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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was again absent from voluntary organized team activities Thursday in Owings Mills, marking the third time in four sessions open to the media over the past two weeks. It’s something coach John Harbaugh isn’t going to say much about. “It’s this time of year,” Harbaugh said when asked if he was frustrated by the absence of Baltimore’s $260 million man and the NFL’s reigning Most Valuable Player. “It’s a voluntary time. It’s really not something we really comment on. “I can’t speak for anybody that’s not here. I pretty much know the different reasons guys aren’t here most of the time, but not always. Nobody’s required to tell you exactly what’s going on. But the guys who are here, they’re great, they’re flying around.” Jackson has been flying, too. He spent this past weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he attended NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600. He also spent time in Los Angeles last week, according to a post on his Instagram. Before that, he traveled to Germany and attended the Preakness. And he was on hand for at least one practice May 22, the first OTA session that was open to the media. Put another way, he’s been mostly elsewhere. The practices, after all, are voluntary, with mandatory minicamp still two weeks away, the start of training camp two months away and the beginning of the season three months off. Still, how big of a concern is it? Jackson is coming off perhaps the best season of his career with highs in passing yards and completion percentage. He led the Ravens to the NFL’s best record during the regular season and within a game of the organization’s first Super Bowl appearance in more than a decade. He was named league MVP for the second time in six years. To say that Harbaugh is worried about it would probably be an overstatement, but it didn’t take much squinting in the afternoon sun to see what his preference would be. “I’m a coach,” he said when asked if there’s anything happening in the practices that could cause players who aren’t there to fall behind. “We want to be going forward as fast as we can. No drag, making ground, getting better every day. … It takes a lot of work to do that.” “We want to be going forward as fast as we can. No drag, making ground, getting better every day. … It takes a lot of work to do that,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of voluntary OTAs. Which is perhaps why Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been a regular during Kansas City’s OTAs, as have other high-profile quarterbacks at their respective practices around the NFL. It’s the most important and unique position in the game, with time needed to develop timing and chemistry, among other things. Jackson has typically been a regular at Ravens OTAs over the years, including last season after signing a lucrative long-term extension, and he still might be with more sessions to come Friday and next week. Mahomes, meanwhile, is coming off his second straight Super Bowl title and third in five years. Like Jackson, he’s a two-time league MVP. He’s also a three-time Super Bowl MVP and perhaps the only player in the game better than Jackson at the moment. Despite the accolades, though, Mahomes sees value in this part of the offseason when it comes turning the page from one season to the next. “As I’ve gotten older and as I’ve learned more and more, I try to find different ways to tweak certain stuff and try to push the envelope even more,” he told reporters last week. “I think y’all saw today we tried to throw a few more deep passes, get back to the deep game. I think we’ve done a great job of mastering the intermediate and short stuff, but we want to get back to having that part of the offense as well. Coach is really pushing us to push it down the field — it’s hard to do against our defense but we’re trying to make it happen.” He also had a message to the rookies on the team about expectations. “I think it’s to try to be great every single day,” he said. “They have to learn how to work — that’s every class that comes in, every group of rookies — you have to push them to be great. That’s why you see me over there yelling, ‘Finish,’ and you see me talk to those guys after every single play.” It’s worth noting, again, that the sessions are voluntary and Jackson is not the only Ravens player whose attendance has been scarce. Veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy hasn’t been at any of the four practices open to the media, and veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor made his first appearance Thursday. Other stars such as running back Derrick Henry, tight end Mark Andrews, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike were also absent Thursday. Save for a few players, though, attendance has been high and the practices have been spirited. That includes left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Coming off an injury-hampered season and on a restructured contract that includes a pay cut and incentives, the 29-year-old was lauded by Harbaugh on Thursday. “He’s looked good,” Harbaugh said, adding that the 2019 All-Pro has been at every OTA session. “I’m very pleased. He’s working super hard.” The two-hour practices have also included several starters matching up against one another. While no live contact is permitted, team and seven-on-seven work is allowed. “It’s good to work together like that,” Harbaugh said. “We like to have our starters work against our starters a lot in these drills because it’s not full contact and they get a chance to really challenge each other’s technique.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens stadium upgrades could make special events ‘more viable’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Rashod Bateman: ‘Feel like we have a lot of room to grow’ | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman feels ‘blessed’ by newfound stability after unexpected extension Baltimore Ravens | Ravens hold OTAs open practice, May 28, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Andrew Vorhees might be the answer to Ravens’ biggest question | COMMENTARY As for Jackson, following the one open practice he did attend, he did note the importance of his offseason. Among the topics he addressed were the roughly 10 pounds he shed to be more elusive and faster, being “a lot more comfortable” in the second year of coordinator Todd Monken’s offense and the motivation from last season’s stinging loss to Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC championship game. It should also be noted the Ravens have another OTA on Friday and four more next week, two of which will be open to the media, so perhaps Jackson will be in attendance for those. “It’s not something I’m really able to comment on,” Harbaugh said when asked if he expected Jackson to be there. There is no league rule that prevents him from commenting, though coaches essentially aren’t allowed to pressure players to attend voluntary workouts. Harbaugh did, however, provide an update on the continued absence of wide receiver-kick returner and former Archbishop Curley star Deonte Harty, who just welcomed a new baby. As for the possibility of Jackson appearing at more OTAs? “We’ll see what happens,” Harbaugh said. View the full article

In addition to NFL Sundays, the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium has recently been home to one or two major special events a year: concerts from artists such as Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel, international soccer matches and college football showdowns featuring Maryland and Navy. As the venue undergoes more than $400 million in state-funded renovations that the team and its landlord, the Maryland Stadium Authority, hope will extend the stadium’s useful life by decades, it could become “more viable” for special events, according to Ravens leadership. This summer, the usual buzz of a Ravens game day experience has been replaced with dust, carpentry equipment and half-built structures. Swapping out football helmets for construction ones, crews are working on the first of a three-year project to upgrade the stadium, expecting improvements to be made by the time the stadium hosts iconic soccer brands AC Milan and FC Barcelona on Aug. 6. Ravens executives led members of the Baltimore media through a hard-hat tour of the active construction site Wednesday, dodging wires hanging from the ceiling in the process. Much will remain the same, but exclusive suites, a beer hall and an upgraded club level are being added to the stadium, which first opened in 1998. English Premier League teams Arsenal and Everton played at the stadium in 2022, as did Notre Dame and Navy football, and last October Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel performed. Maryland officials had hoped the stadium would see men’s World Cup action in 2026, but Baltimore narrowly missed out on hosting matches. Equipped with a soon-to-be improved stadium, Ravens president Sashi Brown said they’re “really committed” to attracting “more events here.” “The stadium is already really viable. We think this makes the stadium even more viable for concerts, soccer matches, college football games, as well,” he said Wednesday on the field at M&T Bank Stadium. There are no special events scheduled this fall and, for the next couple of years, the stadium’s hosting schedule will be somewhat limited as construction is expected to take place during the spring and summer. Asked if there was a goal as to how many special events per year will be held at the venue, Brown said: “We haven’t set that, but we’re going to get after them aggressively.” The first event with some of the new renovations will be the August soccer match. It will give Charm City a chance to impress members of the elite European sides, some of whom might not know much about Baltimore. Yunus Musah, a midfielder for AC Milan, is a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team but grew up in Europe. Asked in an interview with The Baltimore Sun what he thinks of when he thinks of Baltimore, he demurred, saying, “Just an American city, that’s it really.” Construction upgrades are underway inside and outside M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the game day experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Ravens president Sashi Brown speaks to the media about the construction taking place at M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the gameday experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Construction upgrades are underway inside and outside M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the game day experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Construction upgrades are underway inside and outside at M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the gameday experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Construction upgrades are underway inside and outside at M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the gameday experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Construction upgrades are underway inside and outside at M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the gameday experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Construction upgrades are underway inside and outside at M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the gameday experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Construction upgrades are underway inside and outside at M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the gameday experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Construction upgrades are underway inside and outside at M&T Bank Stadium to enhance the gameday experience for fans. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Show Caption of Expand But he also said he looked forward to the chance to play in front of American supporters — many of whom rarely get to see top international teams play. When Arsenal and Everton came to Baltimore in 2022, the announced attendance was 39,245. “It’s a huge moment for both us and the fans,” Musah said of playing in front of a new audience. The match will be one of three U.S. stops for AC Milan, which will also play in Chicago and New York City. FC Barcelona will also play friendlies in Orlando and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. “Getting things sorted and being in the best shape possible to start the season, that’s the main focus,” Musah said. When fans stream into the stadium for the soccer match, and then a few days later for the Ravens’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 9, some of the stadium upgrades will be available to all ticket-holders. That includes a 10,000-square foot beer hall that will open ahead of games and, potentially, on occasional non-game days. Other publicly funded improvements will be reserved for the affluent. The Blackwing, 10 already-sold-out suites billed as a “five-star” experience complete with concierge service, will be “one of the most special experiences in sports,” Brown said. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Rashod Bateman: ‘Feel like we have a lot of room to grow’ | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman feels ‘blessed’ by newfound stability after unexpected extension Baltimore Ravens | Ravens hold OTAs open practice, May 28, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Andrew Vorhees might be the answer to Ravens’ biggest question | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | For Ravens DC Zach Orr, ‘ultimate chess piece’ Kyle Hamilton is a nice place to start There will be additional upgrades to suites and clubs ahead of the 2025 season and final renovations before the 2026 season. The upgrades were made possible by a 2022 state law that permits the stadium authority to borrow up to $1.2 billion in bonds at one time to improve M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards — $600 million for each. Accessing the money, however, requires the teams sign leases long enough to pay off those bonds, which will be done with funds generated from the state lottery. Maryland’s Board of Public Works last year approved up to $450 million in bonds for the projects, but Brown said the renovations could cost “somewhere well into the $400 millions.” He said the Ravens will “probably end up” also paying for some of the renovations. The team recently self-funded a $120 million project to improve the stadium, completed ahead of the 2019 season. The Ravens current lease is set to expire after the 2037 season. If the Ravens were to seek more state bonds for the project, they would need to exercise one of their two five-year options to extend the lease, Brown said. “Really appreciate our partners at [the Maryland Stadium Authority], appreciate the citizens of Maryland for trusting us and investing in this stadium,” Brown said. “This is really going to transform M&T Bank Stadium and make us relevant for the next 15 or more years and seasons here.” View the full article

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Rashod Bateman took a deliberate pause as he considered how to address the one question that keeps coming at him as he goes into his fourth season with the Ravens. If everyone from quarterback Lamar Jackson to offensive coordinator Todd Monken to general manager Eric DeCosta sees potential greatness in the 24-year-old wide receiver, why did he only see 3 1/2 targets a game last season? Did Bateman show everything he could do only for the ball not to come his way? “Yes and no,” he said Tuesday. “I feel like there’s definitely a lot of things I could’ve done differently as a receiver to help Lamar and help the team. But … yeah. Yeah, I’m just going to leave it at that.” Bateman elaborated that he intends to worry only about what he can control — staying fit, studying, continuing to get open — as he enters a pivotal year, buoyed by a contract extension and hearing predictions of a breakout from Ravens teammates, coaches and executives. He was the subject of much speculation coming off his third season in Baltimore, when he was healthy and frequently open but caught just 32 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown — not the production expected from a 2021 first-round draft pick. Would the Ravens pick up his fifth-year option? Would they trade Bateman? Would he, in fact, prefer to start over with another team? Instead, he made a headline few expected the day before this year’s draft, agreeing to an extension with the Ravens through the end of the 2026 season. Speaking with Baltimore reporters Tuesday for the first time since he signed, Bateman suggested he was as surprised by that twist as anyone. “I didn’t know what was going to happen with me,” he said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be here, traded, anything. The extension definitely came out of nowhere. [I’m] blessed, for sure. I did not see them doing that, but it shows that they believe in me. … It was a no-brainer. I love playing here. I love the organization. I love the fans. I still feel like I’ve got a lot to do.” He compared it with finding a consistent place to lay your head after not having a house. “That concern is gone,” he said. “I know who I’m playing for. I know what playbook I’m in. I know who my quarterback is. And now it allows to just go be myself.” Now that Bateman’s place with the Ravens is secure and he faces no lingering health concerns, he finally has a clean ramp to make use of his substantial gifts. DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh have repeatedly said they expect him to excel this year. But the question for Bateman remains: What needs to happen for great promise to turn into great production? Though Bateman played 16 games last year, lingering effects from the Lisfranc foot surgery that cut short his 2022 season slowed his preparation. He also had to compete for opportunities with veteran star Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Zay Flowers. “We certainly could have done a better job of moving them around, for sure, but as the year went on, Rashod really came on, and I’ve seen tremendous growth,” Monken said. “But again, [it’s] growth just because he didn’t have an offseason last year, in my mind; I didn’t see that. But I expect a tremendous year [from] him, and we certainly could have found a way to get him the ball more.” Jackson, the ultimate ball distributor, agreed that Bateman needs to play a bigger part, an evolution that should be natural with Beckham out of the picture. Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a pass during Tuesday’s practice in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) “He’s an elusive receiver, great off the ball, [and he gets] great separation,” Jackson said last week. “We just have to get him the ball. That’s all [there is] to it, point-blank, period.” Bateman looked like a man ready for greater things during Tuesday’s offseason workout, leaving cornerback Brandon Stephens to munch dust as he caught a long touchdown pass from backup quarterback Josh Johnson and snatching several other balls in traffic. “I think it’s happening right now,” tight end Mark Andrews said when asked what it will take for Bateman to become an every-week factor. “I think he looks incredible. Everything — his route running, catching the ball, being where he’s supposed to be — he’s got it down to a science. I know he’s worked real hard, but he looks about as put-together as he’s ever been. It’s going to be a big year for Rashod Bateman. I’m calling it now.” Bateman had never dealt with a major injury before he reached the NFL. Then, he saw his debut delayed by groin surgery and his second season wrecked by the Lisfranc injury. Those setbacks and painful moments off the field led him to some dark days. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Rashod Bateman: ‘Feel like we have a lot of room to grow’ | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens hold OTAs open practice, May 28, 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Andrew Vorhees might be the answer to Ravens’ biggest question | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | For Ravens DC Zach Orr, ‘ultimate chess piece’ Kyle Hamilton is a nice place to start Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OC Todd Monken on AFC championship loss: ‘You can’t control the game if you can’t run the ball’ In that context, he said, a calm, healthy offseason feels like a godsend. “Just having a full offseason, being able to be here with the team, being able to practice and get that chemistry down, it’s important to me,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen this year, but I’m just looking to go to work every day.” Beckham was the wise man younger receivers leaned on last year, and their group chemistry is inevitably different with him in Miami. Flowers is now the big personality demanding that rookies do push-ups after they drop passes. That’s not in Bateman’s nature, but wide receivers coach Greg Lewis said he can be a role model in his own way. “I don’t want anybody to do anything that they don’t feel comfortable with, or that’s not them,” Lewis said. “But, I do want ‘Bate’ to come out and work each and every day. What he does in the meeting rooms with the guys when he comes out here, how he practices, that’s just a testament to him, and that’s showing the guys what to do or how to do it. You don’t have to be a ‘rah-rah’ guy and do all this stuff. It’s how you work and how you present yourself as a professional, and ‘Bate’ is doing a tremendous job with that.” Does Bateman like the idea of being an example to rookies, even as he’s still trying to carve out a greater place in the NFL? “I feel like if you stay true to yourself, everything happens naturally,” he said. “Nothing about me is going to change. I’m not going to speak up more or do this more. I come in early. The guys know that. I’m always here early. I work hard. I write my notes. Hopefully, that shows to the younger guys and anyone else who catches on to it.” View the full article

