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Save for some self-inflicted wounds early in the schedule, the Ravens exceeded expectations during the regular season, particularly after losing top running back J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 1 and tight end and security blanket Mark Andrews to an ankle injury in Week 12, as well as a slew of others to less serious injuries the past few months. Baltimore (13-4) finished with the best record in the NFL to claim the top seed in the AFC, a first-round bye in the playoffs and home-field advantage through the conference championship game. The Ravens also have the presumptive NFL Most Valuable Player in quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is the favorite to win the award for the second time in his career, a historically dominant defense that led the NFL in sacks (60), takeaways (31) and fewest points allowed (16.5) and should be relatively healthy with key starters expected back in time for their divisional round game Jan. 20 or 21. But the playoffs, of course, are a different animal. One small mistake can end big Super Bowl dreams. Still, the regular season provided plenty of insight on what awaits the Ravens this postseason. Though Baltimore is just 2-5 in the playoffs and has failed to advance past the divisional round since its last Super Bowl title in the 2012 season, the expectation from fans, rightfully so, is much higher this year. So with the playoffs about to begin and the Ravens awaiting to see who their opponent will be, Baltimore Sun reporters Brian Wacker and Childs Walker and columnist Mike Preston break down the best and worst from the regular season and look ahead to the postseason. The Ravens’ 13-4 record surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. What’s your biggest takeaway from the regular season? Wacker: That this team has been an exquisite blend of hungry, talented veterans often willing to set aside ego for the greater good of chasing a Super Bowl ring, and smart, talented, explosive young players to complement them. Winning helps, of course, but players such as Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy and Odell Beckham Jr. have blended seamlessly with rising stars such as Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton and Zay Flowers. Jackson, meanwhile, has elevated his game to another level. He’s always been a dynamic generational talent, but his command of the offense seems to have ratcheted up. Walker: This team can win a lot of different ways and adjusts well within games, traits that will play well in the postseason. The Ravens don’t have a pronounced weakness. Jackson is a more polished passer than he was during his previous MVP season, but coordinator Todd Monken’s offense can still pound out yards on the ground when it’s time to secure a win in the second half. The Ravens’ defense surrendered chunk plays in the first halves of blowout wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins, but coordinator Mike Macdonald made tactical adjustments that paid off against two of the league’s most dangerous offenses. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things we still need to learn about the 2023 Ravens going into the playoffs Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Roquan Smith: ‘[We’re] just a bunch of hungry dogs’ | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Titans, after firing Mike Vrabel, reportedly request to interview Ravens DC Mike Macdonald for head coach opening Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers absent from practice Wednesday; RB Dalvin Cook ‘potentially valuable weapon’ Baltimore Ravens | Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and the New York Giants part ways Preston: There were two. The first was how the Ravens physically dominated teams. The NFL is filled with average teams but the Ravens just mauled and beat teams that were supposed to be good, such as Detroit, Seattle, San Francisco and Miami. In some cases, they were expected to win, but they took away the other team’s desire to compete. I haven’t seen that in Baltimore since the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2000 with one of the best defenses in league history. While on the subject of defense, this group carried the team while the offense was a “work in progress.” The Ravens were expected to be strong in the front seven, but the secondary stepped up despite being riddled with injuries to starters such as cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Marcus Williams. The Ravens entered the season without a shutdown cornerback, but Brandon Stephens has stepped up, as has safety Geno Stone. Combined with pass rushers Clowney and Van Noy, tackle Justin Madubuike and linebackers Patrick Queen and Smith, the Ravens had a strong regular season. What’s more important during the first-round bye: getting extra rest and healing up for a playoff run, or staying sharp after a strong regular season? Wacker: Rest, rest and more rest. Sure, there’s always a concern about rust whenever there is a long layoff, and it wouldn’t be stunning if that happened again this year. But the makeup of the roster is what to makes that unlikely. There’s too much of a veteran presence and too much high-level, intelligent talent to bungle the opportunity. Only nine players from the 2019 team that was stunned by the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round after going 14-2 in the regular season remain. One of them is Jackson, and he’s been focused on not letting past playoff failures be his defining legacy. Walker: Healing is goal No. 1. With essential players such as Hamilton, Smith, Humphrey and Flowers banged up, the Ravens needed the extra week to be in fighting form for the playoffs. But players have made the point that rest cannot come at the expense of losing their edge. So those who could practice did so Wednesday, making sure the detail work they have obsessed over for six months is not squandered with the finish line in sight. Preston: One doesn’t have more importance than the other. Teams play the regular season to earn a first-round bye and the extra week to heal. Some believe that a team, if peaking, needs to play every week to continue the momentum, but football is physically draining. All you need to do is look at the rash of quarterback injuries this season or the current shape of the Dolphins, who are limping into the postseason with several injuries. There will be rust, but that will go away quickly. Aside from tight end Mark Andrews, the Ravens should be in good shape for their divisional round game. To keep it in perspective, the Ravens have had virtually three weeks off if you count resting several starters in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh. The Ravens accomplished all their goals of having the league’s best record, winning the AFC North and earning a first-round bye. Ravens vs. BrownsKenneth K. Lam/Baltimore SunBrowns running back Kareem Hunt scores a 3-yard touchdown against the Ravens on Nov. 12. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Every playoff team has a fatal flaw. What’s the Ravens’ biggest weakness? Wacker: Run defense. Teams that have had success against the Ravens this year could run the ball well and command the line of scrimmage. See: the Los Angeles Rams. The Cleveland Browns also shredded the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium and came away with a win because of it. Being able to grind out yards on the ground, wear out the defense, control the clock and keep the score close puts all the pressure on Baltimore. Walker: Macdonald has gone with lighter boxes this year, conceding rushing yards, especially in the first half, in the name of preventing big passing plays and creating takeaways. His calculation paid off as the Ravens allowed the fewest points and third fewest yards per play in the league. But it’s fair to wonder how the Ravens, who allowed 4.5 yards per carry, would hold up against an opponent that builds an early lead and runs relentlessly in the second half. That was the formula the Titans used to beat a different Ravens defense, with a different coordinator, four years ago. Preston: Their biggest weakness is pass protection, especially at offensive tackle. Both right tackle Morgan Moses and left tackle Ronnie Stanley have struggled, but Jackson has made up for it because of his scrambling ability. Both tackles played well against San Francisco and Miami before having trouble again against the Steelers. The Ravens have done a good job of getting them help with fullbacks, tight ends and running backs chipping on the edges, but that affects the number of receivers in the passing game. In the playoffs, that will be a key decision for offensive coordinator Todd Monken because the quality of opponents will be stronger. Besides pass blocking, the other concern is stopping the run. It’s not really a weakness but it is something to keep an eye on in the postseason. Before the Week 18 game, the Ravens were allowing 106.5 yards rushing per game. The Steelers pounded them inside, finishing with 155 yards on 39 attempts. In the postseason, opposing teams will exploit your weaknesses. Lamar Jackson is expected to win his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award, yet he’s struggled in the postseason so far. Why might this year be different? Wacker: There are myriad reasons to believe that Jackson will be much better in the playoffs this year than in the past: He’s in the sixth year of his career; he has been empowered to take control of a more dynamic offense; he has considerably better talent around him at wide receiver. Talking to teammates, it’s clear he has also paid attention to small details and made smart decisions that have stacked up to a big impact. Some of his numbers were better when he was the 2019 NFL MVP, but overall he is playing the best football of his career right now. Walker: Jackson is a better mechanical passer, and as he said this week, he has seen so many more defensive tricks than he had as a 23-year-old, finishing up his first full season as a starter. He has managed games expertly this year, giving the Ravens what they need, when they need it, even against the toughest opponents. If we did not know his playoff history, there would be no reason to think he’s due for a fall based on the way he played in December with a division title and No. 1 seed hanging in the balance. Preston: There are several reasons why that might not happen. First of all, Jackson is now in his sixth year. He missed virtually the final two months of the past two seasons because of injuries, but this year he has played in big games down the stretch against Miami and San Francisco. That experience will help because Jackson has appeared nervous in previous postseason games. Then there is the addition of first-year coordinator Monken. Jackson previously ran without a purpose, but now he runs to buy time and allow his receivers to get open. Monken’s running game concepts are similar to his predecessor Greg Roman’s, but the passing game concepts are different, better developed and more sophisticated. The Ravens have more big-play potential compared with previous years with the additions of Beckham, Flowers, Nelson Agholor and tight end Isaiah Likely. They are the most complete and balanced team in the NFL. Does this guarantee Jackson will succeed in the playoffs? No. But overall, his chances are better because the team invested a lot in the offense during the offseason. Despite the big contract and MVP awards, Jackson has to win in the postseason to cement a legacy in Baltimore and around the NFL. Great quarterbacks win big games in the postseason. Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith returns an interception against the Dolphins on Dec. 31. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Other than Jackson, who is the Ravens’ most important player entering the postseason? Wacker: No one’s even close to Jackson in terms of importance — without him, the season is over. Next in line, though, is inside linebacker Smith. Hamilton is perhaps just as important given his versatility, but it’s Smith who sets the tone for the league’s best defense and quickly dissects opposing offenses and communicates the call to the rest of the team. He makes everyone around him better. Walker: If Jackson is the most important player by far, the guys most responsible for keeping him upright, tackles Stanley and Moses, have to be near the top of the list. Both have struggled with injuries (Stanley to his knee and Moses to his shoulder) at times this year, but both did a good job keeping the heat off their quarterback in those dominant wins over the 49ers and Dolphins. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens continue rotating Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele to keep the veterans fresh. That unorthodox strategy seemed to pay off, but the offensive line’s ceiling is still highest with Stanley and Moses holding down the edges. Preston: It’s Smith. He is to the defense what Jackson is to the offense. Go back and look at the first half of the Steelers game last week. The defense was out of sync and the Ravens were lost without him. As far as leadership, he has become the voice of the team. He is calm and has great wisdom and influence on his teammates. He delivers the pregame speech or “boomalacher,” as Ray Lewis did. Smith has a quiet charm about him and is a true professional. When he speaks, everybody listens because he commands that kind of respect. View the full article

