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Week 18 is typically not the time of year when NFL teams are at their strongest health-wise. But that’s where the Ravens are as they returned to work Monday and began preparations for their regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore designated Charlie Kolar to return from injured reserve on Monday, clearing the way for the tight end who broke his forearm in late November to potentially play this week or possibly for the first round of the playoffs. “This was kind of the target game when it happened,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We’ll see how he looks this week. Hopefully, he’s feeling good and ready to go.” The Ravens have 21 days to activate Kolar or he would revert to season-ending injured reserve. Baltimore’s top in-line tight end, Kolar also contributed in the passing game before getting injured in Baltimore’s Nov. 25 win over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. In 12 games (three starts), he has nine catches for 131 yards and a touchdown while averaging just over 19 snaps per game on offense and playing a key role on special teams. He’s not the only player the Ravens will be getting back, either. Running back Justice Hill, who has been out since suffering a concussion in Baltimore’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 21, missed Monday’s practice because of illness but is expected to be back Tuesday and will play against the Browns, Harbaugh said. Baltimore was briefly down to two running backs — Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell — during last week’s game against the Texans after rookie Rasheen Ali left with a hip injury. Meanwhile, left tackle Ronnie Stanley and left guard Patrick Mekari were absent from Monday’s practice because they had “flu-like” symptoms, according to Harbaugh, but likewise are expected to return Tuesday. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Who would you prefer the Ravens face in the wild-card round? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, Lamar Jackson have sights on AFC North title after dramatic turnaround Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to play Browns at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Week 18 in Baltimore Baltimore Ravens | Bills clinch the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets Baltimore Ravens | Joe Flacco to start must-win game for Colts with Anthony Richardson injured “Up to this point we’re really happy with where we’re at with that,” Harbaugh said about the team’s health. “I do think a lot of work has gone into it. “It’s definitely fueled our success, for sure. It’s something that’s a big deal in the National Football League, so we’re happy with it. Hopefully, we can keep it going.” Still, they’ll have to navigate one more win — and a short week of practice — to clinch the AFC North title for the second straight year and secure the No. 3 seed in the conference going into the postseason. Saturday’s game comes after the Ravens played three games in 11 days — all wins. The NFL did not announce the Week 18 schedule until late Sunday night and Ravens players reported back to the team facility on Monday. Harbaugh said it was an organizational effort when it came to getting through that gantlet. “Everybody’s involved in that,” Harbaugh said. “Team effort, for sure.” Week 18 Browns at Ravens Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 17 1/2 View the full article

The Ravens are heading to the playoffs. But who they might face in the wild-card round and whether it will be in Baltimore is still up in the air. We know, however, that the Ravens’ first postseason opponent will be the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans or Los Angeles Chargers. Among those three teams, which would you prefer Baltimore play? After you vote, tell us why by clicking the comments button and we might publish your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

Ravens coach John Harbaugh has preached ad nauseam this season that the NFL is a week-to-week league and the goal is to go 1-0 each week. By that maxim, the present goal is simple: If Baltimore beats the Cleveland Browns (3-13) on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens will be AFC North champs for a second straight year and clinch the No. 3 seed in the conference behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Doing so would also guarantee them at least a wild-card playoff game at home, likely against the Los Angeles Chargers, who they beat last month, or the Pittsburgh Steelers for a third time this season after the teams split against each other at home. After an 0-2 start and major questions about defensive coordinator Zach Orr and his floundering unit, among other early shortcomings, it’s an enviable position that not all that long felt unattainable. “There were some tough conversations,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said after the Ravens’ 31-2 blowout of the Texans in Houston on Christmas Day. “We still believed, but it did seem far away, because it just seemed like every single guy was having a mishap at just the wrong time. It seemed like every time we were out of position, not called right, we were getting hit on. “The good thing is earlier in the season, we kept being like, ‘What are we doing wrong? What are we doing wrong?’ And it was simple. We just needed to get all 11 guys doing their job.” It took plenty of adjustments, too. On defense, that meant moving safety Ar’Darius Washington into the starting lineup for Marcus Williams and jettisoning Eddie Jackson. Safety Kyle Hamilton was deployed deeper on the field to help clean up the back end and inside linebacker Trenton Simpson was benched in favor of a rotation of veterans Malik Harrison and Chris Board. Orr also simplified some of the scheme and dialed back his substitution packages. Offensively, quarterback Lamar Jackson continued to elevate his game in every facet from last season, when he was the league’s Most Valuable Player. Harbaugh settled on his three new starters along the offensive line and future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry unsurprisingly found his footing in coordinator Todd Monken’s offense. Baltimore also avoided having its failed Diontae Johnson experiment implode the locker room by cutting ties with the disgruntled receiver sooner than later. All of it has added up to wins in four of the last five and six of eight with the Ravens playing their best football at the time of year that it starts to matter most and looking capable of a deep postseason run. Perhaps that’s why Harbaugh strode through the visiting locker room at NRG Stadium chest out, smile wide and feeling his oats, at least in the moment, after Baltimore’s dominance of AFC South champion Houston. The Ravens had entered their span of three games in 11 days two games back of the Steelers in the division and came out of it with a one-game lead after three straight victories, including two on the road (albeit one of those was against the lowly New York Giants). Ravens running back Derrick Henry, right, is second in the NFL with 1,783 rushing yards. (David J. Phillip/AP) “It says so much,” Harbaugh said when asked what the turnaround means. “It says we’re not done yet, because it’s been done, and the next thing is going to be the next game. We need to be 1-0 to win the AFC North, and that will be our focus after we get some rest.” It has helped, too, that Baltimore has remained remarkably healthy for much of the season and especially down the stretch. Now, all the Ravens need is one more win to accomplish their first goal of winning the division. While the Browns beat Baltimore in Cleveland in Week 8, that was a time when both teams were operating much differently. The Browns had 17 players on injured reserve entering Week 17, including running back Nick Chubb and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and could be down to third-string quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson if Jameis Winston — who threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns in that win over the Ravens — remains out with a shoulder injury. A win by the Ravens presents the most favorable path, but there are of course others. If the Ravens lose and the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, then the Steelers would win the division and be the No. 3 seed, while Baltimore would slip to No. 5 with a return trip to Houston in the wild-card round. If the Ravens win, Pittsburgh loses and the Chargers beat the Raiders in Las Vegas, the Steelers would be the No. 6 seed. And if the inverse happens, the Chargers would be the No. 6 seed. But Jackson has said he isn’t worried about all of those machinations. Nor does he care about what happened earlier this season. “I believe how our season has gone — the regular season — it just explains how the NFL is,” he said. “It really doesn’t matter how you start off. It’s about how you finish, and I believe we’re finishing pretty well right now.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. UP NEXT Week 18 Browns at Ravens TBA TV: TBA Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Line: Ravens by 4 1/2 View the full article

Just one more hill remains for the Ravens to clinch their second straight AFC North title. Baltimore (11-5) will host the Cleveland Browns (3-13) in the regular-season finale, and the NFL announced Sunday night that the game will be played at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The league had not announced dates and kickoff times for Week 18 games as it waited to see which ones would have playoff implications and be played in prime-time. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who are a game back of the Ravens in the division, will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night at 8 p.m., also on ABC and ESPN. . If the Ravens win, they capture the division title and clinch the No. 3 seed in the AFC and will host a wild-card game, while the Steelers would be the No. 5 or 6 seed. If the Ravens lose and the Steelers win, however, Pittsburgh would be AFC North champs and would be the No. 3 seed, while the Ravens would be locked into the No. 5 seed. The Bengals’ playoff hopes also hinge on beating the Steelers and the Broncos beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Denver in their 4:25 p.m. showdown Sunday. If the Broncos beat the top-seeded Chiefs, who are likely to rest at least some of their starters with their spot secured, then Denver, currently the No. 7 seed, would get in. If the Broncos lose, however, the Bengals would be the No. 7 seed with a win by virtue of their wild overtime win over Denver on Saturday. The Los Angeles Chargers, who will play the Raiders in Las Vegas at 4:25 p.m. Sunday, are also vying for playoff seeding. If the Steelers win, the Chargers will be locked in as the No. 6 seed. But if Pittsburgh loses and the Chargers win, L.A. would be the No. 5 seed. As for the Browns, their playoff hopes expired long ago, but they could play the role of spoiler for the Ravens’ hopes of a division title. The last time the teams met, in Week 8 in Cleveland, Jameis Winston completed 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns, including a 38-yarder to a wide-open Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to lift Cleveland to a stunning 29-24 upset. Baltimore had won five in a row going into the game, but its much-maligned pass defense got eviscerated while also dropping at least three would-be interceptions. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, Lamar Jackson have sights on AFC North title after dramatic turnaround Baltimore Ravens | Bills clinch the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets Baltimore Ravens | Joe Flacco to start must-win game for Colts with Anthony Richardson injured Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens stars Terrell Suggs, Marshal Yanda among Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists Baltimore Ravens | NFL playoff picture: Who could Ravens face in wild-card round? Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns and drove Baltimore to the Browns’ 24-yard line in the closing seconds, but his last-ditch heave into the end zone fell incomplete and the quarterback spiked his helmet afterward. Running back Derrick Henry also had just 11 carries for 73 yards, while Jackson was sacked three times. However, Baltimore has won six of eight games since, including four of its past five. That included three straight in the span of just 11 days with victories over the New York Giants, Steelers and Houston Texans on Christmas Day. The Ravens are 17 1/2-point favorites over Cleveland. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

By JOHN WAWROW ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the unraveling and undisciplined New York Jets on Sunday. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. Allen had a short and efficient outing, finishing 16 of 27 for 182 yards with a 30-yard TD pass to Amari Cooper and a 14-yarder to Keon Coleman before giving way to backup Mitchell Trubisky with Buffalo leading 33-0 through three quarters. And Trubisky piled on by completing a 69-yard touchdown pass to practice squad call-up Tyrell Shavers 2:23 into the fourth quarter. Allen’s two-TD passing outing was the 64th of his career to match Peyton Manning for the third most in a player’s first seven NFL seasons. Patrick Mahomes holds the record with 67 two-TD outings in that span, followed by Dan Marino’s 65. Allen also became the NFL’s first player with five consecutive 40-TD seasons, while his 1-yard score was the 65th rushing TD of his career, matching the team record held by Thurman Thomas. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record, and will open the playoffs hosting the conference’s seventh-seeded team in two weeks. The outing was a meltdown for Rodgers and the Jets (4-12), who will finish with five or fewer wins for the seventh time over a 14-season playoff drought — the NFL’s longest active streak. Rodgers, who entered the game with 499 career TD passes and looking to become just the fifth player to reach 500, instead was shut out and replaced by Tyrod Taylor with 12:37 remaining. Discipline was an issue for a Jets team that fell to 2-9 since Jeff Ulbrich took over as interim coach. New York finished with 16 accepted penalties for 120 yards. Taylor accounted for New York’s only points with a 9-yard TD pass to Garrett Wilson and a 20-yarder to Tyler Conklin in a game played in blustery, unseasonably warm conditions, with temperatures in the mid-50s Farenheit (10 Celsius) and winds gusting up to 35 mph (56 kmph). Rodgers finished 12 of 18 for 112 yards with two interceptions after entering the game having thrown only one in his past eight outings. He was also sacked four times, pushing his career total to 568, moving ahead of Tom Brady (565) and into first place on the NFL list. The outing became a comedy of errors for the Jets. Trailing 7-0 after Allen’s 1-yard run, New York’s three possession of the first half ended with turning the ball over on downs Buffalo’s 24; Rodgers being intercepted at his own 17 by defensive tackle Jordan Phillips; and being sacked for a safety by A.J. Epenesa. The bottom fell out to close the third quarter when Rodgers’ being intercepted by Christian Benford led to Cooper’s leaping TD grab put Buffalo up 19-0. James Cook scored on a 1-yard run on Buffalo’s next possession with 1:15 left, and Coleman’s touchdown with 12 seconds left in the third was set up after Wilson lost a fumble. Home cooking The Bills finished their third season with a perfect record, and first since 1990, by going 8-0 at home. They’ve won 11 straight regular-season home games dating to last season since dropping a 24-22 decision to Denver on Nov. 13. Injuries Jets CB Sauce Gardner aggravated a hamstring injury in the first half and was ruled out in the third quarter. Up next Jets: Close the season hosting the Miami Dolphins. Bills: Play their regular-season finale at the New England Patriots. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl View the full article