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver coach Greg Lewis works with Sean Ray during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Qadir Ismail catches a pass during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver coach Greg Lewis works with Devontez Walker during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Malik Cunningham catches a pass during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Dayton Wade, right, catches a pass as fellow rookie Isaiah Washington looks on during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman stretches during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace catches a pass during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver coach Greg Lewis works with Rashod Bateman during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a pass during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver coach Greg Lewis works with Tylan Wallace during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver coach Greg Lewis works with Zay Flowers during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a pass during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver coach Greg Lewis works with Rashod Bateman during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Isaiah Washington catches a pass during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a pass during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver coach Greg Lewis works with Zay Flowers during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens rookie lineman C.J. Ravenell, left, works with teammate Broderick Washington during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, center, works with the offensive linemen during OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews speaks with the media after OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely talks with the media after OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews speaks with the media after OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis speaks with the media after OTAs open practice at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

PHILADELPHIA — The most telling moment of the NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse championship game occurred with about five minutes left in the second quarter. Senior attackman Pat Kavanagh threw a pass from behind the goal to brother and teammate Chris Kavanagh, who backhanded and shuffled a shot past Maryland goalie Logan McNaney. The strike gave the Fighting Irish a six-goal lead. Seconds later, Maryland defenseman Colin Burlace looked to the Terps sideline with a blank look on his face as if to say, “Well, what can I do about that?” The answer was: nothing. The Terps had no answers for top-seeded Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish rolled to a 15-5 win Monday at Lincoln Financial Field to claim their second straight national title. Maryland (11-6) seemed to be on the verge of a possible upset in front of a crowd of 31,479 when the Terps jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on goals from midfielder Ryan Siracusa and attackman Daniel Kelly, but it didn’t take long for Notre Dame to take control of the game. It was a beatdown, the largest margin of victory in a title game since Princeton beat the Terps by the same score in 1998. After losing to Georgetown, 11-10, in overtime on Feb. 25, the Fighting Irish won 14 straight games. They beat Maryland, Duke and Virginia in the regular season, then took down each of those lacrosse powers again by even bigger margins in the postseason. Notre Dame (16-1) simply has too many playmakers. The Terps, who have prided themselves on playing great defense for decades, couldn’t match up and had problems with their off-ball defense. Chris Kavanagh finished with five goals to tie a program single-game playoff record and older brother Pat had six assists, which also tied his single-game NCAA Tournament record. Nine players scored for Notre Dame, many of those coming from its midfield. That, combined with 16 Maryland turnovers, led to the blowout. “Obviously to me, they’ve been the best team the last two years, and they were the best and most consistent team this year,” Maryland coach John Tillman said. “They proved it, and certainly were the best team today. The way they play, they are really good everywhere. Somebody said they have 11 All-Americans and it felt like that today. Logan McNaney #30 of the Maryland Terrapins walks off the field after the NCAA Division I Mens Lacrosse Championship game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lincoln Financial Field on May 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Maryland Terrapins 15-5. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Chris Kavanagh #50 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates his goal along with Pat Kavanagh #51 against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half of the NCAA Division I Mens Lacrosse Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on May 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Chris Kavanagh #50 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish controls the ball against Jackson Canfield #50 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half of the NCAA Division I Mens Lacrosse Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on May 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Maryland's Daniel Kelly looks on against Notre Dame in the first half of the NCAA Division I Mens Lacrosse Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on May 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Show Caption of Expand “They are very poised, very unselfish, they have great athleticism and are awesome in the goal. They don’t have any weaknesses. They are worthy of the championship, they were better than us today.” Maryland needed a strong effort from specialist Luke Wierman, who played well and won 17 of 23 faceoffs. But Notre Dame’s defense, led by Marco Napolitano, Chris Conlin and Shawn Lyght, smothered the Terps. At one point, Maryland went 19:51 in the first half without scoring a goal. Notre Dame led 10-4 at the half. Even when Wierman won faceoffs, he failed to score three times on fast breaks down the middle of the field, something he had success doing before. He was either cut off quickly or stuffed by goalie Liam Entenmann. Entenmann left little doubt that he was the best goalie in the country. He finished with 16 saves on 35 shots, some up close, some outside the crease, and some from long range that only he could stop. Once Maryland got behind at the half, especially with their deliberate style of offense, the Terps weren’t going to catch Notre Dame. “Hats off to Liam,” said Maryland attackman Daniel Kelly, who led the Terps in scoring with a pair of goals. “I don’t think he has a weakness. He is a big kid that takes up a lot of net. But there are some shots we would have liked to have back.” The question now is how good Notre Dame can be. They could become the first to win three straight national titles since Princeton in 1996, 1997 and 1998 if they get it done next Memorial Day. Syracuse also won three straight titles in 1989, 1989 and 1990 but had to vacate last of those because of alleged recruiting violations. Only three of Notre Dame’s 10 starters return next season, but the Fighting Irish will still have Lyght, Chris Kavanagh and Faison in the starting lineup. That’s a lot of firepower. Maryland, however, perhaps has the best coach in the country in Tillman. He has done an excellent job of using the transfer portal in the past, but the Terps still need a dominant attackman in the mold of a Matt Rambo or a Logan Wisnauskas. Related Articles Sports | Mike Preston: Andrew Vorhees might be the answer to Ravens’ biggest question | COMMENTARY Sports | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Ronnie Stanley looking good, Lamar Jackson’s weight and more | COMMENTARY Sports | Mike Preston: Maryland men’s lacrosse coach John Tillman will put winning formula to the test in Final Four | COMMENTARY Sports | Mike Preston: Time is not on the Ravens’ side with strange 2024 schedule | COMMENTARY Sports | Mike Preston: Ravens at Chiefs to kick off the 2024 NFL season? Bring it on. | COMMENTARY The Terps weren’t expected to be in the title game. Most wrote them off after they lost to Johns Hopkins, 7-5, on April 20 and then to Penn State, 19-9, in the Big Ten Conference semifinals. But this day was about Notre Dame and its dominance in every facet of the game. “They have the Kavanaghs, they go three midfields deep,” Terps short-stick midfielder Jack McDonald said. “They have some older guys and they capitalized on our mistakes. Their older guys made plays but we put everything we had into this year. At the end, it sucked but we looked at each other and embraced the moment.” “I wouldn’t trade anyone in that locker room for anyone else,” Kelly said. “Hats off to Notre Dame, but we’ve been through a lot this season. We will be back next year.” Notre Dame’s Pat Kavanagh, right, celebrates after a goal by Fisher Finley, 6, in the second half Monday. (Mitchell Leff/Getty) View the full article

Andrew Vorhees might be the best answer to the biggest question about the Ravens this season. The former Southern California star and 2023 seventh-round draft pick is one of several candidates competing for a starting position on the offensive line. At guard, Vorhees is in the mix with Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Josh Jones. The Ravens have great talent on offense with two of the NFL’s biggest stars in quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, but the key will be rebuilding a suspect offensive line that lost three starters in guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler and right tackle Morgan Moses. “We’re in the development business right now with Ben [Cleveland], and you’ve got some of the young guys that we drafted a year ago, like ‘Big Sal’ [Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu] and [Andrew] Vorhees, and you’ve got Daniel [Faalele],” second-year Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said Thursday. “All those guys are getting invaluable reps now, and obviously, once we put the pads on, for them, [that’s] where it will really be critical. “We put the pads on, we get a chance to play in the preseason, and then you can assess, ‘Hey, as they keep developing, what are their strengths? [What] do we need to continue to work on?’ And they’re doing a great job now, and I expect them to play at a really high level, I really do.” The Ravens have had only limited time to work with Vorhees because he missed all of last season after he tore his ACL during the NFL scouting combine on March 5, 2023. But he appears to be in shape with his conditioning and has good lateral movement. He isn’t as powerful as Cleveland, a 2021 third-round pick, or Jones, a fifth-year veteran who played 13 games last season with the Houston Texans, but he might be more versatile. He is no little kid at 6 feet 6 and 310 pounds. “Obviously, I was in the classroom this whole last season,” Vorhees said, “but it just was so much faster than I was anticipating than what it looks like on film. So I feel like I adjusted though this week and it has slowed down a ton since Monday. I had to get used to that again.” Vorhees, a native of Kingsburg, California, is the type of player most people want to succeed. He was projected to be a much higher draft pick, but those dreams were dashed after his knee injury. Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees, left, and tackle Ronnie Stanley talk during practice Thursday. Vorhees said Stanley has helped him with his transition to the NFL. (Kim Hairston/Staff) The Ravens took a gamble by trading up and drafting Vorhees in the seventh round, No. 229 overall, and he could end up being a starter, or at least getting significant playing time. He would like to forget the injury, but his memory won’t let go. “Obviously, I felt a pop. I thought maybe I hyperextended it or something else not as severe,” said Vorhees, who still led the combine with 38 bench press reps after suffering the injury. “But I just remember as soon as I went to the ground I was just laying there for a second, and as I was looking up at the ceiling, I just verbally said out loud, ‘You cannot be serious right now.’ I was kind of laughing, just saying to myself just, ‘Wow, this is crazy.'” The injury and rehabilitation have given Vorhees a new perspective. Rookies are often in isolation because of their status, but it’s even worse when you’re working with a new medical staff and trainers. Those long hours in rehabilitation and in the weight room gave Vorhees a new attitude. Those team meetings and film sessions that might have once been boring are exciting again. Few veterans want to attend voluntary organized team activities, but Vorhees couldn’t wait to get back on the field. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | For Ravens DC Zach Orr, ‘ultimate chess piece’ Kyle Hamilton is a nice place to start Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OC Todd Monken on AFC championship loss: ‘You can’t control the game if you can’t run the ball’ Baltimore Ravens | A slimmer Lamar Jackson is only now getting past the Ravens’ AFC championship loss Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Ronnie Stanley looking good, Lamar Jackson’s weight and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens team OTA open practice | PHOTOS He’s like a rookie again, but with more purpose. “It’s been super exciting to be back out there and in the team setting,” Vorhees said. “It has just been such a reminder of the joy of playing a team sport and just reminded me of why I love the game. I’ve really enjoyed this week of OTAs going against our defense and just looking forward to keep stacking these days.” Vorhees has gotten a lot of support and instructions from teammates, especially tackles Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari and center Tyler Linderbaum. He is also aware of the tradition here in Baltimore. The Ravens are known for playing great defense and having a strong, physical running game. Now they have Henry, who has rushed for 100 yards or more in 38 games during the past decade, more than any other running back during that span, according to StatMuse. Vorhees isn’t worried about starting, just competing, something he couldn’t do last year. “You want competition because it brings out the best of the best, and now that I’m healthy and out there, I’m just selling out all day,” he said. “I think they have 14 or 15 guys in the room right now, all with the same mentality and demeanor. I think [the Ravens] do a really great job of sifting through and finding those players that fit that standard. And I mean, it’s up to us to uphold that standard, and in a sense we’re in a fight that we didn’t start, but it’s up to us to finish it.” View the full article