We made it. The Ravens wrote a glorious preamble. Have they ever delivered a more perfect couplet of regular-season performances than they did in dismantling the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins? But we have reached the hour upon which they, especially quarterback Lamar Jackson, will truly be judged. Four years ago, they dominated up to this point only to come up short on the playoff stage. All those who care about this franchise, internally and externally, want to know: Will this time be different? With that in mind, here are five questions still looming as the Ravens prepare to host their postseason opener. Will we see MVP Lamar Jackson in the playoffs? There’s not a lot of justice in using three poor performances to undermine a brilliant athlete who has won 75% of his regular-season starts and who’s favored to win his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award shortly after his 27th birthday. But those are the terms Jackson set for himself when he promised Baltimore a Super Bowl victory the night he was drafted, a vow he reaffirmed when he signed his extension with the Ravens in April. The fact is that for all those victories, for all his unforgettable highlights, Jackson has played a few of his worst career games in the playoffs. Toss aside his rookie year, when home fans booed and called for Joe Flacco to be inserted in the Ravens’ 23-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. This tale of disappointment truly began after a mighty 2019 season in which Jackson stormed to his first MVP award only to throw an interception, falter in the red zone and squander two third-quarter drives with turnovers in a 28-12 divisional-round loss to the Tennessee Titans. Jackson avenged that defeat in the 2020 wild-card round but played poorly again on a chilly, blustery night in Buffalo, where the Ravens scored just three points and he threw away their best scoring chance on a red-zone interception. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, hands off to running back Gus Edwards against the Dolphins on Dec. 31. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Jackson has not played in the postseason since. After that loss to the Bills, fans and analysts outside Baltimore locked on to a narrative — bold winner in the regular season, skittish loser in the playoffs — he still has not outrun. There’s reason to believe Jackson is set to revise this tired story. In his sixth season, he’s in greater charge than ever before of an offense designed by swearing, swaggering coordinator Todd Monken. He’s throwing to more dynamic targets in Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr., with tight end Isaiah Likely serving as a nifty stand-in for Mark Andrews, who might be working toward a playoff comeback. Coach John Harbaugh has repeatedly used the word “mature” to describe this year’s team, and that starts with its on-field leader. The vibes could not be better. Jackson played his best games of the season against the Ravens’ toughest opponents and when they could smell the AFC’s No. 1 seed. But he has to do it with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Can the Ravens avoid coming out flat three weeks after their last meaningful game? Comparisons to 2019 — similarities extend from the Ravens’ closing dominance, to Jackson’s MVP brilliance, to their resting of key starters in a meaningless regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers — are unavoidable. Jackson seems exhausted with this plot. Others, such as left tackle Ronnie Stanley, say that loss to the Titans sticks with them as a reminder of what not to do this time around. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Roquan Smith: ‘[We’re] just a bunch of hungry dogs’ | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Titans, after firing Mike Vrabel, reportedly request to interview Ravens DC Mike Macdonald for head coach opening Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Zay Flowers absent from practice Wednesday; RB Dalvin Cook ‘potentially valuable weapon’ Baltimore Ravens | Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and the New York Giants part ways Baltimore Ravens | Joe Flacco’s road success in playoffs with Ravens gives Browns boost as they visit Texans in AFC wild card “I remember we came out really, really slow in that Titans game,” nose tackle Michael Pierce said. He’s not wrong. The 2019 Ravens were used to trampling opponents before halftime, but the Titans scored first after Jackson’s pass tipped off Andrews’ outstretched hands into the arms of Tennessee defensive back Kevin Byard, whose interception set up a 35-yard touchdown drive. The Titans built their advantage to 14-0 on a 45-yard play-action bomb one snap after Jackson failed to convert on fourth-and-1. In a matter of moments, Tennessee turned the tables on the league’s brawniest bully. The Ravens would mishandle opportunities to get back in the game, but the die was cast early in the second quarter. Did this have something to do with the way Harbaugh and his players had handled the previous three weeks after they clinched home-field advantage and a first-round bye? Did they lose their edge as starters rested in the finale against Pittsburgh, as they took a weekend off while the Titans fought to advance? Harbaugh does not see the experience that way. He’ll tell you the Ravens had the right plan for Tennessee, that they outgained their opponent 530 yards to 345 and lost because they simply did not execute properly on a few plays that should have produced touchdowns. Though he’ll make some tweaks, he has indicated he will not coach this year’s team in reaction to 2019. He again opted to rest Jackson and several other key players against the Steelers, acknowledging the risk of injury outweighed any potential gain. No matter what the Ravens say between now and the opening kickoff, we won’t know what any of it meant until they play the next game. Even then, causality will be elusive, just as it was four years ago. “We have a good plan, and Coach ‘Harbs’ has a good plan,” Pierce said. “We’ll be working mostly through the break and obviously getting guys healthy, but we’ll be working, and we’re definitely mindful [of] what happened last time.” How healthy are they? The Ravens needed this week off. They dealt with significant injuries — Andrews’ ankle, J.K. Dobbins’ torn Achilles tendon, a season-ending knee injury to scintillating rookie Keaton Mitchell — at various points of the season without being derailed. But they became noticeably more battered in those victories against Miami and San Francisco, brilliant as they were. They finished off the Dolphins without starting cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens or Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton. Pro Bowl linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen are nursing pectoral and shoulder injuries, respectively. They took the unusual step of rotating their offensive tackles in hopes of getting veterans Stanley and Morgan Moses across the finish line. Their most dependable blocker, Kevin Zeitler, tried to fight through knee and quadriceps pain to face the Dolphins but could not make it. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh and safety Geno Stone left the Steelers game with ankle and knee injuries, respectively. The good news, Harbaugh said, is that all those who were out or questionable against Miami and Pittsburgh are expected to be ready for the playoff opener. He has not ruled out an Andrews return if the Ravens keep winning. Jackson, who could not finish the 2021 and 2022 seasons, is the one player this team cannot go without, and he’s fit. But playoff football is a war of attrition, with everyone hurting to some degree and catastrophe always one awkward step away. We can’t know if Hamilton’s sprained knee and Humphrey’s sore calf will cost them a few steps of mobility, if persistent pain will make it harder for Queen and Smith to secure the middle of the field or for Stanley and Moses to keep Jackson safe. The Ravens aren’t the most wounded team in the playoffs. In fact, they might go into their divisional-round matchup with a healthier roster than possible opponents such as the Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. But they’re dealing with enough issues that we’ll all be playing amateur trainer as we watch the next week of practices. Ravens coach John Harbaugh, left, speaks with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald at practice Dec. 28. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Might they be at a disadvantage in a slugfest? This question seems to defy logic because we’re talking about the league’s most productive ground attack and a defense that prides itself on beating up high-concept offenses. The numbers don’t lie, however. The Ravens, in part because of coordinator Mike Macdonald’s tactical concessions, have not smothered the run in recent weeks. The 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey averaged 7.4 yards per carry against them. Miami’s De’Von Achane averaged 7.6. Pittsburgh pounded out 155 rushing yards. In most cases, opponents have fallen behind the Ravens, making it impossible to keep grinding. This suggests Macdonald’s gambit of going with lighter boxes to minimize big plays and maximize takeaways is a smart one. His defense has allowed the fewest points of any in the league. The modern adage that teams run because they’re winning instead of winning because they’re running has held up. But what if a playoff opponent strikes first and strikes hard as the Titans did four years ago, before handing the ball to Derrick Henry to carry them home? Are the Ravens, with so many of their most important defenders playing through injuries, primed to stand up to such a frontal assault? On the other side of the ball, Jackson will hand off to Gus Edwards, who does not run through contact as consistently as he did a few years ago, and Justice Hill, who played brilliantly against the Dolphins but has carried just 26 times over the past eight games. The Ravens found an electric threat in Mitchell to mitigate the loss of Dobbins, but he’s gone until next season. Ex-stars Melvin Gordon III and Dalvin Cook seem unlikely to deliver home runs. Which means the overwhelming burden will fall on Jackson when the Ravens need tough yards. He guarantees a potent running game, no matter who’s back there with him, but he also needs to manage risk. The Ravens have out-rushed opponents in 14 of 17 games this season, but they’re vulnerable enough on defense and down enough bodies on offense that this customary advantage is no given for the games ahead. Is this both the first and last best chance for this version of the Ravens? More than 20 Ravens, including Queen, Beckham, Stone, Zeitler, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, will become free agents after this season. They’ll keep some of those — Madubuike figures to be the priciest and most likely to be kept in place using the franchise tag — but can’t afford them all with Jackson, Stanley, Humphrey, Andrews and safety Marcus Williams each eating up at least $15 million of their 2024 salary cap. The road ahead is also uncertain for key non-playing figures in the franchise. Macdonald and Monken, along with defensive line and associate head coach Anthony Weaver, have popped up on interview lists for coaching vacancies. Their staffs — the Michigan-Ravens defensive think tank is particularly hot at the moment — could be raided to fill pro and college coordinator openings. Vice president of football administration Nick Matteo and director of player personnel Joe Hortiz could end up running front offices in other NFL cities. This is the nature of success in the NFL. Poachers take from the fleshiest carcasses. The cap forces painful choices. We should not overstate the speed with which the Ravens’ window is closing. Harbaugh, general manager Eric DeCosta and owner Steve Bisciotti still lead one of the most stable brain trusts in the sport. They paid Jackson all that money because when you have a franchise quarterback, the window stays open. Stars such as Hamilton, Smith, Flowers and center Tyler Linderbaum are just beginning their runs. But the Ravens’ next dominant team won’t look exactly like this one. We need only look back to 2019 to realize how quickly NFL life proceeds. About 80% of the players from that roster are playing elsewhere or retired four years later. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman, one of the league’s most lauded assistants that year, did not coach in 2023. Defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale just resigned from the New York Giants, the team he joined after he departed Baltimore. So yes, urgency is called for as the Ravens prepare for this Super Bowl push. AFC divisional round TBD at Ravens Jan. 20-21, TBA TV: TBA Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

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Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald continues to draw interest from other teams around the NFL. On Tuesday, Titans general manager Ron Carthon told reporters hours after coach Mike Vrabel was fired that Tennessee was “going to hit the ground running” in its search for a replacement. A day later, the team requested permission to interview Macdonald for the opening, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. After the Ravens (13-4) finished with the NFL’s best record during the regular season, becoming the first team in NFL history to lead the league in sacks (60), takeaways (31) and points allowed per game (16.5), Macdonald has become one of the hottest head coaching candidates in the league. Already, the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers have requested permission to interview the 36-year-old, who is in his second year as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator and has transformed Baltimore’s defense into the best in the NFL. He was already viewed across the league as one of the game’s brightest young minds coming into this season, and that reputation has only been enhanced since. “I think we have a bunch of coaches who are going to be coordinators and head coaches on this staff who are going to be very successful for a long time,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday as the team began preparations for the divisional round Jan. 20-21. “Any opportunity they get I support, and I’m excited for them to have those opportunities.” Harbaugh also alluded to some coaches on his staff as having one, two or three interviews, which would point to Macdonald. The Ravens have a long-standing policy of not commenting specifically on whether another team has requested an interview with a member of their organization, though several staff members have been targeted for interviews by other teams, including offensive coordinator Todd Monken and associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver. The Panthers also announced they have sought permission to interview Ravens vice president of football administration Nick Matteo for their general manager opening, while Baltimore’s director of player personnel, Joe Hortiz, has also been rumored to be a candidate for general manager openings. While no in-person interviews with a coach currently working for another team can be held until after the divisional round of the playoffs, virtual interviews can take place. General manager interviews, meanwhile, can begin immediately. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Joe Flacco’s road success in playoffs with Ravens gives Browns boost as they visit Texans in AFC wild card Baltimore Ravens | Ravens and Lamar Jackson enter playoffs with chance for redemption: ‘It’s about getting what we’re chasing’ Baltimore Ravens | Mural from Towson alum part of Ravens initiative to connect art with football and communities around Maryland Baltimore Ravens | 2024 NFL mock draft (Version 1.0): Projecting the first round after top 18 picks come into focus Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ “Coats and Cuts” community event 2024 | PHOTOS Macdonald, who began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Georgia in 2010, joined Baltimore as a coaching intern in 2014 and has quickly worked his way up the ranks. After two years as a defensive assistant, he was promoted to defensive backs coach in 2017, then linebackers coach the next year. In 2021, he took a job as Michigan’s defensive coordinator under Harbaugh’s younger brother Jim and built one of college football’s best defenses before returning to the Ravens in 2022 to be their defensive coordinator following the departure of Don “Wink” Martindale. When asked late last month if he’d received any calls from interested teams, Macdonald simply shook his head and laughed. “It’s hard to ignore, and it’s an honor to hear about it,” he said then. “It’s such a unique opportunity when it does come up. For guys that know me, I’m a one-track guy. It’s very difficult for me to do two things at once, so you try your best to focus on the things we need to focus on, which is the next game and getting our guys in position to win. To have that opportunity or have your name come up like that, it’s really a reflection of our coaches and our staff together.” The Titans were 54-45 over six seasons under Vrabel, though just 13-21 the past two seasons, missing the playoffs both times. The departure of Vrabel, a former linebacker and assistant coach with the New England Patriots, also comes four years after Tennessee stunned the top-seeded Ravens in the divisional round of the 2019 playoffs, 28-12, after quarterback Lamar Jackson led Baltimore to a 14-2 mark in the regular season and was unanimously chosen as as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. Others the Titans have reportedly requested permission to speak with include Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. View the full article

Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flower did not practice Wednesday, the team’s first of the postseason, as he continues to recover from a calf injury. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) also did not practice but was present in street clothes, and linebackers Del’Shawn Phillips and Malik Harrison, tight end Charlie Kolar, and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh missed practice, too. Several other players — including quarterback Lamar Jackson and inside linebacker Roquan Smith — who rested Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers returned to practice as the Ravens readied for the playoffs. Kyle Hamilton (knee), Kevin Zeitler (quad/knee) and Geno Stone, who left Saturday’s game with a knee injury, all returned to fully participate in practice. As the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Ravens receive the postseason bye through this weekend. They’ll play at home on Jan. 20 or 21 against a team to be determined in the divisional round. Despite a loss to the Steelers in a less-than-meaningful game in Week 18, the Ravens managed to avoid significant injury. They’ll hope to enter the playoffs with a strong bill of health, including from Humphrey and Flowers, who tallied a team-high 858 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season. Practice squad running back Dalvin Cook also made his first appearance on Wednesday after the four-time Pro Bowl selection was signed by the Ravens last week. “Dalvin Cook is a high pedigree player, a highly decorated player, and he’s still got talent and ability,” coach John Harbaugh said. View the full article

