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The Ravens collapsed. Again. Baltimore led the Bills by 15 points with less than four minutes remaining in Sunday night’s game in Orchard Park, New York, but fell apart in a stunning 41-40 loss. Did the shocking defeat alter your expectations of the Ravens for the rest of the 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

The Ravens lost their season opener on a night that will surely be reviewed as a Game of the Year candidate. This one, a stunning comeback by the Buffalo Bills, 41-40, happened in the same building where Baltimore’s playoff hopes crumbled seven months ago. Here are five things we learned from the game: Ravens are still ‘banging their heads’ trying to close out games Just past the five-minute mark, the Ravens clung to a 40-25 lead. The offense was clicking, marking the first 40-point outing of the NFL season. The only issue was that the second was right on their tail. All the Ravens had to do was close the door and twist the lock. What ensued over the next five minutes of game play was practically unfathomable. And still, par for the course for a reputation the Ravens are struggling to shed. “I don’t want the Ravens to be known as a team that gets up big and blows the lead,” said Kyle Hamilton, newly christened as the highest-paid safety in NFL history. “It’s not who we are and we got to prove that to everybody else because as of right now that’s what we’ve been doing.” Since 2021, the Ravens have lost eight games in which they held a win probability of at least 90%, which is three more than the next closest team. That’s according to ESPN. This one was particularly gutting. It was supposed to be a dish of revenge. For three quarters they were serving it cold, converting improbable third downs that yielded even more ridiculous touchdowns while holding an offense piloted by the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player at arm’s length. What followed was a medley of divine intervention and downright lackluster football. Bills quarterback Josh Allen jetted out of the pocket and flicked a throw toward the end zone. Dawson Knox’s outstretched hand tipped the ball ever so slightly near the goal line, softening the ball’s flight path and sending it careening into Keon Coleman’s hands — a lucky bounce and impressive catch calling all the fans who fled for the exits scrambling back to their seats for an eight-point game. Two plays into Baltimore’s next possession, running back Derrick Henry fumbled the ball away — a first for the future Hall of Famer since Week 11 last year. He later told his teammates, “put the loss on me. I own it like a man.” Buffalo needed only one minute to spin that into a touchdown. The football gods intervened again. In that same corner of the end zone where Mark Andrews dropped a 2-point conversion along with the Ravens’ season, Allen went right over there for his own game-tying try. Buffalo’s attempt was shut down on a pass well-defended by cornerback Nate Wiggins. As if Martin Scorsese or Christopher Nolan interjected to direct the ending, the Ravens went three-and-out and handed the ball back to the Bills, who stormed upfield and won the game on a field goal courtesy of a kicker who was staying game ready at an empty high school field two weeks ago. Add Sunday night to that growing screenshot of before and after score bugs that circulates on social media after every blown Ravens lead. Even if this game didn’t carry the same weight as the playoff loss, it left the locker room dismayed all the same. “We’re banging our heads on the wall about it at this point,” Hamilton said. “We just need to figure out how to win games. We are winning them for 45 minutes, but you have to win for 60 minutes.” Added Henry: “This one is definitely going to sting for a while. It’s Week 1. We still feel that we should have won, but it’s over now. We’re just focused on getting better, deciding on the things we need to work on and go to work. We look forward to the next one.” And Jackson: “We’ll probably let it linger tonight and then forget about it, because we’re going to have to get prepared for the Browns, our divisional rival.” Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs for one of his two touchdowns in Sunday's loss to the Bills. Henry finished the game with 169 rushing yards and one costly fumble. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP) Derrick Henry still has juice, despite crucial gaffe Lamar Jackson sprinted toward the end zone cupping his hands like he was holding something valuable, tasking himself with the prized delivery. After Henry broke free for a 30-yard touchdown in the first quarter, a thundering stiff arm on the way there, Jackson slammed an invisible crown down atop the 31-year-old’s head. Henry finished with 169 yards on 18 carries and two mystifying touchdowns that embody what he means to this offense: The second half of perhaps the best one-two punch in the league, worthy of a second teammate pretending to crown him on the sideline after the next touchdown. And yet, his night will be overshadowed by a costly, uncharacteristic error. Henry coughed up the ball shortly before the two-minute warning. He fumbled thrice all last year. This one, jarred loose by defensive lineman Ed Oliver, was a right hook to the gut. Henry forked the ball over to an offense teeming with new life — one that would ride enough momentum to close the gap of a 15-point deficit. Buffalo found the end zone four plays after the fumble, hanging a gray cloud over an otherwise exceptional individual performance. Henry, in totality, did the thing he has done for the entirety of his short Ravens career. Ignore those who say he’s too old and continue to dominate. As ESPN’s Mina Kimes pointed out on X, “even the nerds have abandoned the usual carries/age arguments when it comes to him. Like everyone just acknowledges he