Zach Orr is new to being the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, but he’s anything but to the entirety of players he’s now in charge of. “That’s been my guy over the past two years,” third-year and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said. “I feel like everybody in the building would say that as well. He’s a great dude. He’s been here, obviously — been a Raven — for a while [as a] player and coach. “It was a seamless transition, and he’s got a great grasp of the defense, as well, and he’s going to put us in the right spots [to] help us make plays, help us maximize our abilities.” Undrafted out of North Texas in 2014, Orr signed with Baltimore and in 2016 became a starting weak-side linebacker, recording 132 tackles, five passes defensed, three interceptions and a forced fumble. But by 2017, his playing days were over because of a congenital neck/spine condition and his second career began, first as a defensive analyst with the Ravens and then as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ outside linebacker coach in 2021. A year later, Orr returned to Baltimore as inside linebackers coach and earlier this year was promoted to defensive coordinator when Mike Macdonald departed to become the Seattle Seahawks’ coach, so familiarity with his vociferous presence is not surprising. But it will be an adjustment for Orr. At age 31, he is the second-youngest defensive coordinator in the NFL behind the Arizona Cardinals’ Nick Rallis, and this will be his first season calling plays. “It’s just taking it day by day,” Orr said Thursday when asked how comfortable he is at doing so after a few days of organized team activities. “You definitely get more comfortable.” One way he’ll do so in the weeks and months ahead before the start of the regular season Sept. 5 at Arrowhead Stadium against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs is by operating without a script during a portion of practice. The sessions are what coach John Harbaugh calls “move the ball” and “call-it periods.” “You have to call it and you have to think on the fly and use your play-calling sheet,” Orr said. “And just how I prepare, I just go back and — when I’m watching the film or watching games from last year — just look at how I would call it, looking at the situation [and] trying to put myself in those shoes. And then, just before practice, just reviewing my play-call sheet and just trying to play out scenarios in my head that could possibly come up.” It helps, of course, that he has one of the league’s best defenses at his disposal. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, left, works with cornerback Tre Swilling during Wednesday’s practice. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Last season, Baltimore became the first team to lead the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game. And while the Ravens lost a few notable players on defense in free agency — notably inside linebacker Patrick Queen, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and safety Geno Stone — they still have All-Pro talent at every level of the defense. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike led all interior linemen with 13 sacks last season, while inside linebacker Roquan Smith and Hamilton were both All-Pro selections. “Kyle Hamilton is the ultimate chess piece; I think he’s one of the top players in the league,” Orr said of the versatile 2022 14th overall draft pick. “My goal for him is to one day win defensive MVP — here — of the league. I think he has that type of talent, he has that type of work ethic, he’s that type of person. “The thing about him being the ultimate chess piece [is], depending on what the offense does, he can play anywhere. He can play safety, deep safety, box safety; he can play corner, he can play nickel, he can play backer, he can even play outside linebacker, too, and you guys know he can rush the passer. … He can handle all the different volume that you give him.” Which is one reason why Orr will deploy him much the way his predecessor did and keep the same defensive scheme and principles, albeit with his own twist. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens OC Todd Monken on AFC championship loss: ‘You can’t control the game if you can’t run the ball’ Baltimore Ravens | A slimmer Lamar Jackson is only now getting past the Ravens’ AFC championship loss Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Ronnie Stanley looking good, Lamar Jackson’s weight and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens team OTA open practice | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers addresses investigation of alleged domestic violence incident for first time He’ll also lean on the experience of Smith, the vocal and emotional leader at the center of the defense who led the Ravens with 158 tackles last season and is entering his seventh season in the NFL after being traded from the Chicago Bears midway through the 2022 season. “We’re comfortable talking to each other, sharing ideas, sharing thoughts with one another, we respect one another, so it’s easier,” Orr said. “He’s one of the best players in this league and one of the best humans walking this earth. And then, when you have one of your best players being one of your best workers, everyone else looks at that and gets inspired.” As for Orr, he will be tested early and often with games against the Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cinicinnati Bengals in the first five weeks of the season. Just how different will this year’s defense look from last year’s? “There have been a lot of similarities,” Hamilton said. “But again, it’s still May, so we’ll see how that looks in August, September. Getting ready for the season, I’m sure we’ll add more layers to that, but I can already see there are different wrinkles and stuff like that. Same family, but I feel like Z.O. has his own flavor he’s going to put on it, and I’m excited to see what he does.” View the full article

For the first time in 116 days, Todd Monken addressed his Ravens offense drying up in the AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs — a group that, until then, had bulldozed some of the league’s top teams. Does Monken have any regrets about his offense from that loss? “Obviously, I try not to look back. But it is what it is,” he said. “We didn’t play well enough, didn’t coach well enough, didn’t execute at a high level, and that starts with me. That’s the way it goes.” He later added: “We gotta run the ball better. We gotta attack the way we plan to attack them. And I gotta do a better job, that’s what I’m paid to do. And that is, by doing it against the best when it counts.” The then-first-year coordinator’s unit had been ranked No. 6 in total offense, No. 1 in rushing, No. 21 in passing and No. 4 in Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA), a measure of overall efficiency, before Baltimore hosted its first conference championship game. Behind quarterback Lamar Jackson, who rushed for a team-leading 821 yards en route to being named NFL Most Valuable Player for the second time, the Ravens’ running game was largely shouldered by Gus Edwards, who finished the year with a team-high 198 carries for 810 yards; Justice Hill with 84 attempts for 387 yards; and Keaton Mitchell, who exploded for 396 yards on 47 carries before the breakout rookie star suffered a torn ACL in Week 15. The fire that pundits held to Monken’s feet the past four months has largely concerned the running game — or lack, thereof — in the 17-10 loss to the Chiefs. Edwards and Hill carried the ball a combined six times (two of which came after halftime) for a total of 23 yards. That’s 17 fewer carries for the duo and a difference of 83 yards from the Ravens’ divisional round win against the Houston Texans. In the regular season, which the Ravens finished 13-4 to capture the top seed in the AFC, Baltimore averaged 31.8 rushing attempts and 156.5 rushing yards per game. At the time, coach John Harbaugh chalked the staggering difference to the way the Chiefs lined up against the run, how they dominated time of possession and scored on each of their first two possessions. Does Monken agree with that sentiment? “Somewhat,” he said. Monken also pointed out that Edwards and Hill were not the only Ravens to run the ball that game. Jackson carried eight times for 54 yards. Wide receiver Zay Flowers rushed twice for 4 yards. “I’m not trying to justify [crap], I promise you that,” Monken said. “I’m not. I’m just saying in general, we needed to run the ball better and we didn’t. That’s a fact. You can’t control the game if you can’t run the ball; not execute at a high level when it presents itself. And there were moments in the game we did. But not enough.” The loss still lingers with a sour taste in the mouths of several players in the locker room. Flowers acknowledged Wednesday that he’s not over it and still thinks about it. Jackson’s main takeaway: “Put points on the board,” he said. “We were just scoring 30 points against crazy teams — great defenses,” said Jackson, who was not in attendance for Thursday’s practice. “Don’t get me wrong, that’s a great defense as well, but [we had faced] the top-ranked defenses. We just have to finish; we have to find a way to move the ball in the right direction and put points on the board because our defense did their thing the whole night.” Monken’s forward-looking offensive approach will strive to start faster and more consistently. In Year 2, he expects that to come naturally, even though the running back room looks different. Derrick Henry is the most notable offseason addition — an explosive 30-year-old and one of the league’s most prolific rushers. Mitchell is on schedule in his ACL surgery recovery but Harbaugh said he won’t be ready for Week 1. And Hill returns in a fight for more carries. “The only way you look back is to learn and get better,” Monken said. “It’s disappointing but it’s on to 2024.” Baltimore Ravens safety Sanoussi Kane drills during OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) From left, Baltimore Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees and tackle Ronnie Stanley during OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) From left, Baltimore Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees and tackle Ronnie Stanley during OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) From left, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison and inside linebacker Trenton Simpson drill during OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Deion Jennings, Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker, drills during the OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Dayton Wade drills during the OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tayvion Robinson drills during the OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tayvion Robinson drills during the OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Qadir Ismail drills during the OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Sean Ryan drills during the OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Sean Ryan drills during the OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu during a Baltimore Ravens OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Ben Cleveland during a Baltimore Ravens OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) From left, Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley and TyKeem Doss train during an OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu during a Baltimore Ravens OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tackle Julian Pearl, trains during an OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley during an OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) From left, Corey Bullock and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu train during a Baltimore Ravens OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley during an OTAs open practice session on Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Show Caption of Expand Other highlights from Monken’s presser • Monken pointed to Edwards’ 2023 production (810 yards and 13 touchdowns) as a baseline for his replacement after the running back signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. “We expect the same from Derrick,” Monken said. “It doesn’t really change anything, per se. Because to me, he’s a really versatile player. Not only running the ball but getting the ball in space, throwing him the ball and getting him out on the perimeter. Seeing if defensive backs can tackle him. … No one here has worked with him. So now we’re just seeing what that is and getting him those opportunities.” • While Monken said he wants Henry to be the Ravens’ closer — “if he carries it 300 times, we’re having a hell of a year,” he said — he still anticipates repeating a similar by-committee approach to carries as last year. The Ravens also drafted Marshall running back Rasheen Ali in the fifth round last month. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | A slimmer Lamar Jackson is only now getting past the Ravens’ AFC championship loss Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Ronnie Stanley looking good, Lamar Jackson’s weight and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens team OTA open practice | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers addresses investigation of alleged domestic violence incident for first time Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh launches coaching academy with goal to ‘share what we learned’ • The Ravens’ fourth-round draft pick, wide receiver Devontez Walker out of North Carolina, poses another interesting addition on the outside. Monken didn’t hesitate in calling the rookie a quick learner. “It’s not just knowing your assignment,” he said, “but I think he’s done a great job executing in technique because there’re nuances with routes. … That was something I wasn’t expecting.” • Two tight ends is a good problem to have. Mark Andrews is back to full health and Isaiah Likely proved in Andrews’ absence to be a more-than-serviceable option. Monken didn’t give a straightforward answer about the two, but he said they’ll spend this summer finding ways to utilize each player’s unique skill set. • Monken made an appearance at last week’s Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. He quipped that he’s “donated” each previous trip. “This year, luckily didn’t donate,” he said. “Something about winning makes everything feel better.” View the full article

Of course the wound lingered. Of course the self-reproach carried deep into Lamar Jackson’s offseason. He could practically taste the Super Bowl after the Ravens ran roughshod over the NFL’s best teams and brought the AFC championship game to their home field. Then, Jackson and the offense he led failed to perform up to snuff against a familiar nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson had to go through the ritual of accepting his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award three days before the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers for the championship he dearly covets. So it was no surprise to hear him say he’s only now putting that disappointment behind him as the Ravens begin their long ramp-up to a fresh season, with the Chiefs waiting for them in the opener and more difficult questions about their playoff mettle hovering over everything they do. “I believe it hurt more, losing before the Super Bowl,” a notably slender Jackson said Wednesday, speaking to Baltimore reporters for the first time since the bitter end to last season. “We worked so hard, 17 weeks, plus the playoff games. To get to a game away and lose, and we really didn’t put any points on the board … we’ve just got to finish, man.” The subject is unavoidable in a locker room that orbits around its franchise quarterback. “Us players still talk about it, so it definitely left a bitter taste on our mouths being that close,” Jackson said. Ravens coach John Harbaugh wants his players to remember the hurt of falling short but to keep their minds on what’s next. “It’s both,” he said. “You never forget. We don’t forget for sure and try to improve. What we’re talking about is confronting everything that has to do with being the very best we can be. If that’s part of the confrontation, let’s go.” Though he’s happy to play the Chiefs on the first Thursday night of the season, Jackson knows the Ravens’ progress won’t truly be measured until January. “Our goal is to make it to the Super Bowl,” he said. “We lost to them in the playoffs. Just us beating them in the regular season don’t really do anything.” Jackson’s trimmer physique has been all the talk among Ravens fans since he told a Complex Sports interviewer on Instagram that he weighs 205 pounds, down from 215 last season and 230 in 2022. He gave a more cryptic estimate of “I’m like 2-something right now” when asked Wednesday how much weight he lost but confirmed that he did it in a quest for greater agility and acceleration. He joked that he wouldn’t reveal his diet and exercise regimen for free. “I feel great,” he said, hinting that he hasn’t been this quick going into a season since before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. “I feel great to be back out here with my guys.” Harbaugh laughed at a series of questions about his franchise quarterback’s weight, saying he might intervene if Jackson ballooned to 250 pounds or faded to a skin-and-bones 150. “He’s a pro,” Harbaugh said. “He knows what he’s doing, where he wants to be with that. My concern is that he’s in the best shape of his life.” Quarterback Lamar Jackson slimmed down in a quest to be more agile but knows the Ravens can’t truly change their narrative until January. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Teammates have yet to weigh in on Jackson’s relative speed, though he did his usual playful juking and engaged safety Kyle Hamilton in a mock dash for the end zone during Wednesday’s workout at voluntary organized team activities. “He looks good to me, but he looked different when he first showed up,” wide receiver Zay Flowers said of his quarterback. “He was so skinny, but he looks good.” In winning his second MVP, Jackson rushed for 51.3 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry, his lowest totals since his rookie season. This year, he’ll be paired with an overpowering new backfield mate in running back Derrick Henry. He said he’ll hand Henry the ball and get out of the way, shouting along with the fans, “Go big guy, go!” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Ronnie Stanley looking good, Lamar Jackson’s weight and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens team OTA open practice | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers addresses investigation of alleged domestic violence incident for first time Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh launches coaching academy with goal to ‘share what we learned’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to have joint practice with Packers in Green Bay this summer What about wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who signed an extension in the offseason after he was targeted just 56 times in 16 games last year? “He’s an elusive receiver, great off the ball, great separation,” Jackson said of the team’s 2021 first-round draft pick. “We’ve just got to get him the ball. That’s all there is to it.” Jackson seems confident all ships will rise in the team’s second season under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who was his usual profane, enthusiastic self Wednesday after fans spent the past four months lambasting his game plan against the Chiefs. “I’m a lot more comfortable with everything,” Jackson said. “How he’s calling the plays and what he’s expecting us to do.” View the full article