By TOM CANAVAN (AP Sports Writer) EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and the New York Giants have parted ways after coach Brian Daboll fired two of his most trusted assistant coaches. The Giants, coming off a disappointing 6-11 season, announced the separation on Wednesday after more than a day of talks on how to work around the final year of Martindale’s contract. He was supposed to earn in the neighborhood of $3 million in 2024. No details of the split were released. A separation agreement could limit which teams the long-time coordinator could join if he was hired elsewhere next season. There were reports that the 60-year-old Martindale had submitted his resignation on Monday after the dismissals of outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins, brothers whom Martindale worked with in Baltimore and were hired by him after he got the Giants job. But Martindale never submitted a resignation, according to general manager Joe Schoen. The rift between Daboll and Martindale emerged publicly in November when FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer reported their relationship had soured and Martindale might leave the team after the season. Both Daboll and Martindale denied the report. Martindale several times said he wanted to return in 2024, but last week the affable veteran acknowledged he still wanted to be an NFL head coach. The departure of Martindale, whose defense shared the NFL lead with Baltimore in turnover differential (plus 12) but struggled against the run, means Daboll has to replace two coordinators and four assistants in the wake of injury-plagued season. Daboll fired special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson on Monday morning and the Wilkins brothers in the afternoon meeting with the defensive coaches. Running backs coach Jeff Nixon has left to become the offensive coordinator at Syracuse. The changes came after the team stumbled horribly after making the playoffs in 2022 for the first time since 2016. New York won a wild-card game and expectations soared after the team reached agreement with quarterback Daniel Jones following a career season, acquired tight end Darren Waller in a trade and got star running back Saquon Barkley to sign a one-year deal after franchising him. Moves in free agency and the draft fueled those expectations. A bad start, injuries, little offense and early struggles on defense led to a 2-8 start to the season and New York never recovered. The only coordinator expected to return is offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, although Daboll might consider taking over the play-calling part of the job. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl View the full article

BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco knows the ins and outs, the perils and pitfalls of the road in the NFL playoffs as well as anyone. He’s sharing his top travel tips with the Browns. As Cleveland’s quarterback and his new-ish teammates prepare for Saturday’s AFC wild-card game in Houston, Flacco’s experience — and success — on the road in the postseason is giving the Browns (11-6) an extra boost of confidence. Flacco has won seven road playoff games, tying him with Tom Brady for the most in league history. There don’t seem to be any secrets to his impressive mark as Flacco said it simply comes down to following the fundamentals. “It just goes back to doing the basics the right way, not overthinking what it means to go on the road, just going and playing a good football game,” Flacco said before Wednesday’s practice. “And when the dust settles, pick your head up and see where you are.” Flacco has been having those types of moments for weeks. After all, he’s been on an extended personal road trip for nearly two months. The 38-year-old was out of football, pondering the next chapter in his life, when the Browns signed him in November after they lost Deshaun Watson for the remainder of the season with a fractured shoulder. All Flacco has done since coming to Cleveland is go 4-1 as a starter, throw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns and give Browns fans temporary amnesia about the franchise’s dreadful history with quarterbacks. A win on Saturday and Super Bowl whispers will grow louder. Joe Flacco and Ravens coach John Harbaugh celebrate after beating the Patriots in the AFC championship on Jan. 20, 2013 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Staff file) The Browns are making just their third postseason appearance since 1999, and there are only a few players on their roster with extensive playoff experience, led by Flacco, the Super Bowl 47 MVP with Baltimore. This will be Flacco’s 17th postseason game — he didn’t play in his final one with the Ravens in 2019 — and 16th playoff start. He’s 10-5 overall with a 7-5 road record, which includes wins at Miami, Tennessee, New England (2), Kansas City, Denver and Pittsburgh. He’s hoping to add Houston to his playoff road resume in his second visit in three weeks. Making just his fourth start for the Browns, Flacco threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns in Cleveland’s 36-22 win over the Texans on Dec. 24. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens and Lamar Jackson enter playoffs with chance for redemption: ‘It’s about getting what we’re chasing’ Baltimore Ravens | Mural from Towson alum part of Ravens initiative to connect art with football and communities around Maryland Baltimore Ravens | 2024 NFL mock draft (Version 1.0): Projecting the first round after top 18 picks come into focus Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ “Coats and Cuts” community event 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, defensive tackle Michael Pierce agree to two-year extension | VIDEO Flacco’s Super Bowl MVP came when he led the Ravens to the title after the 2012 season. That run included road wins in Denver against Peyton Manning and the following week in New England over Brady. He’s pleased to share the road mark with Brady, who went 7-4 on the road in the playoffs, but made it clear that every win is special — regardless of location. “Any time you get to be in the playoffs and win football games, there’s some part of you that takes pride in that no matter where it is,” he said. ”This is what we go to work for every day — to be in this position and to play these types of games. “We earned the right to be playing this Saturday and you should gain something from that. But once you lace him up and once you’re actually out on the field, none of that matters.” On Monday night, Flacco was one of a handful of playoff-tested Browns players who spoke at a team meeting about what lies ahead. “Everybody puts so much thought into what it takes to win these games and it’s doing the simple things the best you can and just playing good fundamental football,” Flacco said. “This is the time of the year where that stuff shows up. “Obviously there’s going to be plays made and guys are going to make a name for themselves, something’s going to happen over the next five weeks that we’re going to remember forever. But it’s just about playing fundamental, physical football and playing a full 60 minutes. And no matter what’s going on at the moment being able to keep the blinders on and keep moving forward.” AFC wild-card round Browns at Texans Saturday, 4:30 p.m. TV: NBC View the full article

Lamar Jackson already has a spot picked out in his house for a Super Bowl trophy. “Absolutely,” the Ravens quarterback told The Baltimore Sun, his eyebrows furrowing and a wry smile stretching across his face. “I got that planned out.” He’s not ready to reveal the plan yet. He does not want his thoughts to get too far into the future because it’s a futile exercise. After all, he’s been here before. Four years ago, Baltimore finished the regular season 14-2, was the top seed in the AFC and had home-field advantage through the conference championship game. Jackson was the unanimous choice to be named NFL Most Valuable Player that season, with the award announced the day before the Super Bowl. But the Ravens never got that far in the postseason, getting stunned at home by the Tennessee Titans, 28-12, in a divisional-round game in which Jackson was intercepted twice and fumbled once. Afterward, he said Baltimore beat itself and that he made a lot of mistakes but noted that it was just his second year in the league. Translation: He’d learn from his errors, and there would be other opportunities. After another playoff exit in the 2020 season and two injury-marred years that followed, the Ravens are finally on the precipice of the promise that Jackson made the night Baltimore drafted him in 2018. At 13-4 after the regular season, they are the No. 1 seed in the AFC, have home-field advantage and Jackson is the presumptive MVP. But this time is different. Jackson’s game and attention to detail, in the words of teammates, have “matured,” he has a dynamic offensive system at his fingertips and there is significantly more talent surrounding him than he had the last time Baltimore was in this position. “I don’t really get bothered by much [in my career] and I wouldn’t say I’ve had a lowest point, but I’ve had disappointments,” Jackson told The Sun. “Not finishing the season how we wanted, getting that first-round bye [in 2019] then losing before the AFC championship, that’s disappointing. We have a special team and hopefully we make it happen this year.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mural from Towson alum part of Ravens initiative to connect art with football and communities around Maryland Baltimore Ravens | 2024 NFL mock draft (Version 1.0): Projecting the first round after top 18 picks come into focus Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ “Coats and Cuts” community event 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, defensive tackle Michael Pierce agree to two-year extension | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Isaiah Likely on touchdown catch | VIDEO First, there is the offensive scheme under new coordinator Todd Monken, who helped lead Georgia to national championships each of the previous two seasons. In addition to more spread formations and an up-tempo pace, the Ravens have emphasized getting the ball out of Jackson’s hands quicker and into those of the playmakers around him. Monken has also empowered the quarterback in play-calling, both in planning and at the line of scrimmage. That has allowed Jackson to excel within the framework of what he sees on the field as it is taking place and adjust accordingly. The result has been career highs in passing yards (3,678) and completion percentage (.672), along with 24 touchdown passes and dominant victories over the playoff-bound San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, among others. “I think we all grow, we evolve [and] circumstances change,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We find ourself in a different place, and I’ve always admired Lamar for every part of what he’s doing. He’s always done his best and he’s doing his best right now. “I would say this: He’s an A-plus leader right now. He’s been glue for the guys, and it’s been great to see.” Of course, it helps to have players who can catch the ball in the first place. After Ravens wide receivers were last in the NFL in yards per game three of the previous four years and last in total yards in 2022, general manager Eric DeCosta made upgrading the position a priority in the offseason. With the addition of playmakers such as rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers, right, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore used its first-round draft pick on Zay Flowers and signed free agents Odell Beckham Jr., a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and veteran Nelson Agholor, both of whom have also won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. The additions, along with incumbent receiver Rashod Bateman, a 2021 first-round pick, have given Jackson easily the best pass-catching corps he’s ever had. Flowers has been one of the best rookie receivers in the league and leads the team in yards and receptions. Beckham has flashed the big play and one-handed capabilities that made him famous earlier in his career with the New York Giants. Agholor has made several clutch grabs, and like Beckham has imparted his knowledge to the younger receivers. It’s worked both ways with Jackson, too. “The only way for someone to feel comfortable [with a quarterback] fully is to see it come through in a game,” Beckham told The Sun. “I’ve started to understand what he’s thinking, when he’s thinking so I know where he wants me to be and how he wants me to be.” Added Agholor: “There’s a brotherhood here that is second to none thus far. It’s really fun in terms of the guys we’ve assembled. We respect each other, feed off each other.” Still, there has been criticism. About Jackson’s accuracy at times, particularly on deep passes. About his fumbling, something he did seven times in the first five games this season. About his decision-making. And, perhaps most notably, about a 1-3 career playoff record that includes five interceptions and five fumbles. Fans reach out for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson before a game against the Dolphins on Dec. 31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) At times, the 27-year-old quarterback has hit back on social media. After the Ravens blew a 27-20 lead with just over two minutes remaining in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars late last season, he took profane umbrage with one Twitter comment about his then-ongoing contract dispute. Jackson says his competitiveness sometimes spills over into his emotions, but he maintains that the criticism doesn’t bother him. “My rookie year was my first time being in the playoffs and people already had us doubted,” he told The Sun. “My second season, the Titans just had our number. We had a lot of drops, unfortunate things like that happened when we didn’t need them to. Third year, we won a game and lost in Buffalo. The past two years, I was hurt. “Hopefully this year it’ll be something different.” It is much different. Including Jackson, only nine players from that 2019 team are still on the Ravens’ active roster. But he is reluctant to say one is better than the other. “Different guys bring different things to the table,” Jackson told The Sun. “These guys bring something different [than them]. Hopefully we go further than those other years.” Jackson says he’s different, too. “I always say maturity,” he told The Sun. “As I get older, the more things I learn.” He’s also enjoying how he has evolved, and his message since training camp has been singular: win a Super Bowl in Baltimore. “It’s been fun,” Jackson told The Sun. “But we gotta stay locked in. It’s not about having fun. It’s about getting what we’re chasing.” View the full article