isn’t a real person.” Hard to argue with that after watching Henry run all over a top half of the league run defense who packed the box for a lot of the night. Baltimore’s run game was projected to be a strength, as it was last year. As it has been for much of the John Harbaugh era. The trio of Henry, Jackson and Justice Hill accounted for the best rushing attack in the NFL last year. Postulating how offensive coordinator Todd Monken might have fun including a healthy Keaton Mitchell (a healthy scratch Sunday night) was a fun exercise. No matter. Henry showed how unstoppable Baltimore’s offense can be when it leans on him. Remember that picture DeAndre Hopkins posted in February 2020 of him, Jackson and Henry, dreaming about what an offense with all three might look like? Five years later we have an answer. Jackson glided in for one touchdown and threw a pair. Hopkins endeared himself to Ravens fans with a ridiculous one-handed grab. And the bell cow back bulldozed for two scores. Consider his historical context: With Henry’s 107th career rushing touchdown, he passed Jim Brown for sixth on the NFL’s all-time list. Sunday marked the second time in Henry’s career in which he ran for 120-plus yards on fewer than 10 carries which, according to ESPN, is tied for the most by any player this century. Later, on Henry’s 49-yard carry, he hit a top speed of 19.84 mph. The old guy’s still got it. Henry, who scoffs at any suggestion that the age-induced-decline might be imminent, doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander is called for interference in Sunday's loss to the Bills. Alexander struggled in his Ravens debut. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP) Defense isn’t close to being the feared group they aspire to be This could still change. There’s time to fix it. But outside of a few stone-walling plays on third down and red zone stands, Baltimore’s defense did not appear to be the “feared” group they have preached all offseason. The game that set off that specific discourse from cornerback Marlon Humphrey felt eerily similar to this one. It was the primetime matchup against Cincinnati in November. That one fell Baltimore’s way, 35-34. This one didn’t, marred by a comeback that stung even worse when a high-octane offense exposed the flaws in the defense. The biggest lesson the Ravens’ defense learned when they lost to Buffalo in the playoffs was the importance of forcing takeaways. Three takeaways to none can all but guarantee victory. Senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano did the math, saying three would give a team a 90-plus-percent chance at victory. His group nearly forced two Sunday night: Malaki Starks let slip what would have been an acrobatic, highlight reel pick on the first drive, then an interception by Chidobe Awuzie that was called back after officials ruled it touched the grass first. Not only did the Ravens fail to forcefully steal the ball away, they barely managed to get hands on Allen, albeit sparring with a top-tier offensive line. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike accounted for Baltimore’s only sack, compared with two by the Bills. Allen and all his mastery cut up a gassed Ravens defense in the fourth quarter, using all parts of the field to seamlessly drive down the field and mount a comeback. His 251 passing yards in the fourth quarter marked the fourth best final frame this century. Teams don’t fear defenses that watch offenses — even premiere ones — meticulously pick them apart in the fourth quarter. Related Articles Josh Tolentino: Ravens show vs. Bills that some things never change | COMMENTARY Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s historic night overshadowed by fumble: ‘Put the loss on me’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 41-40 loss to Bills Ravens fall apart late in shocking season-opening loss to Bills, 41-40 Instant analysis from Ravens’ stunning 41-40 loss to Bills in season opener “We talked about it all offseason how we struggled last season at the beginning,” Hamilton said. “Then [we said], ‘It’s a new year, and it’s a new team,’ and then we come out here and do that. We are saying the same things. Well, we are saying something different, but we are doing the same things.” At one point, Hamilton’s eyes floated up to the scoreboard. He saw Buffalo hung 497 yards on them. Allen threw for 394 yards (251 in the fourth quarter) and two touchdowns without a turnover. Those numbers made Hamilton sick to his stomach. This defense still has the ceiling to be that of which they aspire. The talent is littered all over the field. Tyler Loop’s one miss proves critical He’s going to want one back. Tyler Loop doinked an extra point try and the Ravens lost by one point. That’s the unfortunate, mathematical reality of being an NFL kicker. Welcome to the league, rookie. Loop was sharp otherwise, as many expected him to be. The sixth-round pick was nearly perfect through training camp and showed off noticeable leg strength throughout the preseason. Expecting him to perfect would have been a fool’s errand. But Loop made his first big league kick, a 52-yarder, then slipped on the chip-shot extra point. It was the kind of kick that in the moment, particularly after a touchdown by Henry that erected the 15-point lead in the first place, can be brushed aside. It doesn’t come back to bite until Buffalo creeps back into the game. Then you start looking at the scoreboard and counting on your fingers how it might play out. “It was with my start to the ball,” Loop explained postgame. “I was just back there and kind of [had] a mental lapse in the process and kind of went, ‘Oh, here we go’ and not the smooth process we’ve been working on, and it broke.” Loop, maturely, pocketed it as a learning experience. “Every team in the NFL is a good team,” Loop said. “If you don’t show up and bring your A-game every