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson has been ruled out for the Colts’ big game at the New York Giants on Sunday. Richardson missed practice on Thursday and Friday because of back and foot injuries. He was listed as questionable before he was downgraded to out on Saturday. Indianapolis (7-8) has a slim chance of making the playoffs. The Colts need to win out and get some help. Richardson’s absence likely means Joe Flacco will start against New York. Flacco, a former Ravens star and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, has passed for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns in six games this season, including four starts. He also has thrown five interceptions. The New Jersey native, who turns 40 on Jan. 16, has given no indication he plans to retire. “I just try to stay in the moment,” Flacco said, via Joel Erickson of the Indy Star. “People ask me all the time, ‘How long do you want to play?’ and I don’t have an answer for them.” The 22-year-old Richardson was selected by Indianapolis with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft. He has passed for 1,814 yards and eight touchdowns with 12 interceptions this year. View the full article

Former Ravens stars Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda are one step closer to becoming first-ballot Hall of Famers. Suggs, a linebacker who spent 15 years in Baltimore (2003 to 2018), and Yanda, an offensive lineman who spent his entire career as a Raven (2007 to 2019), were among the nine 2025 Modern-Era Player finalists, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Saturday. That list has been whittled down from 167 nominees. The selection committee can choose up to five Modern-Era Players to be immortalized with a bust in Canton, Ohio. The inductees will be announced Feb. 6 from the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans during Super Bowl weekend — whether the current Ravens get there or not. The show will air on Fox and NFL Network, starting at 9 p.m. ET. “My thoughts are both of those guys should be first-ballot Hall of Famers,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said when Suggs and Yanda were initially nominated in September. “There’s no question in my mind that they both deserve that honor. I’ll be rooting for them.” Should Suggs and Yanda be inducted, they would join a starry cast of former Ravens to be voted first-ballot Hall of Famers. That short list includes left tackle Jonathan Ogden, linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | NFL playoff picture: Who could Ravens face in wild-card round? Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s the Baltimore athlete fans think had the best 2024 Baltimore Ravens | Michael Vick discusses Ravens QB Lamar Jackson breaking his rushing record Baltimore Ravens | Beyoncé’s halftime performance has Baltimore flavor, but no Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Let’s just skip to Ravens vs. Chiefs rematch now | COMMENTARY In a recent video message posted on the team’s website for their Hall of Fame nod, Lewis called Yanda one of the toughest football players he’s ever seen and Harbaugh tipped his cap to Suggs, saying, “The history of the Ravens in so many ways is built on Terrell Suggs.” Two other short-term Ravens made the most recent cut as well. Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. played in Carolina from 2001 to 2013 but finished his career in Baltimore, catching passes from Joe Flacco from 2014 to 2016. Left tackle Willie Anderson spent 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before finishing his career with the Ravens in 2008. Suggs and Yanda aren’t the only players vying for first-ballot Hall of Fame status. Five-time All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly, two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning and kicker Adam Vinatieri, who is the NFL’s all-time points leader, are all also in their first year of eligibility. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The Ravens can enjoy the weekend just like the rest of us: Kicking their feet up and watching football. After a convincing 31-2 win over the Houston Texans on Wednesday in front of an audience of 24.3 million on Netflix, Baltimore is on the cusp of a second straight AFC North title. With the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier on Christmas Day, the Ravens have a one-game lead in the division heading into the regular-season finale against the visiting Cleveland Browns, who have lost four straight and six of their past seven games. Assuming Lamar Jackson and company take care of business in Week 18 as 4 1/2-point favorites, the Ravens will secure a home playoff game in the wild-card round. But while Kansas City has already locked up the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye, there is still much to be decided regarding playoff positioning. Therefore, it remains unclear who exactly Baltimore — currently the No. 3 seed — will host when wild-card weekend kicks off at the start of the new year. With that in mind, here’s a look at the Ravens’ possible wild-card opponents, ranked from most to least likely: Los Angeles Chargers Record: 9-6, 2nd in AFC West, No. 6 seed Previous meeting vs. Baltimore: Ravens won, 30-23, on Nov. 25 The Chargers have not clinched a playoff berth yet, but they can do so with a win Saturday over the New England Patriots or losses by both the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. Los Angeles has improved dramatically under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, who has exceeded expectations by turning a 5-12 team under Brandon Staley into a possible playoff contender. But as impressive as the Chargers have been at times, showing more grit and toughness on both sides of the ball to uplift promising quarterback Justin Herbert, they have often come up short against other AFC contenders. L.A. is a combined 0-4 against the Steelers, Chiefs and Ravens this season, though all those losses have been by an average of less than seven points. A playoff run would require the best football of Herbert’s young career and a masterclass from young defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, a former Ravens assistant who has seamlessly transitioned from Michigan to the NFL alongside Harbaugh. Running back J.K. Dobbins’ injury has robbed offensive coordinator Greg Roman of his most effective playmaker, but the Chargers have enough talent and a coach with a long track record of success to believe in an upset or two. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has the Broncos on the verge of a playoff berth. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Denver Broncos Record: 9-6, 3rd in AFC West, No. 7 seed Previous meeting vs. Baltimore: Ravens won, 41-10, on Nov. 3 Like the division rival Chargers, the Broncos can sew up a playoff berth Saturday with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Denver is on the cusp of its first playoff game since winning the Super Bowl in February 2016 because of a standout defense and a productive partnership between quarterback Bo Nix and coach Sean Payton. The rookie has overcome some early growing pains to post respectable numbers while leading an offense that’s 10th in the league in scoring, averaging 24.2 points per game. But while Nix and Payton get most of the attention, it’s been the work of coordinator Vance Joseph’s defense that has Denver in position to compete in the postseason. The Broncos allow just 18.7 points per game, fourth in the NFL, and just recently fell one sack behind the Ravens for the league lead (51). Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss have formed one of the league’s top cornerback duos, while breakout star Nik Bonitto and unheralded veteran John Franklin-Myers lead a deep defensive line. The Broncos are unlikely to make a deep playoff run with a rookie quarterback at the helm, but for the first time in a while, there’s excitement about the future in Denver. Houston Texans Record: 9-7, 1st in AFC South, No. 4 seed Previous meeting vs. Baltimore: Ravens won, 31-2, on Dec. 25 We just saw what this matchup looks like, and it wasn’t pretty. Jackson and Derrick Henry steam-rollered their way over one of the league’s top defenses on Christmas, while Baltimore completely overwhelmed C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and Joe Mixon in holding the Texans’ offense to 10 first downs and 3.9 yards per play. A wild-card matchup would be the teams’ fourth in two years, including Baltimore’s 34-10 demolition in the divisional round last season. The Ravens have won the past three meetings by an average of 23 points, and there’s not much to suggest the score would be any different in a rematch. However, because of the NFL’s playoff rules rewarding division champions, the Ravens would have to face Houston on the road if they miss out on the AFC North title and drop to the No. 5 seed. Pittsburgh Steelers Record: 10-6, 2nd in AFC North, No. 5 seed Previous meeting vs. Baltimore: Ravens won, 34-17, on Dec. 21 Coach Mike Tomlin’s Steelers have already clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive year and fourth time in the past five seasons, but a recent swoon has raised concerns about their postseason viability. After going 10-3 to take control of the AFC North, a three-game losing streak has opened the door for the Ravens to swoop in and steal the division title. Now Pittsburgh needs a win over the Bengals and an unlikely Ravens loss to the Browns in Week 18 to claim the crown on the best division record tiebreaker. While quarterback Russell Wilson has seemingly revived his career in black and gold, the offense has sorely missed wide receiver George Pickens, averaging just 13.3 points per game during its current losing streak. The defense has been outstanding for most of the season, but injuries and poor play in the secondary have come back to haunt them in matchups against the league’s top offenses. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and a formidable front can only do so much. Pittsburgh has long had Baltimore’s number, winning eight of the past 10 matchups, but the Ravens’ most recent win and ongoing surge to end the regular season has flipped the momentum. The Steelers no longer look like a team to be feared. Quarterback Anthony Richardson and the Colts need some help to reach the postseason. (Tony Gutierrez/AP) Indianapolis Colts Record: 7-8, 2nd in AFC South Previous meeting vs. Baltimore: Colts won, 22-19 (OT), on Sept. 24, 2023 It’s been a strange season for the Colts that might get even wackier if they somehow find a way to sneak into the playoffs. In November, Indianapolis benched second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson for former Ravens star Joe Flacco, only to reverse that decision after two games and elevate Richardson back into the starting role. The Colts have won three of their five games since, clinging to hope that a late-season surge can propel them into the AFC’s final wild-card spot. That path starts with wins over the Giants and Jaguars over the final two weeks of the regular season. Then, they need some help, either with the Chargers losing out or a more convoluted scenario involving the Broncos, Dolphins and Bengals. Either way, the Colts enter Week 17 with just a 14% chance to make the playoffs, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. Richardson has been among the most frustrating quarterbacks in the league this season because of his lapses in accuracy, but his combination of size, speed and arm strength remains a scary proposition for opposing defenses. Miami Dolphins Record: 7-8, 2nd in AFC East Previous meeting vs. Baltimore: Ravens won, 56-19, on Dec. 31, 2023 The Dolphins are improbably still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but they need plenty of help to get there. Winning out won’t be enough, which is why Next Gen Stats only gives Miami a 9% chance of making the field. While the Dolphins have recovered well from their 2-6 start — which included four games without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he suffered yet another concussion — it probably won’t be enough. And even if they did find a way to extend their season, recent playoff performances suggest that Miami would likely be one-and-done anyway. Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith might look intimidating on paper, but in practice, coach Mike McDaniel’s offense has suffered a steady decline since the beginning of last season. No AFC playoff team would want to see quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals in the postseason. (Kareem Elgazzar/AP) Cincinnati Bengals Record: 7-8, 3rd in AFC North Previous meeting vs. Baltimore: Ravens won, 35-34, on Nov. 7 This is the classic “nobody wants to see them in the playoffs” team. The Ravens certainly don’t. Baltimore had to fight tooth and nail to beat the Bengals in both matchups this season, winning the first in overtime after staging a late comeback and prevailing in the second after stopping a 2-point conversion attempt in the final seconds. Jackson and the Ravens might be salivating at another opportunity to play Cincinnati’s beleaguered defense, which has ranked among the league’s worst this season, but the offense has been incredible when Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are all healthy. Burrow is putting up MVP-type numbers and has already thrown for 820 yards and nine touchdowns in two matchups against the Ravens. Baltimore has since overhauled its defense to great effect, notably starting safety Ar’Darius Washington over Marcus Williams, but it would be tested in a potential wild-card matchup against its division rival. Fortunately, the Bengals have just a 7% chance to make the playoffs. 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