Nearly 65 years ago, the Baltimore Colts selected an offensive lineman by the name of Ernie Barnes out of all-Black North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central) during the 1960 NFL draft. He didn’t make it past the final cuts of training camp and his unremarkable career lasted only five years and spanned five teams, including the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, where his playing days came to an unceremonious end with a fractured right foot suffered in an exhibition game. Barnes’ second career, however, turned out to be far more enduring. His painting “Sugar Shack” appeared on the cover of Marvin Gaye’s 1976 album “I Want You” and was featured throughout the television sitcom “Good Times.” Among his other achievements, he also served as the official artist of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. An artist since childhood in segregated Durham, North Carolina, Barnes referred to himself in an interview with The New York Times as “Buster Brown, big, fat, shy, and I loved to draw,” who at a young age turned to the solitary endeavor as refuge from being bullied. His professional works often depicted the life he saw all around him, a vibrant flow of bodies in leisurely pursuits in churches and pool halls and athletic fields. Long after his death in 2009, it would also serve as inspiration for artist and Towson University graduate Jordan Lawson. “When I looked up who he was, I saw that he was a football player and it blew my mind because I didn’t even put two and two together that you could be a football player and a painter,” Lawson told The Baltimore Sun. “I thought that was so cool because it shows the talents that we have as humans. “I enjoy his style in terms of portraying shapes and forms in an elongated way thats’ very expressive, and I try to use that in my work as well.” Lawson’s work can be seen all around Baltimore — on the basketball courts at Patterson Park, on a half-dozen murals in Mondawmin Mall, at the Henderson Hopkins school — and now as part of the Ravens’ “Paint the State Purple” program, with the first of what the team hopes to be several murals around the state unveiled in November. The goal of the initiative is to connect the organization with the communities that support them. “A lot of NFL teams have done mural projects around their city and inside their stadium, and in April we started thinking how it could make sense for us,” Ravens senior director of brand strategy and advertising Josh Lukin told The Sun. “We have a really strong artistic community in Baltimore. How could we connect the dots? Art and football don’t always go together.” The first step was finding a location. They started with areas closest to Baltimore and selected Towson, where the mural appears on the northern wall of the Dulaney Plaza shopping center on the corner of Dulaney Valley Road and Fairmount Avenue, across from the Towson Town Center. Then there was the task of selecting an artist. The team’s brand design manager, Nick Prevas, used to work for the American Visionary Art Museum and was familiar with Lawson’s work. “It’s got a vibrancy to it,” Lukin said. “It’s a unique style. It’s playful, and it encourages fans to take pictures in front of it.” It didn’t hurt that Lawson, 30, grew up in Woodlawn and has been a diehard Ravens fan since childhood. “It was one of those things that I guess was bred in me,” Lawson said. “Growing up, my favorite player was Ray Lewis, and that’s portrayed in the mural as well as the Ravens fan has the number 52 jersey on, which is my personal favorite.” The main focus of the mural shows a fan descending into the city with balloons that spell out the team’s name. The balloons are meant to give a sense of nostalgia and the carefree tendencies of children, Lawson said. It also depicts other prominent landmarks in the city, including the courthouse, Fresh Market, The Rec Room and Johnny Unitas Stadium. “I thought that was the perfect icing on the cake because John Unitas was a Baltimore Colt as well,” Lawson said of the Hall of Fame quarterback. “And he resided in Towson, too.” As for the process of actually creating the art, it’s a laborious one that took 18 days to complete. It started with Lawson coming up with a concept, sketching it out by hand then drawing it into an Adobe software program to digitize it. From there, he presents the imagery to the client and gathers supplies. For this mural, Lawson began by painting the entire background baby blue, then projecting his image at night onto the wall, where he painted in the buildings and clouds. But the balloon letters that spell out Ravens, as well as other smaller elements, had to be painted freehand. He also applied two coats of paint so the mural would stand up to the weather and used an anti-graffiti coating that prevents it from being marked up and protects it from the sun’s ultraviolet light. “It gives us a chance to do something new in areas we might not always visit,” Lukin said. “We do caravans for purple Fridays but can’t get everywhere. This gives us a flag in the sand in these areas.” Already, there are plans in the works for another mural to be painted, potentially in Howard County, next spring. And officials from Salisbury have reached out expressing their interest in one being painted there as well. Meanwhile, the Ravens will begin the first of their $430 million in renovations to M&T Bank Stadium in 2024, a process that will take place incrementally over the next three years. One possibility among them is adding the artists’ work from the murals. “I could definitely see a world where we’re starting to build relationships with artists across state,” Lukin said. “It would be great to bring their artwork to the stadium at some point.” It’s a prospect that Lawson said would be a dream. “I would definitely love to be a part of it,” he said. “I’m definitely going to put my proposal in to see if there’s any space for more art because I think that always makes the spaces more vibrant and more inviting.” View the full article

It’s finally that time of year. No, not the NFL playoffs. Mock draft season. After the end of the regular season Sunday, the top 18 picks are set for when the first round begins April 25 in Detroit. There’s plenty of intrigue at the top, with the Chicago Bears receiving the No. 1 overall pick courtesy of last year’s blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers. What the Bears decide to do will have a trickle-down effect on the rest of the draft, with quarterback-needy teams in the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots waiting right behind them. With the help of Tankathon, which projected the final draft order based on expected playoff results, here are The Baltimore Sun’s projections for the first round: 1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State With coach Matt Eberflus expected to return, doesn’t it make sense for the Bears to bring back quarterback Justin Fields and continue to build around him? He showed enough flashes in his third season to believe the addition of a standout wide receiver such as the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Harrison could take this offense to the next level. There’s also the locker room dynamic to consider, with many players advocating for Fields’ return. Chicago has a tough decision on its hands, but neither Caleb Williams nor Drake Maye showed in their final college seasons that they’re locks to be better than Fields. 2. Washington Commanders: Caleb Williams, QB, Southern California Washington, on the other hand, should not think twice about drafting a quarterback. Sam Howell’s poor play down the stretch — he finished with a league-leading 21 interceptions and was sacked 65 times — helped push the Commanders up the draft board to pick his successor. The 6-1, 215-pound Williams, a former high school star in the Washington area at Gonzaga, brings both the talent and star power this franchise has lacked for a long time. 3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina There seems to be no debate about what the Patriots should do with this pick after Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe produced some of the worst quarterback play in the league. The question is whether Bill Belichick will be around to coach the new face of the franchise. The 6-4, 230-pound Maye can be too aggressive sometimes, but he has the size, athleticism and arm strength to become a great player. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ “Coats and Cuts” community event 2024 | PHOTOS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, defensive tackle Michael Pierce agree to two-year extension | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Isaiah Likely on touchdown catch | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Trenton Simpson on getting his first-career sack | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Jadeveon Clowney earns contract incentive with sack | VIDEO 4. Arizona Cardinals: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU If the Cardinals miss out on Harrison, Nabers is a fine consolation prize. The 6-foot, 200-pound receiver is explosive and would give quarterback Kyler Murray the consistent big-play threat Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore have often failed to deliver in recent seasons. 5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame The Chargers will have a new coach and general manager when they make this pick, so it’s anyone’s guess what the incoming regime will prefer. But for a team that has holes all over its roster, Alt would be a smart selection. The 6-8, 322-pound left tackle is a cornerstone type of player who could protect quarterback Justin Herbert for a long time. 6. New York Giants: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State Just how committed are the Giants to quarterback Daniel Jones? General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll have said all the right things, but actions speak louder than words. New York might come to regret passing on a quarterback here, but it doesn’t matter who’s throwing the ball if the offensive line doesn’t improve. The 6-6, 317-pound Fashanu oozes potential as one of the youngest prospects in this draft class. Putting him at right tackle would kick underperforming 2022 first-round pick Evan Neal to guard, perhaps solving two problems at once. 7. Tennessee Titans: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia With quarterback Will Levis taking over for Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry likely on his way out, the Titans need playmakers to reshape their offense. The 6-4, 240-pound Bowers has been one of the nation’s best pass catchers, regardless of position, since he first stepped on the field as a freshman at Georgia. Heisman Trophy finalists, from left, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. could all be first-round draft picks. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez) 8. Atlanta Falcons: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU With the firing of coach Arthur Smith, the Falcons will have a new identity on offense next season. That likely means the end of Desmond Ridder’s rocky audition at quarterback. The 6-4, 210-pound Daniels would be able to grow alongside talented young playmakers such as wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts. 9. Chicago Bears: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama Here’s the other benefit to the Bears passing on quarterback at No. 1: They can add talent on both offense and defense with their top two picks. The 6-4, 245-pound Turner is an incredible athlete who can take some attention away from star edge rusher Montez Sweat and strengthen an ascending defense. 10. New York Jets: JC Latham, OT, Alabama The Jets are all-in on quarterback Aaron Rodgers next season, and that means protecting him to avoid another catastrophic injury. The 6-6, 335-pound Latham, a two-year starter at right tackle for the Crimson Tide, has the size and strength to step in immediately on either side of the line. 11. Minnesota Vikings: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State With Danielle Hunter headed for free agency and few capable replacements behind him on the roster, improving the pass rush should be one of the Vikings’ top priorities (assuming quarterback Kirk Cousins returns). The 6-4, 248-pound Verse has been one of the nation’s best edge defenders over the past two seasons after transferring from Albany to Florida State. 12. Denver Broncos: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson Quarterback is certainly in play for the Broncos after they benched Russell Wilson, but is coach Sean Payton going to want to build his offense around a rookie? Pairing the 6-2, 185-pound Wiggins with star cornerback Patrick Surtain II would help shore up one of the league’s worst defenses. 13. Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington There are plenty of reasons to be concerned about the 6-3, 216-pound Penix, who suffered two season-ending knee injuries in college and throws with an unusual left-handed sidearm delivery. But there’s no arguing with the results, as he led Washington to the national championship game in his sixth season with an FBS-leading 4,648 passing yards. The Raiders need to take a big swing at quarterback to keep up with Patrick Mahomes and Herbert in the AFC West. 14. New Orleans Saints: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia The Saints’ offensive line was a disaster this season, entering Week 18 ranked 25th in the league according to Pro Football Focus. To make matters worse, star right tackle Ryan Ramczyk might not return because of a cartilage defect in his knee. The 6-7, 330-pound Mims is raw and doesn’t have a lot of experience, but he has the physical tools to become a dominant player. Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze catches a touchdown pass against Stanford cornerback Collin Wright on Oct. 28. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) 15. Indianapolis Colts: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington If the Colts bring back pending free agent Michael Pittman Jr., they have a bright outlook at wide receiver. But if he leaves, the position becomes a glaring need. The 6-3, 215-pound Odunze has top-end speed and can make contested catches, giving young quarterback Anthony Richardson a big-play threat alongside standout rookie Josh Downs. 16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington With guards Damien Lewis and Phil Haynes entering free agency and right tackle Abe Lucas struggling to stay healthy, the Seahawks’ offensive line is in dire need of reinforcements. The 6-4, 317-pound Fautanu played two seasons at left tackle for Washington but could be a standout guard at the next level. 17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State Quarterback Trevor Lawrence deserves plenty of blame for the Jaguars’ late-season collapse, but he could use more help from his receivers. Christian Kirk is set to return from injury, but Calvin Ridley is entering free agency, potentially opening a hole on the outside. The 6-4, 215-pound Coleman has the size, strength and contested-catch ability this offense has lacked from its smaller receivers. 18. Cincinnati Bengals: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois If the Bengals don’t feel comfortable re-signing Tee Higgins to a big contract or bringing him back on the franchise tag, wide receiver vaults to the top of the offseason priority list. Defensive line is a big need as well, especially if D.J. Reader signs elsewhere. The 6-2, 295-pound Newton is the rare interior lineman worthy of a top pick because of his pass-rushing potential. 19. Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa The Packers’ secondary needs help just about everywhere. Enter the 6-1, 209-pound DeJean, who has experience at outside cornerback but could also thrive as a deep safety or slot defender. His versatility, athleticism and instincts — not to mention his game-breaking skills as a punt returner — should make him a highly sought-after prospect. 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon A reunion with quarterback Baker Mayfield seems likely after he led the Bucs to the NFC South title, but that doesn’t mean the team shouldn’t plan ahead. The 6-2, 213-pound Nix, 23, is only five years younger than Mayfield, but his eye-popping numbers, athleticism, arm strength and intangibles make him a worthy first-round pick who could take over as the starter sooner than later. 21. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans): Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama The Cardinals have had a revolving door at cornerback in recent seasons and have yet to find a reliable starter. The 6-1, 195-pound McKinstry has the talent and experience to help solidify coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense. UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu, left, pressures Arizona State quarterback Trenton Bourguet on Nov. 11 in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) 22. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA Latu’s production alone makes him worthy of being a top-10 selection, but he’s not an exceptional athlete and has medical concerns after suffering a neck injury that ended his career at Washington before making a return at UCLA. Still, the 6-4, 265-pound Latu has been the most productive pass rusher in the country over the past two seasons, and the Rams would likely pounce on that potential. 23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State The Steelers have a solid building block in rookie right tackle Broderick Jones, but left tackle Dan Moore Jr. does not look like a long-term solution. The 6-6, 325-pound Fuaga is an exceptional run blocker who can help set the tone for a Pittsburgh offense that started to find its identity late in the season. 24. Miami Dolphins: Graham Barton, G/C, Duke With left tackle Terron Armstead struggling to stay healthy and right guard Robert Hunt entering free agency, there are some question marks on the Dolphins’ offensive line. The 6-5, 314-pound Barton started two seasons at left tackle but projects as a standout guard or center at the next level. 25. Philadelphia Eagles: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama The Eagles’ track record under general manager Howie Roseman is clear: premium positions only in the first round. The 6-foot, 196-pound Arnold has standout athletic traits and good instincts, recording five interceptions this season. With Darius Slay and James Bradberry perhaps on their way out, Philadelphia might need immediate help at corner. 26. Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU It’s clear that the Chiefs can’t enter 2024 with the same group of receivers after they dropped more passes than any other team in the NFL. The 6-4, 205-pound Thomas emerged as one of the nation’s best deep threats this season, averaging 17.3 yards per reception and leading the country with 17 touchdown catches. 27. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo DeMeco Ryans’ defense made tremendous strides in his first season as coach, but it’s nowhere near a finished product, especially in the secondary. The 6-foot, 196-pound Mitchell forced more incompletions (36) over the past two seasons than any other cornerback in the country, according to PFF. 28. Detroit Lions: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington With brothers Romeo and Julian Okwara and veteran Charles Harris headed for free agency, the Lions need another pass rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. The 6-4, 267-pound Trice would be a perfect fit for coach Dan Campbell with a relentless and aggressive play style that led to 76 quarterback pressures this season, according to PFF. Miami defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III sheds a block against Temple on Sept. 23 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) 29. Buffalo Bills: Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami The Bills could lose a lot of talent on the defensive line in free agency, including tackle DaQuan Jones and edge defenders Leonard Floyd and A.J. Epenesa. The 6-3, 305-pound Taylor is a former five-star prospect who’s still a bit raw but flashes rare explosiveness for his size. 30. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma With 33-year-old left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz entering free agency and right tackle Terence Steele struggling this season, the Cowboys have some question marks on the offensive line. The 6-7, 327-pound Guyton needs some refinement, but he moves incredibly well for his size and has the tools to become a longtime starter. 31. San Francisco 49ers: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU The 49ers don’t have many holes to fill on one of the league’s best rosters, but they could stand to upgrade along the offensive line. The 6-6, 315-pound Suamataia is only 21 years old and needs time to develop, but he would be a scheme fit in San Francisco and could be an early standout with his physical tools. 32. Ravens: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas The Ravens have their long-coveted playmaker in rookie receiver Zay Flowers, but the depth behind him is uncertain. Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor are pending free agents, and 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman has been inconsistent. The 6-4, 196-pound Mitchell, nicknamed “AD,” played for Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken at Georgia before transferring to Texas and could be a dangerous red zone threat for quarterback Lamar Jackson. 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Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet helps Cindy Davis of Pigtown who tries on a winter coat during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet gives an autographed jersey to Tori Golbourne, manager at Hair Cuttery as friends capture the exchange during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Christopher Jones, of Southwest Baltimore, getting his hair styled Monday at Paul’s Place by Keisha Ames, left, and Takaisha Hamiltton, is visited by Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Maulet to provide haircuts and winter gear.(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff photo) Jackie White of Pigtown smiles as Ricky Bowser, known as Rick The Barber, trims his beard during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet watches Chiffon Scruggs of Pigtown try on a coat during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Chiffon Scruggs of Pigtown is helped by Bravvion Roy, who\’s on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) One of many visitors attending for meals, haircuts and winter weather clothing, Monique Rogers of West Baltimore looks through the glass toward hundreds of coats available at no cost during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Madge Ensey of West Baltimore gets a sweatshirt from Sarah Harrison with Morgan Stanley during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Esther Vasquez hands out salads to those wanting a hot meal during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Attendees enjoy lunch in the dining room during “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event developed by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet and held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet developed “Coats & Cuts,” an annual community charity event held at Paul’s Place. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) View the full article