The Ravens had an unusual player participate in practice Wednesday during voluntary organized team activities, and there will be no complaints from the coaching staff. Ninth-year offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley, the starting left tackle, had a full team workout — and he was impressive. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Stanley looked thick in his arms and upper body, and his legs were just as impressive, not as skinny as a year ago. The Ravens and Stanley agreed to a reworked contract March 13 before the 2016 first-round draft pick was expected to make $15 million this season. He missed four games last year because of knee injuries and has struggled to regain his Pro Bowl form since suffering a major ankle injury three years ago. Stanley has seldom participated in voluntary practices, but his presence might be an indication of how much this team is motivated after losing at home, 17-10, to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game. Stanley performed well on Wednesday and showed good lateral movement. Henry a handful Newly acquired running back Derrick Henry also participated in practice, and he looked lean and healthy. More importantly, Henry hit the holes hard and showed good cutback ability, which critics said he no longer had after last season. One quick thing that is noticeable about Henry is that he doesn’t mind stepping up in the pocket and pass blocking. That’s something that is desperately needed in the Ravens’ offense, especially with so many questions about the offensive line. Let’s hear it Fifteen minutes had gone by in practice and offensive coordinator Todd Monken had yet to say or mutter any bad language. But after the quarterbacks threw three straight passes into the dirt, Monken couldn’t help himself. Another day with Coach Monken. Life is good. Weight watchers Quarterback Lamar Jackson was pelted with questions about his playing weight since it appears he might be close to 200 pounds, well below his listed weight of 215. Actually, it makes no sense to be concerned about his weight at this time. Through the years, I’ve seen defensive ends add 20 pounds in three weeks and offensive linemen drop 30 pounds a month after they retire. Who cares? Let’s see what Jackson weighs when he gets to training camp in late July or early August. Until then, he is anxious to line up with Henry and play another year in Monken’s offense. Coach John Harbaugh shook off any concern about Jackson’s weight. “He is a pro,” Harbaugh said. Amen. Simpson steps up Second-year player Trenton Simpson is expected to replace Patrick Queen at weak-side linebacker, and he should improve the Ravens’ pass coverage. That was an area of concern for Queen, who is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is doubt whether Simpson can be as physical at Queen, who had two strong seasons playing alongside middle linebacker Roquan Smith. Simpson, though, covers a lot of ground in the flat and flies to the ball. The 2023 third-round pick held his own with a lot of running backs leaking out of the backfield. Don’t be surprised if he breaks up a lot of passes on the outside in 2024. Wiggins as advertised I didn’t get a lot of looks at rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins, the Ravens’ first-round pick out of Clemson in April, because he spent a lot of time working with the other rookies and young players on the opposite field. But he did do some work with the first team in certain situations, and he’ll get more playing time as he becomes more acquainted with the philosophy of the defense. But, as advertised, the young lad can fly, and he closes on receivers very quickly. Guard battle The Ravens used several combinations at guard and it will be interesting to see who wins the two starting jobs between Josh Jones, Ben Cleveland and Andrew Vorhees. Both Jones and Vorhees appear more flexible, while Cleveland has sheer power. With Cleveland, the Ravens might want to use him as an extra lineman if necessary in short-yardage situations. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | A slimmer Lamar Jackson is only now getting past the Ravens’ AFC championship loss Baltimore Ravens | Ravens team OTA open practice | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers addresses investigation of alleged domestic violence incident for first time Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh launches coaching academy with goal to ‘share what we learned’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to have joint practice with Packers in Green Bay this summer Cornerbacks check-in I keep waiting for third-year cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis to have a breakout season. The former Alabama standout has played well at times, but he can’t stay healthy. He could really help the Ravens in nickel and dime situations. The 2022 fourth-round pick practiced well Wednesday, but he has to become more consistent. The same can be said about fellow third-year cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams. Mitchell on schedule Harbaugh said second-year running back Keaton Mitchell is on schedule to recover from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 15 last year, but he probably won’t be ready until midway through the 2024 season. Mitchell, though, was at practice Wednesday and he walked off the field without any noticeable limp. That’s a good sign. Word to the wise Note to third-year defensive tackle Travis Jones, who weighs 338 pounds: Get in shape for training camp. He was struggling in practice, and the Ravens aren’t near full-tilt yet as far as rigorous workouts. Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins, left, works out with Bump Cooper Jr. on Wednesday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, left, works out with T.J. Tampa during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson works out during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson works out during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, works out with Tyler Linderbaum, right, during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, left, works out with cornerback Tre Swilling during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers works out during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers works out during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running back Derrick Henry works out during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running back Derrick Henry works out during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens running back Derrick Henry works out during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens corner back Nate Wiggins, right, works out with Bump Cooper Jr., during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens corner back Nate Wiggins, left, works out with Bump Cooper Jr., during team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson speaks with media members after team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton speaks with media members after team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide-receiver Zay Flowers speaks with media members after team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with media members after team OTA open practice session. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers said Wednesday that he spent part of this offseason focused on trying to “be a better person.” It was the first time that Flowers met with the media since a police investigation into an alleged domestic incident connected to the wide receiver took place earlier this year. Baltimore County Police suspended the investigation in February with no charges, and the NFL concluded last month that there was “insufficient evidence” that the 2022 first-round draft pick violated the league’s personal conduct policy. “It was a process that me and my team had to go through,” Flowers, 23, said after practice at voluntary organized team activities at the Ravens’ facility in Owings Mills. “I respect the question, but there’s really nothing else I can add. “I’m just looking forward to the season and getting better and building my reputation and showing the Ravens’ community and the younger generation that I’m here and I’m ready to go and be a better person.” In January, a woman told police in Acton, Massachusetts, about a “violent domestic incident” that took place in Owings Mills on Jan. 16, in which the “suspect’s brother also drew a firearm.” The woman declined to name the suspect, saying only that he is an NFL player, and told police in Massachusetts that she was “physically assaulted” and left with “multiple bruises,” according to the Baltimore County Police report. In that interview, she said she was living with her boyfriend in a townhouse outside Baltimore when the incident became “physical and violent.” Flowers added Wednesday that he also spent part of his offseason surrounded by friends and family and that moving forward he wants to focus on the Baltimore community as well as football. “I just do what I do to help the community, have fun with my people, have fun with the kids and just go about what I do and play football and focus on the future,” he said. Part of that focus includes getting over last year’s AFC championship game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore was trailing Kansas City by 10 points at the start of the fourth quarter when, on a second-and-8 from the Chiefs’ 9-yard line, Flowers caught a short pass from Lamar Jackson but was stripped of the ball by cornerback L’Jarius Sneed before crossing the goal line. Kansas City recovered the fumble for a touchback, held on for a 17-10 win and went on to claim its second straight Super Bowl title and third in five years. “I still ain’t get over it,” Flowers said. “I still think about it. I know [this season] we got a chance to get back there and try to make it to the Super Bowl. That’s why I’m working hard every day and going hard every day to get back to that moment.” The Ravens will likely need another strong year from Flowers to do so. The former Boston College star led the team in targets (108), catches (77) and receiving yards (858), all franchise records for a rookie. He also scored six touchdowns — five receiving and one rushing — to go with 56 rushing yards on eight attempts. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | A slimmer Lamar Jackson is only now getting past the Ravens’ AFC championship loss Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Ronnie Stanley looking good, Lamar Jackson’s weight and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens team OTA open practice | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh launches coaching academy with goal to ‘share what we learned’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to have joint practice with Packers in Green Bay this summer He hopes to expand on those numbers this season and said he’s “way more comfortable” in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme now compared with last year. “I had to learn the new playbook so fast that in my head I always was rushing,” he said. “This year, I got more patient.” Flowers also said he wants to get better at “every phase” of the game and to try to be more of a leader in a young receiver room that, for now, includes 10 receivers age 25 or younger. Asked what advice he’d give the team’s rookie and younger receivers, he provided some perhaps telling insight. “Just go, it’s gonna happen fast,” he said. “So just go understand and have a plan for everything you do.” Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers works out during organized team activities on Wednesday in Owings Mills. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

Ravens coach John Harbaugh was sitting around with his younger brother Jim about five years ago enumerating the many occasions their father, Jack, told the stories that shaped their coaching careers. “These lessons that you learn, it can’t just be us,” John said. “We’re gonna forget these stories. We need people to hear these stories. “We should do something. What could we do? There’s been a lot of ideas bounced around. We all kind of had them.” Those ideas were the genesis for the Harbaugh Coaching Academy. Tuesday in Owings Mills, John announced the launch of the project. Its mission is to support, inspire and develop the ability of coaches, teachers, instructors and parents to help develop young people. It’s also a rich family affair, with John, a Super Bowl-winning coach entering his 17th year at the helm of the Ravens; his brother Jim, in his first year as coach of the Los Angeles Chargers after guiding Michigan to a national championship; and their father Jack, who coached for 41 years and led Western Kentucky to the Division I-AA national championship in 2002. The academy also includes Harbaugh’s extended family. His brother-in-law Tom Crean was a college basketball coach at Marquette, Indiana and Georgia and coached, among others, Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade and current Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. “We get a chance to share what we learned from our dad,” John said. They also are tapping into their extensive network of contacts who have been mentors, friends and foes over the years. Contributing coaches include former Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell, Wake Forest football coach Dave Clawson and James Madison football coach Bob Chesney. The foundation’s website, meanwhile, offers interviews and stories from Super Bowl champion coaches such as Andy Reid, Bill Belichick and Sean McVay, among other resources. “I’m delighted we can share what we’ve learned with other coaches, of all levels, to help them develop and mentor young athletes,” Jim said during a video call from California. John didn’t miss the chance to needle his brother in the process, cracking that it would be great if he could leave the cell phone video running during the Chargers’ afternoon practice. (Last year, Michigan was embroiled in a sign stealing controversy and Jim was suspended for the final three games of the Wolverines’ regular season, though the NCAA reported they found no connection between Jim and the operation). It was just one of several one-liners and stories shared throughout the hour-long discussion about coaching from inside a packed auditorium at the Ravens’ facility in Owings Mills, where dozens of college coaches intently took it all in. Former New England Patriots and six-time Super Bowl winning coach Bill Belichick was also on the panel. Topics he addressed included special rules for star players and how to build leadership within a team. Belichick mentioned one story from his time as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and telling coach Bill Parcells that All-Pro linebacker Lawrence Taylor was 15 minutes late for that day’s meeting. Parcells quipped, “Well, why start the meeting before he got there?” He also shared that during his time with the Patriots he spent each offseason identifying the leaders in each rookie class and allowing them to develop in that role to create a cascade of leadership from within. Belichick paid homage to the coaches in the crowd and the important role they play as well. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to have joint practice with Packers in Green Bay this summer Baltimore Ravens | Ravens director of college scouting David Blackburn expected to join Washington Commanders’ front office Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch for at Ravens OTAs, including a new defensive coordinator and intriguing rookies Baltimore Ravens | Ray Lewis helped sell RB Derrick Henry on signing with Ravens: ‘Old-school type of player’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Time is not on the Ravens’ side with strange 2024 schedule | COMMENTARY “You develop players, you develop people and you develop the National Football League,” he told them. “It’s just a couple levels below, but that’s where it starts. “Those guys appreciate it. I always tell them, ‘Go back and tell the people that helped you get where you were because you were no good when you started.’ And especially I tell the defensive players, ‘Go thank the coach who moved you to defense because if they left you on offense, you wouldn’t be in this league.’” The room erupted in laughter. After all, the sharing of stories and the relationships fostered are at the heart of what the Harbaughs hope to accomplish in passing decades of wisdom on to others. John will turn 62 in September, yet in some ways is just getting started. “What is it to be a coach? We talked a bout this growing up a lot,” John said. “We were always taught a coach is first a teacher, then after that a mentor, an advisor, a trainer, a friend, a discipliner, a confidence builder, an uplifter and then the last one … a Dairy Queen trip provider. “I don’t care how the game went, you get the kids to the Dairy Queen as quickly as possible, everything’s gonna be fine.” View the full article

The Ravens will have a joint practice with the Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this summer. Packers coach Mike LaFleur made the announcement Tuesday. Though a date wasn’t specified, it would likely take place just ahead of Baltimore’s preseason finale against Green Bay at Lambeau Field on Aug. 24. Joint practices typically are held over two days, but LaFleur said the second day becomes an “MMA fight,” citing the Packers’ joint practices with the Cincinnati Bengals last season in which several fights occurred. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh launches coaching academy with goal to ‘share what we learned’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens director of college scouting David Blackburn expected to join Washington Commanders’ front office Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch for at Ravens OTAs, including a new defensive coordinator and intriguing rookies Baltimore Ravens | Ray Lewis helped sell RB Derrick Henry on signing with Ravens: ‘Old-school type of player’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Time is not on the Ravens’ side with strange 2024 schedule | COMMENTARY Last year, the Ravens hosted the Washington Commanders for two days of joint practices. Several fights broke out during both sessions. A scuffle also broke out during the first day of joint practices between the Ravens and Carolina Panthers in South Carolina in 2021. Still, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said there’s value in the joint practices. “It’s more controlled,” he said last year. “That’s the thing about joint practice; you still get a lot of great work without the ‘finish’ part of it. You don’t get the tackling, the sacks — those kinds of things. “I will also say, that’s a double-edged sword, because then it becomes a gray area about how much is too much, and that’s where the pushing and the shoving starts sometimes.” After the Ravens wrap up their preseason against the Packers, they will open the regular season Sept. 5 on “Thursday Night Football” against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Ravens 2024 preseason schedule Week 1 (Friday, Aug. 9): vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7:30 p.m., ABC Week 2 (Saturday, Aug. 17): vs. Atlanta Falcons, noon, NBC Week 3 (Saturday, Aug. 24): at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m., NBC View the full article

The Ravens continue to get raided. David Blackburn, Baltimore’s director of college scouting, is expected to join the Washington Commanders as their director of player personnel, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. Blackburn has been with the Ravens since 2007, working his way up from personnel assistant to area scout to national scout before spending the past two seasons as the director of college scouting. The Athletic was the first to report the news. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch for at Ravens OTAs, including a new defensive coordinator and intriguing rookies Baltimore Ravens | Ray Lewis helped sell RB Derrick Henry on signing with Ravens: ‘Old-school type of player’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Time is not on the Ravens’ side with strange 2024 schedule | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Ranking all 17 games from easiest (Broncos) to hardest (Chiefs) Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch for at Ravens OTAs, including a new defensive coordinator and intriguing rookies Baltimore Ravens | Ray Lewis helped sell RB Derrick Henry on signing with Ravens: ‘Old-school type of player’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Time is not on the Ravens’ side with strange 2024 schedule | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Ranking all 17 games from easiest (Broncos) to hardest (Chiefs) Washington, under new general manager Adam Peters, did not retain its director of player personnel Eric Stokes while director of pro personnel Chris Polian is expected to be hired by the Cleveland Browns, according to multiple reports. The move is one of several the Commanders have made overhauling their front office under new general manager Adam Peters. It’s also just the latest of several departures from the Ravens’ organization following a 13-4 season and appearance in the AFC championship game. In all, more than 10 members of the Ravens’ front office and coaching staff will be elsewhere in 2024, most of them because of promotions. The most notable departures were defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald leaving to become the Seattle Seahawks’ coach, defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson taking the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator job, defensive line coach Anthony Weaver joining the Miami Dolphins as their defensive coordinator, and director of player personnel Joe Hortiz taking over as general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, where Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s younger brother Jim was named coach earlier this year. Blackburn started with the Ravens as a player personnel assistant in 2007 and worked his way up through the organization over the years. He spent seven years as an area scout, then two as national scout before being promoted to director of college scouting in 2022. The Ravens will play the Commanders on Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium. View the full article

