION, BALL SECURITY, to name a few of the half-dozen or so “impactful” metrics being charted, the results blasted throughout the sanctum for players to unavoidably see where they stand on the leaderboard that tracks daily progress, from every practice and each game. “We haven’t accomplished what we want to accomplish,” coach John Harbaugh said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun ahead of the 2025 season. “We need to find a way to do it better. “The word we came up with was intentionality. We need to be intentional,” he adds, leaning in, eyes widening, voice deepening, “about everything … at the highest possible level. Turnovers in the playoffs have been something, so let’s start with that.” First, start with the man in charge of the operation. Staying power Born in 1962 to Jack and Jackie and with football in his blood, Harbaugh is actually an anomaly in today’s NFL, where the average age of this year’s head coaches is just 47.7, the lowest mark in a quarter century. Entering his 18th season at the helm in Baltimore — which makes him the second-longest tenured coach behind only Pittsburgh Steelers rival Mike Tomlin in a league whose acronym often stands for “Not For Long” — Harbaugh will turn 63 on Sept. 22. Yet, he persists. It’s not by accident nor necessarily undeserved. Since owner Steve Bisciotti tapped Harbaugh (his second choice at the time) to replace Brian Billick in 2008, the Ravens are 172-104 in the regular season, have reached the postseason 12 times (including in six of the past seven years) and finished with a losing record only twice. In that span, only the Kansas City Chiefs’ Andy Reid and former New England Patriots czar Bill Belichick have won more games. Baltimore has also made it to the divisional round 10 times, appeared in four AFC championship games and reached the Super Bowl once, capturing the organization’s second Vince Lombardi Trophy in February 2013 with a victory over the San Francisco 49ers and Harbaugh’s younger brother Jim. There’s also a noticeable blotch on the otherwise impressive resume: The Ravens are 13-11 in the playoffs under Harbaugh, which includes two painful if not familiar playoff defeats each of the past two seasons and just a 4-7 mark in the postseason since their last Super Bowl appearance. Related Articles Mike Preston: Ravens leaders should be prepared for some drama | COMMENTARY Ravens QB Lamar Jackson didn’t speak up. He’s ‘not having that this year.’ The Ravens’ defense wants to be feared. History is the standard. With Kyle Hamilton contract done, where are Ravens with QB Lamar Jackson? Mike Preston: The Steelers pose a threat to the Ravens | COMMENTARY So while Harbaugh, Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta retreated to Bisciotti’s Jupiter Island home in South Florida for their annual debriefing in the weeks after a brutal loss to the Bills on a patch of snow-covered turf in Orchard Park, New York, in January, some wondered about the future of Harbaugh, who was set to enter the final year of his contract. Owner and coach had come too far, though, and in late March the winningest coach in Ravens history signed a three-year extension that will keep him in Baltimore through 2028, though perhaps with a caveat. “I want to win now,” Bisciotti, who hasn’t spoken with local reporters since the spring of 2022, told the team’s website during this year’s NFL owners meetings just days after extending Harbaugh. “I want to win with these guys.” Most notably, Harbaugh and quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson. “We’ve got a window with Lamar,” Bisciotti continued. “I know what we can do. I know that we worked to put ourselves in position to win. We all get credit for that. That’s all you can do.” ‘Keep it movin’’ A big part of why Harbaugh has survived this long with the same team — aside from his closeness with Bisciotti and savviness as a coach — is his malleability in a landscape that has continued to shift. In his early years, he guided the Ravens to success and eventually a championship with a balanced, pro-style offense that played to quarterback Joe Flacco’s strengths and paired with a defense that was as punishing as it was complex in its use of multiple (read: confusing) looks and pressures. In 2019, a year after the Ravens drafted Jackson, Harbaugh replaced offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg with Greg Roman, a master at scheming up a potent rushing attack who was able to maximize the quarterback’s unique abilities as a runner. Baltimore went 14-2 during the regular season, and Jackson was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Ravens coach John Harbaugh talks with running back Derrick Henry during practice. Despite changing offensive coordinators, the Ravens' offense has remained elite with Lamar Jackson at the helm. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Then, in 2023, with the need to modernize again, Harbaugh parted ways with Roman and hired Todd Monken, the architect of one of the most prolific offenses in college at Georgia, where he helped the Bulldogs win a pair of national championships. Jackson won his second MVP Award, led Baltimore to the AFC title game then and followed that last season with career highs in passing yards and touchdown passes to earn first-team All-Pro honors. “It starts with our scheme,” Harbaugh said when asked how he has tried to avoid his voice becoming stale. “You gotta keep it movin’. There’s a lot of coaches that can coach a system, coach a scheme, have success for a few years. This league is unforgiving. People catch up with you. So you’re always going to be chasing the scheme, evolving it or re-volving it, going back to something you did before.” Not afraid to change Once again this offseason, Harbaugh needed to pivot. After the Ravens ranked 31st in passing yards