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Terrell Suggs used to tell younger Ravens teammates that playing the Steelers would define them. He also said he and his comrades wanted to kill Hines Ward. Joey Porter stalked the Ravens’ team bus, hoping to fight Ray Lewis as retribution for perceived taunts from the Baltimore sideline. More important than these extracurricular words and ill feelings were the games. The stakes were high; Pittsburgh and Baltimore finished one-two in the AFC North seven times between 2010 and 2020. But that only hinted at the essence of this neighborhood war. As violent as a typical NFL game is — the proverbial car crash on every play — Ravens-Steelers tapped into something more primal. Even a casual fan watching on television picked it up. “I remember watching it,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said Wednesday as his team prepared to renew hostilities with the Steelers. It was the rare NFL rivalry that meant something to fans with no stake in it, a twice-annual encounter with the uncomfortably compelling brutality at the heart of America’s favorite sport. In recent years, however, Ravens-Steelers turned stranger and somehow less central to the story of the NFL or even the story of the AFC North. With Jackson as their centerpiece, the Ravens have made the playoffs five times since 2018 while the Steelers have reached three postseasons. At the same, time, Pittsburgh has owned Baltimore head-to-head, winning seven of the past eight meetings by a combined margin of 28 points. Those losses featured some odd lapses such as the Ravens’ seven drops in Pittsburgh last year. More importantly, Jackson, a natural successor to Suggs, Ben Roethlisberger, Ward and Lewis as the rivalry’s central character, has missed six starts against the Steelers. He was sick with COVID-19 once, resting up for the playoffs twice and injured thrice. Without him, the games were close, unpredictable but diminished. When was the last time a meeting between the Ravens and Steelers produced an indelible memory? Antonio Brown’s stretch over the goal line on Christmas Day 2016 that secured a 31-27 win and the AFC North for the Steelers? Maybe Pittsburgh’s 39-38 comeback win on a Sunday night in December the following year? In other words, before most players on either current roster joined the fray. Which helps explain why Sunday’s matchup in Pittsburgh is so tantalizing for old-school fans of the blood feud. Pittsburgh (7-2) and Baltimore (7-3) again hold first and second place in the division, both three wins clear of the Cincinnati Bengals, who muddied the picture at the top in recent years. Both have played well enough to inspire visions of deep postseason runs. Jackson will lead one of the most efficient offenses in recent NFL history against the Steelers’ No. 2 scoring defense. “It’s trying to win the division; that’s the first way to get in the tournament, first way to try to win a world championship,” Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “We didn’t play very good last year on the road. Gave that away.” There are big new characters to freshen things up, from Derrick Henry leading the league in rushing for Baltimore to Russell Wilson adding a downfield passing element to Pittsburgh’s suddenly threatening offense. Others have crossed battle lines, with linebacker Patrick Queen going to the Steelers and wide receiver Diontae Johnson coming to the Ravens. On a Sunday that also features the 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs visiting the 8-2 Buffalo Bills, it’s a showdown compelling enough to seize center stage. “It’s exciting,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said when asked if it feels fitting to face Pittsburgh with a chill in the air and the division lead on the line. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson talks with wide receiver Diontae Johnson, a former Steeler who came over in a trade from the Panthers. “I feel like social media has just changed the difference between how intense the rivalry was back then versus now,” Jackson said of the Ravens-Steelers clash. (Kim Hairston/Staff) He did not, in his next breath, profess enduring dislike for the gold and black or threaten to bury his former teammate, Queen, with a block. Such jabs rarely creep into statements from either side in this era. The Ravens’ locker room was, if anything, unusually buttoned up as preparations for the Steelers accelerated. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who also played in the rivalry, said there’s no less intensity: “I think you probably just can’t say it out loud anymore.” A young Jackson might have delighted in watching those old defensive stare downs. But he’s not sure such a singular rivalry is possible these days. “I believe [that] social media [has] got everyone [as] rivals right now,” the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player theorized. “Every team we go against, no matter who we’re playing, some kind of way, [there’s] some history. So, I feel like social media has just changed the difference between how intense the rivalry was back then versus now.” He’s not wrong. Fans are more apt to pit him against the Bengals’ Joe Burrow or the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes than they are to obsess over his record against Pittsburgh. That said, a virtuoso performance against the defense that has held him to a 66.8 passer rating would be another highlight in a season shaping up to be Jackson’s greatest. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens DC Zach Orr ‘crushed’ after win vs. Bengals and held an open forum film study Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 11 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | Ravens S Kyle Hamilton returns to practice Thursday, but CB Arthur Maulet injures calf Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Ravens or Steelers? Here’s who fans picked to win the AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Who shoulders blame for poor pass defense? | COMMENTARY If there’s a player most apt to stoke the old animosity between Pittsburgh and Baltimore, it might be Queen, who has now seen the rivalry from both sides. He spoke to Pittsburgh reporters Wednesday about the hurt he felt when the Ravens did not offer him a contract in the wake of his 2023 Pro Bowl season. But he made it clear that what will happen Sunday transcends his personal emotions. “A whole lot of trash talk. A whole lot of hitting. That’s basically it,” Queen said. “It’s not going to be a lot of trick stuff going on. It’s going to be football plays. We are going to line up and see who lasts the longest. … Practice is going to be more intense. Meetings are going to be more intense. Everybody is going to be locked in.” That might not stack up to Porter wanting to rumble with Lewis in the parking lot or Haloti Ngata breaking Roethlisberger’s nose or Steelers safety Ryan Clark knocking himself and Ravens running back Willis McGahee loopy in a terrifying head-on collision. But it’s a start. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 11 game between the Ravens (7-3) and Steelers (7-2) at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh: Brian Wacker, reporter Ravens 23, Steelers 20: The Steelers have won seven of their past eight against Baltimore, though some of that should be taken with a grain of salt since Lamar Jackson didn’t play in about half of those games. He’s now playing the best football of his career in large part because of how careful he’s been with the ball, with just two interceptions this season and none in a month. Pittsburgh being without outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is also a blow to the pass rush. The Ravens’ bigger concern is on defense and Russell Wilson beating them deep, either on a key third down and/or a play late in the game, like Kenny Pickett did last season. But Jackson has been too good, and as stout as the Steelers’ run defense has been (fourth in the NFL allowing 87.1 yards per game), Jackson can beat them through the air then let Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell help seal it late. Childs Walker, reporter Steelers 27, Ravens 24: Pittsburgh has the defensive talent to pressure Lamar Jackson without blitzing. Russell Wilson’s downfield strikes to George Pickens feel like the perfect arrows to shoot at a shockingly vulnerable secondary. The Steelers have owned this series since 2019 despite the Ravens’ overall superiority, and they’ll go into Sunday believing they have the formula to continue their dominance. So much comes down to Jackson, who’s on the greatest passing roll of his career. Can he go off against the opponent that has troubled him more than any other? Not this time. Pittsburgh will limit him just enough, and Wilson will exploit the Ravens’ fatal flaws. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 24, Steelers 21: I’m still not sure the Steelers are for real. They play good run defense, but I have concerns about them on the back end, especially cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. Pittsburgh is allowing 215.6 passing yards per game, which ranks 19th in the league. Offensively, quarterback Russell Wilson reminds me of Joe Flacco last season when he was with Cleveland. Flacco had no conscious and just threw the ball all over the field. Wilson will throw some toss-ups Sunday and he’ll hit on a couple with receiver George Pickens, but the Ravens have too many weapons for the Steelers. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 27, Steelers 26: This one feels like a coin flip, which is a huge compliment to the Steelers given how well the Ravens are playing. To me, it comes down to which team can create more explosive plays. Russell Wilson has generated plenty of them with moonballs to George Pickens and Mike Williams, and Calvin Austin III is a threat to break loose. A poor Ravens secondary that’s now dealing with a limited Kyle Hamilton is vulnerable, to say the least. The Steelers clearly have the better defense, even without pass rusher Alex Highsmith, but the Ravens’ “pick your poison” offense is close to unstoppable. Lamar Jackson simply has more answers with Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews all playing at a high level. If the Steelers can slow down this version of the Ravens’ offense and force Jackson into some mistakes, then they truly have his number. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens DC Zach Orr ‘crushed’ after win vs. Bengals and held an open forum film study Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 11 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | Ravens S Kyle Hamilton returns to practice Thursday, but CB Arthur Maulet injures calf Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Ravens or Steelers? Here’s who fans picked to win the AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Who shoulders blame for poor pass defense? | COMMENTARY Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 30, Steelers 23: The Ravens have not fared well against the Steelers in recent years, and there’s something about going to Pittsburgh. It’s the case for every team that makes the trek to Western Pennsylvania. The Steelers, no matter how talented, are always in it under Mike Tomlin. While they’ve had Baltimore’s number, Lamar Jackson is the best football player on the planet, and I don’t see Pittsburgh’s defense slowing him enough to win. On the other side of that coin, though, is Russell Wilson, who will have his chances against this woeful Ravens defense. Maybe I am naive, but I’m a believer. Baltimore’s defense, including its secondary, will get better, and it starts Sunday in the biggest game of the year for both teams. Bennett Conlin, editor Steelers 27, Ravens 24: Before the season started, I was certain the Ravens were the better team. I still think they are, but the margin is slimmer than I anticipated. Pro Football Focus actually gives the Steelers a better overall team grade than the undefeated Chiefs. Russell Wilson has played well at quarterback, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt and throwing six touchdown passes with one interception in three games since returning from a calf injury. The Steelers will stress Baltimore’s subpar secondary, and they have the only defense in the division good enough to slow down Jackson and the Ravens. Pittsburgh pulls the upset. View the full article