It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the Ravens. In the four months since a difficult loss at home in the AFC championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs, their coaching staff got raided and they lost several key contributors on offense and defense in free agency. The NFL also handed Baltimore one of the league’s toughest and most eccentric schedules. But whatever angst or frustration general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh perhaps felt has long since waned. They trust their process and any doubt is replaced by the annual spring bloom of optimism that coincides with reconstructing things all over again and getting back on the field to take the first steps toward the goal of trying to capture the organization’s third Super Bowl trophy. Having reigning and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson at quarterback is a powerful remedy, too. On Monday, Baltimore began its first of what will be 10 days of voluntary organized team activities over the next three weeks. There is no contact allowed, but seven-on-seven and full-team work is permitted. Several of the sessions will be open to the media, including Wednesday’s. Here are the biggest things to watch for this spring. What will Lamar Jackson have to say? Much has been made about Jackson’s 10-pound weight loss that has him down to 205. But at this point of the year, it’s meaningless, though it will be a topic of discussion. More intriguing will be what input he has provided and how he will operate in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme, particularly with four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry alongside him. How much Jackson will do and if he’ll even be there is not yet known since the sessions are voluntary, but given his track record he’ll be there for at least some of the practices. Whatever it is, it will be worth noting his progression in his second go-around with Monken as he enters his seventh year in the league. A meeting with the media would also be his first since the Chiefs loss. Will Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, showing off his NFL Most Valuable Player Award in February, be at voluntary organized team activities? (Matt York/AP) How will Derrick Henry impact the Ravens’ offense? Henry is the best back to line up alongside Jackson in his career, having topped the 1,000-yard mark five of the past six seasons and scoring 68 rushing touchdowns in that span with the Tennessee Titans. Jackson, meanwhile, has led Baltimore in rushing each of the past five seasons, an NFL record for quarterbacks, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. How will the two jell in an offense that underwent an overhaul last year to be more spread out and pass-friendly? We won’t really know until training camp, but it’ll be fascinating to see Jackson and Henry, two of the most dynamic and explosive players in the NFL, on the field together for the first time. Their chemistry will go a long way toward determining the Ravens’ success. What about all those holes on the offensive line? Speaking of overhauls, the only guarantee on the Ravens’ offensive line is that Ronnie Stanley will be the left tackle and Pro Bowl selection Tyler Linderbaum will be at center. Gone are guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson, who signed with the Detroit Lions and New York Jets, respectively, along with right tackle Morgan Moses, who was traded to the Jets in a swap of draft picks. Who fills the right tackle opening and two open guard spots won’t be determined until training camp, but these next few weeks could provide at least some insight and it will be the most intriguing position group to watch. At right tackle, the hope is that agile rookie second-round draft pick Roger Rosengarten adapts quickly to the NFL and can be plugged in to start immediately. Otherwise, Baltimore would likely turn to third-year former fourth-round pick Daniel Faalele, or perhaps the versatile Patrick Mekari, though the Ravens would prefer to keep him as a swing tackle or guard. As for the two guard spots, there are four players vying for starting jobs: Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, Josh Jones and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu. Who gets first-team reps during OTAs and the mandatory minicamp in mid-June could provide some direction. New Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr will be someone to watch during voluntary OTAs. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) What kind of defensive coordinator will Zach Orr be and what about other coaching changes? With Mike Macdonald now the coach of the Seattle Seahawks, former Ravens inside linebackers coach Zach Orr takes over as defensive coordinator. It will be his first time calling plays at any level. At 31, he’s the second-second-youngest defensive coordinator in the league, behind the Arizona Cardinals’ Nick Rallis, and there are four Ravens, including outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive end Brent Urban, who are older than Orr. The expectation is twofold: He’ll use the same system as Macdonald, perhaps with some tweaks, and he’ll bring the same intensity and energy he had as a player. Put another way, he shows much more emotion than his predecessor. But Orr was hardly the only change on Harbaugh’s staff, with at least nine other assistants now elsewhere. Former Baylor defensive line coach Dennis Johnson was hired for the same role after Anthony Weaver left to become the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator. Former Kansas defensive analyst Mark DeLeone fills the vacancy left by Orr’s promotion. Former Michigan defensive analyst Doug Mallory was hired as defensive backs coach after Dennard Wilson bolted to be the Titans’ defensive coordinator. And ex-Washington Commanders offensive line coach Travelle Wharton was tabbed for the assistant offensive line opening after the Los Angeles Chargers plucked Mike Devlin to be their offensive line coach. That’s a lot of change — something Harbaugh is somewhat used to — but how the group fits together and meshes with players will be interesting to watch. For cornerback Nate Wiggins and the other Ravens rookies, organized team activities are key to their development. (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP) What rookies will be most intriguing? For the majority of Ravens players, these spring practices are old hat and a chance to dust off the cobwebs. For the rookies, it’s an important time to learn how to adjust to NFL life and work with their new teammates. Most eyes will be on first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins and Rosengarten. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens director of college scouting David Blackburn expected to join Washington Commanders’ front office Baltimore Ravens | Ray Lewis helped sell RB Derrick Henry on signing with Ravens: ‘Old-school type of player’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Time is not on the Ravens’ side with strange 2024 schedule | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Ranking all 17 games from easiest (Broncos) to hardest (Chiefs) Much has been made about Wiggins’ thin frame and how physical he will be at this level, though Harbaugh isn’t worried because “he comes up and smacks people.” Wiggins’ speed, meanwhile, could mean the Ravens shift Marlon Humphrey to the inside. They’re not the only rookies to keep an eye on, however. Edge rusher Adisa Isaac, a third-round pick, could be in the mix in a young outside linebackers group, save for veteran Kyle Van Noy. Fourth-round wide receiver Devontez Walker, meanwhile, could press for snaps as the team’s fourth wide receiver, as could Deonte Harty. Fourth-round cornerback T.J. Tampa could also push for playing time given his size, physical play and as someone whom the Ravens measured as faster in games than during his 40-yard dash and other drills. And with running back Keaton Mitchell’s timeline for return still uncertain after tearing his ACL in mid-December, fifth-round back Rasheen Ali could help spell Henry and provide a speedy option out of the backfield. View the full article

Ray Lewis hasn’t played football since 2012, but the Hall of Famer is still helping the Ravens on the field. Lewis, who spent his entire 17-year career in Baltimore, helped recruit Derrick Henry this offseason before the longtime Tennessee Titans running back signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Ravens. “I’ve been doing it for years,” Lewis said on the red carpet at the Preakness Stakes on Saturday of trying to sell players on joining the Ravens. “He’ll be a key piece.” Henry, 30, joined the Ravens after eight seasons in Tennessee as one of the most prolific rushers in the NFL. He recorded five 1,000-yard seasons, twice leading the league in rushing including 2020 when he won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. Henry told the Pivot Podcast in an episode released in March that the Ravens were on his radar because they tried to swing a deal for him at the trade deadline last season. But it wasn’t until he talked to Lewis at the Pro Bowl that he grew an appreciation for the team’s history as a perennial Super Bowl contender. “Dallas, being a perfect situation as well because we lived there and we ain’t got to move, but at the same time, Ravens, the history of it, and then talking to Ray at the Pro Bowl, just his passion about the organization, his impact there and how he talked about it, I was like, ‘If I’m not in Tennessee or I don’t get to go to Dallas, I would love to be a Raven,” Henry said. “I’m glad it worked out.” The addition of Henry will give the Ravens a unique element to their offense alongside reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Zay Flowers, who recorded 858 receiving yards as a rookie last season. Baltimore hasn’t had a running back finish a season with more than 200 carries since Mark Ingram in 2019. Henry hasn’t recorded fewer than 200 carries in seven years. “The reason why we got him: attitude,” Lewis said of what Henry brings to the Ravens. “It’s the mentality, man. You got two different sides of the game right now, right? You got the game that says, ‘don’t touch.’ And then you got Derrick Henry that says, ‘be touched.’ That’s the mentality I’m looking forward to.” The Ravens’ offense was among the best in football last season, averaging 28.4 points (fourth in the NFL) and 370.4 (sixth) yards per game. Under newly installed offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson set career highs in completions (307) and passing yards (3,678) as the offense shifted to more of a pass-heavy approach. However, Jackson’s running ability ensured the ground game was still a key aspect of their offense — at least, it was until the AFC championship game. The Ravens called only eight designed runs in their 17-10 loss to the eventual Super Bow champion Kansas City Chiefs. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Time is not on the Ravens’ side with strange 2024 schedule | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Ranking all 17 games from easiest (Broncos) to hardest (Chiefs) Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis of the Ravens’ 2024 schedule Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: 5 prime-time games, including ‘Monday Night Football’ showdown between Harbaugh brothers With Henry in the backfield, the chances of an anomaly like that happening again are slim. The Ravens, who began organized team activities on Monday, hope his presence alone will open up opportunities for the rest of the offense to flourish. “It’s going to make it easier for me,” Flowers said while attending the Preakness with teammate Malik Cunningham. “It’s going to make it easier for the whole team. So, it should be fun.” Lewis, the NFL’s all-time leader in combined tackles with 2,059, knows the type of impact a physical player like Henry can make. The Ravens’ 2024 opponents will soon find out, too. “Seriously, seeing him in the same backfield as Lamar? Forget popcorn, I need something that’s not going to run out because you cannot miss that, man,” Lewis said. “I’m really interested to see how the dynamic with him — and not just him, we have weapons — but I think he just brings a certain mentality that says, ‘I’m an old-school player.’ It’s a new-school game. Derrick Henry represents an old-school type of player.” Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, pictured at Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, helped convince Derrick Henry that the running back would be a good fit with the Ravens. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) View the full article

A year ago, the Ravens had time to develop a new offense, but they won’t have that luxury in 2024. The Ravens have a bizarre schedule loaded with playoff teams early, then three games in 12 days from late October to early November and three games in 11 days in December after a Week 14 bye. A year ago, coach John Harbaugh and new coordinator Todd Monken were calling the offense a work in progress. As of Wednesday, when the NFL announced the schedule, the Ravens are on the clock. It’s a demanding season, and that was to be expected after the Ravens finished with a 13-4 record, the best of any club during the regular season. But it’s also awkward because there are seven Sundays in which the Ravens don’t play, and that’s where the problems arise. Coaches love routines. They like to plan everything from team meetings to weight training sessions to film study, and even an occasional movie night. You can believe that Harbaugh has already been busy plotting out everything from practice sessions to flight departure details. This season, though, is different. The Ravens’ first five games last season were against the Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens went 3-2 with losses to the Colts and Steelers, but there wasn’t a sense of urgency. It was only a matter of time before Monken and quarterback Lamar Jackson were going to build a strong offense, regardless if it was built around the running or the passing game. Of that group of teams, only the Bengals were expected to compete for a conference or Super Bowl title. In 2024, the Ravens open at Kansas City, vs. Las Vegas, at Dallas, vs. Buffalo and at Cincinnati. Let’s see. The Chiefs have won three of the past five Super Bowls, including two straight. Both Buffalo and Dallas are serious contenders and Cincinnati might be in that class as well, depending on the health of quarterback Joe Burrow. Offensively, the Ravens don’t have a lot of time for growing pains. It will be interesting to see how fast they develop with Derrick Henry as the new star running back and three new starters on the offensive line. At least Jackson will be familiar with wide receivers Nelson Agholor, Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers, as well as tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews. It will be different on defense. Mike Macdonald, the coordinator from a year ago, is now the coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Other defensive assistants such as defensive line coach Anthony Weaver (Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator) and secondary coach Dennard Wilson (Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator) have moved on as well. It’s safe to assume that new defensive coordinator Zach Orr will keep most of Macdonald’s schemes in place, but every new coach wants to put his signature on his team. That takes time, and that will be the case with the new assistant coaches, but can the Ravens adjust in such a short time? The Ravens have lost a lot of familiar faces on defense, including weakside linebacker Patrick Queen, safety Geno Stone and outside linebacker-defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. That’s a lot of departing talent from a unit that was one of the best in the league last season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Way-too-early predictions and analysis for every game Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Ranking all 17 games from easiest (Broncos) to hardest (Chiefs) Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis of the Ravens’ 2024 schedule Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: 5 prime-time games, including ‘Monday Night Football’ showdown between Harbaugh brothers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to play on Christmas again in playoff rematch with Texans on Netflix The Ravens’ schedule doesn’t allow a lot of wiggle room unless adjustments are made quickly. On Nov. 17, the Ravens play at Pittsburgh followed by a road game on Nov. 25 at Los Angeles against the Chargers before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1. It gets worse near the end of the season when the Ravens play in New York against the Giants on Dec. 15, host Pittsburgh six days later and then fly to Houston for a Christmas Day game. The Ravens close out the regular season at home against Cleveland. The NFL didn’t do the Ravens any favors. In fact, this might be the weirdest schedule since the team moved from Cleveland to Baltimore for the 1996 season. The 2023 campaign was strange because the Ravens traveled 25,442 miles, including a trip to London, two to California and one to Arizona. This season isn’t as wacky based on the competition, but the Ravens are playing so many games in such a short time. Plus, they are playing on the road for the second straight year on Christmas Day. That’s strange in itself. Merry Christmas, Ravens. View the full article