allowed per game, Harbaugh fired longtime assistant and pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt and parted ways with senior adviser Dean Pees, whom he’d brought in five games into last season to stanch a leaky secondary. He also let go of inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone after just one season, too, unhappy with the way the middle of the field was also getting scorched. In their place, he brought back longtime assistant and former Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who was Baltimore’s defensive coordinator in 2011 when the Ravens ranked fourth in pass defense, as senior secondary coach. His long experience, he figures, should pair well with second-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Harbaugh also hired rising college assistant Tyler Santucci as his inside linebackers coach, hopeful that his knowledge and attention to detail can have a similar impact as it did at Georgia Tech and Duke. Other changes have permeated as well. After a league-high 140 penalties last season — more than 30% of which came before the snap — Harbaugh over the spring and summer harped on the problem. He did so by having the team often begin practice by focusing on the mechanics of the operation — substitutions, communication, snap count, checking the play, defensive adjustments — without actually running the play. On the personnel side, Baltimore beefed up its secondary with the additions of rookie first-round safety Malaki Starks and free agent cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie with an eye toward perhaps more aggressive man coverage as opposed to the bend-but-don’t-break Tampa 2 zone. The Ravens also drafted talented but controversial edge rusher Mike Green, who fell to the second round amid two sexual assault allegations, to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks, something Harbaugh is optimistic about. He also had to navigate the sexual misconduct allegations from more than 15 massage therapists against the team’s longest tenured player and the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Justin Tucker. In the end, the voluminous and disturbing accusations were too much to bring him back. Though the Ravens publicly called Tucker’s release in May a “football decision,” the organization’s brain trust was aware of the challenges of bringing him back. Tucker was also being investigated by the NFL and was later suspended for the first 10 games of the season. And, of course, there has been that focus on not turning the ball over, particularly when the stakes are at their highest. “We’ve been very good about protecting the ball [in the regular season], but in these last two playoff losses, it has not been a successful formula for us,” Harbaugh said. “So we know we’re not doing something intentional enough.” Ravens senior defensive assistant and secondary coach Chuck Pagano takes questions during training camp. Pagano is part of the retooled Ravens' defensive staff trying to make the unit one of the league's best after an inconsistent 2024 campaign. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Pressure’s on Not long after speaking, the 110-inch television screens behind Harbaugh spring to life with the day’s latest practice report, each day tabulated to show who’s leading as well as each category. “It’s the details that matter,” tight end Mark Andrews said. “It’s the details that win games.” A Raven since 2018 and the target of a pass from Jackson on a 2-point conversion with 93 seconds remaining on that cold evening in upstate New York in January, Andrews knows this perhaps better than most in the locker room. So does Harbaugh — it goes with the job description, after all — which is why, after a dozen years since the Ravens’ last Super Bowl appearance and perhaps the best roster in football at his disposal, he recognizes what’s ahead. He despises a Super-Bowl-or-bust notion. But at this point, that’s all there is. After an offseason spent recharging in the hills of Montana, at the beach in North Carolina and watching his daughter finish her college lacrosse career at the University of South Florida, followed by another training camp and adapting once more, the pursuit is upon him. He hopes that what he has implemented will, at last, pay off. “We built that — the impactful things — into everything we decided,” Harbaugh says. “And we try to make sure we make those the important things to the highest level, every day.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

In years past, they were called prima donnas. It’s the nature of being a star receiver or tight end in the NFL. If they don’t get enough catches, they complain. If they don’t score enough touchdowns, they criticize. Whah, whah, whah … It will be a major concern for Ravens coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken heading into the 2025 season. The Ravens have loaded up with receivers. They have a sure-handed veteran like DeAndre Hopkins, the fast, elusive type with slot receiver Zay Flowers, a strong route runner in Rashod Bateman, and maybe the best group of tight ends in the league with Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. Overall, this group isn’t on par with Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins or Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, but they should be good — even exceptional at times. But when does the complaining start? It’s going to happen, just as sure as the Ravens wear purple on game day. “I think at the end of the day, it has to be an unselfish group,” Andrews said. “And that’s not to say that guys aren’t going to want the rock and to have their yards, have their carries or have their catches, and I think that’s a great thing. I think [Monken] talks about that a lot. And for us, it’s being unselfish, trusting the process