After edging out the Cincinnati Bengals in a prime-time division battle that was decided by an edge-of-your-seat final minute, Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr had a hard time hearing family, friends or people around M&T Bank Stadium encouraging him to enjoy the win. “I was crushed,” he said. Orr was grateful to have left Thursday night with the victory but said there was a reason he barely slept and arrived back at the team’s Owings Mills facility early Friday morning. The Ravens’ defense allowed 421 passing yards, the most another team has managed against them all season. Cincinnati scored five touchdowns, tying a season-high against Baltimore, including two one-play scoring drives. But the Ravens eked out the 35-34 win by denying a late 2-point conversion attempt. “Honestly, as a defense, we did enough to win that game,” Orr said. “Even thought it was by the skin of our teeth. We did enough to win the game, so enjoyed it for two seconds. But man, in this building, the standard is so high. That’s what we like. “We have high expectations for ourselves. We’re real competitive. And when we don’t go out there and perform the way we should go perform, it hurts. I was hurtin’. It took me a couple days to get over that and move forward.” There has been a lot of talk of “standard” the past week, in particular. That the Ravens’ defense hasn’t lived up to the years-long reputation set by their predecessors — carried through last year when Baltimore became the first triple-crown defense in NFL history, leading in points allowed, sacks and takeaways — has been a point of contention. Coach John Harbaugh said he heard players say “that’s not the standard” to one another postgame. Cornerback and defensive leader Marlon Humphrey, who spoke introspectively for two minutes about the state of the defense, opined that this group “lost the standard” and took accountability. On Thursday, green dot linebacker Roquan Smith called the margin of victory over the Bengals “embarrassing.” Orr acknowledged that he felt like they’ve “fallen short of the standard” several times this year. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers Week 11 betting guide: Picks, predictions and odds Baltimore Ravens | Ravens S Kyle Hamilton returns to practice Thursday, but CB Arthur Maulet injures calf Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Ravens or Steelers? Here’s who fans picked to win the AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Who shoulders blame for poor pass defense? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 11: Who has the edge? Thus, coaches spent the long weekend back in the facility looking to work out the kinks. Orr said there was a film session with players that felt more like an open forum conversation, asking themselves, as Humphrey noted last week, what is the disconnect between what they’re accomplishing in practice that isn’t showing up for four quarters on Sunday (or Thursday or Monday)? “It’s not just them,” Orr said. “I asked them, ‘What can I do better?’ Maybe I can cut out some things to make us lock in and focus better. … That’s what I think we’re continuing to try to find and chase.” Smith didn’t unravel a spool of details from the private session. But he said one person’s mistake often leads to a second person trying to make up for it, and the whole group falls out of sync. It’s a couple plays in each game, Smith said without pointing a finger, that leave the team falling short. Such film sessions accompanied by conversations are commonplace. But Orr, tightening his lip into a half smirk, said this one was a “real good conversation.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Few NFL rivalries (if any) have been more entertaining since 2000 than Ravens-Steelers. The AFC North foes always seem to be competitive, especially with Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh coaching. The 2024 edition of the rivalry kicks off Sunday in Pittsburgh, when the 7-2 Steelers host the 7-3 Ravens. Even those without math degrees can quickly surmise that the winner will lead the AFC North. The loser will face an uphill climb to the division title. “Historically, we’ve had some awesome matchups,” Tomlin said. “There’s always AFC North ramifications. I just respect this rivalry.” Baltimore, despite playing on the road and losing seven of its past eight to Pittsburgh, is the betting favorite across Maryland sportsbooks. Historical trends say that’s a dangerous place to be in this rivalry. Since 2015, the underdog in this matchup is 15-2-1 against the spread, according to Action Network data. For whatever reason, the underdogs have been exceptionally successful when Baltimore and Pittsburgh meet. What are the odds? The spread favors Baltimore, but not by much. For the ninth time this season, the Ravens are favorites in the betting markets. Spread: Ravens -3 (FanDuel) Total: 48.5 points Moneyline: Ravens -180, Steelers +152 Pittsburgh is 7-2 against the spread, tied with Detroit as the best ATS record in the NFL. The Ravens are 5-4-2 ATS this season, a respectable mark for a team often favored by significant margins. Nine of the Ravens’ 10 games have gone over the point total. Underdogs thrive in series With underdogs dominating this series, I’m taking the Steelers spread this weekend. Pittsburgh has exceeded expectations this season, and the passing attack looks more dangerous with Russell Wilson — no “Danger Russ” pun intended — than it did with Justin Fields at quarterback. Defensively, the Steelers have the linemen to pressure Lamar Jackson, and they’ve shown the ability to defend the pass and stop the run. Pittsburgh is second in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 16.2 points per game. There’s still a strong case the Ravens are the better overall team — that’s what happens when you have a two-time MVP quarterback entering his prime — but they struggle defensively. They’re allowing a league-worst 294.9 passing yards per game, and safety Kyle Hamilton suffered an ankle injury that could hamper him this weekend. “It’s just happening way too much with us right now,” Harbaugh said of lapses in the secondary. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens DC Zach Orr ‘crushed’ after win vs. Bengals and held an open forum film study Baltimore Ravens | Ravens S Kyle Hamilton returns to practice Thursday, but CB Arthur Maulet injures calf Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Ravens or Steelers? Here’s who fans picked to win the AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Who shoulders blame for poor pass defense? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 11: Who has the edge? Can the Ravens slow down wide receiver George Pickens? He’s caught both of his touchdown passes this season in the past three weeks, suggesting his connection with Wilson could be a problem for opposing defenses. Pickens, who went over 1,000 receiving yards last season, is on pace to do so again this year. He’s averaging 16 yards per reception, and the Ravens are allowing 7.9 yards per pass attempt, which is fourth-worst in the NFL. With decent weather expected — 60 degrees in Pittsburgh in mid-November is balmy in my book — the over could be a solid wager yet again for a Ravens Sunday. I lean toward the Steelers covering the spread, the game going over the total and Pickens reaching the end zone (+135 on FanDuel). My favorite bet of those three is the Steelers covering the small spread, as I predict Pittsburgh to pull the upset. Best bet: Steelers +3.5 (DraftKings) Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

Kyle Hamilton returned and appeared to move fluidly through individual drills in the Ravens’ penultimate practice before heading to Pittsburgh. The All-Pro safety suffered an ankle injury during last Thursday’s narrow win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Hamilton would receive testing, punting any further updates to Wednesday, when he said, “it’s the same as what we talked about.” Hamilton would provide a significant boost for a secondary that let through four touchdowns in his absence — three of which went to Ja’Marr Chase, two took the top off the defense for 65-plus-yard scores. Hamilton limped off the field late in the second quarter. His status for Sunday’s 1 p.m. divisional showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium has not yet been announced. As a whole, Baltimore’s secondary ranks last in the NFL in pass defense. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week he doesn’t see any negligence that’s indicative of their statistical standing. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Ravens or Steelers? Here’s who fans picked to win the AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Who shoulders blame for poor pass defense? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 11: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has one thing left to conquer in regular season: the Steelers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens finally had a game without drone issues at M&T Bank Stadium “It’s still the Ravens defense, man,” he said. “I know a lot has been written and said about their pass defense, but to be quite honest with you, when I turn the tape on … I see a group that’s definitively up on people, and a lot of people are getting out of their personalities and are simply somewhat one dimensional, and throwing the ball 40 and 50 times against them.” With Hamilton’s return and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy back in the fold after missing Wednesday due to illness, the Ravens have a relatively healthy roster for Week 11 standards. Tight end Isaiah Likely missed most of last week nursing a hamstring injury. He was a limited participant on Wednesday and was back at practice Thursday. Defensive end Brent Urban practiced fully after he missed a pair of games recovering from a concussion. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

We asked readers who will win the AFC North: Ravens or Steelers? Here are the results from our online poll, Instagram and X: Ravens — 360 votes Steelers — 165 votes Here’s what some fans told us (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Will Ravens or Steelers win the AFC North? Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s what fans told us about the Orioles’ free agents, Terps and Ravens Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Should the Orioles re-sign Anthony Santander and/or Corbin Burnes? Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Here’s what fans say is the Ravens’ biggest concern Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: What is your biggest area of concern for the Ravens? The Steelers have had a mostly soft schedule thus far, but they are playing better since starting Russell Wilson at quarterback. Still, the Ravens offense is playing near a league-record pace. Despite a good defense, the Steelers will be overmatched against Lamar and the Ravens wealth of offensive tools. — Fred S. We have to fix the defense first. — Lee Holbrook It will be a rout. Look at what the Ravens have done last year and thus far this year in beating teams on a roll with healthy win-loss records. Time to put the Steelers where they belong. Looking up in the standings. — Edward Ilioff The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions in the middle of each week throughout the Ravens season. After a 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Thursday night, Baltimore (7-3) is firmly in AFC North contention ahead of Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh (7-2). Here’s Preston’s take on a handful of questions from readers: (Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.) How much accountability do you place on the Ravens’ defensive coaching staff for having one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL? Also, do you anticipate a coaching change on that side of the ball before the end of the season? Is getting to average a possibility? — Chris Urban Chris, I don’t anticipate a coaching change on that side of the ball during the course of the season. When changes are made, it could take weeks or maybe a month to transition as far as scheme and verbiage. At this point, all of those involved in hiring Zach Orr as the defensive coordinator and Chris Hewitt as the pass game coordinator will accept responsibility, from owner Steve Bisciotti to general manager Eric DeCosta to coach John Harbaugh. All were aware and knew of the plans to hire Orr and apparently no one vetoed the deal. If the Ravens were going to make a move, they did it several weeks ago by bringing in former defensive coordinator Dean Pees as an adviser. As of now, I think the Ravens will stay the course with Orr. Regardless of how poorly the Ravens are playing in the secondary, they are 7-3 and could be in first place this Sunday with a victory over the Steelers. A move to replace Orr at this time would be a panicked move, and I’m not sure the Ravens are willing to give up at this point. In coach speak, they need to just keep working hard and hope things turn around. The good news is that few teams play good defense in the NFL anymore. If fact, some of the stuff I’ve seen on Sunday afternoon is downright embarrassing. Mike, I asked you weeks ago whether you thought that the Ravens missed Patrick Queen. After witnessing the last several games, don’t you think Roquan Smith misses Queen? In retrospect, didn’t Queen’s fluidity allow Roquan to cover less ground and focus on the gaps? Now through 10 weeks, do you think the Ravens should’ve re-signed Queen? — Max N. Panoff Sorry, Max, the Ravens signed Smith to a five-year contract in January 2023 worth $100 million with $45 million fully guaranteed and $60 million in total guarantees. When a player of that caliber signs such a lucrative deal, it is nearly impossible to spend that much money on other players at similar positions. So, the Ravens weren’t going to sign Queen, who signed a three-year, $41 million deal with the Steelers in late May. Smith’s contract essentially meant the end of Queen’s tenure in Baltimore. Do the Ravens miss him? Yes. Did he and Smith have a good chemistry? Yes. But the bottom line is always about money and the salary cap. As for the past two weeks, second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson has played extremely well for the Ravens and might be on the verge of becoming more of a dominant player. As for Queen, he has gotten mixed reviews in Pittsburgh. Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith hasn’t played as well this season without Patrick Queen alongside him. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) What does Tre’Davious White bring to the table for the Ravens? In your opinion, does he actually have anything left in the tank after injuries he suffered while with Buffalo? Apparently, the Rams didn’t think so anymore. — Ed Helinski Ed, honestly, the Ravens got White and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The move reminds me of an old Billy Preston song, “Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.” If it works out, great for the Ravens. They have no place to go but up. They are ranked last in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 294.9 yards per game. If it doesn’t, it’s no big deal because it only involved a swap of late-round draft picks. White is expected to get more playing time against the Steelers on Sunday, so we’ll see. No one is expecting to see Deion Sanders, that’s for sure. After 10 games of mostly poor defensive play, is the time getting close to hit the panic button? Zach Orr’s defense, with many of the same players from last season’s outstanding defense, is quickly becoming the laughingstock of the NFL. What role is Dean Pees performing, and is he an option to replace Orr? Also, is 2022 second-round draft pick David Ojabo approaching “bust” status? — Bob in NC Nope, it’s not time to hit the panic button. The Ravens aren’t happy with their problems on defense, but they are still title contenders and one of the best teams in the NFL. They just have to let it play out and see where this takes them. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens S Kyle Hamilton returns to practice Thursday Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Ravens or Steelers? Here’s who fans picked to win the AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 11: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has one thing left to conquer in regular season: the Steelers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens finally had a game without drone issues at M&T Bank Stadium As for Ojabo, I wouldn’t quite declare him a bust yet, but the window of opportunity is closing on his career in Baltimore. Harbaugh said Ojabo would have a breakout year, but he hasn’t come close to that level. The former Michigan star has only five tackles with one sack and four quarterback hits this season while being a healthy scratch twice. He’s played just 13 NFL games because of injuries. The Ravens are a team in need of pass rushers, and thus far Ojabo hasn’t delivered despite a promising college career. Do the Ravens have other options besides Marcus Williams at safety? He is a significant weakness on this defense. — Tim Mace Right now, the Ravens have other options but Williams seems to be their best bet because of his experience. You can question some of the team’s decisions, but they see these guys every day in practice and in meeting rooms. But I also have to acknowledge that the Ravens signed Williams to a five-year contract worth $70 million in March 2022. When a player makes that kind of money, he usually plays, regardless of his performance level. That’s the way the NFL works. Have a question for Mike Preston? Email sports@baltsun.com with “Ravens mailbag” in the subject line and it could be answered in The Baltimore Sun. View the full article