We asked readers which prominent Baltimore athlete had the best 2024. Here are the results from our online poll, Instagram and X: Lamar Jackson — 66 votes (61.7%) Gunnar Henderson — 20 votes (18.7%) Other — 12 votes (11.2%) Angel Reese — nine votes (8.4%) Here’s what some fans told us about their pick (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): It has to be Angel Reese. She’s is the only true “Baltimorean,” per se, on the list. She went from S.I. swimsuit model to lifting the WNBA to new heights. She was a media favorite and along with Caitlin Clark, she helped propel the WNBA and women’s basketball to new levels that’s never been seen. 2024 had to be the year of the “Baltimore Barbie.” No other true Baltimorean had a better year in 2024. — Kenneth Anderson Corbin Burnes. — Randolph Katie Ledecky. — Peter Schlehr I think [wrestlers] Aaron Brooks and Helen Maroulis should be on there considering they won medals at the Olympics. — Giacomo Restivo Gotta be Lamar! — Mark Rembold Other — the milkman [Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser] ripped off on Rookie of the Year. — John Lanahan The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article

HOUSTON — When Michael Vick was a young boy growing up in the Ridley Circle housing project in the impoverished East End neighborhood of Newport News, Virginia, he spent endless hours playing what he called “hot ball.” “Playing football in the backyard, you’d throw the ball up in the air and you gotta dodge like 12 people,” the former NFL quarterback told The Baltimore Sun. “I got used to playing with no cleats and in tennis shoes and slides and learned to be balanced and time out where people are going.” It took Vick all the way to the top of the sport and made him a generational star. His career spanned 13 seasons from 2001 to 2015 (interrupted for two years by his imprisonment over his involvement in a dogfighting ring) with the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. Along the way, he was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, became a video game icon and cultural phenom and set the NFL record for career rushing yards by a quarterback with 6,109. On Wednesday, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson broke that mark, running for 87 yards in a Christmas Day blowout of the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, where a 6-yard scramble in the third quarter pushed him past his childhood idol by a yard. “It feels unreal, to be honest with you,” Jackson, 27, said. “I’m grateful because that’s a record that’s been there for a long time. Michael Vick is one of my favorite players. That’s just dope.” The man whose mark he was chasing agreed. “It’s really cool knowing that guys like Lamar looked up to me and so many kids is looking up to Lamar,” Vick, 44, told The Sun. “We’ll always be connected, intertwined. It’s a credit to all his success and how hard he’s worked. Certainly the Baltimore Ravens, who put the right people around him to get the most out of what Lamar Jackson could do, from [offensive coordinators] Greg Roman to Todd Monken now. [Former Jets and Ravens offensive coordinator] Marty Mornhinweg as well, drafting him. I told Marty, ‘You gotta get him!’ I seen what he could become years ago.” Vick, who held the record for 13 years after surpassing Randall Cunningham in October 2011, needed 143 games to reach his total. Astonishingly, Jackson surpassed him in only 102 over seven seasons. Jackson also did it in a season in which he is running less often than in the past with 8.4 attempts per game, the first time he has averaged fewer than nine carries a game in his career. He was even chided by his mother for not running more in a Dec. 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But on Wednesday he showed that he can break opponents with quality over quantity. He ran just four times, but his electrifying 48-yard touchdown run on the Ravens’ second play of the second half helped blow the game open. It was the third-longest run of Jackson’s career and he reached 21.25 mph, per NextGen Stats, for the fastest speed of any run he’s had in the NFL. It was also his fourth rushing scores of at least 40 yards, tying him with Kordell Stewart for the most by any quarterback since 1950. None of it comes as a surprise to Vick, who sees shades of himself in the reigning and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player but sees the differences, too. Former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, shown in 2004, says he trusts Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson running the ball as much as he trusted himself when he played in the NFL. (Ric Feld/AP) “I was doing it at a time when you never really seen it,” he told The Sun. “It was the evolution of the position. “My style was a little more make you miss. I think Lamar make you miss as well, but it’s just different how he gains ground. Lamar, once he gets to that second level, it’s different. I think Lamar’s got better long speed than me as well.” Yet, that is not the skillset that impresses Vick the most. “He’s playing the game the way he should be playing it — pass first then be running it,” Vick told The Sun. “I think he’s a better passer than runner. “Lamar’s always been able to run — that’s a natural instinct. The passing game is something you have to learn, and it has to be coordinated with timing and receivers and routes and you got to be on the same page and thinking on the same page. “He’s accurate, threading the needle, seeing the field. And understanding what the defense is doing supersedes any throw that you can make.” In that sense, Jackson is having the best year of his career with highs in completion percentage (67.9), passing yards (3,955) and touchdowns (39), with the latter also tops in the league. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Beyoncé’s halftime performance has Baltimore flavor, but no Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Let’s just skip to Ravens vs. Chiefs rematch now | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 31-2 win over the Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 31-2 win over Texans Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, MVP hopeful Lamar Jackson crush Texans, 31-2, to take AFC North lead He has thrown just four interceptions, his 8.9 yards per attempt is a career-high and leads the NFL; ditto his passer rating of 121.6. “That kind of speaks for itself,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Sometimes, I just shake my head and say, ‘That was really a great play. That was a great play.’ I’ve seen a lot of great plays from Lamar Jackson. I told him I was proud of him. I’m not just proud of him just because he makes great plays. I’m proud of him for all the things that go into making great plays and also for all the things he’s overcome along the way.” And as for who would win in a game of “hot ball” between Vick in his prime and Jackson now? “I trust Lamar Jackson on a QB run as much as I trust myself,” Vick said. “It comes down to vision. What lane are you willing to take, because there’s different paths that you can take.” Now it’s Jackson’s that everyone else is chasing. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Lamar Jackson did not sneak a peek at Beyoncé’s halftime show during the Ravens and Houston Texans game on Christmas, but most of Baltimore did. The last time Beyoncé performed at a Ravens game was the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, 2013, where the team defeated the San Francisco 49ers in one of the greatest games in franchise history. That same dazzling energy that guided the team to victory almost 12 years ago once again set the tone for the dominant 31-2 victory over the Texans Wednesday. In an oversized white cowboy hat, Beyoncé performed hits from her latest album, “Cowboy Carter,” during halftime of the Christmas game. Equipped with sparkling costumes, cowboy boots, cameos from other artists and of course, dancing, Beyoncé delivered a performance that could have served as a Christmas gift for fans across the globe — but not Jackson and the rest of the players. Jackson joked after practice last week that he was going to watch some of Beyoncé’s performance despite being in the middle of the game. “[It’ll be my] first time seeing Beyoncé perform, and it’s at our game — that’s dope,” Jackson told reporters. “I’m going to go out and watch. Sorry, Harbaugh, sorry. Sorry, fellas.” When asked after the game Wednesday whether he watched some of the show, Jackson replied, “No, I was locked in. That was just for you all. I was in here, in the locker room preparing for the second half.” Joining Beyoncé on the field were A-list guests including Post Malone and Shaboozey, who were featured on Beyoncé’s most recent album. She also brought in country singers Reyna Roberts, Tanner Addlell and Tiera Kennedy. Performer and Baltimore native Brittney Spencer represented her hometown Wednesday during the big game, singing and dancing with Queen B on the field. Spencer also sang on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album, released in March 2024 in yet another solid showing for the city. Alongside Beyoncé was her 12-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, who has performed with the Grammy award-winning artist in 2023 as a dancer during Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour. Whether it was fate, luck, skill or the Beyoncé effect, the Ravens delivered a win that some may call Déjà Vu. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com or on X as @ToddKarpovich. View the full article

The NFL should do all of us a favor and fast-forward to the Ravens playing in Kansas City for the AFC championship. All of the bettors and the oddsmakers in Las Vegas would have a problem with that idea, but that’s a conclusion I reached after the Ravens lost to the Chiefs, 27-20, in the season opener, and nothing has changed. The NFC appears to be wide-open. Philadelphia and Green Bay look to be at the top because both teams can run the ball and play defense, and the Packers have quarterback Jordan Love. But the same can’t be said about the starting quarterbacks for both Minnesota (Sam Darnold) and Detroit (Jared Goff), and the Lions’ defense has been decimated by injuries. Over in the AFC, it’s just Baltimore and Kansas City. Those Christmas Day games were very revealing because the Chiefs blew out Pittsburgh, 29-10, and the Ravens crushed Houston, 31-2. In case anyone has forgotten, the Steelers were challenging the Ravens for first place in the AFC North and the Texans were battling the Ravens for a possible No. 3 seed in the AFC. So much for competition. The Steelers, who have lost three straight, quit in the fourth quarter Wednesday and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who looked like he was about to cry before the game, was so fearful of the Ravens that he was afraid to step up in the pocket on several occasions. So, bring on the Ravens and the Chiefs. Let’s see if Kansas City can become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowl titles or whether the Ravens can go into Arrowhead Stadium and rob Kansas City of a conference title like the Chiefs did a year ago in Baltimore. There is really nothing else to see, except for maybe K.C. Wolf, who might be the best dancing mascot in pro sports history. If you thought Lamar Jackson was entertaining, then check out Mr. Wolf. Now, back to the AFC. There is all this talk about the NFL Most Valuable Player Award and the competition between Jackson and Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen. If the MVP is given to the league’s best player with the most dominant statistics, then it’s Jackson. If it’s given to the league’s or a team’s most valuable player, then it’s Allen. With the way Lamar Jackson, pictured, and Ravens and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs dismantled their respective opponents on Christmas, the NFL might as well fast-forward to the two teams playing in the AFC championship, columnist Mike Preston writes. (Charlie Riedel/AP) Without Allen, the Bills would be the New York Giants. At least Jackson has tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, running back Derrick Henry, receiver Zay Flowers, middle linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamiton and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Besides Allen, the Bills have running back James Cook. That’s all, folks. They don’t have a dynamic receiver except for Amari Cooper, who can’t adjust to the cold in Buffalo after spending three years in Cleveland. The Bills can’t stop the run, which is why Henry ran Buffalo over in a 35-10 win Sept. 29. Please, bring on the Bills. Those other teams on the outside looking in, like the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals, don’t generate much fear either. All of them are soft. It’s time to go back to Kansas City, not just for the barbecue, but also because of the Chiefs. They have tight end Travis Kelce and his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. They also have Patrick Mahomes, the best all-around quarterback to ever play the game. It’s Mahomes versus Jackson. Jackson, like Mahomes, has won two MVP Awards, but Mahomes has led his team to three Super Bowl titles since becoming the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018. Maybe it’s Jackson’s turn. He has yet to appear in a Super Bowl after seven years in the NFL. It’s fascinating that Kansas City, once on cruise control, has appeared to turn it on again — at least it did Sunday against the Steelers. Mahomes completed 29 of 38 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. He seemed in rhythm despite Kansas City’s problems with pass blocking at offensive tackle. Mahomes went to the short passing attack using receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins. As far as the Chiefs’ problems in the secondary with young cornerbacks, it’s hard to evaluate because of Pittsburgh’s small-ball passing game and quarterback Russell Wilson being so stiff. On the flip side are the Ravens. They’ve run up some big offensive numbers lately against the Giants, Steelers and Texans, but those teams weren’t much of a challenge. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 31-2 win over the Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 31-2 win over Texans Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, MVP hopeful Lamar Jackson crush Texans, 31-2, to take AFC North lead Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 31-2 win over Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Lamar Jackson sets NFL QB rushing record, eclipsing Michael Vick Were the Ravens really that good? No one knows for sure, but it presents an interesting matchup. The Ravens have their own stars. Offensively, when they are on, they have as much firepower as Kansas City. Defensively, the Ravens still have a lot to prove, but they’ve made significant improvement in the past month. It doesn’t get any better than Mahomes versus Jackson. One is the all-around best ever, and the other is the best runner at his position to ever play the game. In the past two seasons, he has shown he can throw just as well as almost any quarterback in the NFL. So, let’s skip the shenanigans and the charades. We all know where this was headed, and it’s been that way since Day 1 of the 2024 season. It’s Chiefs versus Ravens. Let’s move forward as fast as possible. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Week 18 Browns at Ravens TBA TV: TBA Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