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And so it begins for the Ravens and their assistant coaches. On Monday, the Washington Commanders fired coach Ron Rivera after four seasons in which he failed to produce a winning record. He was already on the clock when the team was sold in July, and it ran out a day after the Commanders were blown out, 38-10, by the Dallas Cowboys in their regular-season finale on Sunday. Among potential candidates to replace him: Baltimore associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, whom Washington has requested to interview, according to multiple reports. After the Ravens finished 13-4 and as the AFC’s top seed as well as becoming the first team in NFL history to lead the league in sacks (60), takeaways (31) and points allowed per game (16.5) this season, several Baltimore assistants are expected to draw interest from other teams. While no in-person interviews with a coach currently working for another team can be held until after the divisional round of the playoffs, Weaver can have a virtual interview with the Commanders. Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, as well as Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris are among other candidates Washington is reportedly interested in. The Commanders are also looking for a new head of football operations. Weaver, 43, is a former defensive end who was a second-round pick by the Ravens in 2002. He played four seasons in Baltimore, totaling 144 tackles, 14 1/2 sacks, 14 pass breakups, an interception, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 57 games, 54 of them starts. He then signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent in 2006, starting in 44 games over three seasons before turning to coaching, first as a graduate assistant at Florida in 2010 and then as linebackers coach at North Texas the following year. In 2012, Weaver joined the New York Jets as linebackers coach before being hired by the Buffalo Bills as defensive line coach in 2013. He held the same position with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 and 2015, then the Texans from 2016 to 2019 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2020. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | NFL playoffs primer: What to know as Ravens begin quest for Super Bowl title Baltimore Ravens | Ranking the Ravens’ potential AFC divisional round opponents, from weakest to strongest Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Road games vs. Chiefs, Cowboys, home games vs. Bills, Eagles highlight slate Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game But Weaver left the Texans two years ago to rejoin Baltimore, this time as run game coordinator/defensive line coach under coach John Harbaugh. Last year, he was promoted to associate head coach. With the Ravens’ success this season, it’s possible other assistants and front-office members could be sought after by other teams. Joe Hortiz, the team’s director of player personnel, has been rumored to be a candidate for general manager openings, while defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Todd Monken could also be pursued to be head coaches. This story might be updated. View the full article

The NFL playoffs are here, and with them begin the Ravens’ quest for their third Super Bowl title. Led by star quarterback Lamar Jackson and the league’s best defense, Baltimore finished the regular season 13-4 and secured the top seed in the AFC for the second time in five seasons. That means not only a first-round bye, but also home-field advantage through the conference championship game. If the Ravens do indeed make it that far, M&T Bank Stadium would host for the first time. Before the wild-card round begins this weekend, here’s everything you need to know about the postseason: Who’s in the playoffs, and when are the games? After the Bills’ victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night, which clinched a fourth straight AFC East title for Buffalo, the wild-card matchups are officially set. AFC No. 1 seed Ravens (13-4, first-round bye) No. 7 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (11-6): Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS No. 6 Miami Dolphins (11-6) at No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs (11-6): Saturday, 8:15 p.m., Peacock No. 5 Cleveland Browns (11-6) at No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7): Saturday, 4:30 p.m., NBC NFC No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers (12-5, first-round bye) No. 7 Green Bay Packers (9-8) at No. 2 Dallas Cowboys (12-5): Sunday, 4:30 p.m., Fox No. 6 Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at No. 3 Detroit Lions (12-5): Sunday, 8:15 p.m., NBC No. 5 Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) at No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8): Monday, 8 p.m., ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 When do the Ravens play? With a dominant regular season, including wins over six teams that reached the playoffs, the Ravens secured a bye through the wild-card round and will host the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round on either Saturday, Jan. 20, or Sunday, Jan. 21. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ranking the Ravens’ potential AFC divisional round opponents, from weakest to strongest Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Road games vs. Chiefs, Cowboys, home games vs. Bills, Eagles highlight slate Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens’ loss is John Harbaugh’s gain in preparation for playoff run | COMMENTARY The last time the Ravens had a first-round bye, they lost, 28-12, to the visiting No. 6 seed Tennessee Titans after a painfully slow start. Coach John Harbaugh said the team will treat the bye like a normal game week and hold practices Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as well as a planned stadium practice over the weekend. Who will the Ravens play? Depending on the results of wild-card weekend, the Ravens could host the No. 4 seed Texans, the No. 7 seed Steelers, or any team in between. It will not be a unique matchup. The Ravens have already played Houston, Cleveland, Miami and Pittsburgh this season, and have a combined 3-3 record against those teams. While Baltimore dominated the Texans (25-9 in Week 1) and Dolphins (56-19 in Week 17) at home, it has not fared as well against its AFC North rivals, splitting with the Browns (28-3 road win in Week 4; 33-31 home loss in Week 10) and losing twice to the Steelers (17-10 road loss in Week 5; 17-10 home loss in Week 18) — though the Ravens sat quarterback Lamar Jackson and several key players in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh having already clinched the AFC’s top seed. There’s another big storyline worth following. Quarterback Joe Flacco, who played 11 seasons with the Ravens and was named Super Bowl MVP in the victory over the 49ers in February 2013, could return to Baltimore with the rival Browns. The soon-to-be 39-year-old veteran was signed to the practice squad late in the season and helped lead Cleveland to just its second playoff appearance since 2002, going 4-1 as the starter while passing for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns. When are the conference championship games and the Super Bowl? Both the AFC and NFC conference championship games take place Sunday, Jan. 28. They will be hosted by the higher-seeded team. Super Bowl LVIII kicks off at 6:25 p.m. Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. The game will be televised on CBS, with Jim Nantz calling play-by-play and Tony Romo providing the analysis. Grammy-winning artist Usher will headline the halftime show. Who are the favorites to win the Super Bowl? Only the 49ers, whom the Ravens beat, 33-19, on Christmas night, have better odds to win the championship than Baltimore. Led by quarterback Brock Purdy, coach Kyle Shanahan, a host of star playmakers and one of the league’s best defenses, San Francisco is the favorite at +225, according to Vegas Insider. The Ravens are second at +320, followed by the Bills (+650), Cowboys (+750), Chiefs (+900), Eagles (+1,600) and Dolphins (+2,000). The Steelers (+12,500), with Mason Rudolph starting at quarterback and star pass rusher T.J. Watt dealing with a knee injury, are by far the biggest long shot. According to ESPN’s Football Power Index projections, the 49ers have a 59.6% chance to make the Super Bowl, followed by the Ravens (55.4%), Bills (26.8%), Cowboys (25.1%), Chiefs (8.2%) and Lions (5.1%). View the full article

The Ravens earned themselves an extra week to rest, heal and prepare for their playoff opener at M&T Bank Stadium. They’ll have to wait another week to learn the identity of their divisional round opponent. That won’t stop us from speculating and debating which matchup — the unkillable Steelers, Joe Flacco’s Browns, the Dolphins with their explosive upside? — would be least welcome. Now that we know the AFC field, Baltimore Sun reporters Brian Wacker and Childs Walker rank the teams, least scary to most, that the top-seeded Ravens could host in their playoff opener Jan. 20 or 21. Brian Wacker 4. Houston Texans (10-7) Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has improved exponentially since these teams met in Week 1, and first-year coach DeMeco Ryans is a candidate for Coach of the Year after taking a team that went 3-13-1 last year and turning it into the AFC South champions. As inspiring as the turnaround has been, though, Houston’s offense can’t compete with the Ravens’ defense. And while the Texans’ defense is stout against the run, it’s also one of the worst in the league against the pass. Houston got to where it is in part because of its schedule, which ranked in the bottom third of the league in terms of difficulty. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) The Steelers have won seven of their past eight against Baltimore, including both meetings this season, and beating a division rival three times in the same season actually happens more often than not. But Baltimore’s Week 5 debacle in Pittsburgh feels so long ago that it might as well have been in a different season, and forget about Saturday’s loss at M&T Bank Stadium, in which the Ravens sat several starters. Pittsburgh can run the ball against Baltimore, sure, but the Ravens’ defense has been a lot better this season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | NFL playoffs primer: What to know as Ravens begin quest for Super Bowl title Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 schedule: Road games vs. Chiefs, Cowboys, home games vs. Bills, Eagles highlight slate Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens’ loss is John Harbaugh’s gain in preparation for playoff run | COMMENTARY 2. Miami Dolphins (11-6) Miami has too much talent to get annihilated the way it did the last time it came to Baltimore. They’d also likely have running back Raheem Mostert and receiver Jaylen Waddle back. There’s no denying the Dolphins have struggled on the road against good teams, but they have a ton of explosive playmakers and that makes them a dangerous opponent. 1. Cleveland Browns (11-6) Imagine quarterback Joe Flacco striding back into M&T Bank Stadium with a chance to end the season of his former team and the quarterback who supplanted him. It’s Hollywood stuff, but could easily become reality. If it does, all the pressure will be on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens with the Browns having nothing to lose. Aside from that, Cleveland brings the best defense the Ravens would face and a tough, physical running game that can wear them down and set Flacco up to be the hero. Childs Walker 4. Houston Texans It doesn’t matter that the Ravens handled the Texans, 25-9, in the season opener. Stroud was a rookie playing in his first game. Now, he’s perhaps a top-10 quarterback who guided his team through a must-win playoff clincher on hostile turf against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans shut down the run (though they gave up 227 rushing yards to the Colts) but have struggled against the better quarterbacks they’ve faced despite a productive pass rush. Their offense is not built to challenge the Ravens on the ground. The bottom line is that the Texans were scraping by mediocre opponents while the Ravens were smashing some of the league’s best teams. Houston is on the rise but not ready to upset the AFC’s No. 1 seed on the road. Ravens running back Gus Edwards reaches out to stiff-arm Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace as defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk chases during the second quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) 3. Pittsburgh Steelers We can’t ignore the Steelers’ 7-1 record against the Ravens over the past four seasons. We can’t deny their mystical gift for keeping these rivalry games close and strange. But these teams have not been of comparable quality, no matter what the head-to-head record says. The Steelers have been outscored and outgained on the season. Yes, they have unlocked something on offense since they dumped coordinator Matt Canada and installed Mason Rudolph at quarterback. But they struggled to put away the JV Ravens in the regular-season finale, and it’s possible they will be without their best player, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who injured his knee in that victory. Whatever dark magic exists in those “Terrible Towels,” the Ravens would be favored by at least a touchdown if the Steelers make a return trip to Baltimore. 2. Miami Dolphins It would be easy to look at that 56-19 score from New Year’s Eve and write the Dolphins off as no threat to the Ravens, but there’s too much talent on Miami’s roster for a return engagement to be quite so simple. The Dolphins would likely have Waddle and Mostert for the rematch, and the Ravens could not count on Tyreek Hill to bobble away another touchdown catch. There are real reasons to doubt the Dolphins given their poor road record against quality opponents and the void left by injured pass rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. The Ravens would go in enormously confident but not overconfident given their divisional round stumbles in 2019 and 2020. 1. Cleveland Browns This is the matchup that has kept Ravens fans up at night since Flacco emerged as the Saint of Lake Erie. The narrative winds will whip if Flacco returns to Baltimore with a chance to end his former team’s dream season. He has played well, no question, but his lack of mobility and high interception rate would not serve him well against a Ravens defense that leads the league in sacks and takeaways. Of greater concern is Cleveland’s defense, which has held up as one of the league’s best despite a slew of injuries. The Browns picked off Jackson twice and sacked him three times in their Nov. 12 win in Baltimore. The Browns out-rushed the Ravens 178 yards to 106 that day. Cleveland’s upside can’t match what we saw from the Ravens in their wins over the 49ers and Dolphins, but there’s no reason to think Flacco, Myles Garrett and company would be dispatched with ease. View the full article