The Ravens hung on to beat the Bengals, 35-34. The Steelers rallied to knock off the Commanders, 28-27. Who will have the advantage when these rivals meet Sunday in Pittsburgh with first place in the AFC North up for grabs? Ravens passing game vs. Steelers pass defense Lamar Jackson is on his way to not only the best passing season of his career but one of the most efficient passing seasons in NFL history. He leads all quarterbacks in yards per attempt, touchdown passes, passer rating and ESPN’s QBR. He’s piloting an offense that’s the fourth best through 10 games ever measured by DVOA. The Bengals initially flummoxed him by not attacking as they had five weeks earlier in Cincinnati, but Jackson figured that out as well, throwing for 219 yards and three touchdowns after halftime as the Ravens rallied to victory. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (50 catches, 688 yards, 3 TDs) and tight end Mark Andrews (30 catches on 36 targets, 5 TDs in past five games) have settled in as his top targets, but the beauty of the Ravens’ offense is any playmaker can become the star in a given week, as Tylan Wallace did with his 84-yard catch-and-run against Cincinnati. Rashod Bateman also bounced back from a pair of rough weeks with six catches, including the game-winning touchdown. Pittsburgh’s defense has been the closest thing to kryptonite for Jackson, who’s 1-3 as a starter against the Steelers with a 66.8 passer rating. He has also missed six games in the rivalry because of injury, illness or rest. Last year, a flabbergasting series of drops by Ravens receivers left Jackson on the wrong end of a 17-10 loss in Pittsburgh. The Steelers will present a monumental test to Jackson’s pass protection because they bring pressure from the edges and from the interior without blitzing at a high rate or sacrificing discipline. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt (6 1/2 sacks, 16 quarterback hits) and defensive tackle Cam Heyward (five sacks, 14 quarterback hits) are familiar nemeses and remain as good as anyone at their positions. Pittsburgh’s other top edge rusher, Alex Highsmith, is out after he injured his ankle against the Commanders, but the Steelers will likely welcome back second-year outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who had 2 1/2 sacks in five games before he hurt his ankle in early October. Jackson has punished pressure of all kinds this season, but his offensive line could not give him a consistently clean pocket in the Ravens’ Oct. 27 loss to the Cleveland Browns, the last opponent to attack with so many high-end pass rushers. If Jackson does have time to operate, there are defenders to attack in the Pittsburgh secondary, including former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen and cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Joey Porter Jr. Even there, the Steelers are dangerous, with 16 takeaways so far this season. EDGE: Ravens Steelers passing game vs. Ravens pass defense Russell Wilson has fundamentally changed Pittsburgh’s offense in three games since he took over for Justin Fields as the team’s starting quarterback. Wilson has completed just 58.8% of his passes but has averaged 8.7 yards per attempt compared with 6.9 for Fields because he’s still gifted at throwing downfield. His presence has invigorated No. 1 receiver George Pickens (14 catches, 276 yards, 2 TDs in Wilson’s three starts). Wilson also found new addition Mike Williams on a beautiful 32-yard connection for the winning score against Washington. This is all bad news for a Ravens secondary that has allowed more 20-yard-plus catches than any in the league and that cannot cover No. 1 wide receivers. Pickens isn’t as reliable or dynamic as Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, who just torched the Ravens for 264 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s plenty capable of winning one-on-one matchups downfield and in the red zone. Tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington are also reliable targets. If there’s any good news for the Ravens, it’s that Wilson doesn’t like to attack the middle of the field, where they’ve been particularly soft. But they desperately need better performances from cornerback Brandon Stephens and safety Marcus Williams, both of whom played dreadfully against the Bengals. They’ll hope to have their best defensive player, safety Kyle Hamilton, who injured his ankle against Cincinnati. The Ravens at least got their pass rush going in that shootout victory with Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow being pressured on 29 dropbacks. Defensive tackle Travis Jones was healthy for the first time in a month and made an immediate difference. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike had his best game of the season with 10 pressures and three sacks. Edge rushers Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh combined for 16 pressures. Wilson isn’t the runner he was in his youth, but he still likes to hold the ball as he probes for downfield targets, so the Ravens will have their chances to reach him. Pittsburgh’s offensive line is a mixed bag. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. has graded much better than right tackle Broderick Jones as a pass blocker. EDGE: Steelers Ravens running game vs. Steelers run defense The Ravens still lead the league in rushing and yards per attempt but failed to exceed 100 yards for the first time all season against Cincinnati. Derrick Henry, the league’s leading rusher, carried 16 times for 68 yards and a touchdown but never broke loose for a big gain. Jackson tightroped down the sideline for one of the most jaw-dropping 10-yard scrambles you’ll ever see as the Ravens rallied past the Bengals, but he hasn’t looked to run much (10 carries, 37 yards) since he missed two practices with knee and back injuries leading up to the Ravens’ Nov. 3 win over the Denver Broncos. Keaton Mitchell, a change-of-pace sensation for the Ravens as a rookie last season, returned from a serious knee injury but played just two offensive snaps against the Bengals. Might he play a larger role in Pittsburgh to make the Steelers account for a a different look? Ravens running back Derrick Henry rushed for just 68 yards in his last outing, a win over the Bengals. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Pittsburgh’s defense ranks fourth against the run, having allowed just 3.8 yards per carry. Only the New York Giants went off against the Steelers with 157 yards in an Oct. 28 Pittsburgh victory. Watt and Heyward are known as pass rushers first but both make big plays against the run. Ravens fans know Queen covers ample ground in the middle, even if his Pro Football Focus grade says he has been a below-average run defender in Pittsburgh. Another former Raven, strong safety DeShon Elliott, remains a violent hitter in run support. His partner, free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, also excels in this area. Pittsburgh will try to keep Henry from getting to the edge and punish him when he gets finds open ground. He averaged a modest 4.1 yards per carry against the Steelers when playing for the Tennessee Titans. EDGE: Even Steelers running game vs. Ravens run defense The Steelers have run persistently but not efficiently this year, ranking second in the league in attempts but 24th in yards per carry. Starting running back Najee Harris (645 yards, 4.1 per carry) hurt his ankle against Washington but is expected to play Sunday. Backup Jaylen Warren averaged 5.3 yards per carry last season but is down to 3.9 in 2024. He’ll present a formidable challenge between the tackles if Harris is limited. Fields was a greater running threat than Wilson, but Pittsburgh’s ground game hasn’t taken a notable step back since the quarterback switch. The Ravens have allowed the fewest yards per game and per carry in the league, and many opponents simply abandon the run because there’s so much more damage to be done through the air. If the Steelers stick doggedly to grounding and pounding, they might play into the hands of a Baltimore defense most comfortable in that style of game. Jones’ return bolstered an interior line that’s still missing Michael Pierce (calf). For all his struggles in coverage, linebacker Roquan Smith remains an excellent playmaker against the run. If Hamilton is absent or limited, the Ravens would be without their other stellar run defender. EDGE: Ravens Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has been inconsistent this season, while the Steelers’ Chris Boswell has only missed one field-goal attempt in 24 tries.(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens special teams vs. Steelers special teams Ravens kicker Justin Tucker continued his confounding season, missing an extra point attempt against the Bengals. With that misfire and four missed field goal attempts, he’s a significant reason the Ravens rank an unfamiliar 19th in special teams DVOA. On the bright side, Mitchell could bolster their return game, and punter Jordan Stout continued his string of excellent performances against Cincinnati. The Steelers rank third in special teams DVOA with three standout performers in kicker Chris Boswell (23 of 24 on field goal attempts), punter Corliss Waitman and punt returner Calvin Austin III (11.9-yard average, touchdown vs. the Giants). EDGE: Steelers Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens S Kyle Hamilton returns to practice Thursday Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Ravens or Steelers? Here’s who fans picked to win the AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Who shoulders blame for poor pass defense? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has one thing left to conquer in regular season: the Steelers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens finally had a game without drone issues at M&T Bank Stadium Ravens intangibles vs. Steelers intangibles John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin are the league’s longest-tenured coaches and longest-standing rivals. The Ravens have won more games, made more playoff appearances and captured more AFC North titles since Jackson arrived on the scene in 2018. But they have lost seven of their past eight, often bizarrely and with Jackson sidelined, against the Steelers. Jackson might be headed for his third NFL Most Valuable Player award. His .747 winning percentage as a starter is undeniable. He also has never played a truly great game against Pittsburgh. The Ravens, with seven wins in their past eight games, will come in with a welcome three-day rest advantage. The Steelers, holding a 1/2-game advantage in the division, have won four straight and discovered a big-play component with Wilson at quarterback. They’re 3-1 at home. This has all the makings of a great rivalry game. EDGE: Steelers Prediction Pittsburgh has the defensive talent to pressure Jackson without blitzing. Wilson’s downfield strikes to Pickens feel like the perfect arrows to shoot at a shockingly vulnerable secondary. The Steelers have owned this series since 2019 despite the Ravens’ overall superiority, and they’ll go into Sunday believing they have the formula to continue their dominance. So much comes down to Jackson, who’s on the greatest passing roll of his career. Can he go off against the opponent that has troubled him more than any other? Not this time. Pittsburgh will limit him just enough, and Wilson will exploit the Ravens’ fatal flaws. Steelers 27, Ravens 24 View the full article