The Ravens crushed the AFC South champion Houston Texans in all facets to grab control of the AFC North with one week to go in the NFL regular season. Here are five things we learned from the game, a 31-2 Ravens win: The Ravens again looked like the NFL’s best in a Christmas massacre Pittsburgh was the stress test. Could the Ravens stand up to gut-churning moments against the eternal rival that has tormented them like no other opponent in recent years? Four days before Christmas, they shed that albatross. They returned to work the next afternoon, a trip to Houston already bearing down on them. With a holiday audience watching on Netflix, how would they respond to prosperity? The Ravens received just the gift they needed earlier on Christmas Day when the Chiefs thwacked the Steelers, putting Pittsburgh at a disadvantage in the AFC North for the first time all season. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and a formidable Baltimore defense (seriously, look at their numbers since mid-November) took it from there, leaving no doubt that Kansas City and Buffalo have company in the AFC’s top tier. Jackson hinted that he might prefer not to play on Christmas next season, but perhaps he should rethink that impulse given the results. A year ago, the Ravens thrashed the Super Bowl-bound 49ers in San Francisco, minting themselves as contenders. This time, they outclassed Houston in all phases, pushing their scoring margin in three post-bye victories to plus-67. All they have to do is beat lowly Cleveland on the last weekend of the season to secure a repeat AFC North title, a No. 3 seed and home-field advantage in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The Texans haven’t played up to lofty expectations this year, losing to most of the top-tier opponents they’ve faced. But they had not been blown out since the Minnesota Vikings beat them, 34-7, three months ago. The Ravens stomped them about as convincingly as one playoff team can stomp another. Houston came in No. 1 in defensive DVOA, allowing 5 yards per play and just 107 rushing yards per game. The Ravens ran 13 times for 115 yards in the first quarter and averaged 7.1 yards per play despite easing off the throttle for most of the fourth quarter. Houston averaged a meager 3.9 yards per play, took five sacks and was shut out save for a safety in the second quarter. Ravens running back Derrick Henry, left, and quarterback Lamar Jackson had plenty to celebrate Wednesday against the Texans. (Alex Slitz/Getty) Jackson managed to burnish his Most Valuable Player case while attempting all of 15 passes and four runs. He finished the game exchanging gifts with a young fan in the stands and laughing with coaches and teammates on the sideline. As Jackson noted Monday, the Ravens can’t afford to think they’ll win playoff games simply because they look fantastic right now. “I feel like that went out the window last year,” he said. He and his team could not have peaked any higher last December, and still they failed to put their best foot forward in the AFC championship game. At the same time, we can applaud these Ravens for building the finest offense in franchise history, fixing many of the flaws that held them back and making mincemeat of three opponents in 11 days. “I’d say we’ve come full circle,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. He was talking about the defense’s rapid evolution, fueled by personnel changes and a refreshed culture of accountability. But he could have been talking about the Ravens’ big picture. They celebrated another Christmas as arguably the best all-around team in football. And again, they’ll be judged on what comes next. Lamar Jackson might not care about a third MVP, but that needn’t stop us from relishing his chase Much was made of Jackson’s opportunity to regain his lead in the MVP race in this holiday showcase. He essentially locked up the 2023 award when he carved up the 49ers on Christmas night. The man himself seems utterly disinterested in this angle. “That’s never been my goal,” he said Monday. “Even the first or second one, never been my goal. I always want to finish with the championship, but I’ve been falling short.” Nonetheless, it was hard not to think of Buffalo’s MVP favorite Josh Allen when Jackson donned his magician’s hat on a 99-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter. Deep in Baltimore territory, he bent space and time to evade a sack and saw that Mark Andrews had slipped behind the Houston defense. Jackson flicked the ball to his old reliable, who took it 67 yards to put the Ravens in the red zone. Two plays later, Jackson glided to his right, looking for a tear in the Texans’ blanket coverage. He lured world-class pass rusher Danielle Hunter into a deadly dance, moving back toward his left as he continued to probe for a free teammate. Finally, Isaiah Likely dumped his defender, and Jackson dumped him the ball. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, only threw 15 passes against the Texans, but he still bolstered his MVP case. (Tim Warner/Getty) A defensive coordinator has to bury his face in the desk watching that. You scheme it right, play it tight and Jackson simply changes the terms of the engagement by keeping you on his hook. Jackson slipped on another guise for the Ravens’ first drive of the second half. He faked a handoff to Henry and darted right with blockers in front of him. The Texans never came close to dropping him as he reached a peak speed of 21.2 mph on a 48-yard touchdown gallop that felt straight out of 2019. “Sometimes I just shake my head and say, ‘That was really a great play. That was a great play,'” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I’ve seen a lot of great plays from Lamar Jackson. I told him I was proud of him. I’m not just proud of him just because he makes great plays. I’m proud of him for all the things that go into making great plays and also for all the things he’s overcome along the way.” So what you got, Josh? Allen is magical in his own right, perhaps the most physically powerful quarterback we’ve ever seen whereas the slighter Jackson dances on air. The Bills superstar won’t have the greatest canvas this week when Buffalo faces the woeful Jets with no chance to catch the Chiefs for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. But we all win, watching these majestic talents vie back and forth for a trophy neither man wants as much as that first Lombardi. The Ravens’ pass rush is peaking at the right time Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy looped inside of Nnamdi Madubuike to drop quarterback C.J. Stroud for an 11-yard loss to end Houston’s first drive. He pushed his sack total to a career-high 11 1/2, for which he has already earned $500,000 in contract bonuses. It was difficult to argue when the Ravens re-signed Van Noy to a modest two-year deal in April after he gave them such excellent value last season. At the same time, most of us thought they would struggle to replace Jadeveon Clowney’s production. But the 33-year-old Van Noy told anyone who asked that he was just coming into his own as an edge rusher because he had not been asked to play that role for most of his career. It’s exceedingly rare for a player Van Noy’s age to reach new sack frontiers in consecutive seasons, but when you hear him talk about it so matter-of-factly, it makes sense. “He really finds a way,” Harbaugh said. “He just has a good knack for the game. He has a sense of where the quarterback’s going to go.” Van Noy’s sack Wednesday was the first of five, along with nine quarterback hits, for the Ravens’ surging defense. The team’s secondary — Ar’Darius Washington’s clutch fourth-down hit at the goal line stalled Houston’s only real rally, and Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton made a spectacular diving interception on the Texans’ first drive after halftime — has deservedly received much of the credit for a drastic defensive turnaround over the past six weeks. But coaches always say pressure and coverage work hand in glove, and we’ve seen that in the Ravens’ past two victories. Van Noy might be headed for the first Pro Bowl of his career. Madubuike and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh have also played significant roles in the Ravens’ dominance coming off their late bye week. Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, middle, celebrates a sack with Marlon Humphrey, right, and Nnamdi Madubuike in the second quarter Wednesday. (Tim Warner/Getty) With their ferocious pursuit of Stroud, they momentarily leapfrogged the Denver Broncos to lead the league in sacks. That probably wasn’t a stat any of us envisioned back in August when edge rusher was routinely described as one of the Ravens’ thinnest positions. They’re approaching last year’s NFL-best sack total without an overpowering season from Madubuike, their top interior rusher. That story doesn’t end with Van Noy, but it does start with him. Another elite defense’s track record flew out the window On Saturday, the Ravens ran for 63 more yards than any previous opponent had against Pittsburgh’s proud defense. Similarly, the Texans had not given up more than 163 rushing yards in their first 15 games. They came in third in DVOA against the run, suggesting their efficiency in context was even better than their raw numbers. The Ravens rumbled for 251 yards, and that was with Jackson shutting it down for most of the fourth quarter. They destroy context, because they have a generational running talent at quarterback and another one taking handoffs from him. There’s simply no way for a defense, even a terrific one, to pay proper attention to both Jackson and Henry. That was the dream when general manager Eric DeCosta signed Henry in the offseason. For six seasons, Jackson had guaranteed an elite ground game no matter who lined up behind him. But what might that look like with a Hall of Fame running back? There were skeptics. Would Henry’s style fit the franchise quarterback’s shotgun drops and read-option handoffs? Would he continue to spit in the eye of old age at the sport’s most debilitating position? With one week to go in the regular season, Jackson and Henry have rendered those doubts absurd. Instead, it’s increasingly clear that we underestimated what it would mean to pair the greatest running quarterback of all time — Jackson passed his childhood hero Michael Vick’s career yardage record on Wednesday — with one of the 10 or 15 best running backs in NFL history. We’ve never seen anything like this. Ravens running back Derrick Henry rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown in Wednesday’s win over the Texans. (David J. Phillip/AP) The Ravens have quietly cleaned up the smaller failings that held them back The recipe for a Ravens disappointment became brutally familiar. A Justin Tucker miss here, a spate of penalties there, a fourth-quarter coverage lapse to make you tear out your hair. We’ve already talked plenty about the Ravens’ defensive transformation, from a group that gave up the most explosive plays in the league to top three in DVOA since Week 11. Coordinator Zach Orr deserves a crown of tinsel and holly after his guys pitched a shutout (can’t hold them responsible for the safety) in his native Texas on Christmas. But what about penalties and special teams? Well, the Ravens still arrived in Houston leading the league in penalty yards, even after they were flagged just twice for 10 yards in beating the Steelers on Saturday. But we can officially say they’re headed in the right direction after they were penalized just three times for 30 yards against the Texans. The most significant yellow flag against the Ravens — a 20-yard pass interference on Humphrey that set Houston up at the Baltimore 10-yard line — was one of the worst calls you’ll see. Humphrey put himself in superb position against Robert Woods and whipped his head around to play the ball. Punishing that is punishing textbook football. They made sure the play didn’t bite them by stonewalling Houston at the goal line, and from there, they played about as clean a game as you could want. Meanwhile, Tucker, the most debated athlete in Baltimore a month ago, split the uprights with a 52-yard field goal and four extra points. He was also perfect against Pittsburgh, not raising the blood pressure once on four extra points and two field goals, one of those from 51 yards in a swirling wind. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 31-2 win over Texans Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, MVP hopeful Lamar Jackson crush Texans, 31-2, to take AFC North lead Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 31-2 win over Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Lamar Jackson sets NFL QB rushing record, eclipsing Michael Vick Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Josh Johnson, Texans RB Joe Mixon separated during warmups Has the greatest kicker in NFL history discovered the antidote to what ailed him as his success rate plummeted to 70% through the first 13 games? It’s premature to go that far, but over the past three games, we’ve seen none of the wide-left hooks that haunted Tucker. At his nadir, he seemed exhausted by questions he couldn’t answer to anyone’s satisfaction. But in recent days, he has bounced around the team facility without an obvious care in the world, issuing his familiar high-pitch warning call when reporters enter the team’s locker room after practice. Though a clutch miss in the playoffs would bring uncomfortable questions flooding back, the Tucker of now suddenly looks and sounds a lot like the Tucker of old. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. Week 18 Browns at Ravens TBA TV: TBA Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens (11-5) graded out at every position after a 31-2 win over the Texans (9-7) on Wednesday at NRG Stadium in Houston: Quarterback Lamar Jackson took over the second quarter with a couple of scrambles, which extended scoring drives. He finished 10-for-15 for 168 yards and two touchdown passes and also had a 48-yard touchdown run on an option play to start the third quarter. Jackson broke the NFL record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback. Grade: A Running backs Derrick Henry finished with 147 yards rushing — including a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter — on 27 carries. The Texans didn’t help themselves by playing often with a four-man front, which the Ravens beat up and wore down. Henry averaged 5.4 yards per carry. The Ravens did get backup Keaton Mitchell some time filling in for Justice Hill (concussion protocol), though he didn’t appear as quick or as fast as a year ago. But he showed more burst as the game went on, running for 20 yards and catching a pass for a 28-yard gain. Grade: A Offensive line The Ravens simply overpowered Houston up front from the beginning of the game until coach John Harbaugh decided to pull some of his starters early in the fourth quarter. The Ravens did an excellent job of working and getting blocking angles on the Texans. The Ravens ran wham and trap blocks to perfection and were also able to get into the second level with guards Daniel Faalele and Patrick Mekari. The Ravens struggled some in pass protection, but Jackson avoided the pressure in the second quarter. Grade: B+ Receivers The Ravens’ running game was so dominant that it cleared the way for the play-action passing game. One of the best things the Ravens do, especially their tight ends, is to stay active and keep moving once the designed play falls apart. Mark Andrews had two catches for 68 yards and a touchdown and fellow tight end Isaiah Likely also had a 9-yard touchdown reception. Receiver Zay Flowers, who was questionable before the game with a shoulder injury, had two catches for 31 yards. Grade: B+ Defensive line Once the Ravens got the big lead after Jackson’s touchdown run in the third quarter, it was basically a feeding frenzy for the defensive line, which had nine pressures and five sacks. The Ravens took running back Joe Mixon out of the game early and made Houston one-dimensional. The Texans had only 58 yards rushing, 26 by Mixon. The Ravens were a brick wall up front, led by tackles Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones and Michael Pierce. This group also did a good job of occupying linemen and allowing linebackers to win one-on-one battles on the outside. Grade: A Linebackers The Ravens were dominant both inside and outside. Middle linebackers Roquan Smith (eight tackles, Malik Harrison and Chris Board played well, and the Ravens got consistent pressure from outside linebackers Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo and Tavius Robinson. The Ravens put so much fear into Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and his horrendous offensive line that Stroud wouldn’t even step up in the pocket. Stroud wanted no part of this defense. Grade: A Secondary Again, the Ravens gave up yardage in the middle of the field and Stroud’s accuracy was absolutely horrible. But the Ravens have been solid on the back end with safety Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington. One thing about Washington is that he isn’t afraid to hit at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, unlike the player he replaced, Marcus Williams. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (seven tackles) played well despite the bogus pass interference call against him in the first half. Overall, the secondary is playing well and it has gotten better with the pass rush. It’s not coincidental. Grade: B+ Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, MVP hopeful Lamar Jackson crush Texans, 31-2, to take AFC North lead Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 31-2 win over Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Lamar Jackson sets NFL QB rushing record, eclipsing Michael Vick Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Josh Johnson, Texans RB Joe Mixon separated during warmups Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans, December 25, 2024 | PHOTOS Special teams Justin Tucker connected on a 52-yard field goal to quiet all criticisms of him. Jordan Stout averaged 41.3 yards a punt but put two inside the 20-yard line. Steven Sims looked indecisive and shaky on punt returns but overall it was a pretty clean game for special teams. Grade: B Coaching Critics can say whatever they want about Harbaugh, but it’s hard to prepare a team and have it ready to play three games in 11 days. Granted, the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans have struggled at various points during the season, but the Ravens dominated all three. Grade: A Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Week 18 Browns at Ravens TBA TV: TBA Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Coach John Harbaugh and the Ravens won three games in 11 days. (David J. Phillip/AP) View the full article