The NFL schedule makers did the Ravens zero favors for the 2024 season — part and parcel for a team that had the league’s best record in 2023. Still, some oddities stand out, most notably that Baltimore will have seven Sundays off, including its Week 14 bye, and will play three games in 11 days, including on the road on Christmas for a second straight year, this time against the Houston Texans. That total lack of rhythm to a difficult slate along with several coaching and player departures will make replicating last season challenging, if not impossible. Here’s a way-too-early prediction of how the Ravens’ season will play out. Week 1 (Thursday, Sept. 5): at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m., NBC Loss: Chiefs coach Andy Reid, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are still kings of the hill in big games and none will be bigger during the regular season than this one, at least in terms of the national spotlight. The Ravens will run it more than six times with Derrick Henry now in the backfield, but with their losses on defense, including at defensive coordinator with Mike Macdonald now in Seattle, the Chiefs’ offense and Mahomes’ mastery of Baltimore will prove too much to overcome. Week 2 (Sunday, Sept. 15): vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m., CBS Win: The Raiders’ quarterback situation — Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew — is everything the Chiefs’ is not. Though Minshew gave the Ravens’ defense fits at times last season in a Week 3 win by the Colts, Baltimore has the time and resources to bounce back and win its home opener, so long as its new-look offensive line contains Maxx Crosby and newly acquired Christian Wilkins. Week 3 (Sunday, Sept. 22): at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., FOX Win: Lamar Jackson vs. Dak Prescott for the first time in their careers is a dream matchup. But Baltimore’s speed on offense will be a difficult matchup for the Cowboys’ defense, even with Micah Parsons likely harassing Jackson. The Ravens win a close one. Week 4 (Sunday, Sept. 29): vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m., NBC Win: The Bills’ chances looked a lot better when they still had wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer and cornerback Tre’Davious White. They still have quarterback Josh Allen, and he’ll give Baltimore’s defense problems, but the Ravens win relatively easily under the lights of prime time. Week 5 (Sunday, Oct. 6): at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS Loss: The Ravens ended the Bengals’ three-game home winning streak last season, but with a healthy Joe Burrow, receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and the addition of running back Zack Moss, who had 122 yards against the Ravens as a member of the Colts last season, Cincinnati returns to its winning ways at Paycor Stadium. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, left, whose skill set is often compared to Lamar Jackson’s, and the Commanders will visit the Ravens in Week 6. (Gregory Shamus/Getty) Week 6 (Sunday, Oct. 13): vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m., CBS Win: Rookie quarterback and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels might be the next version of Jackson, but he’ll look like a rookie in this one. Baltimore wins the Battle of the Beltway comfortably. Week 7 (Monday, Oct. 21): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN Win: Jackson played his best in the Ravens’ biggest games last season, and under the lights against a spirited Buccaneers team that made a nice playoff run last year certainly qualifies. Tampa Bay is a young team and its prime-time showdown with the Ravens marks the first of a four-game gantlet that includes the division rival Atlanta Falcons, Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Week 8 (Sunday, Oct. 27): at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS Loss: The Browns have one of the league’s best defenses, intimate knowledge of how to pester Jackson and a healthy Deshaun Watson at quarterback. Adding talented wide receiver Jerry Jeudy alongside Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku only helps. Week 9 (Sunday, Nov. 3): vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m., CBS Win: Denver comes into M&T Bank Stadium riding a three-game losing streak against the Ravens, and it’ll extend to four in a row with rookie quarterback Bo Nix facing a tough defense without a lot of firepower on offense. Week 10 (Thursday, Nov. 7): vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video Win: Even with a healthy Burrow, the Ravens’ defense has, for the most part, relatively contained the Bengals’ offense. Being at home on a Thursday night in front of a raucous crowd gives Baltimore the edge to salvage a season split with the team that should be its biggest threat to the division title. Week 11 (Sunday, Nov. 17): at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS Loss: Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen gets the early bragging rights as the Steelers’ defense goads Jackson into a couple of mistakes, while quarterback Justin Fields shows off some of his brilliance having supplanted Russell Wilson as the starter. John Harbaugh, right, and the Ravens will face Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers on “Monday Night Football” in November. (Gregory Shamus/Getty) Week 12 (Monday, Nov. 25): at Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN Win: This one is dripping with storylines: John Harbaugh vs. younger brother Jim; Chargers running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards vs. their old team; L.A. general manager Joe Hortiz and offensive coordinator Greg Roman vs. their old bosses. In the end, Baltimore’s offense is too much for the Chargers’ defense. Week 13 (Sunday, Dec. 1): vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m., CBS Loss: Coming off an emotional Monday night win on the West Coast, returning home to face a charged-up and talented Eagles team is less than ideal. Week 14 (Sunday, Dec. 8): Bye week Having the bye a week earlier would perhaps be better, but with three games in 11 days on tap, the timing should be helpful. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Ranking all 17 games from easiest (Broncos) to hardest (Chiefs) Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis of the Ravens’ 2024 schedule Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: 5 prime-time games, including ‘Monday Night Football’ showdown between Harbaugh brothers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to play on Christmas again in playoff rematch with Texans on Netflix Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens at Chiefs to kick off the 2024 NFL season? Bring it on. | COMMENTARY Week 15 (Sunday, Dec. 15): at New York Giants, 1 p.m., CBS Win: An annoyed Ravens team coming off a loss followed by a week off is a recipe for disaster for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Week 16 (Saturday, Dec. 21): vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m., FOX Win: A short week ahead of a key divisional showdown with a Christmas game looming against a potent Texans team could spell trouble. But Henry helps carry the Ravens and Jackson avenges his earlier mistakes to lead Baltimore to victory. Week 17 (Wednesday, Dec. 25): at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m., Netflix Loss: Houston gave Baltimore all it could handle for the first half of last season’s divisional round playoff game. The Texans are more experienced and loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Week 18 (TBD)*: vs. Cleveland Browns, TBD Win: Unlike last year’s regular-season finale against the Steelers, this one will have playoff implications for the Ravens. Needing the win, Jackson, Henry and wide receiver Zay Flowers deliver. Prediction: 11-6. It’s enough for a playoff berth but not enough to beat out the Bengals in the AFC North. View the full article

Last season, the Ravens finished with the NFL’s best regular-season record (13-4) and reached the AFC championship game. Getting back there, however, will be a burdensome task. In addition to several coaching changes — most notably the departure of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to become the coach of the Seattle Seahawks — and the loss of several players in free agency, Baltimore will play a first-place schedule for the first time since 2020. The Ravens’ 2024 slate features eight teams that made the playoffs last season. That includes a rematch of the conference championship game against the Chiefs, this time at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, to open the season Sept. 5. Things don’t get much easier from there, either. Baltimore will play five prime-time games, three of which will be on the road, including a Week 12 Monday night tilt against the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh in Inglewood, California, that will be followed by a home game against the Philadelphia Eagles six days later. In all, the Ravens will play nine games away from M&T Bank Stadium, including on Christmas for the second straight year just four days after a home game against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s just one of several challenges the Ravens will face in what is one of the league’s most difficult and quirkiest schedules. Here’s a look at how their full schedule measures up, with opponents ranked from least to most difficult. Week 9 vs. Denver Broncos Baltimore has won three straight against Denver, including a 10-9 squeaker at M&T Bank Stadium in 2022 when backup quarterback Tyler Huntley came off the bench for an injured Lamar Jackson in the first quarter and guided Baltimore on a 16-play, 91-yard game-winning drive that he capped off with a 2-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds remaining. It won’t be nearly as close this time. Denver, which has missed the playoffs each of the past eight seasons and last finished above .500 in 2016, is in rebuild mode after jettisoning veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and his $85 million dead cap hit. In addition to Wilson, they traded 25-year-old wide receiver and 2020 first-round draft pick Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns and released veteran and two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons. They still have wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who led the team in catches (90), receiving yards (772) and touchdown receptions (10) last season, but he could also be trade bait if the Broncos aren’t willing to give him the contract extension he’s seeking. With Wilson gone, Bo Nix, whom Denver selected with the 12th overall pick in April, is expected to be the starter, and the Ravens have typically feasted on rookie quarterbacks. Week 2 vs. Las Vegas Raiders After traveling to play Kansas City to open the season, the Ravens have nine days to prepare for a Raiders team that went 8-9 last season and is in the midst of a rebuild. Still, Las Vegas won’t be a pushover. Coach Antonio Pierce took over midway through last season and helped guide the Raiders to a 5-4 record over their final nine games, including a stunning upset of the Chiefs on Christmas. Las Vegas should once again feature one of the league’s better defenses, especially along the front, where they added tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency to pair with star edge rusher Maxx Crosby and 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson. On offense, however, there are question marks, including who will be the starting quarterback between Aidan O’Connell and veteran Gardner Minshew. Wide receiver Davante Adams is the biggest threat, though rookie tight end Brock Bowers should help immediately. But whether the Ravens win or lose against the Chiefs in their season opener, nine days should be more than enough time for Ravens coach John Harbaugh, first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr and second-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken to make life miserable for the Raiders, a tough and physical team but one that is outmanned. Week 15 at New York Giants Gone from the Giants is perhaps the NFL’s best running back, Saquon Barkley, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, as well as 24-year-old ascending safety Xavier McKinney, now with the Green Bay Packers. But what New York lacks in offense — even with the addition of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers as quarterback Daniel Jones’ best target — it makes up for in its defensive front. The Giants added outside linebacker and two-time Pro Bowl selection Brian Burns to pair with a line that includes rising young stars Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II. Shane Bowen is the new defensive coordinator after a messy split with former Ravens assistant Don “Wink” Martindale, who’s now at Michigan. New York also strengthened its offensive line with the additions of Jon Runyan Jr. at guard and former Raven Jermaine Eluemunor at tackle. Coach Brian Daboll had one one of the worst offenses in football last season, but Jones also missed half the year because of an ACL injury. The Giants are the only NFC team to have beaten Jackson since he took over as the full-time starter, but the extra time off after the bye week should pay dividends for the Ravens. Week 6 vs. Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels, whom the Commanders drafted No. 2 overall in April, said the player he’s most looking forward to facing is the player he’s most often been compared with: Jackson. Whether the former LSU star feels the same way about Baltimore’s defense remains to be seen. Only a handful of rookie quarterbacks have beaten the Ravens under Harbaugh, and even fewer have done so at M&T Bank Stadium. Still, the Commanders come into this game under new leadership with veteran coach Dan Quinn and with new pieces on both sides of the ball, including running back Austin Ekeler, tight end Zack Ertz, defensive ends Clelin Ferrell, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. and inside linebacker Frankie Luvu. Washington also ended the Ravens’ record 24-game preseason winning streak last year and have won three of seven meetings in the regular season. But this isn’t the preseason and Baltimore hasn’t forgotten about that loss last year. Chris O'Meara/APRavens tight end Isaiah Likely catches a touchdown pass as Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards defends on Oct. 27, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. (Chris O’Meara/AP) Week 7 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Like the Commanders, the Buccaneers have played the Ravens sparingly over the years. When they have, the results have largely been one-sided, with Baltimore having won five straight meetings, including a 27-22 victory in Tampa, Florida, in 2022. But this is a different and spirited Buccaneers team led by rejuvenated quarterback Baker Mayfield, who spurred them to a divisional round win over the Eagles in last year’s playoffs. Mayfield is back, as is star wide receiver Mike Evans. Tampa Bay’s defense, meanwhile, includes perhaps the best safety duo in the league in Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead, who is back after a brief stint with the New York Jets. Watching Jackson and new backfield mate Derrick Henry against the Buccaneers’ run defense will be intriguing, as will Mayfield against the Ravens’ pass rush and secondary. Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers This is probably too low to rank a division rival that has given the Ravens fits of late. Incredibly, the Steelers have won seven of the past eight meetings, though many of those wins came when Jackson was not on the field, including last season’s rainy Week 18 game at M&T Bank Stadium when Baltimore rested many of its starters with its playoff seeding secured. Weirdly, Jackson has started just one game at home against the Steelers during his career because of injury, illness or rest. That was a 28-24 loss in 2020 in which he threw two touchdowns but was also intercepted twice. But for all their success against the Ravens, the Steelers have a lot of questions, most notably who will start at quarterback between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, as well as in the secondary, which gave up the fourth-most completions (63) of 20-plus yards last season. But you can throw stats out the window when these teams play. Expect a tough, physical game that’s won up front, and in that regard Pittsburgh should have one of the league’s best offensive lines. Week 18 vs. Cleveland Browns Given its spot on the calendar as the regular-season finale, this game could mean everything or nothing for the Ravens. It will also be Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s first time back at the stadium where his 2023 season ended. In a gritty Week 10 win over the Ravens last season, Watson suffered a broken bone in his throwing shoulder, gutted it out and rallied Cleveland from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to a stunning 33-31 victory. Three days later, he underwent season-ending surgery. Week 8 at Cleveland Browns The Browns are just 14-36 all-time against Baltimore, but that includes two wins in the Ravens’ past three trips to Cleveland. Last season, the Ravens blew out the host Browns, who were without Watson and top running back Nick Chubb. Baltimore gashed Cleveland’s defense for 131 rushing yards, with Jackson running for two scores and throwing for two more while the defense harassed rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in his first NFL start. Expect a closer contest this time, especially if the Browns are healthy. Week 10 vs. Cincinnati Bengals For the second straight year, the Bengals travel to Baltimore for a “Thursday Night Football” showdown with their division rival. In last year’s game at M&T Bank Stadium, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury, while Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was lost for the rest of the regular season after a now-banned hip-drop tackle that resulted in a serious ankle injury. While this has been a mostly balanced series in recent years, Baltimore has enjoyed much more success at home, winning five of the past six meetings in Baltimore, including last November when they pulled away for a 34-20 victory. Cincinnati’s lone win in that stretch came in 2021, when Burrow lit up the Ravens for 426 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 41-17 rout. Jerry Jackson/Baltimore SunBills quarterback Josh Allen keeps the ball, eluding Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh on Oct. 2, 2022. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills This is the second of two prime-time games in a four-week stretch to open the season and one of two night games at M&T Bank Stadium. The Bills have beaten the Ravens in two straight meetings, including a 2021 divisional round playoff game in Buffalo in which Baltimore’s offense fell flat in a 17-3 loss. In their most recent showdown, on a rainy day in Baltimore in 2022, quarterback Josh Allen rallied the Bills from a 17-point second-quarter deficit to a 23-20 victory capped by a 21-yard field goal from Tyler Bass as time expired. The biggest challenge for Buffalo this time will be figuring out how to make up for the loss of All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs and fellow wideout Gabe Davis. Rookie Keon Coleman will help. The defense also has question marks with safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer and cornerback Tre’Davious White all gone. But as long as the Bills have Allen, they have a chance. Week 12 at Los Angeles Chargers John Harbaugh owns a 2-0 record against his younger brother Jim, with the Ravens beating the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving in 2011 and doing so again in Super Bowl 47 in February 2013. Since then, the younger Harbaugh returned to the college ranks, won a national championship at his alma mater, Michigan, and took the helm of an NFL team he used to play for. Throw in the fact the Chargers plucked several former Ravens, including running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, general manager Joe Hortiz and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, and there’s a lot of familiarity. With the matchup of star quarterbacks Jackson and Justin Herbert to top it off, it’s no surprise this one gets the prime-time treatment on “Monday Night Football.” Week 11 at Pittsburgh Steelers This game would probably rank lower just looking at the rosters, but neither coach would say as much given the intensity of the rivalry — one that will will likely get even more heated with the Steelers’ addition of former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. His signing with the fan base’s most hated foe is akin to Luke Skywalker joining the dark side of the force in “Star Wars.” As if that wasn’t enough drama, the play on the field should be just as suspenseful. Last year’s game in Pittsburgh featured the Ravens turning the ball over three times while also allowing a blocked punt and a late fourth-quarter touchdown pass that propelled the Steelers to a 17-10 win. Expect more fireworks this time around. Week 3 at Dallas Cowboys A trip to Arlington, Texas, comes at a difficult time for the Ravens with games against the Chiefs, Bills and Bengals sandwiched around it in a brutal start to the season. It also marks the first time Jackson and three-time Pro Bowl quarterback and 2023 passing touchdowns leader Dak Prescott will face off. The last time these teams played — a 34-17 Ravens victory in 2020 — Prescott missed the game because of a season-ending ankle injury. Last year, Dallas went 12-5 and was the No. 2 seed in the NFC. But the Cowboys, who had one of the top offenses and defenses in the league, laid an egg in the postseason, falling behind by 32 points and losing at home to the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers, 48-32, in a wild-card game. The Cowboys have been much maligned for their lack of moves in free agency this offseason, but they’re still potent enough to stress the Ravens on both sides of the ball. Week 5 at Cincinnati Bengals Before last season, the Bengals had won three in a row at home against the Ravens. Even with Burrow coming off a calf injury, the Ravens had to hold on for a 27-24 victory at Payor Stadium, as safety Geno Stone intercepted the star quarterback on the Bengals’ first drive of the second half and Jackson completed a 52-yard bomb to Zay Flowers that helped set up a touchdown. Now Stone, like Queen, is a member of a division rival, signing with the Bengals as a free agent after leading the AFC with seven interceptions last season. Last year’s game in Cincinnati could also provide some insight into how this year’s will go. Baltimore was without left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum; now they’re without three of their five starters up front as the offensive line undergoes an overhaul. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gestures after completing a pass against the Texans in an AFC divisional round playoff game Jan. 20. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Week 17 at Houston Texans For the second year in a row, the Ravens will play on Christmas. Last year, they traveled to California to face the San Francisco 49ers in a Monday night blockbuster they won handily to seal Jackson’s second career NFL MVP Award. This time, they get the Texans on the road in a rematch of last season’s divisional round playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium that was tied at 10 at the half before Baltimore pulled away for a 34-10 victory. The Ravens also won their Week 1 matchup against the Texans, 25-9. Expect a much closer result this time. For one, Houston gave Baltimore fits for the first 30 minutes of its playoff game. For another, the Texans are one of the league’s rising teams under coach DeMeco Ryans and 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback C.J. Stroud. They also added the aforementioned Diggs as well as veteran running back Joe Mixon. On defense, they signed veteran pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, who combined for 28 sacks last season. Week 13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles Jackson vs. two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jalen Hurts. Ravens running back Derrick Henry vs. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Ravens coach John Harbaugh vs. the organization where he launched his NFL career as a special teams coordinator. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis of the Ravens’ 2024 schedule Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: 5 prime-time games, including ‘Monday Night Football’ showdown between Harbaugh brothers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to play on Christmas again in playoff rematch with Texans on Netflix Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens at Chiefs to kick off the 2024 NFL season? Bring it on. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Ravens’ 2024 schedule release Though the Ravens have won three of their past four against their I-95 neighbors, each of those wins have been by two points or fewer. Baltimore won the most recent encounter, 30-28 in 2020 at M&T Bank Stadium, after the Eagles staged a furious rally with 22 fourth-quarter points but came up short on quarterback Carson Wentz’s 2-point conversion try with 1:55 remaining. This one figures to be just as close with the Eagles expected to bounce back from a season in which they started 10-1 only to lose five of their next six games before getting bounced from the playoffs by the Buccaneers in the wild-card round. Baltimore will also be coming off a short week after what will be a much-hyped Monday night game against the Chargers. Week 1 at Kansas City Chiefs In a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game, the Ravens will travel to Arrowhead Stadium, where they haven’t won since 2012. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes owns a 4-1 career record against Jackson, which includes last year’s 17-10 conference championship game victory at M&T Bank Stadium that propelled Kansas City to its second straight Super Bowl title. This one has no shortage of storylines, either: Last season’s NFL MVP in Jackson vs. two-time Super Bowl and 2018 and 2022 league MVP in Mahomes; Henry’s Ravens debut after eight seasons with the Titans; a difficult test for new Baltimore defensive coordinator Zach Orr; and Harbaugh vs. his onetime boss and mentor with the Eagles, Andy Reid. It’s also been over a decade since the Ravens’ only other appearance in the league’s annual kickoff game. That was in 2013, when they were the defending Super Bowl champions but couldn’t host the Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium because of a schedule conflict with the Orioles and went on to get blown out in Denver, 49-27. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are accustomed to being in this spot, playing in the Thursday night opener for the third time in five years. Baltimore’s lone win in its past six against Kansas City came in 2021, when they rallied for a 36-35 victory at home after scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter. Jackson rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another score, and he’ll likely need another spectacular performance for the Ravens to win this one. View the full article