More than 1,100 miles separate Pittsburgh from Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, and the two disparate locales share little in common. As for their football teams, however, there is a surprising tie that binds. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been equally vexed by both. “I hated ’em; I still hate ’em,” Jackson cracked Wednesday of the Lauderdale Lakes Vikings, a youth football program with teams ranging from age 4 through 13 that continually stifled him in his earliest days. “All I can think about is the games we lost against ’em. “I beat ’em when it counted. But they beat me regular season all the time. I used to get ticked off. I used to be crying. I was a kid, I be hurtin’. But I beat ’em when it counted, and we won the Super Bowl.” To reach the NFL’s version this season, Baltimore will likely have to go through the Steelers, who the Ravens will face Sunday at Acrisure Stadium with first place in the AFC North on the line. And to do that, Jackson will have to find a way to vanquish the one team that has continually plagued him throughout a six-plus year career that already includes two NFL Most Valuable Player Awards and potentially a third this season. For all of his success at the sport’s highest level, Pittsburgh has somehow been Jackson’s kryptonite, pestering him into some of the worst performances of an otherwise Hall of Fame-worthy resume. Since he took over as the Ravens’ full-time starter in 2019, Jackson has just a 1-3 mark against the Steelers. His paltry quarterback rating of 66.8 is his lowest mark against any team in the league. And he has completed only 59.1% of his passes to go with four touchdowns, seven interceptions and five fumbles while also being sacked a whopping 20 times. Jackson’s lone win: A 26-23 victory in Pittsburgh in October 2019 in which he completed 19 of 28 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown and rushed 14 times for 70 yards — but was intercepted three times. The Steelers have also won seven of their past eight meetings against the Ravens, though Jackson didn’t play in more than half of them for a variety of reasons. In the 2019 and 2023 season finales, Baltimore rested him with their playoff seeding wrapped up. In 2020, he was out with COVID for a December contest in Pittsburgh. In 2021, he was out with an ankle injury for a Week 18 game in Baltimore. And in 2022, he missed both meetings because of a season-ending knee injury. Jackson also acknowledged that not playing in all those games against a hated division foe in a storied rivalry has stuck with him. “But I get a chance to go up against them this year, so I’m good,” he said. “I’m looking forward to that.” Through the first 10 weeks of the season, he’s also been far better than good. Jackson has completed 69.1% of his passes for 2,669 yards, the latter easily on pace for a career high. His 24 touchdown passes are tied for the most in the league and he has just two interceptions, including none in the past month. His 9.3 yards per attempt and passer rating of 123.2 are also tops in the NFL. Unsurprisingly, as Jackson has gone, so has Baltimore’s explosive offense. Ravens Steelers FootballGene J. Puskar/APRavens quarterback Lamar Jackson has played some of his worst games against the Steelers. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) The Ravens lead the league in points (31.8) and yards (440.2) per game, red zone scoring (76.74%) and yards per play (7.1). They are also first in rushing yards per game (182.6), yards per rush (5.7) and third in passing yards per game (257.6). Their offensive defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) of 38.6%, meanwhile, ranks fourth-best of any team from 1979 through now, per FTN Fantasy. Still, the Steelers have managed to befuddle Jackson in the handful of occasions he’s been on the field against them. “You want me to tell you the secret?” Steelers-turned-Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet said this week. “This is what they’re trying to do with Lamar: They’re going to put a person at the dive and they’re gonna run a person straight at Lamar. They’re gonna make him make a decision. One person goes to Lamar, one person goes to the dive for the [run-pass option] and that’s gonna be their game plan to slow him down a little bit. “Maybe they changed a little bit; I haven’t been there in a while.” Maulet signed with Baltimore after asking to be released following the 2022 season over a contract dispute. Then he re-signed with the Ravens this past offseason. During his tenure in Pittsburgh, however, he only got to play against Jackson once and said a lot has changed since then, notably the Ravens’ offensive scheme from coordinator Greg Roman to Todd Monken. “They were teaching take the mesh point away from Lamar; make him make a decision quick,” Maulet said. “It’s a little bit of a different offense now, so let’s see how they handle him now.” Maulet added that the difference between Jackson then compared with the player he is now is also significant. “Tremendously,” he said. “He gets better every year, really every week. He has so much poise. A lot of people talk about these other quarterbacks who are so much better than him, but I just don’t see it.” In last season’s loss in Pittsburgh, however, that wasn’t the case. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens S Kyle Hamilton returns to practice Thursday Baltimore Ravens | READERS RESPOND: Ravens or Steelers? Here’s who fans picked to win the AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Who shoulders blame for poor pass defense? | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens vs. Steelers scouting report for Week 11: Who has the edge? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens finally had a game without drone issues at M&T Bank Stadium Jackson completed 22 of 38 passes for 236 yards but was intercepted once and sacked four times. That included in the game’s closing minute when, trailing 14-10, he dropped back to pass from his own 44-yard line and Alex Highsmith burst in for a strip-sack to help seal the victory. An ankle injury will keep Highsmith out of this week’s game, but a year later the quarterback is still searching for an answer to the Steelers’ riddle. “I don’t know what it is, man,” Jackson said. “Last year, we [were] supposed to [beat] them, but things just didn’t go our way. The football gods weren’t on our side. “But it’s a whole other year, it’s a new year.” Now the only question is if the result will be different, too. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Officials with the Maryland Stadium Authority were relieved there were no drone incidents at the Ravens’ home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, a problem that has plagued M&T Bank Stadium over the past year. According to data provided by the Maryland Stadium Authority, there have been eight temporary flight restriction violations and unauthorized drone flights during the five Ravens regular-season games this season. The Nov. 3 game against the Denver Broncos saw two incidents. Four occurred on Oct.13 against the Washington Commanders. In addition, there was one incident for each of the home games Sept. 29 against the Buffalo Bills and Sept. 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Other than Thursday’s, only the Aug. 9 and Aug. 17 preseason games were unaffected. Federal law restricts unmanned aircraft systems, such as drones, from flying at or below a 3-mile radius of any stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more people during games for the National Football League, Major League Baseball, NCAA Division I football and major motor speedway events, according to the Federal Aviation Administration Investigators from the Maryland State Police and FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force handle the initial law enforcement response and investigation into drones violating temporary flight restrictions during Ravens games. Cases are referred to the FAA and U.S. Attorney’s Office for review and potential prosecution. “When we identify the drones, we dispatch law enforcement to address that issue,” Vernon J. Conaway Jr., vice president for public safety and security with the Maryland Stadium Authority, said at the organization’s monthly meeting Tuesday. “We didn’t have anything on Thursday, and we hope to continue that trend for the rest of the season.” On Nov. 16, 2023, the game between the Ravens and Bengals was halted twice because of a drone flying above M&T Bank Stadium. The players were forced to clear the field until security deemed the drone was no longer a threat. The pilot flying that drone said he was unaware that the stadium was a restricted zone. In March, a Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to a federal airspace violation and was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine for the misdemeanor conviction for flying a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during the AFC championship game between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@baltsun.com, on X as @ToddKarpovich. View the full article

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton did not practice Wednesday but did run on the sideline as he works to recover from the ankle injury he suffered last Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamilton’s status for Sunday’s high-stakes AFC North matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers is unclear. His absence would be another blow to a Baltimore pass defense that ranks last in the league after giving up 428 yards and four touchdowns to Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. Hamilton limped off just before halftime after his ankle buckled. He did not return to the game. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said his Pro Bowl safety avoided a serious ankle injury but that the timeline for his return was unclear. Harbaugh was asked about Hamilton’s progress Wednesday but offered no new information. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (illness) was the only other Raven absent from practice. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens finally had a game without drone issues at M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore Ravens | Colts return to Anthony Richardson as starting QB over Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens | Keaton Mitchell’s return gives Ravens ‘three-headed monster’ in backfield Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey is back to playing like ‘All-Pro Marlo’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: The Ravens aren’t alone. The NFL has a defense problem. | COMMENTARY Tight end Isaiah Likely returned as a limited participant after missing the Bengals game with a hamstring injury. Defensive end Brent Urban practiced fully after missing the past two games because of a concussion. For the Steelers, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, already ruled out for Sunday by coach Mike Tomlin, was absent as expected, but outside linebacker Nick Herbig was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice as he prepares to return from a hamstring injury. Highsmith has three sacks this season and Herbig has 2 1/2 for a defense that ranks second in the league in scoring, allowing 16.2 points per game. Running back Najee Harris (ankle), wide receiver Van Jefferson (quadriceps) and cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, though Tomlin has said Jackson and Harris are likely to play against the Ravens. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and left guard Isaac Seumalo received an extra day of rest. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Richardson will be the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback Sunday against the New York Jets and he will start for the rest of this season, coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday. The move comes two weeks after Steichen benched Richardson in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco. Flacco has struggled the past two weeks, committing six turnovers in two ugly losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. The former Ravens star is 1-3 as a starter this season and has six turnovers, including four interceptions, in the past two games. Steichen said he sat Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023, because he wanted to see the 22-year-old quarterback working at a higher level behind the scenes and that he had seen progress on that front. Richardson threw just 393 passes in college at Florida. This article will be updated. View the full article