The NFL playoff field is set, and so are the matchups for the 2024 regular season. For the Ravens, who finished 13-4 to clinch the AFC’s top seed, the first-round bye and home-field advantage through the conference championship game, that means playing a first-place schedule for the first time since 2020. In addition to their six games against the AFC North — three at home and three away against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals — the Ravens will face the AFC West, NFC East and the champions of the AFC East, AFC South and NFC South. Under the NFL’s scheduling rotation, the Ravens will host the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. They’ll play road games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After the Ravens played seven teams who reached the playoffs this season and won a division in which every team finished above .500, 2024 is shaping up to be just as challenging. The Buccaneers claimed their third straight NFC South title behind resurgent quarterback Baker Mayfield and a veteran roster, the Texans won their first AFC South title since 2019 behind stellar rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and standout first-year coach DeMeco Ryans, and the Bills won their fourth straight AFC East title behind Most Valuable Player-level play from quarterback Josh Allen and a five-game winning streak to end the season. The Chiefs (AFC West) and Cowboys (NFC East) won their divisions, while the Eagles, Steelers and Browns also reached the postseason. Seven of the league’s best quarterbacks and likely challengers to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson to be named 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player are on the schedule in Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, Buffalo’s Allen, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Dallas’ Dak Prescott, Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert and Houston’s Stroud. The Ravens could also see three first-year coaches, with the Commanders, Raiders and Chargers all expected to make new hires. Jim Harbaugh, who led Michigan to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game, is rumored to be a candidate for the Chargers and Raiders and could face his older brother John and the Ravens for the first time since 2015 as the coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in regular-season finale Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens’ loss is John Harbaugh’s gain in preparation for playoff run | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Jadeveon Clowney earns contract incentive with sack vs. Steelers: ‘Might’ve been a record for longest celebration’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Steelers in regular-season finale | COMMENTARY Next season will also mark Washington’s first trip to Baltimore since the 2016 season, and the Commanders are expected to look much different under the direction of new owner Josh Harris. Washington will not only have a new coach, replacing Ron Rivera, but likely a new quarterback after securing the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft. Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and director of player personnel Joe Hortiz are among the names Harris could consider to be his coach and general manager. The Broncos and Raiders could also have new quarterbacks when they visit M&T Bank Stadium. Denver is expected to part ways with Russell Wilson this offseason after benching him for the final two games of the regular season for Jarrett Stidham, while Jimmy Garoppolo is unlikely to be the starter next season in Las Vegas. Mayfield is also a pending free agent, while Daniel Jones is expected to return as the Giants’ starter after tearing his ACL in September. But New York and Tampa Bay could consider replacements in the draft. Ravens 2024 opponents Home: Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Raiders, Broncos, Commanders, Eagles, Bills Away: Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Chiefs, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants, Texans, Buccaneers View the full article

The Ravens mounted a proud defensive effort in the driving rain but fell to the Steelers, 17-10, with many of their key stars resting for the playoffs. Now, it’s on to the work that will define them. Here are five things we learned from the regular-season finale. The Ravens rightly chose the long view over pursuit of victory The NFL’s best team was in M&T Bank Stadium but not on the field Saturday as the Ravens waved goodbye to a magnificent regular season with a less-than-magnificent performance against their archrival. And that was just fine. They were not about to risk injury to the NFL’s likely Most Valuable Player, quarterback Lamar Jackson. That caution extended to banged-up starters Kyle Hamilton, Zay Flowers, Marlon Humphrey, Kevin Zeitler and Odell Beckham Jr., none of whom the Ravens wish to be without when they host a playoff game in two weeks. Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith dressed but did not play. If the Ravens needed a reminder of why such prudence was called for, they saw Pittsburgh’s best player, T.J. Watt, crumple to the ground after an awkward collision with a teammate in the third quarter. That was six days after the Miami Dolphins lost their best pass rusher, Bradley Chubb, on a meaningless play late in a 56-19 blowout loss in Baltimore. The Ravens did not escape unscathed. Safety Geno Stone, who leads the team with seven interceptions, limped off with a knee injury in the second half. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh left early with an ankle injury and did not return. As coach John Harbaugh pointed out during the week, they could not rest everybody, and football is football. “It looks like we would have all those guys back for the playoff week,” Harbaugh said afterward, the update every fan wanted to hear. In that sense, mission accomplished, even if it will always feel strange to say a loss to the Steelers was irrelevant. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, center, tackles Steelersxe2x80x99 Connor Heyward in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens back up quarterback Tyler Huntley, left, runs away from Steelers\xe2\x80\x99 T.J. Watt, right, in the second quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker watches play during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley makes his way on to the field to warm up before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Justin Hill, left, is not able to make the catch against Steelersxe2x80x99 Joey Porter Jr., in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens tackle Daniel Faalele provides pass protection for quarterback Tyler Huntley against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson stops Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren for a loss of yardage during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens Tackle Ronnie Stanley, right, plays against the Steelers in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen and defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney congratulate each other on a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Justin Madubuike, right, pressures Steelers. quarterback Mason Rudolph, left, in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen wraps up Steelers running back Najee Harris as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney moves in during the first quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicks off to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney shouts beside tackle Morgan Moses during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Matt Sallee sings the Star Spangled Banner during an NFL showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith participates during pregame of an NFL showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) NFL referee Brad Allen announces a call between Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar and fullback/tight end Ben Mason during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Justin Hill, center, catches and runs for 19 yards against Steelers\xe2\x80\x99 Miles Killebrew, left, and Alex Highsmith, right, in the fourth quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Melvin Gordon III looks at his hands in front of tackle Morgan Moses after fumbling to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, center, watches from the sideline his back up plays against the Steelers in the fourth quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, center, blocks between Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris and offensive lineman James Daniels during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens safety Geno Stone us slow to get up after a play against the Steelers in the third quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards reaches out to stiff-arm Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace as defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk chases during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker watches his point after try along with punter Jordan Stout during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, chats with backup Tyler Huntley during a timeout in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against the Steelers. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney hammers Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, who coughs up the football that gets recovered by the offense for a loss of yardage during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney reacts after the defense force a turnover against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Don Felder, who played for the rock group the Eagles performs during halftime of an NFL showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill loses the handle on a pass while Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., behind, during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh watches the game clock during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens fans cheer as defensive lineman Broderick Washington holds the ball after recovering a Steelers fumble in the second quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington turns with a fumble recovery as Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth watches during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley scrambles past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for seven yards during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet, left gets congratulated by defensive back Brandon Stephens after recovering a fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, left dives past Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy for the game's first touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill loses the handle on a pass while Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., behind, during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens fans cheer while watching the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers with a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, 80, powers past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson, tying the game during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Gus Edwards, right, cuts away from Steelersxe2x80x99 Patrick Peterson to run for 29 yards in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Arthur Maulet celebrates after recovering a Steelers fumble in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Steelers. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Ravens QB autographs Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs\xe2\x80\x99 jersey. The artist gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs, left, gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium..(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs, second left, gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium. On right is Mike White, father of Bomster-Jabs\xe2\x80\x99 girl friend. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Show Caption of Expand The Ravens certainly remember 2019, when they also rested key players with a No. 1 seed wrapped up going into their regular-season finale against the Steelers. Thirteen days later, they trailed the Tennessee Titans by two touchdowns before they knew what hit them and never recovered — months of promise gone because of a few bad hours. But the Ravens can’t let four-year-old ghosts dictate their actions going into this postseason. They took the most reasonable approach to Week 18, and now it’s on them to make the most of the next two weeks as they prepare for the tests that will determine how they’re remembered. “It’s time for us to lock in through this week coming up,” outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney said. “We know it ain’t going to be easy, but we’ve got the men in this locker room to do it. We know that.” Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has never let go of the disappointment he felt at the end of the Titans loss four years ago, but he’s convinced wisdom gained from that experience will shape the weeks ahead. “I feel really good about this team,” he said. The Ravens’ defense will never let up The Steelers set the terms early, running nine times on a 12-play, 76-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter. Ravens defenders seemed less than eager to throw their bodies in front of twin bulldozers Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, and really, who could blame them? Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens’ loss is John Harbaugh’s gain in preparation for playoff run | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Jadeveon Clowney earns contract incentive with sack vs. Steelers: ‘Might’ve been a record for longest celebration’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Steelers in regular-season finale | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fall to Steelers, 17-10, in sloppy regular-season finale without QB Lamar Jackson, other key starters But this is a proud group, no matter what is or isn’t at stake in the standings. We saw it when the team’s defensive starters played most of last year’s regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. We saw it again Saturday, when Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen dragged his battered shoulder into combat against the Steelers. We saw Queen limping and wincing in the chilly downpour, but there he was, back in the game in the fourth quarter, hoping to lead a stand as Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” boomed over the stadium loudspeakers. Queen’s understudy and potential replacement, Trenton Simpson, showed off his playmaking verve with a sack and a pair of tackles for loss. “He might be faster than me,” Queen said approvingly. Reserve linebacker Dal’Shawn Phillips led the team with 13 tackles. Nose tackle Michael Pierce celebrated his new contract extension with six tackles. A Pittsburgh offense that had exploded for 64 points over its previous two games did not break the dam until the fourth quarter, when wide receiver Diontae Johnson slipped behind Rock Ya-Sin and Marcus Williams for a 71-yard touchdown grab. That did not sit well with the Ravens, despite the low stakes and the resting starters. “Even with all that good stuff, there were plays out there to be made, and we didn’t make them,” Queen said. His disappointment gives us a glimpse into why this is the best Ravens defense of the past decade. Ravens fans cheer as defensive lineman Broderick Washington holds the ball after recovering a Steelers fumble in the second quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) If we needed another MVP argument for Lamar Jackson, look how the offense performed without him We saw how this story ended the previous two seasons, when the Ravens had to finish without their defining player. Tyler Huntley is a fine backup, quick of foot and usually accurate underneath, but this offense loses its dynamism when he fills Jackson’s shoes. He does not conjure touchdowns out of broken plays, push the ball downfield consistently or create free running lanes with his gravitational pull. The Ravens came in averaging 6 yards per play, third most in the league. They averaged 3.9 against the Steelers. To be fair to Huntley, this was no day for crisp offense given the swirling wind, drenching rain and absences of Flowers and Beckham. It wasn’t as if the Steelers filled the air with beautiful bombs. No one told Isaiah Likely the game didn’t matter. He caught a rain-slicked ball from Huntley in traffic and bulled through two defenders for his fifth touchdown in the past five games. Likely promised he’d step up in Mark Andrews’ absence, and boy has he paid off those confident words. But such plays were few and far between for an offense that punted seven times and fumbled away two other drives. The good news this time around is that Jackson will be back, terrifying as ever, when the Ravens next line up. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, chats with backup Tyler Huntley during a timeout in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Steelers. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Jadeveon Clowney’s sack bonus was just reward for the remarkable value he has delivered Clowney introduced some levity into a dreary evening when he raised his arms to the sky, seemingly inviting the $750,000 in extra cash he’d just earned by crossing the nine-sack threshold. “That was a very long celebration,” a grinning Pierce said. “That might’ve been a record.” It was a moment for fans and teammates to celebrate just what a remarkable bargain Clowney has been in his 10th NFL season. He took his time deciding where to play after his two-year run with the Cleveland Browns ended unpleasantly. He’d always had a hunch Harbaugh might be the coach for him. As the regular season drew near, the Ravens needed a plug-and-play pass rusher. The marriage made sense for both sides, especially when Clowney agreed to play for a modest $2.5 million guaranteed. “I love this group of guys,” Clowney said. “It’s just like I’ve been here for a while. That’s how it’s felt since I got here. I’m having fun here.” He said his goal was to play in every game, something he had not done since 2017. He achieved that against the Steelers, but Clowney, the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, has done a lot more than just suit up consistently for the NFL’s stingiest scoring defense. He leads the Ravens in pressures, tied his career-high in sacks and earned his highest PFF grade since 2019. He had a case to make the Pro Bowl, even though he shares a division with two of the finest edge rushers in recent NFL history, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. “All the time, every play, he’s a different beast,” Queen said. “Every play is a train wreck. I love having him on our team.” Though players are focused only on the moment, the Ravens’ front office is working on 2024 The Ravens have spoken of their determination not to look ahead. They can’t spook themselves with thoughts of past playoff failures if they’re intent on the play, the practice, the meeting right in front of them. But the business of football never stops, and general manager Eric DeCosta has made several low-cost moves over the past few weeks to get ahead of the crush he’ll face after the season, when more than 20 Ravens, including vital starters Justin Madubuike, Clowney, Queen, Beckham and Zeitler, are set to become unrestricted free agents. Even if they use the franchise tag to keep Madubuike off the open market and get creative with restructures, they won’t be able to keep this terrific team together completely. So any chance to lock up a starter at a reasonable price is one worth taking, and that’s what DeCosta did when he signed Pierce to a two-year, $7.5 million deal. Pierce is not a star, and he’s finishing up his first fully healthy season since 2017, but he set new career highs in snaps and pressures. Pro Football Focus graded him the league’s 18th-best interior defender, ninth as a run defender, coming into this weekend. That’s a very good player who will help anchor the defense without materially decreasing the Ravens’ offseason spending power. The move came less than a month after DeCosta signed Malik Cunningham off the New England Patriots’ practice squad with an eye on next summer, when Cunningham might save the Ravens money by claiming a reserve quarterback job. These aren’t transactions that will propel the team to another No. 1 seed in 2024, but they represent the work around the edges that keeps a winning franchise chugging forward. AFC divisional round TBD at Ravens Jan. 20-21, TBA TV: TBA Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article