and trusting No. 8. He makes incredible reads, incredible decisions, and it leads us to victories. And when we do that, good things will happen. “It’s about being there for him.” It all starts with victories. The more wins a team has, the less the players can complain. But it’s also about high-maintenance personalities, emotional moments and the type of offense a team operates. Oh, and let’s not forget about contracts. Likely, Andrews and Hopkins are in the final years of their deals. This will all be interesting to watch. “I think this [wide receivers] room is full of unselfish receivers, and I think last year was a testimony to that,” Hopkins said. “Those guys are winning games and just balling out. I think both of the [starting] receivers had good years last year. So, coming into it, I feel like it was a good group already from what I heard about them. Then, coming here, they just want to win and play unselfish ball.” Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, right, greets quarterback Lamar Jackson during pracctice. “I think this [wide receivers] room is full of unselfish receivers," Hopkins said. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Receivers are emotional types. They complain just to complain, and No. 1 receivers are more prone to outbursts. The Ravens have had two in their brief 30-year history with Derrick Mason and later Steve Smith Sr., one of my favorites. Smith didn’t have a chip on his shoulder, but a mountain. Yet, that’s what drove the 5-foot-9, 195-pound receiver and made him great. Hopkins has had similar success. Drafted in the first round by the Houston Texans in 2013, Hopkins, 33, has been the top receiver in Houston, Arizona and Tennessee before moving on to Kansas City last year and Baltimore this season. Hopkins has 984 catches for 12,965 yards for 83 touchdowns in 178 career games, so it might be a struggle for him dropping from the No. 1 target to possibly No. 3. “Oh, when he didn’t get the ball in Arizona, he certainly let [Cardinals quarterback Kyle Murray] know about it,” said one of his former teammates in Arizona. “He won’t hesitate to jump a quarterback. This will be interesting for him with the Ravens.” Hopkins has a one-year contract for $5 million this season but could make as much as $6 million. Andrews, 29, has a salary cap number of almost $17 million this season, possibly his last with Baltimore. Likely, 25, is in the final year of his rookie deal worth $3.4 million. Andrews has been quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target since both joined were drafted in 2018, and that won’t change, especially from what we’ve seen so far in training camp. When the Ravens need a play, Jackson has tunnel vision to Andrews. But three years ago, Ravens officials didn’t bring Andrews to the podium after he didn’t register a catch in a game. Before the start of last season, Bateman sulked during organized team activities when he wasn’t involved much in the offense until the Ravens signed him to a three-year, $37 million contract extension on June 5. Now, all of them are in the mix. There are other dynamics involved as well. The Ravens prefer to be balanced, like every team in the NFL, but this is a run-oriented offense. The Ravens had 554 rushing attempts last season for 3,189 yards and halfback Derrick Henry had 325 carries for 1,921 of those yards. Jackson threw for 4,172 yards on 474 attempts and rushed 139 times for 915 yards. He threw 41 touchdown passes and rushed for four more scores. The emphasis, as it should be, will be on the running game. The other factor is that the Ravens don’t have good pass blockers, which was clearly evident last season and again against Indianapolis in the preseason opener. Jackson loves to improvise, but he’s more of a factor as a runner than a passer. Will this encourage or discourage the complaints? Jackson isn’t an in-your-face quarterback. That’s not his style. He is harder on himself than on his teammates. Maybe that changes, but it probably won’t. "Lamar is more vocal than he ever has been about what he wants from us," wide receiver Rashod Bateman said. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “Lamar is more vocal than he ever has been about what he wants from us, even to the staff and the offensive linemen,” Bateman said. “He’s definitely pushing the agenda of just staying hungry and being competitive. He’s definitely a competitive guy, and he’s leading us in the right direction with that.” That’s where Monken and Harbaugh have to step in. Monken has that old-school, salty demeanor. He’s been around the NFL for four years before running the offense at the University of Georgia from 2020 to 2022, but he is aware that the ball has to be spread around. Yet, he will only take so much. Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson didn’t speak up. He’s ‘not having that this year.’ The Ravens’ defense wants to be feared. History is the standard. With Kyle Hamilton contract done, where are Ravens with QB Lamar Jackson? Mike Preston: The Steelers pose a threat to the Ravens | COMMENTARY 5 things we learned from Ravens training camp ahead of 2025 season Harbaugh is more of a politician, unlike his younger brother, Jim. John can be direct at times, but has evolved as a coach. Shortly after the Ravens’ 2012 championship season, he learned how to handle high-maintenance personalities to be successful. Notice how he cajoles Jackson, always telling him about his greatness. He got a couple of good years out of disgruntled cornerback Marcus Peters from 2019 to 2022. This year, though, could be different. It’s just not one or two players, but five or six. It’s all part of a season filled with expectations, which at times could become a distraction. Monken and Harbaugh need to be prepared. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article