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t too concerned with scouting Diontae Johnson, but this could be the week he breaks out in Baltimore. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the newly acquired wide receiver’s workload will “ramp up” as he gets acclimated to one of the league’s top offenses after spending nearly half the season with one of the worst. It’s been a slow build up for Johnson, who spent five years in Pittsburgh before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason and then sent to Baltimore late last month. It remains to be seen when (or if) the Ravens lean into utilizing another pass catcher. Johnson caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns for the now-three-win Panthers before joining one of the best offenses in recent league history. The Ravens are the only team to surpass 4,000 total yards this season (4,402), and their efficiency through 10 games ranks alongside legendary units such as the 2007 New England Patriots and 2018 Kansas City Chiefs. In other words, there wasn’t much to fix. But that could change Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. “I can’t go in there just expecting a lot [or putting] a lot of pressure on myself,” Johnson said. “However the game goes, I’m all for it.” In two games with Baltimore, Johnson has played just 22 offensive snaps and one on special teams. He had only two practices and a short window to learn offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s playbook before suiting up for his first game against the Denver Broncos. On a short week before playing the Cincinnati Bengals on “Thursday Night Football,” the Ravens had only one full practice. “That was really where he got a chance to move around,” Harbaugh said. Johnson was a relative nonfactor in the Bengals win. He caught one pass for 6 yards in the second quarter but couldn’t get to the sideline to stop the clock with 13 seconds left. He later slipped on an improvised route and missed a pass from Lamar Jackson. Inside the home locker room about an hour after the game ended, there sat Johnson. He was one of the only players still wearing part of his uniform and sitting in his locker. A few teammates took a moment to speak to the new guy still getting acclimated in Baltimore. That’s why Tomlin didn’t mince his words about the idea of preparing to face his former receiver. “To be honest with you,” he said Tuesday, “I hadn’t thought a lot about it. He’s not on a lot of their video, and so, at this stage of the week, I don’t know that I’ve weighed what he might mean to the matchup. They’ve got more significant pieces with larger roles that are occupying my attention at this part of the week.” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, left, talks with wide receiver Diontae Johnson during training camp 2023. Tomlin said he’s not paying much attention to Johnson now that he’s with the Ravens. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) This week is Johnson’s first normal, full week of practice. He said he’s been working in slowly, but Harbaugh’s proclamation that Johnson would be ramping up would make sense, both with Baltimore playing his former team Sunday and considering the extra time to get on the same page as Jackson. “It’s just really the terminology [you] have to pay attention to, know what you’re doing when you get in there, just to show them that you retain everything, and you’re putting the right stuff on film,” Johnson said of his acclimation. “I’m just taking it one day at a time, so it’s really just learning the formations and stuff like that. Then obviously, my job is to just go out there and be me, and that’s what I’m trying to do.” Jackson was asked twice about getting acquainted with his new receiver. In a week’s time, his tone seemed to have noticeably shifted. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens finally had a game without drone issues at M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore Ravens | Ravens S Kyle Hamilton, OLB Kyle Van Noy absent from practice Wednesday Baltimore Ravens | Colts return to Anthony Richardson as starting QB over Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens | Keaton Mitchell’s return gives Ravens ‘three-headed monster’ in backfield Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey is back to playing like ‘All-Pro Marlo’ Last week, he sounded the slightest bit apprehensive to offer much. Jackson said he was unsure what it would be like for Johnson to find his place in a new offense. Or how fast it might click. But, “because they’re in the NFL” and Jackson has “a feel for the game,” he forecasted it would come naturally. On Wednesday, asked how Johnson has acclimated since then, Jackson sounded more confident in his assessment. “I feel like it’s been good, actually. We were throwing passes out here today, 7-on-7, [whole] team. He was looking pretty good, pretty solid.” Because Baltimore brought him in at next to no cost and the Ravens already have such a strong passing attack — the best of Jackson’s career — there’s no reason to rush Johnson onto the field. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Jackson said. “That’s probably how coach and those guys are feeling. But we definitely want to get him involved because he’s a great talent and a great addition to our offense.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Ravens running back Derrick Henry wasn’t with Baltimore when Keaton Mitchell broke out last year during his rookie season, so he never got to experience a backfield mate at least as fast as he is, and in Mitchell’s case likely faster. He also acknowledged being “a little worried” for Mitchell’s season debut last Thursday night in what was the second-year undrafted free agent’s first game since suffering a torn ACL in December of last year. “But once I seen him take that kickoff return and he got hit a little bit and got up off the ground, I was like, yeah, he’s back, he’s good,” Henry said. “I’m excited to have him back.” The broad smile that stretched across Mitchell’s face after practice Tuesday afternoon in Owings Mills was all the indication anyone needed to know that he was equally elated. Mitchell played just two snaps on offense and had only one carry that went for zero yards, with the play wiped out by a penalty on the Bengals. He logged seven snaps on special teams, which included one kickoff return of 30 yards. But for Mitchell, who called the experience a “warm-up” game, it felt good just to put pads on and set foot on the field for a game again. “It was a long process,” said Mitchell, who tore three ligaments as well as cartilage in his left knee in Week 15 last year against the Jaguars in Jacksonville. “Everybody come up to me and said that it went by fast, but to me it didn’t go by fast. It seemed like it took forever.” Mitchell added that he couldn’t walk for about a month after the injury, but he spent all but about two weeks in the area so he could continue rehabilitating at the team’s facility, rather than returning home to the Atlanta area. He also considered waiting until this Sunday’s game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh to return but decided to “rip the Band-Aid off,” at the advice of his father, former Ravens defense back Anthony Mitchell. “I hit faster than what I hit last year,” Mitchell said. “Once I hit my speed, I knew that now it’s time to get the football portion of my ability back just being able to play football, not just using my speed because I can’t really use my speed all the time.” It wasn’t until two weeks ago that Mitchell said he turned the corner and felt like his explosive self, and his return gives the Ravens what coach John Harbaugh called a “three-headed monster” in the backfield, between Henry, Mitchell and quarterback Lamar Jackson. Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell’s explosive speed helped him average 8.4 yards per carry as a rookie. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Already with the league’s leading rushing attack (182.6 yards per game), the NFL’s top rusher in Henry (1,120 yards, 12 touchdowns) and the favorite to win a third NFL Most Valuable Player Award in Jackson (2,669 yards passing, 24 touchdowns; 538 yards rushing, two scores), the 5-foot-8, 191-pound Mitchell provides another dimension. From Weeks 9-16 last season, his 8.4 yards per carry and 5.9 yards after contact led the league. His top speed of 20.99 mph, per Next Gen Stats, was also the fastest of any Ravens running back last season. And indications are he is every bit as fast as he was last season. “His speed is still there,” Ravens running back Justice Hill said. “By the time he got to the game he already had 2-3 weeks of practice, so he was already confident. He’s looking like Keaton.” He should know. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey is back to playing like ‘All-Pro Marlo’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: The Ravens aren’t alone. The NFL has a defense problem. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | NFL rescinds fine on Ravens LB Roquan Smith for tackle that injured Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 10: Maybe the Chiefs will never lose again Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Will Ravens or Steelers win the AFC North? Hill overcame a season-ending torn Achilles in 2019 and has been a steady and integral part of the league’s top offense this season as both a runner, receiver and blocker. He also saw former Baltimore backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards come back from season-ending ACL tears and said Mitchell is ahead of what their curve was in terms of a comeback. Now he, like everyone else in the organization and fan base, is excited to see what Mitchell can do as he continues to get ramped up within the offense. “We already had the best backfield in the league,” Hill said. “Adding him to it is only going to makes us more explosive.” As for what Mitchell expects? “Just be patient take advantage of every opportunity I get,” he said. “Hopefully I get going fast.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

This summer, while watching cornerback Marlon Humphrey press Ravens receivers with rejuvenated aggression and repeatedly intercepting passes from the NFL Most Valuable Player front-runner Lamar Jackson, players and coaches started to chatter. “Man, Marlo is back. He’s back to that All-Pro, Pro Bowl level,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr recalled thinking. “I think he’s probably playing [the] highest-level football he’s probably ever played in his career.” In the sum of its parts, Baltimore’s secondary continues to be the team’s biggest hitch and most forward-facing storyline. But Humphrey’s convalescent play has been a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered unit. He has, particularly over the past few weeks, been Baltimore’s much-needed defensive spark plug. That was once the norm for Humphrey, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2019 All-Pro. He’s 28 and still one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL. There were signs of regression last season, but the way he’s playing now, hindsight says it was an outlier rather than a troubling trend. Injuries plagued Humphrey in 2023. Foot surgery kept him out the first four weeks of the season. Then, last November, a calf strain sidelined him two more games, only to be aggravated in late December before he powered through a pair of playoff games. “That’s a tough guy,” cornerback Arthur Maulet said. “He was playing injured when he honestly, probably couldn’t play. A lot of people don’t know what he was going through last year to even get out there to play with us.” Humphrey called it a “unique” year. He admitted on an episode of his podcast over the summer that he wasn’t locking up receivers. Safety Kyle Hamilton quipped Humphrey came back this offseason having shed his “chunkiness” and got his “abs back.” “In camp,” safety Ar’Darius Washington said, “him picking the ball off I was like, ‘OK, Marlo’s back to it. Back to himself.’” Humphrey was healthy again (and 10 pounds lighter) and in a better head space, teammates said. He picked off Lamar Jackson four times in their first three practices. Yet, the impression Humphrey left in the buildup to the regular season didn’t immediately translate. Through the first six weeks of the season, he allowed a passer rating of 92.5, which is slightly above league average. It’s now 64.9 over 346 coverage snaps — that’s the best mark since his rookie season when he played 402 snaps. Compared with his All-Pro season, he already has more interceptions and is on pace for more solo tackles. The turning point for the Ravens’ win on Thursday came when Marlon Humphrey, left, forced Bengals running back Chase Brown, second from left, to fumble in the third quarter. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Humphrey played the best game of his career in Week 7 until a knee injury forced him to exit before halftime. He picked off Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield twice, his first career multi-interception game, and leads the AFC with a career-high four. “They used to say he had hands like a snake, but now, the guy got on the JUGS [machine],” linebacker Roquan Smith said. “The way he’s been throughout camp, OTAs and throughout the season, man, the guy is just honed in, focused on the details and just trying to take the team to that next level.” Like when he forced his first fumble of the season on Thursday, ripping the ball from Bengals running back Chase Brown — the turning point in a crucial AFC North battle decided by the smallest of margins. With an overall Pro Football Focus grade higher than any of his past seven seasons and twice coming up as the Ravens’ secondary’s saving grace, Humphrey is playing, in Maulet’s words, like “All-Pro Marlo.” “He’s somebody who’s a leader of our room. We go as he goes,” Hamilton said. “He sets the example for us to kind of follow on it and build on it.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Keaton Mitchell’s return gives Ravens ‘three-headed monster’ in backfield Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: The Ravens aren’t alone. The NFL has a defense problem. | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | NFL rescinds fine on Ravens LB Roquan Smith for tackle that injured Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 10: Maybe the Chiefs will never lose again Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Will Ravens or Steelers win the AFC North? After Thursday’s win, the defense having been exposed again by the Bengals, Humphrey was asked about Ja’Marr Chase’s otherworldly stat line: 11 catches, 264 yards and three touchdowns. “I’m tired of that dude,” Humphrey said, the frustration of trying to contain one of the best receivers in football clear in his wandering eyes and hapless tone. That answer lasted two minutes. It turned into an indictment on the entire pass defense that ranks last in the league. At one point he called them the “little brother” of the team. They haven’t met the standard, Humphrey continued, that was set by his predecessors, “and I feel like that falls on me.” Baltimore’s secondary hasn’t shown much collective progress 10 weeks into the season, giving up 25.3 points per game and a league-most 294.9 passing yards. Uncertainty around Hamilton’s ankle injury is another thorn in their side. Shuffling between three safeties beside him hasn’t proved to be a quick fix. The list goes on. Humphrey living up to what Orr and his teammates saw this summer is at least keeping them afloat. “I think the way he’s been playing has been huge for our defense,” Smith said. “And we definitely are going to need him along the stretch.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Raiders assistant head coach Marvin Lewis had no answer when I asked him Monday about the last time he saw a dominating NFL defense. He thought for another 30 seconds. He still didn’t have a response. “Hey, I can’t tell you,” the former Ravens defensive coordinator and Bengals coach said. It might be a long time before we hear comparisons with those great defenses from the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, or the Chicago Bears in the mid-1980s, or the 2000 Ravens. It might never happen again, actually. NFL rules and regulations have steadily trended toward helping offenses, an emphasis by Commissioner Roger Goodell since he took over in 2006. He’s not the only reason. The rise of the dual-threat quarterback, shutdown cornerbacks getting paid massive salaries, the college football transfer portal and youth seven-on-seven tournaments have all played a part. But let’s be clear: this is not an excuse for the Ravens’ defense and their woeful secondary that is the worst in the NFL. This group can’t cover a small pot of boiling water much less shut down a top receiver like Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase or even a no-name like Cleveland’s Cedric Tillman. But it might be a sign of things to come. “When you can cover, you can play good defense,” Lewis said. “If you have that second element of a rush, you’re going to be really good.” Lewis would know. He was the architect of that historic 2000 Ravens defense that set a 16-game record by allowing only 165 total points and only 970 rushing yards. That team had a dominating front with strong pass rushers on the outside in outside linebacker Peter Boulware, ends Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett, and good cover cornerbacks in Chris McAlister and Duane Starks. And, of course, there was middle linebacker Ray Lewis. No team comes close to that level now. It’s embarrassing watching some of these games because receivers are so wide-open that defenders aren’t even on the TV screen. What’s the problem? There are many. Karl Merton Ferron / XXFormer Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, bottom right, coached one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses in 2000. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff file) “I think by utilizing the quarterback as a runner and the [run-pass option] game and so forth, they do make it 11-on-11 football,” Lewis said, “so defenses don’t have that one-man edge. You have players making their reads on one and two, and that’s keeping them further from the receiver.” Offenses are utilizing more presnap motion, which can cause communication issues for a defense, a problem the Ravens have had in the secondary. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken uses a lot of shifts, even to the point where it doesn’t seem to make much sense. Few teams use motion more than Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel. His offense is not like decades ago in which teams lined up in traditional formations with two running backs. “That’s why you can have some wide-open people because there is such a change each week in game plans and how it’s applied,” Lewis said. “And if the formation ends up a little different than what you practice, then you have explosive plays. One or two people are going in motion every play, so defensively you’re trying to react to that. Heaven forbid you get a young guy that hasn’t played a lot.” That could happen. Shutdown cornerbacks, such as the Jets’ Sauce Gardner and Broncos’ Patrick Surtain II, are like the quarterback or receiver on offense. They get paid big bucks, but that usually hurts a team elsewhere. Dominant pass rushers also get paid well. The Ravens couldn’t afford to keep outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Panthers in March after having a career year with Baltimore in 2023. Sacks and interceptions get you paid. “It’s a learned thing from college, and unfortunately when they get here, they think the interceptions get them notoriety even though when you study them, it’s the same guys giving up big plays,” Lewis said. Ravens rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins reacts in front of Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase after making a third-down stop on Thursday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Having or keeping a top cornerback is only part of the problem. During the Ravens’ 2012 championship season, opposing teams feared throwing across the middle because of safety Bernard Pollard. He was an enforcer, much like former 49ers safety Ronnie Lott. The Ravens have usually had a thumper like Pollard in the middle or a player who covered a lot of ground, much like Rod Woodson did in 2000. Hall of Famer Ed Reed could do both. Those days are gone, too. “Officials react to an explosive hit, not whether it’s helmet to helmet,” Lewis said. “They just react to it, and so that’s been taken out of the game for fear of being fined or ejected. And quarterbacks literally have no fear of throwing the ball down the middle of the field.” According to Lewis, who worked for Arizona State from 2019-23, there has also been a dropoff in fundamentals from college players as they enter the NFL. The transfer portal has played a big part in that because players are hopping from program to program. “If you look at them cross-eyed, they leave,” Lewis said, laughing. There is also an emphasis on seven-on-seven tournaments, which is popular among youngsters and teenagers. The problem is it’s not the same game. It’s all about the offense. “The kids are all playing in these seven-on-seven leagues and that’s the whole emphasis, that’s the whole structure,” Lewis said. “Then they go to college and the time has been cut down, so there’s not much continuity because they move on. So the fundamentals kind of go by the way wide, like tackling and so forth. “That makes a difference, too. Cornerbacks get out of position because they’re always looking in the backfield and then they go into a panic mode and that’s when they get a penalty. I think it’s a reaction from the first part of being so unsound, so they have to grab or do whatever to stop the receiver from catching the ball.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Keaton Mitchell’s return gives Ravens ‘three-headed monster’ in backfield Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey is back to playing like ‘All-Pro Marlo’ Baltimore Ravens | NFL rescinds fine on Ravens LB Roquan Smith for tackle that injured Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 10: Maybe the Chiefs will never lose again Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Will Ravens or Steelers win the AFC North? Lewis thought the Ravens were playing well despite his Raiders upsetting them, 26-23, on Sept. 15. He believed the Ravens played more man-to-man because that’s what they wanted to improve on. Since then, the Ravens have struggled to cover anybody. Fortunately, so has just about every other team. The Ravens still have a real shot at returning to the AFC championship game, which is trending toward being in Kansas City. The Chiefs, much like Baltimore, have flipped a switch, with their defense leading the way and Patrick Mahomes and company still working out their issues. Beating Kansas City will require a strong pass rush and good coverage. The former hasn’t been consistent and the latter has been horrendous. But hey, what else is new? It’s the NFL these days. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