day, someone’s going to beat you.” The first 6 weeks of the schedule are intimidating. It just got that much tougher. Skipping over a Week 2 home opener against the Browns, the schedule doesn’t get any easier. Beating the Bills would have provided a bit of insurance going into a home game against Detroit, a familiar foe in Kansas City at Arrowhead, then a pair of home games against the Texans and and Rams. That’s five playoff teams from a season ago in six weeks for a team that, despite being considered one of the best in the NFL with pundits galore picking them to be in the Super Bowl, has historically struggled to get off to a clean start. Just last year, the Ravens opened the season 0-2 when Isaiah Likely’s shoe was half a size too big and they delivered a clunker against Las Vegas before getting on track to a historic regular season. Bills coach Sean McDermott, left, and Ravens coach John Harbaugh, right, greet at midfield following Sunday's thriller. The Ravens lost, 41-40, after leading by 15 points late in the fourth quarter. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) “You’ve got to fight those negative thoughts off because at the end of the day,” left tackle Ronnie Stanley said, “it’s not gonna help you win the next week.” Sunday night was a confounding loss for these Ravens. One that, for folks who have followed the team closely these past few years, feels all too familiar. A game this early doesn’t put a bow on a season one way or the other. The Ravens thumped Buffalo in Week 4 last year then laid an egg at Highmark Stadium three months later. The long view is this loss leaves the Ravens playing catch up for the conference’s top seed and the right to home-field advantage. In the short term, the Ravens can’t afford to drop a game. And losing at Kansas City becomes all the more costly if Baltimore is ever going to dethrone the AFC’s dynasty. “Hopefully you learn from it and keep getting better; you get better throughout the course of the season and become the team you’re going to be,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a long journey.” Maybe avoid the unfiltered sports talk radio discourse this week. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Ravens had Buffalo buried. Up big, 40-25, in the fourth quarter with the once-deafening home crowd silenced and thousands of Bills fans already filing for the exits. All Baltimore had to do was close. Instead, the Ravens collapsed. Again. Jaire Alexander’s defensive pass interference cracked the door. Tyler Loop’s missed extra-point attempt pushed it slightly. Derrick Henry’s fumble busted everything open. It was Alexander who played a key role in allowing Josh Allen to march the Bills back from the dead. What should have been a statement win to open the season turned into another nightmare, a 41-40 unraveling that looked far too familiar. This wasn’t just a bad loss. It was a flashing red warning sign for a franchise that’s been incapable of closing big games in critical moments. The Ravens have now lost eight games since 2021 in which they, at one point, had a win probability of at least 90%, according to ESPN research. That’s three more than the next closest team. Eight times Baltimore has been in total control in just the past four seasons, only to hand it away. On Sunday night, the Ravens’ latest collapse didn’t feel like an anomaly. That’s because the signs were there before the eventual collapse. Alexander’s penalty in the second quarter put the Bills in a prime position to trim Baltimore’s lead. At the end of the first half, the defense allowed a last-second sideline completion that gave Buffalo exactly one second for a field goal to bring them back within one possession. Throughout, though, the Ravens still looked like the better, more talented team. But their mistakes kept them from burying the Bills time and time again. By the fourth quarter, Henry, who dominated to the tune of 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns, coughed up the ball in a crucial spot. The Bills scored a few plays later, although Allen was unable to find Keon Coleman on a 2-point conversion attempt, temporarily preserving Baltimore’s 40-38 lead at the two-minute warning. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 41-40 loss to the Bills Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s historic night overshadowed by fumble: ‘Put the loss on me’ The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 41-40 loss to Bills Ravens fall apart late in shocking season-opening loss to Bills, 41-40 Instant analysis from Ravens’ stunning 41-40 loss to Bills in season opener Henry’s magic disappeared on the ensuing drive, when he was stopped for a 1-yard gain. The Ravens went three-and-out during the contest’s most critical point. By the time Allen was carving up Alexander and the secondary moments later on the game-winning drive, the disastrous outcome felt inevitable. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Henry’s first half was dominant, a stark contrast to the downhill running that Baltimore lacked here in January. Quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson played “great,” in coach John Harbaugh’s eyes, spreading the ball, managing tempo and moving the chains with his right arm and legs. For three-plus quarters, the Ravens looked like bullies to a Bills team that went 8-0 at home last season. And yet, with the game in its hands, Baltimore let it slip away. Super Bowl contenders don’t lose games like this. Not when they’re up 15 with less than four minutes left. Certainly not when the opponent’s fans are streaming toward the parking lot. The best teams slam the door shut. They bury this bugaboo in a season in which many in the football world predicts them to host the Lombardi Trophy. The Ravens didn’t. Ravens coach John Harbaugh, right, and Bills coach Sean McDermott shake hands after Sunday night's game. “We're disappointed, but we’ll be fine,” Harbaugh said after the stunning defeat. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) A collapse like this couldn’t have come at a worse time, either. Buffalo marked the first test of a six-week gantlet with the Ravens now staring down the Browns, Lions, Chiefs, Texans and Rams before the bye. Five playoff teams from a year ago by mid-October. “We’re disappointed, but we’ll be fine,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll get back to work. This is how the NFL works. It’s a tough league. You play tough games in tough environments. Hopefully we learn from it and keep getting better. You get better over the course of the season and become the team you’re going to be. It’s a long journey.” The Ravens wanted to open strong. Instead, they’ll carry a crushing loss and the same old questions into the rest of the six-week storm. Jackson and Alexander insisted the Ravens will use the next 24 hours to reflect on the loss before turning their attention toward their Week 2 opponent, a Cleveland squad led by Joe Flacco. Those feelings weren’t in unison across the visitors’ locker room. “This one stings,” Henry said. “It’s going to sting for a while.” Last season’s 0-2 start dug Baltimore a hole it eventually climbed out of. But in reality, the team’s biggest issues, such as not finishing in critical spots, lingered. Their latest defeat in prime time marked another entry in that uneasy category. Buffalo’s game-winning chip-shot field goal came from Matt Prater, a veteran signed off the street days before kickoff, representing another indignity in a collapse already full of them. The Ravens had Buffalo beaten. The scoreboard suggested it, the fans in the aisles nearly confirmed it. But Sunday night’s final scene with red fireworks shooting into the air and shocked white jerseys retreating indoors with their head bows said otherwise. Until the Ravens prove they can finish consistently, it really won’t matter what the calendar says. September or January, Baltimore’s ending still looks the same. Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs past Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) fumble the ball as he is hit by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a touchdown past Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates after a touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates after a touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) grabs a pass for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills linebacker Keonta Jenkins (49) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) grabs a pass for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills linebacker Keonta Jenkins (49) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is pressured by Buffalo Bills defensive end Javon Solomon (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (92) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Show Caption1 of 18Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)Expand View the full article

Ninety-nine percent of Sunday night was a reminder of how lucky the Ravens are to have Derrick Henry. He broke several rushing records, scampered for two touchdowns and carried Baltimore’s offense for the majority of the game. But most people aren’t going to remember Henry’s historic performance. Instead, it’ll be his only blemish — a fourth-quarter fumble that preceded the Ravens’ historic collapse in their 41-40 season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York. “I gotta take care of the ball. I told my teammates after the game to put the loss on me,” Henry said. Henry dominated before that costly mistake. He tallied more than 150 rushing yards and averaged more than 9 yards per carry. It felt as though almost every time Henry touched the ball, he reached the second and sometimes third level of the Bills’ defense. He ran untouched on his 46-yard fourth-quarter touchdown. With Baltimore up eight points and 3:10 left on the clock, it turned to Henry. Then Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver quickly penetrated into the backfield and got his arms around the running back. He ripped at the ball and forced Henry to fumble, leading to a Buffalo recovery and ensuing touchdown. That play wasn’t the ultimate deciding factor in Sunday’s game, though. The Ravens’ defense allowed 497 total yards after saying all week how prepared they felt entering the first game. Newly signed cornerback Jaire Alexander was relentlessly targeted in the fourth quarter, surrendering chunk play after chunk play. Rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed an extra point attempt. “When the offense puts up 40 points, no way we should be in that position,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. Some of those plays are understandable. Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player and Buffalo has built a stellar surrounding cast around him. The Bills have one of the best late-game offenses in football and have played in tight, intense games throughout Allen’s tenure. That’s why Henry’s fumble came as a complete shock. He’s one of the best running backs in NFL history at protecting the football, fumbling just 21 times on 2,373 career carries. That means that every time Henry totes the rock, he has a 0.88% chance of coughing it up. “If I take care of the ball, I feel like it’d be a different situation,” Henry said. Ravens running back Derrick Henry fumbles the ball as he is hit by Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver in the fourth quarter Sunday in Orchard Park, New York. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP) Just like tight end Mark Andrews’ drop on a 2-point conversion attempt in the postseason, it was one of Baltimore’s most reliable players letting it down in the game’s final moments. Since 2021, the Ravens have lost eight games in which they had a win probability of at least 90% at one point during the game, according to ESPN’s Benjamin Solak. That’s three more than the next closest team. “You got to make plays to get off the field and you got to stay on the field,” coach John Harbaugh said. It’s the first game Baltimore has lost when Henry has rushed for more than 100 yards. In a contest that featured so many offensive fireworks, Henry reminded everyone that he’s one of the greatest running backs of this generation. Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 41-40 loss to the Bills Josh Tolentino: Ravens show vs. Bills that some things never change | COMMENTARY The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 41-40 loss to Bills Ravens fall apart late in shocking season-opening loss to Bills, 41-40 Instant analysis from Ravens’ stunning 41-40 loss to Bills in season opener He finished the second quarter with more than 100 yards for the sixth time in his career, which is tied for the second-most such performances in the NFL since 1991. Henry’s 107 career rushing touchdowns moved him to sixth all-time, passing Hall of Famer Jim Brown. He tied Walter Payton for the most 150-yard rushing games by a running back at least 30 years old. It was the seventh time that he’s rushed for that many yards in the past two seasons. Henry shouldn’t be this good. Not when he’s 31 years old — an age that running backs typically fall off a cliff — or when he’s accumulated more than 4,000 carries in his football career spanning high school, college and the NFL. But the veteran continues to redefine the position. It’s a cruel twist that his performance Sunday ended with him taking responsibility not for a defining road win over a fellow Super Bowl contender, but for a devastating loss that he’ll carry the weight of himself. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every position after a 41-40 loss to the Bills in their season opener: Quarterback Lamar Jackson was content to dink and dunk for most of the first half, but he threw some nice crossing routes to slot receiver Zay Flowers. He also showed good touch on the 29-yard touchdown pass to veteran DeAndre Hopkins down the right sideline in the third quarter. Most damaging to Buffalo were Jackson’s keepers on option runs off the perimeter. Most teams keep a player outside to keep Jackson inside the tackles, but he took advantage of the Bills for 70 yards on six carries. Jackson finished with a passer rating of 144.6 to go with 209 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, but even that wasn’t good enough. Grade: A Running backs Buffalo wanted no part of Derrick Henry. At 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds, he ran both inside and outside, several times bouncing outside on tosses. Henry, though, showed good vision with several cutback runs, and he finished with two rushing touchdowns and 169 yards on 18 carries. There were times when it seemed as if Buffalo defensive backs purposely took the wrong pursuit angles because they wanted no part of Henry. But Henry’s fourth-quarter fumble led to a touchdown that brought the Bills within 40-38 with just under two minutes left. The Ravens couldn’t reboot the offense on the next series. Grade: A- Offensive line There were only a few instances in which the Ravens were beaten up front. This group dominated the Bills and got a good push off the ball. But the Ravens still need to make some improvements. Right tackle Roger Rosengarten needs to step up his game, and center Tyler Linderbaum still struggles with big nose guards over top of him. Both Linderbaum and Rosengarten had problems with defensive end Joey Bosa at times, as well as defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who finished with three tackles for loss and a sack. Both players came up big for the Bills late in the game, even though the Ravens dominated up front for nearly 3 1/2 quarters. The Ravens will learn from this, but Sunday night still seemed like a wasted effort. Grade: B Receivers This group was the best on the field. The Ravens worked the short passing game to perfection for most of the first half and then shifted to more middle-of-the-field passing in the second. The Bills couldn’t contain Flowers, who had seven catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins had a nice one-handed touchdown catch down the right sideline in the third quarter, and at times it looked as though the Ravens were running a seven-on-seven passing drill. The Ravens also got a strong effort from tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden, a practice squad call-up who was Henry’s lead blocker on several runs around the corner. But not even this group could save the Ravens from a pending disaster. Grade: A Defensive line The Ravens had a good mix up front, and they held Buffalo to 54 rushing yards in the first half. But they couldn’t get a lot of pressure on quarterback Josh Allen when it counted. When they did, he was elusive and brought the Bills back in dramatic fashion. End Nnamdi Madubuike had six tackles and nose guard Travis Jones finished with three. But when the game counted the most, Buffalo outscored the Ravens, 22-6, in the fourth quarter. One touchdown came off a Ravens turnover, but that’s when great players make big plays. Buffalo finished with 497 yards of total offense. Grade: C- Related Articles 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 41-40 loss to the Bills Josh Tolentino: Ravens show vs. Bills that some things never change | COMMENTARY Ravens RB Derrick Henry’s historic night overshadowed by fumble: ‘Put the loss on me’ Ravens fall apart late in shocking season-opening loss to Bills, 41-40 Instant analysis from Ravens’ stunning 41-40 loss to Bills in season opener Linebackers The Ravens shuffled a lot of players in and out of the lineup, which at times included rookies Teddye Buchanan and Mike Green. But an old problem resurfaced. When this team needs a sack in crunch time, who is going to be the outside linebacker to deliver? Green might one day become that player, but probably not in his rookie season. Middle linebacker Roquan Smith led the Ravens in tackles with 10, but he has problems in pass coverage. Weak-side linebacker Trenton Simpson struggled getting off run blocks for most of the game and finished with one tackle compared with three for Buchanan. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy had a strong game and finished with three tackles and one quarterback hurry, and backup outside linebacker Tavius Robinson was decent. The Ravens need a stronger presence on the outside, a game-changing pass rusher. Grade: C Secondary Maybe it was an omen when Buffalo drove 48 yards in four plays at the end of the first half, which resulted in a 43-yard field goal by Matt Prater. Because in the final quarter, when the Ravens should have taken over, they had virtually nothing. All this talk about a rebuilt secondary was just that: talk. Cornerback Nate Wiggins struggled, and so did Jaire Alexander, who missed two weeks of practice toward the end of training camp. He looked bad and slow. Both safeties, Kyle Hamilton (nine tackles) and rookie Malaki Starks (seven tackles), played well and controlled the middle of the field. Nickel back Marlon Humphrey also had a strong game with four tackles. But there is still something missing from the back end of this defense. It might be communication, because even though the group played in preseason, this was the first time they were on the field for a full 60 minutes. The unit played well when Buffalo used its vanilla offense, but in crunch time, they didn’t get it done. In fact, we’ve seen this act before, like at the beginning of last season. Grade: D Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander, left, is called for pass interference on Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer. Alexander struggled in his Ravens debut. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP) Special teams Rookie Tyler Loop converted on field goal attempts of 52 and 49 yards, but he did miss an extra point try. The Ravens gave up kickoff returns of 41 and 31 yards as both Brandon Codrington and Ty Johnson averaged 27.6 yards per return. The Ravens’ Rasheen Ali averaged 27.8 yards on six kickoff returns, but they got very little from rookie punt returner LaJohntay Wester. He only fielded one punt for 6 yards. Backup safety T.J. Tampa Jr. had two special team tackles. Grade: B Coaching Offensive coordinator Todd Monken had the Bills completely off balance for most of the game. He ran dives up the gut and tosses to the outside. The Ravens had a good mix of passes both short and intermediate, and the defense played well enough to win before the fourth quarter. Regardless, every team wants to win the first game. It’s a big relief, but the Ravens have to wait until game No. 2 to experience a victory. They wanted to avenge last year’s divisional playoff loss to the Bills, but Buffalo wasn’t having it at Highmark Stadium, which will be torn down after the season. Maybe the Ravens can win here in the new stadium. Regardless, they put a lot of time and effort into this defense, including adding free agents and assistant coaches. Yet, in crunch time, they faded. That’s not good enough. The prevent defense prevented nothing. Grade: B Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs for a touchdown during the first half of Sunday's 41-40 loss to the Bills. The Ravens' offense graded out well in its first game of the season, but the defense struggled against the Bills' explosive offense. (Adrian Kraus/AP) View the full article

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — A little more than seven months after the Ravens’ painful loss to the Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs, they found a new low Sunday night. With Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass placed on injured reserve just days before the season opener at Highmark Stadium, 41-year-old Matt Prater, signed to the practice squad, came off the couch and made a 32-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Bills to an improbable 41-40 victory. The kick capped a nine-play, 66-yard drive in the game’s final 93 seconds — the same amount of time that was left when Ravens tight end Mark Andrews dropped a would-be game-tying 2-point conversion the last time the teams met in January. The stakes were higher than, but this loss was even more inexplicable. Unlike the last time, there was no snow, but there were plenty of stars Sunday night at Highmark Stadium. Once again, both teams provided a heavy dose of drama. With Baltimore clinging to a 40-32 lead after a rare fumble by Derrick Henry that the Bills recovered, quarterback Josh Allen plunged into the end zone from a yard out to set up a chance to tie the score. But when Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins broke up a 2-point pass intended for Keon Coleman in the corner of the end zone, it looked as if the Ravens might survive. They found a way to let victory slip from their grasp — again. It was a matchup that had the sizzle of a heavyweight fight, with the NFL’s two most recent Most Valuable Player Award winners, Allen and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, going toe-to-toe in a rematch of January’s thriller. The star quarterbacks did not disappoint. Jackson completed 14 of 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns and added 70 rushing yards and a score on six carries. Allen did what he does best, too, scrambling, surviving and keeping his team in it, completing 33 of 46 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns while adding 30 rushing yards and two scores on 14 carries. But Allen was at his best late. He went 11-for-14 with 166 passing yards and a