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 2024 schedule was released Wednesday night: Brian Wacker, reporter: Remember when the Ravens won 10 of 11 games en route to a 13-4 record and the top seed in the AFC last season? They will not have a run like that with this schedule. With games at Kansas City, Dallas and Cincinnati sandwiched around home games against Las Vegas and Buffalo, it’s conceivable Baltimore could be 2-3 to start the year. The middle of the schedule is no picnic, either, with three games against AFC North rivals in a four-week span followed by what will be a hugely hyped Monday night game in Los Angeles against the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh and a short week with the Philadelphia Eagles coming to Baltimore in Week 13. The Week 14 bye would perhaps be better served coming after the Chargers game, not after the Eagles game. Then the Ravens have another short week, playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on a Saturday in Week 14 before getting Scrooged with another Christmas game, this time against the Texans in Houston four days later. And in perhaps the oddest quirk, the Ravens will be off for seven(!) Sundays this season, including the bye week, making the routine that coaches crave that much more difficult to maintain. Still, Baltimore has failed to qualify for the playoffs just once since Lamar Jackson took over at quarterback in 2018, and even with several coaching changes and a free agent exodus they should be in the postseason again, though it’s unlikely the road to the Super Bowl will go through M&T Bank Stadium. Childs Walker, reporter: The schedule is undeniably important, but we won’t know the true nature of its importance for many months, so it’s best viewed through the prism of entertainment value. It’s no surprise the Ravens are involved in marquee prime time and holiday games. Lamar Jackson pretty well guarantees that. They’ll benefit from a late bye week, much as they did last year. Two four-day weeks is no favor. It’s nice that the last two AFC North games against Pittsburgh and Cleveland are at home. They’ll need to hit the ground running with the Chiefs, Cowboys, Bills and Bengals all packed in the first five weeks. Mike Preston, columnist: The Ravens face one of the most difficult schedules in the NFL, but that’s to be expected when they had the best regular-season record a year ago. Eight opponents made the postseason in 2023, and that’s not even counting that the Ravens have to play two of those teams, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, twice. They also have to compete against two of the better divisions in the league in the AFC West and the NFC East. At least the Ravens don’t have to travel as much as last season, but they are scheduled for five prime-time games. I don’t put a lot of emphasis in schedules because injuries play a major part in every season. Sometimes teams that are expected to be good don’t play well, especially if the starting quarterback gets hurt. Overall, it’s a tough schedule, but the Ravens earned it because they technically had the best team in the NFL last season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: 5 prime-time games, including ‘Monday Night Football’ showdown between Harbaugh brothers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to play on Christmas again in playoff rematch with Texans on Netflix Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens at Chiefs to kick off the 2024 NFL season? Bring it on. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Ravens’ 2024 schedule release Baltimore Ravens | Ravens will face Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Kansas City to kick off NFL season C.J. Doon, editor: We won’t have to wait long to see how the Ravens stack up among their fellow Super Bowl contenders. After opening the season against the defending champions in Kansas City and hosting the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore faces the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals in consecutive weeks. That’s a juicy set of games to kick things off for a team with plenty of new faces both on the field and on the sideline. If the Ravens emerge from that gantlet with a 3-2 record or better, it will be easy to start envisioning another home AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising for a team facing a first-place schedule, but there are very few “layups” on this slate. The Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos and New York Giants could be fiesty, and you know coach Jim Harbaugh and the several Ravens transplants on the Los Angeles Chargers will be fired up to beat their old teammates and colleagues in prime-time. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers nearly reached the NFC championship game last season, and presumptive Raiders starting quarterback Gardner Minshew led the Colts to a stunning win in Baltimore last September. Based on projected win totals from Vegas sportsbooks, the Ravens have the fourth-toughest schedule in the league, acccording to Sharp Football Analysis. But if we’re playing everyone’s favorite “win-loss” schedule game four months before the regular season starts, put me down for 12-5, another AFC North title and the No. 2 seed in the conference. The five losses will come at Kansas City, at Cincinnati, at Pittsburgh, at Los Angeles and at Houston. View the full article

After Lamar Jackson took home his second NFL Most Valuable Player award last season, the Ravens are scheduled for a healthy dose of prime-time action this year. Baltimore will play five nationally televised night games — tied for the most in franchise history — over the first dozen weeks of the 2024 NFL season, including against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game to kick off the NFL season Sept. 5 on “Thursday Night Football” at Arrowhead Stadium. Baltimore will also travel to Houston for a 4:30 p.m. Christmas blockbuster against the Texans and their star quarterback, 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud, in a rematch of an AFC divisional round playoff matchup last season. It marks the second straight year the Ravens will play on the holiday after last year’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California. Other games under the lights include a Week 4 “Sunday Night Football” showdown against the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen at M&T Bank Stadium; a Week 7 “Monday Night Football” tilt against the defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium; a Week 10 “Thursday Night Football” matchup at home against the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals; and a Week 12 Monday night meeting in Inglewood, California, that pits Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh against his younger brother John, who is in his first year as coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. It will be the third time the two brothers have faced off as coaches. The first meeting took place in 2011 on Thanksgiving when the Ravens beat the 49ers in Baltimore, 16-6. The teams met again the following season — in Super Bowl 47 — with the same outcome as Baltimore held off San Francisco, 34-31. Less than a year later, the younger Harbaugh left the 49ers to become the coach of his alma mater, Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff national championship last season before deciding to bolt for the Chargers, one of five teams he played for during his NFL career as a quarterback. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh celebrates with his brother, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, after winning the College Football Playoff national championship at NRG Stadium in Houston on Jan. 8. (Gregory Shamus/Getty) Baltimore’s home opener, meanwhile, will come in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that is in the midst of a rebuild and coming off an 8-9 season. From there, the Ravens travel to Texas to play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in a game that will feature three-time Pro Bowl quarterback and 2023 passing touchdowns leader Dak Prescott. It will be the first meeting between the teams since 2020 and the first time Jackson and Prescott have played against one another after the latter missed the game four years ago — won by the Ravens, 34-17 — because of a season-ending ankle injury. The Ravens then return home for their Sunday night game against the Bills before heading to Cincinnati to face the division rival Bengals. That’s followed by a visit from the neighboring Washington Commanders and rookie quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in Week 6. Baltimore hits the road again with trips to Tampa, Florida, and then Cleveland to face the division rival Browns before hosting the Denver Broncos and rookie quarterback Bo Nix in Week 9 and the Bengals on Thursday night in Week 10. It marks the third straight year the Ravens will play the Bengals at night at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore won both of the previous meetings, 19-17 on a Sunday night in 2022 and 34-20 on a Thursday night last season. Last year, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in the Week 11 game at M&T Bank Stadium, while Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was lost for the rest of the regular season because of an ankle injury suffered in the Nov. 16 game. The Ravens then travel to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers in Week 11 — who will be led by either veteran Russell Wilson or former Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields at quarterback and former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen on defense — before their trip to Los Angeles to face the Chargers, led by star quarterback Justin Herbert and former Ravens running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis of the Ravens’ 2024 schedule Baltimore Ravens | Ravens to play on Christmas again in playoff rematch with Texans on Netflix Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens at Chiefs to kick off the 2024 NFL season? Bring it on. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Ravens’ 2024 schedule release Baltimore Ravens | Ravens will face Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Kansas City to kick off NFL season After a bye in Week 14 — tied with the 2000 Super Bowl champion team for the latest in franchise history — Baltimore returns to action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, followed by a Saturday 4:30 p.m. game against the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium ahead of their Christmas showdown with the Texans on Wednesday. It marks a stretch of three games in 10 days. The Ravens will wrap up the regular season at home against the Browns at a time and date to be determined. In an oddity for an NFL season built around Sunday audiences, there will be seven Sundays in which the Ravens do not play, including their bye week. They will play six non-Sunday games, two more than the franchise record (four in 2020 and 2022). In all, Baltimore, which finished 13-4 and as the AFC’s top seed last season, will face eight teams that made the playoffs last season — the Eagles, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Chiefs, Steelers, Bills, Browns and Texans — and has the second-toughest strength of schedule based on last season’s winning percentage of their opponents (155-134 combined record). Based on projected win totals for next season, according to Sharp Football Analysis, the Ravens will have the fourth-toughest schedule behind the Steelers, New England Patriots and Browns. Ravens 2024 schedule * – Flexible scheduling games Week 1 (Thursday, Sept. 5): at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m., NBC Week 2 (Sunday, Sept. 15): vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m., CBS Week 3 (Sunday, Sept. 22): at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., FOX Week 4 (Sunday, Sept. 29): vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m., NBC Week 5 (Sunday, Oct. 6)*: at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS Week 6 (Sunday, Oct. 13)*: vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m., CBS Week 7 (Monday, Oct. 21): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN Week 8 (Sunday, Oct. 27)*: at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS Week 9 (Sunday, Nov. 3)*: vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m., CBS Week 10 (Thursday, Nov. 7): vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video Week 11 (Sunday, Nov. 17)*: at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS Week 12 (Monday, Nov. 25): at Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN Week 13 (Sunday, Dec. 1)*: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m., CBS Week 14 (Sunday, Dec. 8): Bye week Week 15 (Sunday, Dec. 15)*: at New York Giants, 1 p.m., CBS Week 16 (Saturday, Dec. 21)*: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m., FOX Week 17 (Wednesday, Dec. 25): at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m., Netflix Week 18 (TBD)*: vs. Cleveland Browns, TBD PRESEASON Week 1 (Friday, Aug. 9): vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7:30 p.m., ABC Week 2 (Saturday, Aug. 17): vs. Atlanta Falcons, 12 p.m., NBC Week 3 (Saturday, Aug. 24): at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m., NBC View the full article