HOUSTON — A security guard outside NRG stadium greeted fans joyously Wednesday afternoon, bellowing, “We got the greatest QB nationwide … Merry Christmas!” as fans made their way inside for what was billed as a blockbuster showdown between AFC division leaders, the Ravens and Texans. He was referring to the home team’s C.J. Stroud, but by the time the lights went dark for Beyoncé’s sparkling halftime performance, it was Lamar Jackson who dimmed and then turned out the lights on Houston’s chances. “Alien Superstar” wasn’t one of the hits she played, but its lyrics seemed apropos: “I’m number one. I’m the only one. Don’t even waste your time trying to compete with me.” Already leading 17-2 on the Ravens’ opening possession of the second half, Jackson kept the ball on a run-pass option, raced through a gaping hole in the right side of the line and ran untouched into the end zone 48 yards later. It was his fastest recorded run of the season, per NextGen Stats, at 21.25 mph. He said he was “jogging.” Then, a few carries into the Ravens’ next series, he dashed into history, eclipsing Michael Vick’s NFL record of 6,109 career rushing yards for a quarterback. “It feels unreal, to be honest with you,” Jackson said of breaking the mark. “I just give God all the glory. I’m grateful, man, because that’s a record that’s been held for a long time with Michael Vick, one of my favorite players. That’s just dope.” Jackson finished 10 of 15 passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 87 yards and one score on four carries before giving way to backup Josh Johnson in the fourth quarter as visiting Baltimore blew out Houston, 31-2. “What could you say that would parallel what he did?” coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s just another phenomenal performance. “It’s kind of what he does every week.” The game only looked easy for the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, who is a candidate to win the award for a third time. “I’m just playing football,” Jackson said. “I’m trying to win. “I’m just having fun. It’s not easy. I don’t care what nobody say. It looks easy, but it’s not.” Most importantly for the Ravens (11-5), the victory puts them alone atop the AFC North with one game left in the regular season after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the suddenly floundering Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the day. Remarkably, Baltimore has gone from two games back of Pittsburgh coming off its bye week earlier this month to a game in front. And the Ravens did it with three victories in just 11 days, outscoring opponents 100-33 in the span, winning all three by double digits. “Great win. Proud of our guys,” Harbaugh said. “These guys took these three games in 11 days and smashed it, obliterated it, tore it up and made it into a bunch of smithereens laying around everywhere.” Their latest victory was their most impressive. Facing a Texans defense that came into the game No. 1 in the league in defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA), third in sacks and led by star edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, the Ravens leaned early on running back Derrick Henry (147 yards, one touchdown on 27 carries), who carried five times for 26 yards on the game’s first series, including from 2 yards out for his first touchdown in four games. It was also his 16th of the season, breaking the single-season franchise record set by Ray Rice (2011) and Mark Ingram II (2019). “Yeah definitely [a tone-setter],” left tackle Ronnie Stanley said. “We started the game fast and that’s what we wanna do. We haven’t done that every game, come out with a touchdown drive and we did this week and that’s how we want to start every week.” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, left, catches a 1-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. (David J. Phillip/AP) It had been a long while, with Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals being the last time Baltimore had opened a game with a touchdown on its first possession. It was also a sign of things to come — for the Ravens’ NFL-best ground game and its NFL Most Valuable Player candidate at quarterback. Baltimore’s next drive stalled at the Texans’ 34-yard line, but it didn’t matter, with kicker Justin Tucker looking like his old self as he easily made a 52-yard field goal for a 10-0 first-quarter lead. The Ravens dominated the opening stanza in just about every way possible but especially on the ground, with Henry accounting for 86 of the Ravens’ 143 total yards as the offensive line blew open one big hole after another. Houston, meanwhile, was held to just 27 yards for a woeful 2.9 yards per play to Baltimore’s 8.4. Things only got worse from there for the Texans. After Henry was dropped in the end zone by defensive back Kamari Lassiter for a safety early in the second quarter, it looked like momentum was about to shift. But on fourth-and-goal from Baltimore’s 4-yard line on the next series, cornerback Tre’Davious White and safety Ar’Darius Washington converged on Houston running back Joe Mixon and drilled him out of bounds at the 1, snuffing out any chance of a potential game-tying score. “I seen him throw the ball and I was like there was no way I’m gonna let him get in here,” said Washington, who collided with Zach Orr in celebration on the sideline, knocking the defensive coordinator to the ground. “So I just broke on the ball.” Then the Ravens’ offense did what it always seems to do of late — move the ball by the chunk with Jackson leading the way. Henry ran for 7 yards. Rashod Bateman caught a 12-yard pass. Jackson scrambled away from pressure and hit Zay Flowers for a gain of 16. Henry ran for 5 more. Then Jackson eluded more pressure and found his security blanket, Mark Andrews, on a lob down the right sideline, with the tight end stiff-arming a defender and rumbling 67 yards before being dragged down at the Texans’ 13. Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, middle, celebrates with teammates Odafe Oweh, left, and Nnamdi Madubuike after a sack in the first half Wednesday. (David J. Phillip/AP) Two plays later, Jackson did it again, eluding the defense, rolling right and throwing back to his left — perhaps an appropriate ode to the halftime act — for a touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely to put the Ravens up 17-2. The Texans got the ball back but on a fourth-and-2 from the Ravens’ 43 with 1:18 remaining in the half, they opted to punt, drawing a chorus of boos from the crowd. Both teams had run 31 plays in the first half, but that’s where the similarities ended. The Ravens outgained the Texans, 261 yards to 125. They averaged 8.4 yards per play to their 4.0. They had 117 rushing yards to Houston’s 28. Jackson threw for 144 yards to Stroud’s 97. Baltimore was perfect in the red zone, scoring twice, while the Texans were 0-for-1. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 31-2 win over Texans Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 31-2 win over Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Lamar Jackson sets NFL QB rushing record, eclipsing Michael Vick Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Josh Johnson, Texans RB Joe Mixon separated during warmups Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans, December 25, 2024 | PHOTOS Then, less than two minutes into the second half, Jackson put the game out of reach before he put the cherry on top, capping a 10-play, 62-yard drive with another touchdown strike to Andrews. Baltimore’s ascendant defense, meanwhile, stifled the Texans all game, holding Stroud to 17 of 31 passing for 185 yards while sacking him five times. The Ravens’ run defense, which came into the game No. 1 in the league in yards allowed and yards allowed per attempt, also completely shut down Mixon (26 yards on nine carries). “I’m not gonna lie, I would say we’ve come full circle,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said of the once-maligned defense. “It felt good. “When I had conversations with some of the guys one-on-one, two-on-two, it was some tough conversations. We still believed [but] it did seem far away. It seemed every single guy was having a mishap at the wrong time. … Early in the season we kept being like ‘What are we doing wrong?’ It was simple. You just got to get all 11 guys doing their job. The coaching hasn’t necessarily changed; a couple pieces have shifted and that’s been there, just getting all 11 guys doing their job. When we do that, we’re really tough defense. When we’re not, we look average.” Now the Ravens will get a few days off before preparing for their regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on either Jan. 4 or 5. They are acutely aware of the stakes. If they win, it will wrap up another AFC North title and likely the No. 3 seed in the playoffs, which would guarantee a wild-card game at home in the first round of the postseason. “I want that AFC North,” Humphrey said. “It feels good to get that hat and T-shirt.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Week 18 Browns at Ravens TBA TV: TBA Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM Ravens running back Derrick Henry, right, runs while Texans safety Eric Murray tries to tackle him in the first half Wednesday. (David J. Phillip/AP) View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 31-2 win over the Houston Texans in Wednesday’s Week 17 game at NRG Stadium: Brian Wacker, reporter: The Ravens set the tone on the first drive of the game, running Derrick Henry down the Texans’ throat and running the home team out of its own building. Then Lamar Jackson continued to show why he’s worthy of another NFL Most Valuable Player Award, directing an offense that moved the ball at will against a Texans defense that came into the game No. 1 in the league in DVOA. He also proved how unique his talents are, with his arm and his legs as he continuously left defenders grasping at air while he found open receivers or raced through the secondary. Perhaps most impressive, though, was the Ravens’ defense, which flustered and pestered quarterback C.J. Stroud all game and gave the Texans little in the way of oxygen, even when it looked like they found some after tackling Henry for a safety. Childs Walker, reporter: Lamar Jackson showed off all the gifts in his deep bag as the Ravens played one of their best all-around games of the season to seize first place in the AFC North. The Texans have lost to a string of top-tier opponents, but those games were close. This one wasn’t as Houston’s excellent defense found few answers for Jackson or Derrick Henry, and Baltimore’s defense continued its second-half renaissance. The Ravens fired out of the chute with a perfect drive: eight plays, seven on the ground, covering 75 yards to put them up 7-0. After the Ravens scored again on their next possession and stopped the Texans three straight times to start the game, it seemed a rout might be on. Houston reversed the tide in the second quarter, penetrating into the Baltimore backfield consistently and dropping Henry for a safety. The Ravens reversed it back with a goal-line stand and 99-yard touchdown drive. Jackson dipped into his magician’s hat on that one, slipping out of a sack to dump the ball to Mark Andrews for a 67-yard catch-and-run, then buying an absurd amount of time for Isaiah Likely to pop open in the end zone. Jackson then started the second half faking a handoff to Henry and running away from the Houston defense to make it 24-2. That one felt straight out of 2019. Jackson might not care about winning a third MVP Award, but he’s making his case. Mike Preston, columnist: The Ravens embarrassed the Texans on Christmas, and it really wasn’t much of a contest. The Ravens overpowered Houston with stars Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson and then dominated on the defensive side as well. The Ravens made Houston one-dimensional by shutting down running back Joe Mixon. It was surprising that Houston thought it could contain Baltimore’s running game with a four-man front. Maybe bigger and better defensive teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and even the Pittsburgh Steelers can at times, but not Houston. The Texans came into the game with a highly rated defense, but few teams play good defense in the NFL anymore. Houston was whipped soundly on both sides of the ball, and the NFL might as well forget the rest of the AFC schedule, and let Baltimore play Kansas City again for the AFC title. Sam Cohn, reporter: Oh, how quickly a divisional race can tilt. Both the Ravens and Steelers were scheduled for a grueling three games in 11 days this late in the season. The former went undefeated. The latter finished winless. And now Baltimore is in the driver’s seat for the AFC North divisional race after thumping Houston during a Beyoncé concert on Netflix. It might be naive to shrink the win to one sequence. But it’s hard not to focus in on that second quarter. Baltimore led 10-0 when Texans punter Tommy Townsend impressively pinned the Ravens at their own 4-yard line. Derrick Henry’s greediness on that first play resulted in a safety. Any life birthed from that two-play sequence flatlined when the Ravens’ defense walled up at the goal line, taking back possession and keeping Houston off the board. It was smooth sailing from there and Baltimore couldn’t lose on the night Lamar Jackson passed Michael Vick for the NFL’s QB rushing crown. C.J. Doon, editor: Lamar Jackson is officially the greatest rushing quarterback in NFL history, but we knew that already. In fact, calling him a rushing quarterback is a disservice to his overall body of work. That’s only part of his game now, a trump card he can play whenever he needs to. At this rate, Jackson is aiming higher. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre … that’s the company he’s going to keep if he wins a second straight and third overall NFL Most Valuable Player Award. And he probably won’t stop there. Like LeBron James, he could have the best statistical resume of anyone in the sport when he’s all said and done. And like James for the longest time, the only thing missing on his resume is a championship ring. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Lamar Jackson sets NFL QB rushing record, eclipsing Michael Vick Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Josh Johnson, Texans RB Joe Mixon separated during warmups Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans, December 25, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans live updates: Baltimore leads 31-2 in 4th quarter Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers ‘questionable,’ Texans without multiple key starters This season feels like his best chance to get one. Kansas City is 15-1, yes, but the Chiefs can’t keep getting away with this one-score magic … right? You can make an argument Baltimore should have won last year’s AFC championship game against Patrick Mahomes and company, and that was without the league’s second-leading rusher, Derrick Henry, in the backfield. Buffalo has Josh Allen, the biggest challenger to Jackson’s MVP case, but the Bills’ defense has been extremely vulnerable. If Jackson and Henry continue to play like this, and the defense continues to make steady improvements week after week, I’d take the Ravens over the field right now when it comes to winning the Super Bowl. That includes Philadelphia and the rest of the NFC, too. Bennett Conlin, editor: The Ravens are 11-3 since starting 0-2, and they’re a home win against the lowly Browns away from winning the AFC North for a second straight season. That’s impressive, as was Wednesday’s beatdown of the AFC South champions. The Texans had no answers for Baltimore’s rushing attack, and the Ravens’ defense continued its late-season improvement. It looks like the Ravens are playing their best football of the season at the most important time. Lamar Jackson made a serious case that he’s more deserving than Buffalo’s Josh Allen to win the MVP Award. Jackson looked like the best version of himself Wednesday, racing untouched for a 48-yard touchdown run and dissecting Houston’s defense with pinpoint passing efficiency. It was a nearly flawless performance from Baltimore, with even Justin Tucker connecting on a 52-yard field goal. With the defense trending in the right direction and Derrick Henry running well, it’s hard to think of a more dangerous team with January looming. 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