The NFL has rescinded the fine levied against Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith for his tackle on Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin last month. A $16,833 fine was levied against Smith for the hit that ended Godwin’s season, but he appealed the matter and NFL hearing officer Jordy Nelson ruled in his favor, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. ESPN was first to report the news. The play in question took place with just over a minute remaining in Baltimore’s eventual 41-31 win over Tampa Bay. Quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with Godwin on a 21-yard pass, but the receiver went down awkwardly and did not get up after Smith brought him to the ground. Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle and is expected to be out for at least the remainder of the regular season. Though Smith wasn’t penalized on the play, he was initially deemed to have made an illegal hip-drop tackle. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | NFL winners and losers, Week 10: Maybe the Chiefs will never lose again Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Will Ravens or Steelers win the AFC North? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh: Everything ‘on the table’ for struggling secondary Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Former Ravens owner Art Modell belongs in Pro Football Hall of Fame | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey defends coordinator Zach Orr amid defensive woes League rules state that a hip-drop tackle must meet three criteria: the tackler grabbing or wrapping the ball carrier with both hands or arms; the defender unweighting by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body; and the tackler landing on and trapping the opponent’s leg(s) at or below the knee. But it was deemed that Smith did not meet those standards. “You never want to see anybody go down with any type of injury, but we play a very physical game, and it demands a lot,” Smith said three days after the Oct. 21 game. “Bullets are flying pretty fast, but I never go into any game to injure any player. I want every player to go back home safe and sound to their family — maybe a little sore — but other than that, I definitely want you to get back home to your family all safe and sound.” It marked the second time this season that Smith has won an appeal after he was initially fined $16,833 for a horse-collar tackle in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will recap the best and worst from around the league. Here are our winners and losers from Week 10: Winner: Kansas City Chiefs This was it. This had to be it. The Broncos had thoroughly outplayed the two-time defending champions all afternoon. They had come into Arrowhead Stadium as 7 1/2-point underdogs and were on the precipice of handing the Chiefs their first loss since Christmas. The undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins could pop another bottle of champagne. Denver played it perfectly. A 12-play march took nearly six minutes off the clock and brought the Broncos to Kansas City’s 12-yard line with just one second left. Patrick Mahomes could only watch from the sideline as Wil Lutz lined up a 35-yard field goal attempt. Make the chip shot, and the winning streak would be over. You know what happened next. Leo Chenal burst through the left side of the line and blocked the kick, sending it skittering harmlessly to the sideline. CBS play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan lost his mind. “It’s a complete shock, you know? Not much I can say about it,” Chenal said. “I was really praying for something to happen. That moment is so heavy. There’s a second on the clock, they’re going to kick a field goal and you feel the weight of the moment.” Kansas City is only the fifth Super Bowl champion to win its first nine games the following season. Its 15-game winning streak is the longest in the NFL since the Packers won 19 in a row from 2010 to 2011. Will they ever lose again? Beat the Bills next week, and a potential 20-0 season becomes a real debate. Kansas City still has games remaining against the Panthers, Raiders and Browns. The Chargers, Texans, Steelers and Broncos (in what could be a meaningless Week 17 game for the Chiefs) have the best chance of ending this perfect run. At the very least, the top seed and first-round bye in the AFC is all but wrapped up. What makes this streak so astounding is how vulnerable Kansas City looks. Mahomes is having one of the worst statistical seasons of his career, throwing 12 touchdown passes to nine interceptions while averaging a career-low 245.3 passing yards per game. He has missed open receivers, including throwing the ball over Travis Kelce’s head in the end zone Sunday. Even the defense has suffered lapses, allowing Broncos rookie Bo Nix to complete 22 of 30 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns Sunday while recording just two sacks and failing to force a turnover. The Chiefs’ average margin of victory this year is less than seven points. No matter. The Chiefs have won nine straight games in which they trailed in the second half. In the biggest moments this year, they’ve thrived: Kansas City leads the NFL in converting third downs (52%) and rank third on fourth down (88%). Most remarkably, Mahomes is now 19-14 in games in which he trailed by 10 or more points. No other quarterback in NFL history has a winning record in those situations. Is this sustainable? Of course not. Would you bet against the Chiefs keeping it up? Go ahead and try. Loser: Chicago Bears That Hail Mary might have broken the Bears. Chicago was one play away from winning a fourth straight game and vaulting itself into playoff contention. Instead, Tyrique Stevenson taunted the crowd, Jayden Daniels’ last-second heave landed in the arms of Noah Brown, and the Bears lost a heartbreaker to the Commanders. Things have only gotten worse. Since that fateful game, the Bears (4-5) have been outscored 48-12 in losses to the Cardinals and Patriots. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has looked worse each week, with a depleted and ineffective offensive line making his accuracy issues and tendency to hold onto the ball too long even more glaring. The Bears entered Sunday without both starting tackles and later lost left guard Teven Jenkins to an ankle injury. As a result, Williams was sacked nine times in a 19-3 loss to New England. Bears coach Matt Eberflus said after the game that he will evaluate “everything from the top to the bottom,” including potentially who calls the offensive plays. It might just be rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic at this point, with Eberflus in danger of being fired if his team can’t turn this season around. Fans at Soldier Field have already started chanting for his removal with Chicago now 14-29 in his two-plus seasons in charge. As the No. 1 overall draft pick, Williams was supposed to be the savior of a franchise that has never found the answer at quarterback, but it’s starting to feel like even he can’t overcome his circumstances. Against one of the league’s worst teams, Chicago totaled just 142 yards and went 1-for-14 on third down, while Williams finished a dreadful 16-for-30 for 120 yards. The offense has gone 23 straight drives without scoring a touchdown. Amid the mess, Williams is putting on a brave face and saying all the right things. But it’s fair to start wondering whether Chicago is ruining another promising young quarterback. Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson celebrates after forcing the Commanders to go offsides to seal Sunday’s win in Landover. (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP) Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers There’s something different about these Steelers. Thanks to coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh has found a way to stay relevant over the years with an aging Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, “Duck” Hodges, Kenny Pickett and Justin Fields at quarterback. But with Russell Wilson under center, the Steelers feel like a legitimate threat to make a deep postseason run. In Sunday’s 28-27 win over the Commanders, Wilson helped lead a stirring second-half comeback punctuated by a 32-yard touchdown pass to newly acquired wide receiver Mike Williams with just over two minutes left. Pittsburgh’s offense was far from dominant, averaging just 4.2 yards per play, but Wilson is starting to look like his old self with his ability to make big plays down the field. That included an early 16-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens, who made an acrobatic grab in the end zone despite tight coverage. Wilson was far from efficient Sunday, completing just 14 of 28 attempts for 195 yards, but his three touchdown passes made the difference. “That’s one of his biggest components of his game: trusting his receivers,” Pickens said. While Fields did an admirable job leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start and providing a valuable threat in the running game, he was not accurate or aggressive enough as a passer to keep up with an offense as good as the Commanders’. While Wilson has declined from his heights as a Super Bowl champion and NFL Most Valuable Player candidate with the Seahawks, he raises Pittsburgh’s ceiling just enough to potentially give the Chiefs, Bills and Ravens a scare in the postseason. Despite the gaudy 7-2 record and AFC North lead, this team is far from perfect. A failed fake punt from the Steelers’ 15-yard line Sunday led directly to a Washington touchdown, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. committed costly penalties and running back Jaylen Warren fumbled at the goal line before Pittsburgh could score what should have been the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. It took a comeback from down 24-14 in the third quarter to escape with a win, after all. But there’s no doubt that this version of the Steelers is more of a threat to compete for a championship than any since Big Ben, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell were leading the way. Loser: New York Jets Can we stop pretending the Jets are relevant now? After New York fired coach Robert Saleh and traded for wide receiver Davante Adams, hope remained that the Jets could pull out of their tailspin and compete for a playoff spot despite their poor record. They still had Aaron Rodgers, and the defense would surely improve after such a woeful start to the season. Well, it’s time to abandon all hope. The Jets were blown out by the Cardinals on Sunday, 31-6, in a game that was basically over after the first quarter. The defense looked hapless all afternoon, missing tackles and leaving receivers wide-open as Arizona piled up 406 total yards. Defense was supposed to be the calling card for this team after that unit looked so dominant last year. Surely better quarterback play was the only thing missing to make the Jets a real contender. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Will Ravens or Steelers win the AFC North? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh: Everything ‘on the table’ for struggling secondary Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Former Ravens owner Art Modell belongs in Pro Football Hall of Fame | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey defends coordinator Zach Orr amid defensive woes Baltimore Ravens | Patriots claim pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue off waivers from Ravens Instead, the defense has fallen apart, going from one of the league’s best to one of its worst. Rodgers isn’t making much of a difference either; for the season, New York ranks 26th in scoring with 17.7 points per game. Since acquiring Adams at the trade deadline, a move touted as the final piece to unlock a struggling offense, the Jets have gone 1-3 while averaging just 16 points per game. Rodgers is 3-7 for the first time in his 20-year career, so this is uncharted territory. Even his worst seasons in Green Bay never finished with fewer than six wins. He said there’s “a lot still in front of us” after Sunday’s latest loss, but what’s he supposed to say? That this move to New York has been a disaster? That there’s no hope? That, at age 40, it’s an open question whether he’ll even play again next year? Rodgers and Adams are both under contract for next season, so maybe there’s a chance the Jets can build some momentum down the stretch in anticipation of new leadership and a better roster pushing the team back into contention in 2025. But for now, a 14th straight season without reaching the playoffs is all but assured for one of the league’s sorriest franchises. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

