ExtremeRavens Posted December 19, 2024 Posted December 19, 2024 Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions in the middle of each week throughout the Ravens’ season. After an easy win over the lowly New York Giants, Baltimore (9-5) hosts the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) in Week 16 of the NFL season. Here’s Preston’s take on a handful of questions from readers: (Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.) Lamar is having an amazing year. But how can he be MVP material if he can’t beat Pittsburgh at least once? — Dan Gainor on X Dan, forget about beating Pittsburgh just once. Jackson has great statistics and is a threat from anywhere on the field. He is the most dangerous running quarterback in NFL history, but the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 season should be Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen over both Jackson and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. We don’t need to compare numbers, just rosters. Barkley might have the best offensive line in the game, especially tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Jackson has weapons in running back Derrick Henry, receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. On defense, the Ravens have middle linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Kyle Hamilton, while the Eagles might have the best front four in the NFL. Those are pretty impressive groups. Allen has running back James Cook. That’s pretty much it. The Bills added wide receiver Amari Cooper, but that was well into the season, and he has missed time because of injuries. As for the defense, Buffalo has no defense. In fact, if the Ravens somehow play the Bills in the AFC championship game, the Ravens would destroy them with their running game. It’s the same with the Eagles if they play Buffalo in the Super Bowl. The analysts and so-called experts want to compare numbers and so forth, but without Allen, the Bills are horrible. Without Jackson, the Ravens wouldn’t be as successful, but they could at least hold their own in the mediocre, watered-down NFL. I understand the Jackson “syndrome” in Baltimore, including how some of the local media want to jump on the bandwagon. But let’s not get too carried away, and show some good, old common sense. How do the Ravens beat the Steelers? — James Spragins on X First, eliminate the head games. Pittsburgh has won eight of the past nine matchups against Baltimore, but that will be meaningless Saturday. The Ravens simply need to go out and “out-tough” the Steelers. They’ve beaten the Ravens because they play much more aggressively and attack physically. Second, score touchdowns instead of trading field goals. The Steelers have problems scoring inside the red zone and are content kicking field goals and keeping the score close. That’s been their strategy all season. They rely on defense, winning the field position game and getting enough big plays in their short-passing offense. The Ravens also have to control Pittsburgh edge rushers Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt. Many national critics want to know why Jackson has played so poorly against Pittsburgh in the past. The Steelers are disciplined with their lane integrity, and both Watt and Highsmith can bring the heat from the outside. Not only are they athletic, but they are complete players. Both are sound in every aspect of the game. The Ravens should win the game. A week ago, they played the NFL’s version of the junior varsity beating up on the Giants. Meanwhile, the Steelers were physically beaten up and worn down by the Eagles in the battle of Pennsylvania. This is a short week for the Steelers and Ravens, but the Steelers are at a disadvantage because they are on the road. The Ravens just need to come out with a tough-guy attitude. They have it against a lot of teams, but not Pittsburgh. It’s time for a change. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has struggled in recent meetings against the Steelers. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) It’s now Week 16 and these Ravens have been together as a team (not counting minicamps) for 23 1/2 weeks, approximately 150 practices and 14 regular-season games. Every team in the NFL appears to have flaws, but two of Baltimore’s are frustratingly head-scratching; avoidable penalties and professional defensive backs not being able to turn their heads and look for the ball. At this stage of the season, is it possible to think either of these can be fixed? And if not, why? — Brian Anything can be fixed; players just have to have the right attitude. Some penalties, like holding, can’t be reduced because it essentially happens on every play. Pass interference calls are questionable because they’ve become more subjective than objective. But these penalties for illegal formations on the offense are ridiculous. It’s the same for having a nose guard or defensive tackle jump offside when the ball is right in front of them. I still don’t know why certain cornerbacks don’t turn around and look for the ball. That’s something coach John Harbaugh should have addressed with secondary coach Chris Hewitt by now. There are calls to alert offensive linemen when to release and run down the field, but the Ravens still get a couple of those penalties — although Jackson might be partly to blame. I’ve had people email me and say that a coach can’t be blamed for the penalties because it might hurt the overall play of the team if that player is benched. Big deal. Consistency is a major word in the NFL and the key to greatness. If a player doesn’t perform to that status, then he needs to get benched. This is the NFL. You can always find a replacement. Once the players’ personality or reluctance to change becomes greater than his production, then it’s time to move on. Are there any Ravens you’d characterize as “unsung heroes” for offense and defense? — Grant H. from North East Offensively, it would be running back Justice Hill. He doesn’t get the notoriety of Henry, but he does have 45 carries for 198 yards and a touchdown this season. As a receiver, he is third on the team in catches behind Flowers and Andrews with 42 for 383 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per reception. Maybe his most impressive trait is being able to block or chip on ends or outside linebackers in pass protection. I think he is a great complement to Henry. Defensively, it would be tackle Travis Jones. His future looks bright and the Ravens are a much better run-stopping group when he is in the game. Jones has 34 tackles this season, including one sack. He has been bothered by an ankle injury since the midway point of the season, but he can also provide pressure up the middle as a pass rusher. What has happened to Brandon Stephens? It seems if he’s isolated on a receiver it’s an automatic pass interference call. — Clarke Fox Opposing teams have zeroed in on Stephens, and that’s been evident since the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. At this point, I’m not sure what else can be done. He either makes the play or he doesn’t. It’s about instincts and awareness. The instincts are there, but I’m not sure about the awareness part. Is possible the Ravens are holding back Keaton Mitchell so they don’t put a lot of tape out on him? Then swing some special packages for him in the playoffs and catch teams off guard? — Rob Kalish What is going on with Keaton Mitchell and why has he been inactive two straight weeks? — timpoole78 on X Honestly, I can’t say what is going on with Mitchell. First of all, who is he going to replace? Both Henry and Hill have played well in their designated roles. Mitchell’s knee injury a year ago was extremely serious, so there really is no need to rush him back onto the field. In addition, there have been a lot of questions surrounding the playing surface at MetLife Stadium, so the Ravens didn’t need him on the field to pummel New York. The Ravens will probably have a couple of new wrinkles with Mitchell for the postseason, but I’m not sure that’s the reason he isn’t on the field. All teams like to have a few aces up their sleeves in the postseason, but it isn’t as if the NFL didn’t get a chance to see Mitchell last season. The kid could flat-out fly, but there is no need to get him on the field at this point. It’s good to be patient. Is it too early to think about what the Ravens will be looking for in April’s NFL draft? — Bob in North Carolina Bob, it’s never too early and I am sure the Ravens have already had preliminary discussions. But the injury bug could hit and alter plans. Right now, there is a need for a pass rusher and a team can never go wrong with an offensive lineman. Another cornerback to complement rookie Nate Wiggins would be an excellent choice as well. Have a question for Mike Preston? Email sports@baltsun.com with “Ravens mailbag” in the subject line and it could be answered in The Baltimore Sun. View the full article Quote
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