The record Lamar Jackson has long seemed destined for is now his. With a masterful outing Wednesday evening against the Houston Texans, the Ravens quarterback became the NFL’s all-time rushing leader among quarterbacks. He dashed past legendary dual-threat quarterback Michael Vick’s mark of 6,109 yards. Jackson reached the threshold in 41 fewer games and six fewer seasons than Vick. In the Ravens’ third game in 11 days, this one played on Christmas, Jackson tied his second best single-game rushing total this season and best since Week 3. Jackson entered Wednesday needing 86 yards to tie Vick. He was pulled early in the fourth quarter after notching 87 yards on four carries, complementing 168 yards and two passing touchdowns. Early in the third quarter, he faked a handoff to Derrick Henry and took off toward his right for a 48-yard rushing touchdown. He eclipsed Vick on his final carry of the day, an 8-yard run on the following drive, which ended with him throwing his second of two touchdown passes to tight end Mark Andrews. It likely bolstered his resume for a third NFL Most Valuable Player Award. It definitely cements his legacy as the league’s best-rushing quarterback ever. Jackson entered the league shouldering mountainous amounts of criticism. Some (wrongly) thought he was better suited to play running back. Every milestone achievement — rushing, passing or elsewhere — has been met with the years-old tagline, “Not bad for a running back.” After finally beating the archrival Steelers last week, there was an early Christmas gift sitting in the locker room for Jackson: a painted canvas with those six words. Jackson earned the record in what is unmistakably his best season as a passer. “I think as a passer he’s taken leaps and bounds from where we started in the offseason last year [around] spring training camp last season and then picking up where he left off,” quarterbacks coach Tee Martin said earlier this month. “Pass technique-wise, being more accurate at all of the throws at all field zones. We made a key point to work on throws outside the numbers, into deeper field zones, outside the numbers, post routes, go routes [and] things of that nature [as well as] on the run [and] scramble throws.” It’s all been evident in his campaign for a third career MVP honor. And it has made the magic he can spark with his legs all the more valuable. Harder to defend, too. The record comes two weeks after Jackson revealed his mother, Felicia Jones, gave him grief for what she deemed a passive rushing performance. Jones cussed out her son after a 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in which Jackson rushed for 79 yards. She thought he should have had more. Now, no quarterback has more. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Josh Johnson, Texans RB Joe Mixon separated during warmups Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans, December 25, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans live updates: Baltimore leads 31-2 in 4th quarter Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers ‘questionable,’ Texans without multiple key starters Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans staff picks: Who wins on Christmas in Houston? Not all former players are willing to pass down their records with such grace. Even fewer empower their successors. Vick has done both, cheering on Jackson with a smile. “We knew it was coming, man. Like I said, you was the guy for the job,” Vick said, in a 2019 video message when Jackson broke his single-season rushing record (1,206). “Appreciate everything you do for the game.” Then on a FanDuel show in 2022, Vick was introduced as the all-time record holder. He cut off the interview: “That’s temporary,” he said. “Lamar Jackson is on my trail!” Two years later, Vick’s once unthinkable rushing total is squarely in Jackson’s rearview mirror. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

HOUSTON — So much for the Christmas spirit. Texans running back Joe Mixon and Ravens backup quarterback Josh Johnson had words and had to be separated during pregame warmups a little more than an hour before kickoff at NRG Stadium on Wednesday. The kerfuffle lasted several minutes before others got involved. What was behind it? It turns out that an errant punt from Baltimore’s Jordan Stout struck a Houston coach. Mixon, a former Cincinnati Bengals star, apparently took exception and then punted the ball into the stands. After Mixon’s kick, Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton Jr. also had words with Mixon as well. The Ravens (10-5) can move into first place in the AFC North alone with a win over Houston (9-6) after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the day and clinched the conference’s top seed and first-round bye. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith takes selfies with fans before taking on the Houston Texans in an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, left, talks with former player Vonta Leach, who is dressed up as Santa Claus, before taking on the Houston Texans, in an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) warms up before taking on the Houston Texans, an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio, left, talks with Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, before an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) View the full article

The Ravens (10-5) and Houston Texans (9-6) face off Wednesday afternoon for a Christmas Day showdown streamed live on Netflix. Follow along here for live coverage and analysis. View the full article