The Ravens (7-3) are set to travel to Pittsburgh on Sunday to take on the Steelers (7-2) in a battle for first place in the AFC North. Tell us who you think will win the division ahead of this weekend’s rivalry showdown. After you vote, tell us what you think by clicking the comments button and we might publish your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

By nearly every metric basic and advanced, the Ravens’ pass defense continues to be the worst in the NFL, a fact that was crystalized last week as Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase roamed freely through an absentee secondary at M&T Bank Stadium on his way to 264 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches. Baltimore won the game, but Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns, even though he was without his No. 2 receiver Tee Higgins and starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. The 2,949 total passing yards (294.9 per game) the Ravens have given up marks the most they have allowed through the first 10 weeks of a season since 2000, and their pace puts them within range of a historically dubious mark. “We gotta play our coverages better in those situations, especially the deep middle and the intermediate middle part of the field are the areas that have been a problem for us,” coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “You can’t have those long touchdown passes. It’s one thing to give up 9-yard completions, 7-yard completions on check-downs and low routes and go tackle them. … To not tackle it or to let it get behind us, those are things that are below the line. Those are not OK.” All of which begged the question: are the Ravens considering personnel changes and/or shifts in coaching responsibilities? “You consider everything,” Harbaugh said. “Everything’s on the table always. I don’t think that’s any kind of news story. It’s definitely not headline-worthy because that’s what you do. That’s what I spent the weekend doing, that’s what the coaches spent the weekend doing and that’s what our players spent the weekend doing. “We’ll look at every aspect of it and pursue the best path that we can think of and that we see going forward with a great sense of urgency.” With a hugely important game against the Steelers looming Sunday in Pittsburgh, where first place in the AFC North will be on the line, that urgency is upon Baltimore. However, it remains to be seen if there will be any changes in the Ravens’ lineup, or if there will be any shift in certain duties among the defensive coaching staff, which is led by first-year coordinator Zach Orr and includes a secondary overseen by assistant head coach/passing game coordinator Chris Hewitt along with first-year secondary coach Doug Mallory. But players — including cornerback Marlon Humphrey — have been quick to defend Orr, saying there has been a departure from their execution in practice to their performances in games. One immediate change, at least, will be the addition of newly acquired veteran Tre’Davious White to the cornerback rotation on the outside, an area where Brandon Stephens has seemingly regressed as the season has gone on and where rookie and first-round pick Nate Wiggins has at times struggled with penalties and consistency. White, an All-Pro in 2019 and two-time Pro Bowl selection, led the NFL in interceptions in 2019 with six in 15 games and had 17 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, 58 tackles, including four for loss and two forced fumbles. But the 29-year-old former first-round pick of the Bills also struggled in his recent and brief stint with the Rams, giving up four touchdowns in his first four games this season before becoming a healthy scratch and eventually searching for a trade. Cornerback Tre’Davious White, who has meaningful experience with the Bills and Rams, is expected to work into the Ravens’ secondary in the coming weeks. (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP) Still, the Ravens need to do something if they are going to have a chance to get to where they want to go — the Super Bowl — and that will include rotating in White on the outside. “That’s why we traded for him,” Harbaugh said. “I know he’s excited.” One move that Harbaugh won’t be making, however, is shifting Stephens from cornerback to safety to spell the struggling Marcus Williams, who ranks last among Pro Football Focus’ 87 qualifying safeties in both his overall and coverage grades. In the summer of 2023, the Ravens were initially considering Stephens, a 2021 third-round pick, for free safety, a position he played extensively as a rookie. But a spate of injuries in training camp along with his performance at cornerback led to a permanent home last season opposite Humphrey. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Former Ravens owner Art Modell belongs in Pro Football Hall of Fame | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey defends coordinator Zach Orr amid defensive woes Baltimore Ravens | Patriots claim pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue off waivers from Ravens Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens running back Mark Ingram on SEC, NFL playoffs | TRIPLE OPTION PODCAST Baltimore Ravens | Bengals QB Joe Burrow responds to missed penalties in loss to Ravens Stephens played so well that Baltimore came into this season comfortable and confident with moving Humphrey inside more often with the former joining Wiggins on the outside. This season, though, Stephens, who played cornerback at SMU, has taken a big step back, particularly with getting his head around and finding the ball in coverage. He ranks 102nd out of 109 cornerbacks, per PFF, and 104th in coverage. Moving the 6-foot-1 Stephens to the back end of the defense isn’t happening, though. “That’s not really on the table right now,” Harbaugh said. “He’s got a big job right now he’s trying to take care of.” Ten games into the season, the same is still being said about the rest of the Ravens’ pass defense. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

In its present state, there is no NFL without former Ravens owner Art Modell, and the league needs to say thank you by inducting him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The NFL signed an 11-year, $111 billion media rights deal in July 2021, and the roots can be traced to Modell, who was chairman of the NFL’s media committee from 1962 to 1993. Modell, who died in 2012 at the age of 87, is one of nine semifinalists in the Contributor category for the 2025 class. A committee will basically rubber stamp one finalist to be considered for enshrinement. The others on list of semifinalists include K.S. “Bud” Adams, Ralph Hay, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Art Rooney Jr., Seymour Siwoff, Doug Williams and John Wooten. Wooten was a member of the Ravens’ front office from 1997 through 2003, but this is all about Modell. “I have my fingers crossed and my toes crossed for Art and [his wife] Pat Modell,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It is richly deserved, in my opinion. I love that guy. I love their family and what he’s done to make this organization what it is, so, Art Modell for the Hall of Fame.” It’s really not that hard of a decision. All of the semifinalists have played major roles in the development of the league, and it’s hard to challenge the six Super Bowl titles won by New England Patriots owner Kraft. But the NFL is about money, and few contributed more than Modell. His influence led to huge TV ratings and a rise in the league’s popularity. Modell’s Browns were the first to play in a “Monday Night Football” broadcast on Sept. 21, 1970, against the New York Jets, which eventually led to Thursday and Sunday night games. Modell also helped create NFL Films, which is still a major staple. His fingerprints are still all over the league. In 1970, he agreed to move the Browns with the then-Baltimore Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers to the AFC as part of the NFL-AFL merger. According to Scott Garceau, a longtime sportscaster who represents Baltimore on the Hall of Fame selection committee, Modell has been a finalist in the voting at least once and several times as a semifinalist. But in the past, there was always something that kept him from being inducted. Either he didn’t win a Super Bowl title, or he fired popular Cleveland coach Paul Brown in 1963 or forced Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown to retire in 1966 while he was filming “The Dirty Dozen” in London. There was always something. They seemed to forget that Cleveland won the NFL championship in 1964 by beating the Colts, 27-0, and the field seemed to tilt Modell’s way after the Ravens won Super Bowl 35 in 2000. RICKY CARIOTI, Capital GazetteRavens owner Art Modell holds the Vince Lombardi trophy after his team won the Super Bowl at the end of the 2000 season. He died in 2012. (Staff file) But some of those on selection committee simply could not forgive Modell from moving to Baltimore from Cleveland for the start of the 1996 season. They seemed to forget that the old Municipal Stadium was an embarrassment filled with porta-potties. Fans could walk straight from their stadium seats into the press box, and a lot of the seats were made of wood. This isn’t to say that Modell didn’t struggle with the business end of the profession, but that stadium was a dump. Modell never got credit for the increase of new stadiums that were built around the country in Denver, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Detroit, Phoenix and Indianapolis. Two years before he moved to Baltimore, Modell reportedly lost $21 million. Privately, Modell always told me he had planned to give Cleveland back its name and heritage even before the NFL got involved. He also shared that he had several conversations with Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay about buying back the Colts name, but Irsay wouldn’t relinquish the rights. Yes, Modell made his share of mistakes, but Brown always endorsed Modell’s enshrinement into the Hall of Fame. There can be no more excuses. Under Modell, the Browns had a proud heritage and history on the field, creating classic moments such as “The Drive” in 1986 and “The Fumble” in 1987 in playoff losses to the Denver Broncos. Now, look on the other side. Since returning to the league in 1999, the Browns have a 140-270-1 record, including an 0-16 slate in 2017. They’ve had 38 starting quarterbacks in that time. “When you get into the football end of it, think about where the Browns have been since Art hasn’t owned the team, right?” Garceau said. The relocation was a reality check, just as it was in Baltimore when the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984. Three owners already enshrined in the Hall of Fame — Al Davis, Lamar Hunt and Dan Reeves — moved their respective franchises. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ John Harbaugh: Everything ‘on the table’ for struggling secondary Baltimore Ravens | Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey defends coordinator Zach Orr amid defensive woes Baltimore Ravens | Patriots claim pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue off waivers from Ravens Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens running back Mark Ingram on SEC, NFL playoffs | TRIPLE OPTION PODCAST Baltimore Ravens | Bengals QB Joe Burrow responds to missed penalties in loss to Ravens Maybe this time, Modell finally gets in because he doesn’t have to compete with players such as Jonathan Odgen or Ray Lewis. In addition, the selection committee has changed and added some new members. The dynamics might be different. “He did some things that maybe weren’t in the best interest of the Cleveland Browns, but it was good for the league and he took the hit,” Garceau said. “Guys like Jim Brown and a lot of the Cleveland people came out strong and maybe they didn’t like the move, but Art should be in the Hall of Fame.” If there was no Art Modell, maybe there would be no Monday, Thursday or Sunday night football. Maybe there wouldn’t have been a merger between the two leagues, and certainly the billions of dollars in TV money. That alone should get him. The story of the NFL can’t be told without Art Modell. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