touchdown in the final 7:16. For much of the night, it looked as if the Ravens had finally moved past their foibles. Related Articles Instant analysis from Ravens’ stunning 41-40 loss to Bills in season opener Ravens QB Lamar Jackson shoves Bills fan who hit him on helmet Ravens’ DeAndre Hopkins turns first target into highlight reel TD catch Ravens vs. Bills live updates: Postgame reaction and analysis from Baltimore’s shocking 41-40 loss Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell surprise scratch for season opener vs. Bills Henry finished with 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, while receiver Zay Flowers added a career-high 143 yards on seven catches and another score. Baltimore has perhaps the best roster in the sport, and everywhere Jackson turned, another big-time player was making a big play in a big game. First, it was the future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back. Henry, at age 31, continues to defy reality and was burying defenders when he wasn’t leaving them in his dust. With Baltimore trailing 7-3 early in the second quarter, he raced through the right side of the line, and when Cole Bishop came running toward him, the 6-foot-2, 252-pound Henry swatted the safety to the turf like a gnat on his way to a 30-yard gallop for the score. His 107th career rushing touchdown moved him to sixth all-time as he surpassed Jim Brown. That was just the beginning. With Buffalo hanging on early in the fourth and Baltimore clinging to a nine-point lead, Jackson delivered a dazzling body blow, escaping a wave of Bills defenders on a third-and-10 from his own 35 with the swiftness of Houdini and emerged 19 yards downfield. One play later, Henry delivered what appeared to be a knockout blow, racing 46 yards down the left sideline for the touchdown that made it 40-25 with 11:42 left. Instead, Baltimore’s revamped defense — from players to coaching changes — couldn’t hold up in the end. The Ravens squandered a pair of 15-point leads, both in the fourth quarter. The loss also puts them in a hole in the AFC North, one game behind the Steelers and Bengals with the Browns and former Baltimore Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Flacco coming to town next week at M&T Bank Stadium. Now the question is how and if the Ravens can bounce back after another familiar defeat. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) grabs a pass for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills linebacker Keonta Jenkins (49) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (92) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is pressured by Buffalo Bills defensive end Javon Solomon (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) runs against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) grabs a pass for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills linebacker Keonta Jenkins (49) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates after a touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) grabs a pass for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills linebacker Keonta Jenkins (49) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates after a touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Show Caption1 of 15Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) grabs a pass for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills linebacker Keonta Jenkins (49) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Expand View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ stunning 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 of the NFL season on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York: Mike Preston, columnist: The Ravens should never go to Buffalo again. If it happens, cancel the plane reservations. Ignore any possible hotel deals. For whatever reason, the Ravens choke in Buffalo. In January, they committed three turnovers in a 27-25 loss to the Bills in a divisional round playoff game. Sunday night, they had what appeared to be several insurmountable leads and blew it again, this time 41-40, as kicker Matt Prater converted a 32-yard field goal as time expired. Buffalo went 66 yards in nine plays with no timeouts to set up the kick. The Ravens still have defensive problems and again appeared lost in the secondary. They allowed passes to the sidelines and in the middle of the field, a definite no-no regardless if it’s a prevent defense or not. The Ravens should have won this game easily. Offensively, they dominated the Bills with both the running and passing games. Buffalo couldn’t contain running back Derrick Henry, and the Bills had no answer for speedy slot receiver Zay Flowers, who turned several short catches into long gains. But defensively, the Ravens still have problems on the back end despite bringing in several new players. It’s back to the drawing board for a team that still needs to prove it can win big games. Josh Tolentino, columnist: Orchard Park turned into a gut punch all over again. The Ravens looked like they had exorcised that demon when Derrick Henry ran wild in the first half, crossing the century mark before halftime. For much of the evening, Baltimore dictated the terms, with Henry pounding the Bills’ front and Lamar Jackson stretching the field with his arm and legs. But things turned ugly late, and it was Henry’s fourth-quarter fumble that opened the door. The Ravens led 40-25 in the fourth quarter but dropped the season opener in heartbreaking fashion on a last-second field goal to a kicker who was added to Buffalo’s roster just days ago. The Bills scored 16 unanswered points to send the Ravens home 0-1. The latest chapter of heartbreak closed another trip to Highmark Stadium that will add to the sting Baltimore suffered here in January. The start looked like a statement, powered by a rejuvenated Henry and a defense playing with poise. Baltimore gave up an opening-drive touchdown, but didn’t allow another Buffalo TD until the second half. Yet, that’s exactly when the Ravens crumbled. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the end looked hauntingly familiar. Sunday was another collapse in the same building that crushed Baltimore nine months ago. Until the Ravens prove they can finish consistently, many questions will continue to hover this talented, but undisciplined roster. Sam Cohn, reporter: What a football game. What an ending. The Ravens led by 15 points in the fourth quarter and folded like a cheap lawn chair. Their defense looked gassed after a high-scoring affair. In poetic fashion, the Bills had a missed 2-point conversion in the same corner of the end zone where Mark Andrews dropped a game-tying 2-point conversion in January. It gave the ball back to Baltimore with a shot to close out the win. They went three-and-out. Then the Bills drove down the field with ease, twice embarrassing Jaire Alexander, and lighting Highmark Stadium ablaze. This game isn’t an indictment on the season to come, nor will it define the rivalry. But it’s a game the Ravens had no business losing. Sam Jane, reporter: Same year, different story for the Ravens in Buffalo. A key drop of the football — this time Derrick Henry’s fumble — cost Baltimore a opening-night victory. The Ravens blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead to the Bills and reigning MVP Josh Allen, with several mistakes in the game’s final minutes that cost them: Cornerback Jaire Alexander’s pass interference penalty, Henry’s fumble and Baltimore’s offense inability to end the game with two minutes remaining among them. It was a shocking late-game twist, a vicious reminder of the problems that have plagued the Ravens in recent years. C.J. Doon, editor: In games between these two elite teams, points matter. Like, a lot. Think of the three points Josh Allen stole at the end of the first half, driving against a conservative Ravens defense with two long passes in the final 31 seconds to set up a field goal. Remember the Ravens’ 12 men on the field penalty that gave the Bills a chance to go for two, only for Keon Coleman to catch the ball after going out of bounds and nullifying the score? How about the missed extra point from rookie Tyler Loop, who was otherwise solid in his NFL debut. Of course, we’re not talking about those small margins if the Ravens just take care of business. They were up 40-25 with five minutes left, then had to defend a potential game-tying 2-point conversion with just under two minutes remaining and then their unstoppable offense couldn’t get a first down when it mattered most. It was a stunning collapse that has become all-too-familiar for the Ravens and their fans. Never has such a dominant team been so untrustworthy late in games. Related Articles Ravens fall apart late in shocking season-opening loss to Bills, 41-40 Ravens QB Lamar Jackson shoves Bills fan who hit him on helmet Ravens’ DeAndre Hopkins turns first target into highlight reel TD catch Ravens vs. Bills live updates: Postgame reaction and analysis from Baltimore’s shocking 41-40 loss Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell surprise scratch for season opener vs. Bills Bennett Conlin, editor: How did Baltimore lose this game? The Ravens were up 15 points with under four minutes remaining. The Bills won in regulation. What is it with this team and failing to finish games? The Ravens gave up a miracle fourth-down touchdown reception. A tipped pass was somehow brought in by Keon Coleman to cut the deficit to 40-32. Then, almost instantly, Ed Oliver stripped Ravens running back Derrick Henry in Baltimore territory and Bills fans erupted with a newfound hope. Baltimore’s defense quickly yielded a touchdown, but stopped the 2-point conversion. The defense failed again after a Baltimore three-and-out. The Ravens want to be feared defensively. Well, they’re closer to being feared by their own fans than opposing offenses. And John Harbaugh will have to answer for a shocking collapse from his team. The Ravens bungled the end of the first half defensively, and there’s a case the Ravens should have gone for it on fourth down of their final drive instead of punting. What a mess. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson shoved a Buffalo Bills fan after being hit on the helmet by the same fan during the third quarter of Sunday night’s season opener in Orchard Park, New York. A quartet of Ravens, Roger Rosergarten, Justice Hill, DeAndre Hopkins and Jackson, celebrated DeAndre Hopkins’ remarkable one-handed touchdown catch near the front row of fans toward the end zone at Highmark Stadium. The fan, a young man with a red Josh Allen jersey, appeared to first hit Hopkins in the head, then pushed against Jackson’s helmet. The quarterback pushed the fan with two hands back into the crowd, then ran to the Ravens’ sideline. NBC showed the interaction on its broadcast. The fan was ejected from the game, according to a Ravens spokesperson. The moment came after Hopkins’ touchdown catch, his first with the team after signing a one-year, $5 million deal in the offseason. The 33-year-old veteran snagged his first target from Jackson, scoring a 29-yard touchdown to push the Ravens ahead 34-19. There aren’t many instances of players shoving fans in recent NFL history. Former Bills defensive lineman Shaq Lawson was videoed shoving Eagles fans during a postgame interaction. The Bills fined the defensive end, but the league chose not to suspend him. Jackson entered the fourth quarter with 12 completions for 194 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 attempts. He also added 57 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, helping Baltimore take a commanding 40-25 lead. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

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