HOUSTON — Ravens second-year standout Zay Flowers crossed the 1,000-yard receiving threshold in last week’s win over the Steelers, becoming the first Baltimore wide receiver to do so since Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in 2021. But his status for Wednesday’s Christmas Day game against the Texans is listed as questionable. Flowers suffered a shoulder injury in that victory over Pittsburgh, missed two days of practice this week, had his arm in a sling in the locker room earlier in the week and was limited in Tuesday’s final walk-through practice of the week. Already, the Ravens (10-5) will be without veteran receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion), who was ruled out for the second straight game. They will also be without running back Justice Hill, who suffered a concussion against Pittsburgh and has not cleared protocol. With Hill sidelined, Baltimore will turn to rookie Rasheen Ali and second-year player Keaton Mitchell behind Derrick Henry. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) was also ruled out, while cornerback Tre’Davious White (shoulder) is listed as questionable after practicing for the first time this week on Tuesday, albeit in a limited capacity. Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum and right guard Daniel Faalele, who were dealing with back and knee injuries this week, did not have injury designations and are expected to play. That will be a big help against a Texans defensive front that is perhaps the best in the NFL and led by edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans staff picks: Who wins on Christmas in Houston? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 scouting report: Who will have the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 16: Ravens could be the big bully this postseason Baltimore Ravens | How Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has reentered the NFL MVP race Houston (9-6), however, will be without starting right guard Shaq Mason (knee) and guard/center Juice Scruggs (foot), with both ruled out. Wide receiver Tank Dell was also put on injured reserve earlier in the week after suffering a dislocated knee and torn ACL against the Kansas City Chiefs, as was safety Jimmie Ward after suffering a foot injury in the same game. The Texans signed receiver Diontae Johnson to help offset the loss of Dell, doing so just days after he was waived by the Ravens. The Texans are also banged up along the defensive front. Defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (ankle) was ruled out, while defensive end Denico Autry (knee) was listed as questionable, though he did practice in a limited capacity for a third straight day. 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 Wednesday’s Week 17 game between the Ravens (10-5) and Texans (9-6) at NRG Stadium in Houston: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 24, Texans 14: The Texans have perhaps the best defense in the NFL. The Ravens have the league’s top offense in yards per game and are third in scoring. It’s a delicious matchup. Lamar Jackson is also operating at an elite level and Houston is so desperate at wide receiver after losing Stefon Diggs and now Tank Dell that it claimed jettisoned and fractious Diontae Johnson off waivers this week. Those losses put a serious cramp in the Texans’ offense against an ascendant Ravens defense, while Baltimore’s offense has been regaining its rhythm and momentum in recent weeks. The Ravens can see the finish line of the regular season and a third win in 11 days will help get them there. Childs Walker, reporter Ravens 31, Texans 24: Elite pass offense vs. elite pass defense. That’s an enticing headline for a Christmas showcase, and Lamar Jackson will face another true test as he tries to rally his team to a repeat AFC North title. The Ravens’ pass protection will need to be sturdy, and they’ll need to build a significant advantage on the ground. The good news for them is that C.J. Stroud, now missing two of his top three receivers, has not been at his best for most of this season. It will be difficult for Houston to keep up if the Ravens’ offense plays even an average game. The Texans have played close games against top opponents but have fallen short in most of those. That pattern will hold against Baltimore. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 28, Texans 21: The Texans have a strong defense, but they can’t control the ball and keep the Ravens’ offense off the field. Former Bengals running back Joe Mixon is playing better than I thought he could play in Houston, but the Ravens can make the Texans one-dimensional. Once that happens, the Ravens will be able to get pressure on quarterback C.J. Stroud, whose receiving corps has been decimated by injuries. The Ravens are operating on a short week because of travel, but they still have too much talent and a much better roster than Houston. This game will be close for about three quarters. C.J Doon, editor Ravens 30, Texans 13: The Texans just lost three starters to long-term injuries, and their offensive line has been terrible all season. C.J. Stroud will have to play at an MVP level to keep this one close, and while he’s certainly capable, the Ravens should be able to create enough pressure and play tight coverage to limit Nico Collins and Houston’s depleted passing game. Joe Mixon has also struggled to find running room recently, so there are not many answers against a steadily improving Baltimore defense. The Texans’ defense is certainly formidable, but Lamar Jackson should be able to neutralize pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. while Derrick Henry pounds away against a soft interior and a trio of linebackers who all weigh less than him. Ravens and Beyoncé fans should be “Crazy in Love” with this matchup. (Sorry.) Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 scouting report: Who will have the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 16: Ravens could be the big bully this postseason Baltimore Ravens | How Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has reentered the NFL MVP race Baltimore Ravens | Find a Flock: Ravens and Lamar Jackson are drawing interest worldwide Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 34, Texans 14: Prevent Nico Collins from taking over the game, and that should be enough for the Ravens. Who does C.J. Stroud have left to throw the ball to? Diontae Johnson? But seriously, Houston is in tough shape after Tank Dell’s season-ending injury and Baltimore is on a roll. It feels like a bigger mismatch than it might be on paper since the Texans’ secondary is the NFL’s best on paper, but the Ravens are not one-dimensional. Derrick Henry will get his share of carries, Lamar Jackson will get all of his playmakers involved and Baltimore will roll in what will be a rout. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 27, Texans 20: Ravens coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Lamar Jackson spent part of Monday’s news conference discussing Beyoncé and her upcoming halftime show for this showdown. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans spent his news conference explaining how the team hopes to emotionally move on from losing a standout wide receiver (Tank Dell) and safety (Jimmie Ward). Baltimore feels like it’s better prepared physically and mentally for a short week, as the Ravens are overflowing with confidence and playing loose after taking down the Steelers for just the second time in 10 tries. 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 celebrated a cathartic 34-17 win over the Steelers on Saturday, while the Texans fell to the Chiefs, 27-19. Who will have the advantage when these AFC playoff teams meet on Christmas? Ravens passing game vs. Texans pass defense This is the league’s most efficient pass offense against its most efficient pass defense, according to DVOA, so that’s fun. Lamar Jackson finally played a Most Valuable Player-level game against the Pittsburgh defense, which had given him more trouble than any other. His throws into tight windows, including a 49-yard gain to Zay Flowers on the Ravens’ final scoring drive, demonstrated how far he has come as a passer over the past seven years. A red-zone interception on which he and Rashod Bateman failed to find the same page was his only significant misfire in that signature win. Jackson has set new career highs in passing yards and touchdown passes with two games to spare and leads the league in passer rating and yards per attempt for an offense that ranks first in yards per play, third in scoring and first in red zone efficiency. His leading receiver, Flowers, crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the season against Pittsburgh. Tight end Mark Andrews has caught touchdown passes in four straight games and has totaled nine in his past 10. Jackson’s pass protection held up well against the Steelers’ star rushers, with only Alex Highsmith wreaking havoc, largely against left tackle Ronnie Stanley, whose performance has dipped in recent weeks. The Baltimore offensive line will face another rigorous test from the Texans, tied for third in the league in sacks and holding opponents to just 5.4 yards per attempt. The troubles start with edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. (10 1/2 sacks, 17 quarterback hits) and Danielle Hunter (12 sacks, 23 quarterback hits). Like many of the top defenses, the Texans put heat on the quarterback without blitzing frequently (21.2% of dropbacks). Houston also has an array of playmakers in its secondary, led by 2022 first-round pick Derek Stingley Jr., who appears headed for his first Pro Bowl with five interceptions and 18 passes defended. Rookie Kamari Lassiter has played well as Stingley’s partner on the outside. Veteran Jimmie Ward, one of the league’s best safeties over the last five years, suffered a season-ending foot injury against the Chiefs. EDGE: Ravens Ravens vs TexansJerry Jackson/Baltimore SunRavens linebacker Roquan Smith sacks Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud during last year’s season opener. (Staff file) Texans passing game vs. Ravens pass defense Quarterback C.J. Stroud (23rd in passer rating, 25th in ESPN’s QBR) hasn’t produced the sparkling follow-up many expected after his splendid rookie season, which ended in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Ravens. Stefon Diggs tore his ACL, and Tank Dell dislocated his kneecap in an unsettling scene against the Chiefs, so Stroud is down two of his top three targets. Only Nico Collins (60 catches, 909 yards, six touchdowns in 10 games) remains as a significant big-pay threat. The Texans could have wide receiver John Metchie III back from a shoulder injury. Tight end Dalton Schultz (48 catches, 482 yards) is Stroud’s other main option, and running back Joe Mixon is always dangerous on screens and dump-offs. Houston’s pass protection, expected to be a strength with Laremy Tunsil anchoring at left tackle, has been faulty, leaving Stroud to take 47 sacks. The second-year quarterback has added to that problem by holding the ball an average of 2.97 seconds per dropback, according to Next Gen Stats. The Ravens will try to follow up a strong effort against the Steelers in which they pressured Russell Wilson 27 times, per Pro Football Focus. Outside linebacker David Ojabo helped create Marlon Humphrey’s pick-six in the fourth quarter, which essentially put the game away. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike delivered stellar performances. The secondary did its part with three massive plays: Humphrey’s interception, Ar’Darius Washington’s forced fumble on Wilson near the goal line and Kyle Hamilton’s pass breakup on another potential touchdown. Humphrey (six interceptions, 13 pass breakups) deserves to make his fourth Pro Bowl, while safeties Hamilton and Washington have transformed the Ravens’ pass defense since they took over the back end. Baltimore now ranks 14th in DVOA against the pass, which would have seemed inconceivable 10 weeks into the season when the defense had given up more 20-yard-plus plays than any in the league. Cornerback Brandon Stephens also played one of his best games in a rocky year against the Steelers. EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Texans run defense The Ravens trampled the Steelers for 220 rushing yards, with Derrick Henry delivering a vintage late-season performance (24 carries, 162 yards). Just a few days away from his 31st birthday, Henry is on pace for the second-highest rushing total of his marvelous career and averaging a career-best 5.9 yards per carry. Pittsburgh bottled up Jackson (nine carries, 22 yards); he’s still leading the league at 6.1 yards per attempt. The Ravens lost third-down back Justice Hill (concussion) on a scary play, so they will likely call on Rasheen Ali, with Keaton Mitchell also active, against the Texans. The Texans’ run defense is also very good, though they’ll miss suspended (for his hit on Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence) linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Even without him, Houston allowed just 52 yards in a win over the Dolphins and 124 in its loss to Kansas City. Opponents average 4.3 yards per carry against the Texans. Will the Ravens, with their league-best 5.7-yard average, finally be the team that cracks the dam against them? EDGE: Ravens Texans running game vs. Ravens run defense Mixon has tailed off after a red-hot start and is averaging 4.2 yards per carry, in line with his career mark of 4.1. He’s of course familiar to the Ravens after playing seven seasons in Cincinnati. Baltimore has held him to 3.6 yards per carry. The Texans don’t really have a second option, though Stroud will take off in a pinch. The Ravens have allowed the fewest yards per game and per carry in the league, though Pittsburgh found some success against them on early downs, running for 117 yards on 24 carries. Linebacker Roquan Smith again leads the team in tackles, though Hamilton has arguably taken over as the most impactful run defender. Linebacker Chris Board, who has taken snaps away from Trenton Simpson, played his best game of the season against the Steelers. The Ravens also have their interior wall back with nose tackle Michael Pierce and defensive tackle Travis Jones both off the injury report. EDGE: Ravens Ravens special teams vs. Texans special teams Justin Tucker eased some of the anxiety around him by making all his kicks, including a 51-yard field goal, on a blustery afternoon against the Steelers. The day still turned into an adventure for the Ravens’ special teams, with Jordan Stout shanking a punt and punt returner Desmond King II fumbling twice (coach John Harbaugh said King will remain his punt returner against Houston). Such errors explain why the Ravens rank 24th in special teams DVOA. On kickoffs, Mitchell is the top candidate to stand in for Hill. Houston ranks seventh in special teams DVOA. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn has made 35 of 41 field-goal attempts, though he missed an extra point against Kansas City and two of his earlier misses came on field goals between 20 and 29 yards. Punter Tommy Townsend is one of the best in the league. The Texans have averaged an impressive 30.6 yards on kickoff returns, a less impressive 8.5 on punt returns. EDGE: Texans Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans staff picks: Who wins on Christmas in Houston? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 16: Ravens could be the big bully this postseason Baltimore Ravens | How Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has reentered the NFL MVP race Baltimore Ravens | Find a Flock: Ravens and Lamar Jackson are drawing interest worldwide Ravens intangibles vs. Texans intangibles The Ravens’ win over the Steelers was their most satisfying of the season and gave them a solid chance to snatch the AFC North and home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs from Pittsburgh. They’ll be at a rest disadvantage as the road team in a short week, but Houston is coming off a tough loss with several key players either on injured reserve or trying to fight through injuries. Coach John Harbaugh’s Ravens beat the Texans twice in Baltimore last season. They’re 5-3 on the road this season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans staff picks: Who wins on Christmas in Houston? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 16: Ravens could be the big bully this postseason Baltimore Ravens | How Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has reentered the NFL MVP race Baltimore Ravens | Find a Flock: Ravens and Lamar Jackson are drawing interest worldwide The Texans don’t have much to play for in the standings, with the AFC South already clinched and an uphill path to the No. 3 seed. But coach DeMeco Ryans’ team will be a home underdog motivated to prove it can best one of the conference’s proven big dogs in a nationally televised Christmas showcase. Stroud and his teammates appeared shell-shocked after they witnessed Dell’s injury against the Chiefs, but there’s no reason to think that will carry over. Of greater concern to the Texans is their generally poor record against top-tier opponents, with an Oct. 6 win over the Buffalo Bills the lone exception. EDGE: Ravens Prediction Elite pass offense vs. elite pass defense. That’s an enticing headline for a Christmas showcase, and Jackson will face another true test as he tries to rally his team to a repeat AFC North title. The Ravens’ pass protection will need to be sturdy, and they’ll need to build a significant advantage on the ground. The good news for them is that Stroud, now missing two of his top three receivers, has not been at his best for most of this season. It will be difficult for Houston to keep up if the Ravens’ offense plays even an average game. The Texans have played close games against top opponents but have fallen short in most of those. That pattern will hold against Baltimore. Ravens 31, Texans 24 Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

