ExtremeRavens Posted 7 hours ago Posted 7 hours ago Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 10 game between the Ravens and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis: Brian Wacker, reporter Vikings 24, Ravens 23: The biggest concern for the Ravens will be how their offense handles the myriad blitzes from defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Forget about the 2021 loss to the Miami Dolphins when Flores was the coach — that was four years ago and Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s offense have come a long way since. Still, outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, along with defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen and linebacker Blake Cashman, will likely present all sorts of problems for a Baltimore offense line that has struggled in pass protection this year. Jackson has been elite against the blitz this year and in recent ones, but he hasn’t seen one quite as effective as Minnesota’s. On defense, Baltimore has allowed just two 100-yard receivers, but Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are also the best duo they’ve faced to date. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s mobility could also be a problem, especially if the Ravens struggle to contain the edge. Then there’s the noise. This one will be tight most of the way, but Minnesota will eek out the victory. Sam Cohn, reporter Ravens 28, Vikings 23: It’s going to be loud at U.S. Bank Stadium. Harbaugh called it one of the nosiest places in the league. But Roquan Smith argued that it’s “only as loud as you allow it to be.” And this Ravens team, riding a two-game win streak acting more like the confident but not complacent group that has won them games in recent years, should be an even cleaner version of who they’ve been since the bye week. Here are two keys to a Baltimore win, both of which are feasible: Don’t let Justin Jefferson run rampant and don’t let Brian Flores’ funky blitz package stall out the offense. The Ravens won’t be perfect at either, but they’ll do enough to pull within one game of .500. Mike Preston, columnist Ravens 27, Vikings 24: This is a really tough game to pick because Minnesota played so well a week ago in beating the Lions, 27-24, in Detroit. The Vikings have two really good top receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and they have their starting quarterback returning in J.J. McCarthy, who will be playing for the second straight game after returning from an ankle sprain. The Vikings’ defense played well despite allowing 305 yards of total offense against Detroit, sacking Lions quarterback Jared Goff five times. Minnesota will blitz Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson a lot, and the outcome might be decided on how well the Ravens’ offensive line can pick up the stunts and games the defense plays up front. Even with McCarthy, I’m not sure if the Vikings know how to win yet, while the Ravens have been in this situation before. Baltimore hasn’t done well in the postseason the past two or three years, but they have managed to win crucial games late in the season. Josh Tolentino, columnist Ravens 24, Vikings 21: This feels like the toughest matchup to pick all season. The Vikings are coming off a close upset win over Detroit at Ford Field, and now they return home to host a surging Ravens team. Baltimore’s offense is finally humming, fresh off Lamar Jackson’s AFC Offensive Player of the Week performance at Miami. Even when things weren’t clicking early offensively against the Dolphins, coordinator Todd Monken and Jackson combined for impressive back-to-back touchdown scoring drives coming out of the half to put things out of reach. They’ll likely need a quicker start to have a chance to extend their win streak to three games against Minnesota’s Brian Flores-led defense. Jackson looked sluggish against an assortment of blitz looks earlier in the season, but who knows exactly when his previously injured hamstring started to bother him. He’ll need to be on top of his game to decipher Flores’ exotic looks and will the Ravens to victory. Defensively, if the Ravens win the takeaway battle and make life tough for quarterback J.J. McCarthy in just his fourth NFL game, Baltimore should walk out with its third straight win. C.J. Doon, editor Ravens 23, Vikings 20: This game got a lot more interesting after what we saw in Week 9. Lamar Jackson’s return predictably got the Ravens’ offense humming again, while J.J. McCarthy helped lead Minnesota to an upset victory over Detroit in his first game back from an ankle injury. Don’t overlook what McCarthy — or his alter ego “Nine” — means to this Vikings team. He was a winner at Michigan and has shown plenty of moxie in his first few NFL starts. But grit and hustle alone won’t will his team over a Ravens squad that can’t afford any more slip-ups. The Vikings need Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to torch the Ravens’ secondary and hope that Baltimore’s pass rush remains stagnant despite the additions of Dre’Mont Jones and Carl Lawson. Both teams are on the rise of late, so this one could come down to the wire. Bennett Conlin, editor Ravens 27, Vikings 21: With Lamar Jackson healthy over the past 12 months, the Ravens have only lost games to Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts and Russell Wilson. Wilson’s Steelers scored just 18 points in that 2024 win. I don’t care how good Minnesota’s defense is under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but the Ravens aren’t losing to J.J. McCarthy in his first season as an NFL starter. I’m oversimplifying this game, but I’m not taking McCarthy’s team over Jackson’s in many (or any) situations. Baltimore should win Sunday, and a loss would be a significant cause for concern. Tim Schwartz, editor Ravens 27, Vikings 20: Lamar Jackson didn’t play his best against the Dolphins and still threw four touchdown passes in a lopsided win. He’s the ultimate difference-maker, especially in Baltimore. He showed he’s healthy and ready to help the Ravens make a run, and when he plays at his best, it doesn’t really matter the opponent (especially in the NFC). The Vikings have a strong pass defense that is allowing fewer than 200 yards per game, but they aren’t striking fear in opponents, despite how they fared against the Lions. J.J. McCarthy is still unproven. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr would be wise to scheme up some pressure early. Patrice Sanders, FOX45 Morning News anchor Ravens 31, Vikings 24: This will be the second game back with Lamar. The Ravens can carry their momentum from their Thursday night win into this week. Jackson said that he is treating every game like it’s a must-win playoff game. I’m holding him to that. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article Quote
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