The Ravens won’t play again for two weeks and won’t practice until Wednesday. In the meantime, coach John Harbaugh — as well as executive vice president Ozzie Newsome, general manager Eric DeCosta and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald — will travel to Houston to watch as Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, coaches Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship Monday night. No. 1 Michigan, which defeated Alabama last week, will face No. 2 Washington for a chance at its first national title since 1997. It’s been a successful year for teams coached by the Harbaugh brothers: The Wolverines are undefeated and the Ravens, despite a Week 18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a meaningless game for Baltimore’s postseason seeding, are the No. 1 seed in the AFC. That’s earned them the bye through the first round of the NFL playoffs next weekend. “It’s been amazing,” Harbaugh said last week when asked about strong seasons by both Michigan and Baltimore. “I just couldn’t be happier.” Amid the Wolverines’ standout season, NFL teams are again interested in Jim Harbaugh, NFL.com has reported. He previously coached the San Francisco 49ers, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance against the Ravens after the 2012 season, before taking over at Michigan in 2015. Aside from the Harbaugh brothers, Michigan has had several recent ties to Baltimore. Longtime Gilman and St. Frances Academy coach Biff Poggi worked on Jim Harbaugh’s staff in recent years, the Wolverines’ star running back, Blake Corum, attended St. Frances, and Macdonald coached at Michigan for a year as its defensive coordinator before returning to the Ravens. The Wolverines’ current defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter, also spent four seasons with the Ravens, rising to defensive backs coach in 2020. This season has been especially enjoyable for fans who have the rare distinction of being both Ravens and Michigan fans. Jeff Morawski, a Dearborn, Michigan, native and Michigan graduate who is a travel nurse based in Baltimore County, attended Saturday’s rainy game donning a Ravens jersey and a Michigan beanie. By the third quarter, at least 30 passersby had said Michigan’s rallying cry — “Go Blue” — to him, he said. “Awesome. Can’t be any better,” he said of this season. “I mean, except for the weather today, it’s awesome.” A Detroit Lions fan at heart, Morawski has adopted the Ravens as another favorite of his. “Both teams are really exciting to watch,” he said of Michigan and the Ravens. “Both have great defenses. I love how this city is so excited about the team, and it’s just like how it is in the state of Michigan about the Wolverines.” View the full article

The Ravens lost, but they also won. It’s just not because they came away from a 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday’s regular-season finale without any major injuries, but the setback will serve as a major learning tool for coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh was already in teaching mode immediately after the loss before an announced crowd of 70,355 at M&T Bank Stadium. “I thought we played really hard. I thought we played tough,” he said. “We didn’t play great by any stretch. We can certainly stop the run better, [and] we gave up the big pass play. I thought the pass rush was really good, and the coverage was good for the most part except for one play. “Offensively, I thought we fought. I thought ‘Snoop’ [quarterback Tyler Huntley] out there fought and played hard and the circumstances — the rain and the stuff like that and the wind — I thought he made some really good throws. We ran the ball OK.” And those two fumbles? “We turned the ball over a couple of times and just gave them opportunities to score points, that was it,” he said. “We take that into the playoffs. We already know that, and we understand how to win, but it’s a nice little reminder that you have to protect the football to win games.” Agreed. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Jadeveon Clowney earns contract incentive with sack vs. Steelers: ‘Might’ve been a record for longest celebration’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Steelers in regular-season finale | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fall to Steelers, 17-10, in sloppy regular-season finale without QB Lamar Jackson, other key starters Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers in regular-season finale That’s been the story of the Ravens (13-4) whenever they have lost this season. It’s the case for just about every team in the NFL, but few teams can dominate opponents the way the Ravens do. They physically mauled the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Even when they lose, they control the action. That happened in a 22-19 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3, as well as another 17-10 defeat to the Steelers in Week 5 when they dropped seven passes, including three in the end zone. So while they could have beaten rival Pittsburgh (10-7) on Saturday in a game that would have all but knocked the Steelers out of playoff contention, the loss allowed them to refocus and regain an edge. The Ravens needed this. They had won six games in a row and 10 of their past 11. They had outscored their previous three opponents 112-45 following a 37-31 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 10. The Ravens weren’t in a sour mood in the locker room after the game, but they’ve gotten the message. They gave up a 71-yard touchdown pass from Mason Rudolph to Diontae Johnson on the first play of the fourth quarter that gave the Steelers a 14-7 lead. Then running back Gus Edwards fumbled at the Ravens’ 27-yard line with 7:19 left and Pittsburgh recovered. Nine plays and 25 yards later, Chris Boswell kicked a 25-yard field goal with 3:13 remaining and that was virtually the end of the game. “ can’t dwell on it, even though you wanted to go out there and send [the Steelers] home,” Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen said. “Now, they have a chance to be in the playoffs, so it definitely stings a little bit. At the end of the day, we’ve written a lot of pages in our book right now that settles up pretty good right now. “We have a week to prepare. Then, [we] find out who we have to play [in the playoffs], and then we go into that. So, nobody is hanging their head or anything. If we see those guys again, we’ll be ready.” Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, center, tackles Steelers tight end Connor Heyward in the first quarter Saturday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) That’s the important part of Saturday’s result. The Ravens were clearly the better team, but they played without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson and other starters such as middle linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. It was virtually the junior varsity. The Ravens stayed in the game for most of the contest but they didn’t have Pittsburgh’s running game, intensity or sense of urgency. The Steelers needed the win, and that was their driving force. The Ravens wanted to win and push their nemesis out of the playoff race, but that was secondary. They earned the right to gain home-field advantage in the playoffs, get a first-round bye and rest players until the divisional round. Mission accomplished. Even if the Steelers get into the postseason, they aren’t going far. Their quarterback has no pocket awareness, and they’ve lost star outside linebacker T.J. Watt for some time because of a reported mild knee sprain. The Ravens, though, do have some weaknesses. Their offensive tackles, Morgan Moses and Ronnie Stanley, were beaten badly Saturday. The run defense was soft again as the Steelers, led by running back Najee Harris, had 155 yards on 39 carries. Safety Marcus Williams looks slow and out of place again, but at least the Ravens have two weeks to prepare. They’ll be rested and everyone should be healthy for the playoffs. Unlike in 2019, when the Ravens had the AFC’s No. 1 seed and lost to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round, Jackson has four more years of experience and the Ravens have veterans such as receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who have won Super Bowl titles with other teams. And now, the Ravens probably got their edge back. If not, Harbaugh will remind them. View the full article

A Week 18 game that lacked meaning for the Ravens’ playoff seeding carried weighty implications for Jadeveon Clowney’s wallet. With the No. 1 seed in the AFC sewn up and little to play for, Baltimore fell at home to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, 17-10. But late in the first half, Clowney registered a sack, bringing his season total to 9 1/2. That tied a career high, but — more importantly from a pocketbook perspective — eclipsed the nine sacks he needed to unlock a $750,000 bonus. Clowney, an edge rusher drafted No. 1 overall by the Houston Texans in 2014, broke out this season by playing in all 17 games, a career-high. After playing for four teams in five years, he signed a one-year contract with Baltimore this past offseason, reportedly worth $2.5 million in base salary but with $3.5 million of incentives baked in. Half of those incentives were based upon snaps played, with the other half rooted in sacks. He eclipsed five sacks in Week 10, notching a $500,000 bonus, surpassed $1 million in sack incentives with his seventh sack in Week 12 and then earned $1.75 million Saturday by notching his ninth sack of the season. “Finally,” Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen said when asked about Clowney’s sack. “Just happy for the guy.” “He’s been talking about that for like the past two weeks,” said defensive tackle Michael Pierce, smiling. Complete with a dance and a joyful yell, Clowney and his teammates celebrated on the field for about 30 seconds during a stoppage in play. Defensive end Brent Urban mimed throwing cash onto Clowney as the crowd cheered him on and the ESPN broadcast lauded his bonus. “That might’ve been a record for longest celebration. We’re happy for [Jadaveon], man, he’s having a career year,” Pierce said. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens’ loss is John Harbaugh’s gain in preparation for playoff run | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Steelers in regular-season finale | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fall to Steelers, 17-10, in sloppy regular-season finale without QB Lamar Jackson, other key starters Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers in regular-season finale NFL contracts are generally not fully guaranteed, unlike in MLB and the NBA, and some deals are rife with incentives. If Clowney had played fewer than half of Baltimore’s snaps this year and posted fewer than five sacks, he would’ve earned $2.5 million. Instead, with a strong campaign, he added a sizable chunk. Ravens wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor weren’t so fortunate. The 31-year-old Beckham missed out on a potential $1.75 million payday by resting for the divisional round, though it would have taken a big performance to hit his incentives. He needed five catches ($500K), 185 yards ($750K) and/or two touchdowns ($500K) Saturday. Agholor, 30, needed 10 catches ($250K) or 58 yards ($250K), but he fell short with five receptions for 39 yards. Asked what he’d do with the money, Clowney, laughing, noted he had three kids and said he might put it in a safe or the bank. “I’ll put it with the rest of my money,” he said. Ravens outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney sacks Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and forces a fumble during the second quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The sack almost didn’t happen, though. Clowney easily got to Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph — a fellow Rock Hill, South Carolina, native — in the second quarter, but Rudolph tried to get rid of the ball before being hit. The ball popped straight up and, for a moment, it appeared it might be ruled an incompletion. Instead, Clowney was credited with a sack and a forced fumble (the Steelers recovered). “I didn’t even know it was a sack,” Clowney said. “I looked back, they [were] like, ‘I think you got it.’ I was like, ‘I needed it.’ I was excited about it. That was my goal coming into this game, try to get on the board.” Of the celebration, he said, “I had a good time with it.” Paced by Justin Madubuike’s 13 and with plenty of help from veterans like Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, the Ravens lead the NFL in sacks. “Job not done,” Clowney said. “I gotta continue to do it throughout these playoffs.” View the full article