The Ravens take center stage on Christmas Day, visiting the Houston Texans in an important game for playoff positioning in the AFC. Baltimore could end the day with a gift their fans have been yearning for all season — the AFC North division lead. If the Ravens (10-5) beat the Texans and the Steelers lose to the Chiefs — the Chiefs and Ravens are both betting favorites — they will take the AFC North lead into Week 18. Understandably, Wednesday’s matchup with Houston (9-6) is crucial to the team’s chances of winning the division. The importance of the game hasn’t stopped the Ravens from engaging in lighthearted moments this week. Quarterback Lamar Jackson laughed during his Monday news conference when asked about how special it is to play on Christmas Day. “That means we’re good, but at the same time, I do want to celebrate at home sometimes with my family,” Jackson said with a smile. “I don’t want to be playing on Christmas all the time.” Jackson wouldn’t mind the NFL schedule-makers changing things up in 2025 — Baltimore played on Christmas Day last year, too — but he’s also eager to move his team closer to a division title. The Ravens appear loose this week, perhaps because of a 17-point win over the Steelers just a few days ago. Betting markets like a confident Baltimore team’s chances in Wednesday’s marquee matchup. What are the odds? The Ravens find themselves in a familiar spot this week, as they’re a betting favorite for the 15th consecutive game. Spread: Ravens by 5 1/2 (FanDuel) Total: 46 1/2 points Moneyline: Ravens -245, Texans +200 Baltimore is a respectable 8-6-1 against the spread this season. The Ravens often play games that go over the projected point total, as 12 of their 15 games have been overs, including each of their past two games. As for Houston, the Texans are 6-7-2 against the spread and most of their games go under the projected point total. Just five of the team’s 15 games have gone over the total. Ravens ready to roll? The Ravens are 2-0 after their bye week with a 21-point win over the Giants and a 17-point win over the Steelers. I’m expecting more of the same Wednesday in Houston. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans staff picks: Who wins on Christmas in Houston? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 scouting report: Who will have the edge? Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 16: Ravens could be the big bully this postseason Baltimore Ravens | How Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has reentered the NFL MVP race Baltimore Ravens | Find a Flock: Ravens and Lamar Jackson are drawing interest worldwide Despite an impressive 9-6 record, the Texans look a step below the NFL’s best. Houston fell to the Chiefs, 27-19, last week, even with Patrick Mahomes hobbled with an ank;e injury. They lost to the Lions early this season despite Jared Goff throwing five interceptions in the matchup. With season-ending injuries to wide receiver Tank Dell and safety Jimmie Ward, the Texans are missing key players ahead of the showdown. The Texans claimed Diontae Johnson off waivers as they deal with injury issues at the receiver position. “Losing them is hard,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday of the two major injuries. Baltimore’s defense is improving, and the Ravens look like they’re trending up. While Baltimore’s Jackson and coach John Harbaugh spent part of Monday’s news conferences talking about Beyoncé, the Texans spent a significant chunk of time discussing the season-ending injuries and how to move forward. Baltimore is in a better place in Week 17 to manage a short week, especially with bruising running back Derrick Henry coming off a 162-yard rushing performance. “He’s looking probably the best he’s looked in his career,” Ryans said. “He’s found that fountain of youth.” Best bet: Ravens by 5 (ESPN BET) Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will recap the best and worst from around the league. Here are our winners and losers from Week 16: Winner: Ravens Consider the demons exorcised. The Ravens ended their long and often inexplicable struggles against the Steelers with a 34-17 win Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium. After losing eight of nine matchups against Pittsburgh, often because of self-inflicted mistakes, Baltimore committed fewer penalties and fewer turnovers than its archrival to keep its hopes alive for a second straight AFC North title. Of course, there was plenty of luck involved. The Ravens recovered all three of their own fumbles, including a strip-sack of Lamar Jackson, and pounced on a fumble by Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson near the goal line that likely prevented a touchdown and led to a 96-yard scoring drive the other way. Even Jackson’s fourth-quarter interception on a miscommunication with wide receiver Rashod Bateman was nullified when cornerback Marlon Humphrey stepped in front of a pass from Wilson and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. Nobody in Baltimore will apologize for getting a few breaks after seeing all the dropped passes, turnovers and penalties that have plagued the Ravens in this rivalry for years. It was only a matter of time before the pendulum swung back the other way. But despite all the good luck, there was nothing about Saturday’s win that felt fluky. The Ravens’ offensive line dominated, paving the way for 220 rushing yards. Derrick Henry rushed for 162 of them on 24 carries, showing he has plenty left in the tank as the weather turns colder and running the ball becomes that much more important. Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Mark Ingram II and even Keaton Mitchell have had their moments lining up next to Jackson in recent years, but none of them struck fear in opponents the way Henry does when he gets going. That could be the difference this time around when the Ravens enter the postseason in a few weeks. While Jackson continues to play at an NFL Most Valuable Player-worthy level, he finally has someone who can carry some of the burden alongside him. Instead of hunting for big plays at inopportune moments and turning into a pass-happy offense, the Ravens can ride Henry and control the pace of the game. It took a while, but with Henry in the backfield and the defense rounding into form, the Ravens have the look of a team ready to make a Super Bowl run. Loser: Tampa Bay Buccaneers This was supposed to be an easy one. Playing against a Cowboys team that learned just hours before the game that it had been eliminated from postseason contention, the Buccaneers were outplayed in Dallas in a gut-wrenching 26-24 loss. With the defeat, the Falcons took control of the NFC South heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. The Cowboys handed the Buccaneers a devastating loss in Week 16. (Matt Patterson/AP) It just goes to show how much can change in a week in this league. Atlanta had just benched Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. following a disastrous stretch by the veteran quarterback, while Tampa Bay was riding a four-game winning streak and coming off a dominant performance against the Chargers. Then Cooper Rush threw for 226 yards in the first half Sunday night to help Dallas take a surprising 23-14 lead, and the Bucs turned the ball over twice in the second half to end any hopes of a comeback attempt. A Tampa Bay defense that allowed an NFL-low 15 points per game during its recent winning streak suddenly couldn’t get off the field. What just last week looked like a formidable contender now might miss out on the playoffs entirely. Winner: AFC playoff race So you’re saying there’s a chance? The 7-8 Colts, Dolphins and Bengals all won Sunday to keep their faint playoff hopes alive heading into a suddenly interesting final two weeks of the regular season. While the Chargers (9-6) and Broncos (9-6) have long been assumed to be the No. 6 and No. 7 wild-card teams in the AFC, there’s a chance — however small — that Indianapolis, Miami or Cincinnati could swoop in and steal a spot at the 11th hour. With respect to the Dolphins and Colts, the Bengals are the most interesting team still in the hunt. Joe Burrow is playing at an MVP level, and Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are capable of wrecking any opposing defense. (Let’s just ignore the Bengals’ defense for now.) A huge game against the Broncos looms in Week 17, and the path to a playoff is not that convoluted. Here’s what needs to happen for Cincinnati to get in: Bengals win out (vs. Broncos, at Steelers) Broncos lose out (at Bengals, vs. Chiefs) Dolphins lose at least one more game (at Browns, at Jets) Colts lose at least one more game (at Giants, vs. Jaguars) The Bengals’ playoff odds sit at 7%, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, but ESPN’s model gives them a 15% chance. While it’s unlikely both the Dolphins and Colts lose a game against some of the league’s worst teams, anything can happen in this week-to-week league. Superb play from quarterback Joe Burrow has the Bengals in playoff contention, even with a scuffling defense. (Kareem Elgazzar/AP) Winner: NFC playoff race With the 49ers officially eliminated from playoff contention, this is a good time to reflect on the new world order in the NFC. San Francisco had been to four of the past five conference championship games, and while they only won two, they loomed over the field every season with perhaps the most talented roster in the league. No more. This year has given rise to a new crop of contenders, led by the Lions, Eagles and Vikings. The Packers, who nearly knocked off San Francisco in the divisional round last season, have taken a step forward behind quarterback Jordan Love and a talented young offense. Related Articles NFL | Ravens vs. Texans staff picks: Who wins on Christmas in Houston? NFL | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 scouting report: Who will have the edge? NFL | Ravens vs. Texans Week 17 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds NFL | How Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has reentered the NFL MVP race NFL | Find a Flock: Ravens and Lamar Jackson are drawing interest worldwide The Commanders have become one of the most exciting teams in the league, with rookie Jayden Daniels throwing his fourth touchdown pass of the season with 30 seconds or less to play in Sunday’s win over Philadelphia. The Rams have overcome a 1-4 start to take the NFC West lead behind one of the league’s best offenses led by coach Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford. The Buccaneers are still capable of knocking off anyone in the league. Even the Falcons, who were widely criticized after drafting Penix following their offseason signing of Cousins, are an intriguing team with a rookie quarterback at the helm. Will the Lions finally reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history? Can Sam Darnold really lead the Vikings to the championship? Will the Eagles continue to roll behind Saquon Barkley or be undone by coach Nick Sirianni and internal strife? Will any of the wild-card teams make a surprising run? It’s shaping up to be a fascinating postseason for a conference entering a new era. 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