The Ravens will play on Christmas for a second straight year. Baltimore will travel to Houston to play the Texans on Dec. 25, Netflix announced Wednesday. Last year, the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on “Monday Night Football.” This time, they’ll play at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, and the game will be carried by streaming service Netflix, which will also broadcast the Kansas City Chiefs-Pittsburgh Steelers game at Acrisure Stadium at 1:30 p.m. that day. In keeping with the NFL’s long-standing holiday tradition, however, the games will air on broadcast TV in the competing team cities. Baltimore beat the Texans twice at M&T Bank Stadium last season, 25-9 in Week 1 and again in the divisional round of the playoffs, 34-10. Houston’s offense and its star rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud didn’t score a touchdown in either contest, but they played the Ravens to a 10-10 first-half tie in their second meeting, spurred on by a punt return for a touchdown, before Baltimore pulled away in the second half. The Texans are the early favorites to win the AFC South under second-year coach DeMeco Ryans and Stroud, who was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year last season. Houston is expected to be even better this year after trading for four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs and veteran running back Joe Mixon and signing defensive linemen Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in free agency. The Ravens will open their season against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 5 in a “Thursday Night Football” showdown that is a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game. The rest of Baltimore’s schedule will be announced at 8 p.m. Wednesday. View the full article

As far as Baltimore fans are concerned, the NFL couldn’t have picked a better opener to the 2024 season than having the Ravens travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on Sept. 5. Maybe someone will come up with a name like the “Revenge or Avenge Bowl” as the bitter feeling still lingers in town from the 17-10 AFC championship game loss to two-time defending Super Bowl champs on Jan. 28. Fans still talk about it like the game was yesterday. They want to know why running backs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill ran the ball a combined six times for 23 yards, or why quarterback Lamar Jackson preferred to throw 37 passes instead of using open running lanes. They want to know why offensive coordinator Todd Monken abandoned the running game and how coach John Harbaugh allowed it to happen. Unless truth serum is discovered and administered, we’ll never get all the answers. But at least they can give fans some satisfaction as soon as possible: Just beat Kansas City in the season opener. True, it’s only one game, and it’s not where you start but rather where you finish. But in Baltimore, at least the fans now have something to look forward to after four months of anger. Regardless of what any coach says, the opener is always a big deal. It’s the culmination of a never-ending offseason of trades, additions and subtractions from free agency and the draft, weight lifting, minicamps, training camps and so on, all played out in one week. If your team wins, the entire organization exhales. If they lose, it’s like carrying around a serious case of indigestion for another week. Plus, this is Kansas City. The Chiefs have one of the loudest stadiums in the league, complete with old throwback music and some of the country’s best barbecue. They even have the best dancing mascot in the league in K.C. Wolf. They could become the first team to three-peat, something that wasn’t accomplished by the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers (twice), San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos or New England Patriots, who all won two titles in a row at one point in the league’s long history. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is comforted by a member of the Kansas City chiefs after the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is consoled by a member of the Chiefs staff as the Baltimore Ravens fall to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is consoled by a member of the Chiefs staff as the Baltimore Ravens fall to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is consoled by Odell Beckham Jr. in the final minutes of the game as the Baltimore Ravens fall to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Ravens Isaiah Likely looks dejectedly on the sideline as the Chiefs defeat the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds up the championship trophy as Chiefs tightend Travis Kelce, right, celebrates.The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Chiefs head coach Andy Reid celebrates with trophy after beating the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce kisses the trophy to celebrate Chiefs victory over the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley sits on the bench during the the AFC championship game in Baltimore against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sits on the bench during the the AFC championship game in Baltimore against the Kansas City Chiefs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers sits dejectedly on the bench late in the fourth quarter of a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC championship game in January. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard walks off the field after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens Michael Pierce is dejected on the bench as the Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) John Brown of Phoenix reacts after the Baltimore Ravens fail to score a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left is consoled by kicker Justin Tucker as the fourth quarter and season close against the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers walks on the sidelines in shock, still stinging from his fumble to the Kansas City Chiefs in the end zone during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens fans react to a penalty against Baltimore late during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Fans see the end of the season as the Kansas City Chiefs keep the ball late during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson scrambles as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis grabs onto him during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. fails to catch a pass in the end zone as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie covers and cornerback Jaylen Watson, #35 watches during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts in frustration during the AFC championship game in Baltimore against Kansas City Chiefs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet, #10 watchees Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling make a crucial reception sealing victory during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs celebrate after defensive back Deon Bush, kneeling, intercepted the ball against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Deon Bush intercepts the ball thrown by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the end zone during the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Triple teamed by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner, #27 and linebacker Nick Bolton, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely watches a pass get intercepted by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Deon Bush, #26 during the fourth quarter of the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. The Chiefs stunned the Ravens, 17-10. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs Deon Bush intercepts a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely in the end zone in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Deon Bush intercepts the ball thrown by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the end zone during the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) The Chiefs recover Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers' fumble in the end zone during the AFC championship game in January. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4 coughs up the ball in the end zone to Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie for a touchback during the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers fumbles the ball at the one-yard line as he tries to score and the Kansas City Chiefs recover the ball during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, talks to Referee Shawn Smith, left, in the fourth quarter after a taunting penalty on wide receiver Zay Flowers. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, reacts as Referee Shawn Smith, center, calls a taunting penalty on wide receiver Zay Flowers, right, in the third quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is called for a taunting penalty on the Chiefs L'Jarius Sneed after a 54-yards catch in the third quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Ravens Kyle Hamilton, left, tackles Chiefs Clyde Edwards-Helairehe in the third quarter. Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson keeps for a first down as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson catches his own deflected pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Kyle Hamilton as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs Trent McDuffie breaks up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson catches a pass after his pass was deflected by a Chiefs defensive player in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs #22 Trent McDuffie almost intercepts a pass as Baltimore Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson throws the ball away while being brought down by Kansas City Chiefs #95 Chris Jones in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson has the ball stripped away by Chiefs #90 Charles Omenihu in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce catches a pass over Ravens Brandon Stephens for a first down in the first quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers fumbles the ball at the one-yard line as he tries to score and the Kansas City Chiefs recover the ball during the AFC championship game against the Chiefs in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Kyle Hamilton is unable to stop Kansas City Chiefs\xe2\x80\x99 Travis Kelce from catching a touchdown pass in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens quarterback #8 Lamar Jackson has the ball stripped away by Chiefs #90 Charles Omenihu in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Jan. 28, 2024: Baltimore Ravens #6 Patrick Queen and teammate Baltimore Ravens #24 Jadeveon Clowney bring down Kansas City Chiefs #10 Isiah Pacheco in the second quarter. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens #14 Kyle Hamilton celebrates a first half tackle. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Jadeveon Clowney as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill is tacked after a gain in the first quarter as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is striped of the ball by Chiefs Charles Onenihu for a 2nd quarter turnover as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson keeps for a first down as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws the ball away under pressure from Baltimore Ravens Kyle Hamilton as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a completion to Mark Andrews in the first quarter as the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson catches a tipped pass and runs for gain in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Kansas City Chiefs' George Karlaftis recovers fumble by Ravens' Lamar Jackson in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Jan. 28, 2024: Ravens #4 Zay Flowers and teammates celebrate his first quarter touchdown during the Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ravens #4 Zay Flowers catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter as Chiefs #32 Nick Bolton was late on the coverage. Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens' Kyle Hamilton is unable to stop Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce from catching a touchdown pass in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers catches a pass in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens and Chiefs fans fight for the spotlight before the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Samantha Cholewczynski of Baltimore wears her handmade shirt showing Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Ketia Stokes, right, and her mother, Linda Stokes of Baltimore get ready as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Patrick Reed a former Parkville resident wears his Johnny Unitas jersey that he wore to the Ravens Super Bowl against the 49ers. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Pat McFaul of Bel Air gets ready for the Baltimore Ravens game as they host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) Shawn Blowe of Baltimore carries a giant Lamar Jackson photo on his way to thew stadium. The Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Lloyd Fox/Staff) A group of Ravens fans from the United Kingdom tailgate at the BMORE Around Town tailgate party prior to the AFC championship game between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Ravens fans cheer as Zay Flowers arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) avens Jadeveon Clowney arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Ravens running back Delvin Cook arrives prior to the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Ravens fans tailgate at the BMORE Around Town tailgate party prior to the AFC championship game between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. ..(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo) the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Chris and Karen Nicewarner of Martinsburg, W. Va attend every home game and are on the sideline as the Ravens prepare to host the Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) A fan holds a sign about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce before the 2024 AFC Championship in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff) Show Caption of Expand Come on, folks. If you can’t get excited about this game, check your pulse. In the words of Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker Ray Lewis, where would you rather be on the first Thursday night in September than watching Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes play against Jackson? A year ago, some Ravens fans were feeling cocky about Jackson winning the NFL Most Valuable Player Award and a possible Super Bowl. So, they wanted Mahomes — “The King” they called him — to come to Baltimore. I didn’t. I wanted quarterback Josh Allen and those choking Buffalo Bills here in the title game. Now, it’s different. It’s time to go into Kansas City and make a statement, much like Detroit did a year ago with a 21-20 victory to spoil the Chiefs’ opener the night they hung their championship banner. This isn’t to suggest that the Ravens are as good as last year, but the game should give us some indicators. The Ravens panicked last year in the AFC title game, but that might change this season with running back Derrick Henry in the fold. The former Tennessee Titans star should carry the ball 25 times a game early in the season, especially against a Chiefs defense that allowed an average of 113.2 rushing yards per game during the 2023 regular season. In the conference title game in January, the Chiefs had four sacks, so how will this revamped offensive line without guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson and right tackle Morgan Moses hold up? There are just as many questions about the receiving corps. The Ravens are in good shape with tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews, but can wide receivers Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman beat Kansas City’s outstanding cornerbacks, Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson? Zach Orr will have a tall task against the Chiefs on Sept. 5 in his first game as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Defensively, the Ravens have a lot of building to do staff-wise after losing line coach Anthony Weaver to Miami and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson to Tennessee. Mike Macdonald, who led the first defense in NFL history to lead the league in fewest points allowed, sacks and takeaways as coordinator, is now the coach of the Seattle Seahawks. So, that leaves Zach Orr, 31, as the team’s new defensive coordinator. His first job is to scheme a way to contain Mahomes and slow down tight end Travis Kelce, who had 11 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in Baltimore in January. That’s a huge assignment. Orr will be going against one of the better offensive minds in the league in Kansas City coach Andy Reid, who has added former Ravens speedy receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the roster via free agency and drafted Texas receiver Xavier Worthy in the first round. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things to know about the Ravens’ 2024 schedule release Baltimore Ravens | Ravens will face Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Kansas City to kick off NFL season Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Johns Hopkins men’s lacrosse rallies late to beat Lehigh, 13-10, in NCAA Tournament opener | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Predicting the NCAA men’s lacrosse tournament game-by-game | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | ‘Dig deeper’: Experts question response to initial 911 call in Zay Flowers case This game should provide a great matchup of rookies with Worthy going up against the Ravens’ Nate Wiggins, the fastest and highest-rated cover cornerback in college football last season whom Baltimore took with the 30th pick. Worthy ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.21 seconds) in NFL scouting combine history. Wiggins ran a 4.28. It’s speed versus speed. Plus, we’ll get to see how the Ravens play without weakside linebacker Patrick Queen, now with the Steelers, and safety Geno Stone, who signed with the Bengals in free agency. There is so much intrigue. The Ravens have had only a few season openers as exciting as this one, and it’s usually when they lined up against Pittsburgh. But this is Kansas City. The Chiefs have won three of the past five Super Bowl titles. And don’t forget, we’ll also probably get to see American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift a few more times on isolated camera shots as she roots on her boyfriend, Kelce. I can’t wait. All right, I went too far. Sorry. View the full article