Here’s how the Ravens (13-4) graded out at each position after a 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) in Sunday’s Week 18 game at M&T Bank Stadium: Quarterback Because of the steady rain, it was hard to throw the ball, but backup Tyler Huntley was misfiring even when he had receivers wide-open. He couldn’t even complete short passes in the flat. The Ravens also didn’t give Huntley a lot of time to throw as he was under pressure most of the game. He completed 15 of 28 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, but he wasn’t effective filling in for starter Lamar Jackson. Grade: D Receivers The Ravens had receivers open, especially the tight ends, but Huntley failed to find them. In all honesty, this wasn’t a game to feature the receivers, but Nelson Agholor and Laquon Treadwell were open several times over the middle. Tight end Isaiah Likely had the only touchdown, a 27-yard catch over the middle, and Agholor led the team in receptions with five for 39 yards. Running back Justice Hill had three catches for 26 yards and tight end Charlie Kolar also had three for 23. Hill was left alone in the flat several times, but Huntley failed to get him the ball because he was inaccurate or didn’t have time. Grade: C Offensive line Tackles Morgan Moses and Ronnie Stanley had trouble handling Pittsburgh’s speed off the corners, but Moses had to block T.J. Watt, one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL. The Ravens had 106 rushing yards, including 40 from Huntley on eight carries. They couldn’t get much movement initially from guards John Simpson and Ben Cleveland. The Ravens were without starting right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad/coach’s decision), who has played well most of the year. This group allowed four sacks and six quarterback hits. Grade: D Running backs The Ravens never got the running game going, and that was partially because they didn’t use starter Gus Edwards and Hill full time. They even gave snaps to third-stringer Melvin Gordon III. The running backs had only 66 yards on 17 attempts. Edwards was the leader with 48 yards on 10 carries and Gordon had 18 yards on seven attempts. Edwards’ fumble in the fourth quarter led to a crucial Steelers field goal and Gordon also fumbled early in the second quarter before being banished to the bench. On a day when the Ravens needed a running game, they didn’t have one. Grade: D Baltimore Ravens tackle Daniel Faalele provides pass protection for quarterback Tyler Huntley against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Jan 6, 2024: Baltimore Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney reacts after the defense force a turnover against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, center, tackles Steelersxe2x80x99 Connor Heyward in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens back up quarterback Tyler Huntley, left, runs away from Steelers\xe2\x80\x99 T.J. Watt, right, in the second quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker watches play during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley makes his way on to the field to warm up before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens running back Justin Hill, left, can't make a catch while Steeler cornerback Joey Porter Jr. defends in the first quarter Saturday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson stops Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren for a loss of yardage during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens Tackle Ronnie Stanley, right, plays against the Steelers in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen and defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney congratulate each other on a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Justin Madubuike, right, pressures Steelers. quarterback Mason Rudolph, left, in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen wraps up Steelers running back Najee Harris as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney moves in during the first quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicks off to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney shouts beside tackle Morgan Moses during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Matt Sallee sings the Star Spangled Banner during an NFL showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith participates during pregame of an NFL showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) NFL referee Brad Allen announces a call between Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar and fullback/tight end Ben Mason during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Justin Hill, center, catches and runs for 19 yards against Steelers\xe2\x80\x99 Miles Killebrew, left, and Alex Highsmith, right, in the fourth quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Melvin Gordon III looks at his hands in front of tackle Morgan Moses after fumbling to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, center, watches from the sideline his back up plays against the Steelers in the fourth quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, center, blocks between Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris and offensive lineman James Daniels during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens safety Geno Stone us slow to get up after a play against the Steelers in the third quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards reaches out to stiff-arm Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace as defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk chases during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker watches his point after try along with punter Jordan Stout during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left gives advice to Tyler Huntley during a timeout against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney hammers Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, who coughs up the football that gets recovered by the offense for a loss of yardage during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney reacts after the defense force a turnover against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Don Felder, who played for the rock group the Eagles performs during halftime of an NFL showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill loses the handle on a pass while Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., behind, during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh watches the game clock during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens fans cheer as defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington holds the football after recovering a Pittsburgh Steelers fumble during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington turns with a fumble recovery as Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth watches during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley scrambles past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for seven yards during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet, left gets congratulated by defensive back Brandon Stephens after recovering a fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, left dives past Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy for the game's first touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill loses the handle on a pass while Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., behind, during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens fans cheer while watching the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers with a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, 80, powers past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson, tying the game during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Gus Edwards, right, cuts away from Steelersxe2x80x99 Patrick Peterson to run for 29 yards in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Arthur Maulet celebrates after recovering a Steelers fumble in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Steelers in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens QB autographs Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs\xe2\x80\x99 jersey. The artist gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs, left, gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium..(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs, second left, gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium. On right is Mike White, father of Bomster-Jabs\xe2\x80\x99 girl friend. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Show Caption of Expand Defensive line The Ravens’ lack of a run defense continues to be a problem and it was especially glaring Saturday because the rainy weather forced both teams to run the ball. Pittsburgh had 155 yards on 39 carries and the Ravens had trouble containing halfback Najee Harris, who finished with 112 yards on 26 attempts. The Steelers did a good job trapping Ravens defensive ends Justin Madubuike and Brent Urban and got outside several times on tosses, especially early in the game. The Miami Dolphins also gave the Ravens trouble with toss plays last week. Grade: D Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens’ loss is John Harbaugh’s gain in preparation for playoff run | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Jadeveon Clowney earns contract incentive with sack vs. Steelers: ‘Might’ve been a record for longest celebration’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fall to Steelers, 17-10, in sloppy regular-season finale without QB Lamar Jackson, other key starters Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers in regular-season finale Linebackers The Ravens rested middle linebacker Roquan Smith, and it was a good move because he is irreplaceable. But his absence revealed that they don’t have a thumper inside. Weakside linebacker Patrick Queen looked lost without Smith, especially early in the game. Queen, though, played better near the end of the half, as did Del’Shawn Phillips, who filled in for Smith. Phillips finished with 13 tackles and Queen had eight. Outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney put a lot of pressure on quarterback Mason Rudolph and each recorded a sack, but the Steelers countered with a lot of quick passes. Pittsburgh also had success running counter plays and were able to get to the inside linebackers. Grade: C Secondary The Ravens turned in a solid effort despite playing without cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Kyle Hamilton. Reserve safety Geno Stone also left in the third quarter with a knee injury. This group also got some help from the weather because the Steelers played small ball and stayed with the short passes, but the Ravens will struggle if Rock Ya-Sin stays at cornerback. Starting safety Marcus Williams is also struggling and doesn’t show much speed. He made a poor jump on the ball on that 71-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson over the middle early in the fourth quarter. That was basically the only busted coverage by the Ravens. Grade: B+ Special teams Jordan Stout was outstanding and might have had his best day as a Raven, averaging 53.9 yards on seven punts, including a long of 66 yards. He consistently pinned the Steelers deep. Justin Tucker converted his only field goal attempt of 36 yards in the fourth quarter, but the Ravens allowed Calvin Austin III to average 18.4 yards on five punt returns, including a long of 34. Rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson had the only two special teams tackles. Grade: B+ Coaching The Ravens played hard and were in the game most of the time, and that’s pretty much anyone can ask from a team that didn’t play without their starting quarterback and two best defenders. The best news was that the Ravens came out of the game without any major injuries. Still, there were problems with pass protection and the Ravens once again struggled to defend the run. Those are minor things, but they could become big in the postseason. Grade: B View the full article

In the words of Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, Baltimore had “written a lot of pages in our book” this season that led to being in the enviable and advantageous position of which it is in. The Ravens are the top seed in the AFC going into the postseason and have the coveted first-round bye and home-field advantage through the conference championship game. The goal, as quarterback Lamar Jackson has said all season, is to deliver the first Super Bowl title of his career and the first for the organization since the 2012 season. But before beginning that pursuit in earnest in two weeks, there was the matter of finishing off the regular season against a bitter AFC North rival. With the rain starting before noon and never stopping, it was a bad night to be an oblong-shaped leather ball Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. It was a worse one to be a quarterback trying to throw it, or a fan hoping to see an offensive shootout between the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers in raw, soaking wet conditions with nothing on the line for the home team. The Steelers fumbled six times, losing two of them, and the Ravens twice, losing both. Still, Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph, a third-stringer at the start of the season behind Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky, has come up big since taking over three weeks ago and did so again, this time against Baltimore. With both offenses struggling to move the ball and the game tied at 7 on a third-and-4 from his own 29-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter, Rudolph threw a strike to slanting wide receiver Diontae Johnson over the middle and he took it to the house for a 71-yard touchdown. Then, after Pittsburgh recovered a fumble by running back Gus Edwards at the Ravens’ 32-yard line, Chris Boswell added a 25-yard field goal with 3:17 remaining to seal the 17-10 victory. Though the Steelers (10-7) could’ve made the playoffs with a win or loss, the former makes the path simpler. With a Tennessee Titans victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, or a Miami Dolphins win over the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh is in. The Ravens (13-4), of course, had already wrapped up all they needed to and were simply playing for pride and hoping to escape any serious injuries. Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh watches the game clock during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens fans cheer as defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington holds the football after recovering a Pittsburgh Steelers fumble during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington turns with a fumble recovery as Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth watches during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley scrambles past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for seven yards during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet, left gets congratulated by defensive back Brandon Stephens after recovering a fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, left dives past Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy for the game's first touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill loses the handle on a pass while Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., behind, during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens fans cheer while watching the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers with a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, 80, powers past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson, tying the game during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo) Ravensxe2x80x99 Gus Edwards, right, cuts away from Steelersxe2x80x99 Patrick Peterson to run for 29 yards in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Arthur Maulet celebrates after recovering a Steelers fumble in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Steelers in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Ravens QB autographs Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs\xe2\x80\x99 jersey. The artist gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs, left, gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium..(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs, second left, gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium. On right is Mike White, father of Bomster-Jabs\xe2\x80\x99 girl friend. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo) Show Caption of Expand Which is why Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn’t play his most important starters, particularly Jackson, whose last two seasons were cut short by injuries. A half-dozen others were also inactive, either because they are dealing with an injury or simply trying to avoid one: wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (rest) and Zay Flowers (calf); safety Kyle Hamilton (knee); cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf); guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad/coach’s decision); outside linebacker Malik Harrison (groin); and Daryl Worley (shoulder/ankle). But the Ravens were also trying to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Steelers for the second time in the past three seasons and a seventh loss in their past eight meetings. With Jackson sitting, it provided an opportunity as well for Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, an unrestricted free agent after this season. It was a struggle, to say the least. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ties to Michigan run deep as Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and Mike Macdonald will join John Harbaugh at national title game Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Ravens’ loss is John Harbaugh’s gain in preparation for playoff run | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens’ Jadeveon Clowney earns contract incentive with sack vs. Steelers: ‘Might’ve been a record for longest celebration’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Steelers in regular-season finale | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens’ 17-10 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers in regular-season finale Huntley completed 15 of 28 passes for just 146 yards and a touchdown to tight end Isaiah Likely late in the second quarter after Najee Harris (26 carries, 112 yards) squirted up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown on the Steelers’ second possession of the game. “I thought we played really hard, thought we played tough,” Harbaugh said. “We didn’t play great by any stretch. We can certainly stop the run better. We gave up the big pass play. “Offensively, I thought [Huntley] played hard. I thought he made some really good throws.” Added Huntley: “It [was] slippery out there, throwing to catching. The ball’s wet. You got a lot of elements to work through just to complete passes out there.” Rudolph, meanwhile, connected on 18 of 20 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. But it was Pittsburgh’s ground game that chewed up the Ravens’ defense and the clock. The Steelers had 156 yards rushing, with 69 of them coming on their first-quarter touchdown drive that also ate up 7:32 of clock. The Ravens, on the other hand, extended their streak of 100-yard rushing games to 34 with 106 yards on the ground but struggled to find any rhythm, and at times to even hold onto the ball with running back Melvin Gordon also coughing it up early in the second quarter. “When you turn the ball over … we gave them opportunities to score points,” Harbaugh said. “I think we take that into the playoffs, we already know that and understand how to win. But it’s a nice little reminder that you gotta protect the football to win games.” The regular season is over. The playoffs await. Baltimore will find out who it plays after next weekend’s wild-card games, with a return visit from the Steelers one of many possibilities. “We’ve got a week to prepare, then find out who we gotta play,” Queen said. “Nobody’s hanging their head or anything. We see those guys again, we’ll be ready.” AFC divisional round TBD at Ravens Jan. 20-21, TBA TV: TBA Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM View the full article