What do Rashee Rice, Davante Adams, Cade Otton, Courtland Sutton and Ja’Marr Chase all have in common? If you’ve watched the Ravens this season the answer is easy. All had at least 100 yards receiving against Baltimore, and that doesn’t include Browns receiver Cedric Tillman, who had 99 yards and two touchdowns in last month’s stunner over the Ravens in Cleveland. Baltimore’s defense against Chase — or more appropriately lack thereof — was of course the most egregious. The Bengals star had 10 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns in Week 5 in Cincinnati and last week scorched the M&T Bank Stadium grass for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 11 receptions. “We have to turn over every stone on that as a defensive staff,” coach John Harbaugh said last week. “We have to figure out a way to stop those plays from happening, because they shouldn’t be happening.” The Ravens (7-3) won both games against the Bengals, but it took quarterback Lamar Jackson needing to put on a cape (again) to avoid his own defense (again) snatching defeat from the jaws of victory after being shredded once more. “These wins are getting harder to enjoy based off of what we’re doing in the pass defense,” said visibly frustrated cornerback Marlon Humphrey after the game. “I feel like when I was a rookie – first-year guy, second-year guy – the vets I looked up to [and] the standard that was there and the pass defense … We’ve really lost that standard, and I feel like that falls on me.” Humphrey, who is in his eighth season and has played 251 snaps out wide and 181 in the slot, has easily been Baltimore’s best pass defender and one of the better cornerbacks in the league this season, ranking fifth overall in Pro Football Focus’ grades. The rest of the secondary — notably, cornerback Brandon Stephens and safety Marcus Williams — not so much. Not only are the 294.9 passing yards the Ravens are allowing per game the worst in the NFL, they are the most by more than 30 yards. What’s been the issue for a defense that only a season ago led the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game while also allowing the sixth-fewest passing yards? It hasn’t been just one — communication, missed tackles, players in the wrong spots or, according to one former player, players looking like there’s at times a lack of on-field trust among the group and an ineffective pass rush have all played a part. So, too, perhaps has all the coaching staff turnover. Aside from losing its former defensive wizard and coordinator Mike Macdonald (now the Seattle Seahawks coach) and veteran defensive line coach Anthony Weaver (Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator), Baltimore also lost defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson (Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator). While first-year Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr has taken his share of heat, it’s telling that Humphrey has publicly defended him twice, including after Sunday’s game. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey leads the team with four interceptions. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “We’ve got to take the practice to the game,” said Humphrey, adding that the defense has been the little brothers of the team. “I think each guy has got to look at themselves in the mirror and figure out, ‘Why are you not playing how you practice something?’ You practice this route concept [and then in] the game, you don’t do it how you practice. It’s becoming more of a mental thing, I think, but we’ve got to get that fixed.” Meanwhile, the Titans entered Week 10 allowing the fewest passing yards per game (155.8) in the league after last season allowing the second-most per game (269.1). The Ravens’ secondary, which is helmed by assistant head coach/passing game coordinator Chris Hewitt, on the other hand is on pace to surrender a whopping 5,013 passing yards over 17 games this season. To put that in perspective, the 2015 New York Giants nearly became the first team in history to give up 300 yards passing per game when they averaged surrendering 298.9 yards per game over the 16-game season. Things likely won’t get any easier for the Ravens this week. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Patriots claim pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue off waivers from Ravens Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens running back Mark Ingram on SEC, NFL playoffs | TRIPLE OPTION PODCAST Baltimore Ravens | Bengals QB Joe Burrow responds to missed penalties in loss to Ravens Baltimore Ravens | For Ravens WR Tylan Wallace, game-changing TD vs. Bengals is deja vu Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Baltimore heads to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers (7-2) and quarterback Russell Wilson and receiver George Pickens (91 yards, one touchdown in a win over the Commanders on Sunday) with first place in the AFC North on the line. And it doesn’t end there. Among the remaining receivers the Ravens will face are Malik Nabers, Nico Collins, DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown and Pickens again. “I just don’t think [with us] playing like this we can go far,” Humphrey said. “It’s cool winning; it’s great we’re winning, but I want to go far. I want to go to the end. The way we’re playing … Something has got to change. We’ve just got to play better. I’ve got to play better; we’ve all got to play better. We’ve got to play as a unit, and we’re just not doing that. “[There’s] really nothing really more to say.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The New England Patriots claimed veteran pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue off waivers from the Ravens on Friday afternoon. Since Ngakoue was cut after Tuesday’s trade deadline, he was subject to waivers despite being a vested veteran player. The Patriots inherit his $656,667 remaining salary. Ngakoue, 29, has spent time with the Jaguars, Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts and Bears. He made a Pro Bowl in 2017 when he logged 12 sacks and six forced fumbles. The former Maryland star has 1 1/2 sacks in five games this season, his second stint with Baltimore after being acquired from the Vikings in a 2020 midseason trade. The Washington native has seven total pressures in 67 pass-rush snaps this season, per Pro Football Focus, including a QB hit. He’s primarily served as a situational pass rusher throughout his career. In need of pass rush help, the Ravens signed Ngakoue to their practice squad in September and later added him to the active roster. But he played just 25% of the defensive snaps in five games before being put on waivers Thursday when Baltimore activated running back Keaton Mitchell from the physically unable to perform list. Ngakoue was once a teammate of Ravens outside linebackers coach Matt Robinson at Maryland. He’s also known pass rush coach Chuck Smith for years after having first trained with him in Atlanta when he was in college. The Ravens had hoped to keep Ngakoue on the practice squad, but the Patriots (2-7) were in need of pass-rushing help. “I love the locker room, I love the guys here,” Ngakoue said of his return to Baltimore in September. “We have a great quarterback, and I just want to be able to help get the ball back to the offense.” The Ravens (7-3) have struggled to generate a consistent pass rush this season and have been hit by injuries along the defensive line. Michael Pierce was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury, and Brent Urban missed a second straight game with a concussion Thursday night. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, 33, leads the team with seven sacks, while 2022 second-round draft pick David Ojabo has been a healthy scratch in two games. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens running back Mark Ingram on SEC, NFL playoffs | TRIPLE OPTION PODCAST Baltimore Ravens | Bengals QB Joe Burrow responds to missed penalties in loss to Ravens Baltimore Ravens | For Ravens WR Tylan Wallace, game-changing TD vs. Bengals is deja vu Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 35-34 win over Bengals Meanwhile, the Patriots released veteran linebacker Raekwon McMillan from the 53-man roster to make room for Ngakoue. McMillan, 27, started four of nine games this season and notched 45 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. He first joined the Patriots in 2021 but missed that season with a torn ACL. He missed the entire 2023 season with a torn Achilles tendon. The Patriots have struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks this season. They traded outside linebacker Matthew Judon before the season and outside linebacker Joshua Uche ahead of the trade deadline. Top pass-rushing defensive tackle Christian Barmore has been on the non-football illness list since training camp with blood clots. Baltimore Sun staff contributed to this article. View the full article

College football enters a new era this season with the first-ever 12-team playoff, and on Tuesday night, the initial rankings were released. “Everything is an elimination game in the SEC, unless you’re Georgia,” said former Alabama National Champion and Heisman-winning running back Mark Ingram II on “The Triple Option.” SEC teams occupy the third, fifth, seventh, eleventh, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth spots in the latest rankings. This puts several teams within striking distance of the top 12 but also sets up a challenging path for those currently in playoff contention. The rankings are as follows: 1. Oregon 2. Ohio State 3. Georgia 4. Miami 5. Texas 6. Penn State 7. Tennessee 8. Indiana 9. BYU 10. Notre Dame 11. Alabama 12. Boise State with SMU and Texas A&M being the first two teams on the outside looking in. “You have 24 potential teams with a chance at the playoff. It’s great for the game,” added three-time National Championship-winning head coach Urban Meyer as he examined the latest rankings. Meyer, who coached during the BCS era and the four-team playoff system, believes the expanded format is a major shift in college football. The SEC currently has four teams in the top 12, and Ingram, a former Raven, believes that’s likely to hold steady when the final rankings come out in December. “For five SEC teams to make it in, others would have to lay an egg. You’d need teams to lose three or four games,” Ingram explained. [ ARCHIVE: Ravens star running back Derrick Henry joins the podcast ] One player who wishes he had the opportunity to compete in a 12-team playoff is 2005 NFL No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, who led the Utah Utes to a perfect season in 2004 but was shut out of the National Championship conversation. “We waxed everyone that year. We had dudes playing in the NFL. There was this idea that we couldn’t compete with the big dogs, and that just wasn’t true,” Smith said when asked if he thought his Utah team could have won it all under Coach Meyer. New episodes of “The Triple Option” drop every Wednesday. Watch on YouTube, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. Follow us @3XOptionShow on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook for bonus content. This podcast is produced by Sinclair, Inc., the parent company of the FOX45, which is the news partner of The Baltimore Sun. View the full article

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow did all he could in a 35-34 loss to the Ravens on Thursday night, but he’s not blaming the officials for how the game ended. After coughing up a 21-7 third-quarter lead and giving up a go-ahead touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Rashod Bateman with just under two minutes left, the Bengals stunningly drove down the field to score a touchdown of their own with 42 seconds left. But instead of kicking the extra point to potentially force overtime, Cincinnati elected to go for two and the lead. It backfired, with Burrow’s pass to tight end Tanner Hudson falling incomplete as the Ravens celebrated a comeback victory that moved them to 7-3 and dropped the Bengals to 4-6 — four games behind the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers in the loss column and three behind Baltimore. But Cincinnati might have a legitimate gripe with the officiating. On the 2-point attempt, Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki appears to be held by Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson, preventing him from running a route across the middle. Burrow didn’t look his way, instead throwing a pass to the right that sailed over Hudson’s head. “It was clearly defensive holding before the pass was in flight, that should have been called,” McAulay said on the broadcast. “And that does look like forceful contact to the head of the quarterback. That’s a personal [foul]. That’s roughing the passer and should have been called.” When asked about the missed calls after the game, Burrow acknowledged that, on a play that will likely decide the outcome of the game, “you’re not getting those calls in that situation for the most part.” The fifth-year quarterback also appeared to take a few late hits that went unpenalized, including a blindside shot from cornerback Marlon Humphrey that left Burrow wincing on the ground. Those plays hardly seemed to rattle the former No. 1 overall draft pick, as he finished 34-for-56 for 428 yards with four touchdown passes. “I feel like I’ve never really gotten those calls, so I don’t really expect that,” Burrow said. “I feel like there were a couple that were close, but I don’t really expect those.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens running back Mark Ingram on SEC, NFL playoffs | TRIPLE OPTION PODCAST Baltimore Ravens | For Ravens WR Tylan Wallace, game-changing TD vs. Bengals is deja vu Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Baltimore Ravens | The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens report card: Position-by-position grades for 35-34 win over Bengals Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson, Ravens rally past Bengals for stunning 35-34 victory It’s also worth noting that the Bengals benefitted from Ravens penalties all night, including on the final drive. Humphrey was called for grabbing the facemask, defensive tackle Broderick Washington was flagged for roughing the passer and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy jumped offside on a span of four plays in the final minute, while a defensive holding call on Brandon Stephens and a pass-interference flag on Nate Wiggins extended a pair of Bengals drives in the first quarter. Baltimore finished with 11 penalties for 81 yards. Still, the loss continues a tough season for the Bengals, who are on the outside of the playoff race despite having Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase playing as well as they ever have in their careers. Chase had 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns Thursday, giving him an NFL-record 457 receiving yards in two games against Baltimore this season. Burrow has thrown for 820 yards and nine touchdowns in the two meetings and is tied with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for the league lead in touchdown passes (24). But, despite holding a double-digit lead in the second half of both matchups, the Bengals were swept by their division rivals after a 41-38 defeat in overtime in Week 5. “It’s sickening that this has happened twice to us,” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said of the two collapses. “We got to find a way to close out these games.” Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article