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AFC North Recap Week 17: Browns to the rescue

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Instead of the division being clinched in Week 16, the AFC North will now come down to a Sunday Night Football showdown in the final week of the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)​


The Pittsburgh Steelers could have clinched the division with a win against the Browns in Week 17, but their offense collapsed in a 13-6 loss. The Steelers must now face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 with the division and a playoff berth on the line.

Pittsburgh’s offense was unable to get anything going against the Browns’ stingy defense. Aaron Rodgers did not throw a touchdown on the day as he completed 21 of 39 pass attempts for just 168 yards. Jaylen Warren was the team’s leading rusher with 64 yards on 12 carries, while Pat Freiermuth was the leading receiver with D.K. Metcalf suspended. The fifth-year tight end finished with 63 yards on three catches. Not only will the Steelers without Metcalf for Week 18’s showdown with the Ravens, they will also be without without Darnell Washington, as the third-year tight end suffered a broken arm in Cleveland. Washington finishes the year with 31 catches for 364 yards and one touchdown and a solid performance as a blocker.

The Steelers’ defense, still without T.J. Watt, did their part by allowing just a single touchdown while forcing two turnovers. It remains to be seen whether Watt will return in time for the season finale next Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens (8-8)​


Even without Lamar Jackson at the helm, the Baltimore Ravens kept their season alive with a 41-24 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Tyler Huntley filled in for the injured Jackson, completing 16 of 20 pass attempts for 107 yards and one touchdown while avoiding turnovers. The Ravens have now won both games in which Huntley started this season. While Huntley certainly played his part in the offense’s success, the real story of the game was Derrick Henry, who racked up 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns on a career-high 36 carries. The soon-to-be 32-year-old running back now has the 10th-most rushing yards in NFL history and the fourth-most touchdowns. Zay Flowers led the team with just 30 receiving yards while also scoring the lone touchdown through the air. Jackson is trending towards playing in Week 18, but Baltimore will likely continue to rely on Henry to drive the offense even if he plays.

The Ravens’ defense had a tough time slowing down the Packers and backup quarterback Malik Willis, allowing him to complete 18 of 21 pass attempts for 288 yards and a touchdown to go with another 60 yards and two scores on nine rushing attempts. A pair of unlucky turnovers by Green Bay and a late injury to Willis kept the game from potentially becoming a high-scoring shootout.

Cincinnati Bengals (6-10)​


The Cincinnati Bengals were on the winning side of a blowout for the second week in a row with a 37-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

A week after tossing four touchdowns, Burrow had another strong game, completing 24 of 31 pass attempts for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Flacco finished the game, completing three of five pass attempts for 24 yards. Chase Brown tallied 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead the team on 22 carries, while Ja’Marr Chase led the passing attack with 60 yards and both of Burrow’s touchdowns on seven catches.

The Bengals’ defense held the Cardinals’ offense to just 233 total yards while sacking Jacoby Brissett four times. Arizona did not score their second touchdown until there were under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bengals’ defense has finished the year strong, considering the historically bad start the unit had to the season.

Cleveland Browns (4-12)​


The Browns won just their fourth game of the season on Sunday with a 13-6 win over the Steelers. Cleveland’s victory ensured that Pittsburgh did not clinch the division ahead of Week 18 and kept Baltimore’s playoff hopes alive for another week.

Shedeur Sanders’ up-and-down rookie season continued with another two-interception performance. The fifth-round pick has now thrown seven interceptions in the last three games and 10 overall in just seven games. Sanders’ one touchdown – the lone score of the game – went to rookie Harold Fannin Jr., who then exited the game with a groin injury. Jerry Jeudy led the team with 54 receiving yards on five catches, while rookie Dylan Sampson led the ground attack with 27 yards on 11 carries in the absence of fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins.

The all-time single-season sack record will have to wait one more week to be broken, as Myles Garrett was unable to take down Rodgers during the game. Garrett has one final game against Cincinnati next week and needs 0.5 sacks to tie the record and a full sack to break it.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b.../afc-north-recap-week-17-browns-to-the-rescue
 
6 Ravens upgraded on Thursday injury report; Roquan Smith still limited

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The Baltimore Ravens upgraded five players on their Thursday injury report, but linebacker Roquan Smith remains a limited participant.

Lamar Jackson was a full participant for the second day in a row. He said after practice that he would “100%” play in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Starting offensive linemen Ronnie Stanley and Andrew Vorhees were both upgraded to full participation, as were key blockers Patrick Ricard and Charlie Kolar.

Rashod Bateman and Kyle Van Noy appear to be at risk of missing Sunday’s game after missing the first two practices of the week.

Here is the Ravens’ full Thursday injury report:

Full participation

  • DT Taven Bryan (knee, designated to return from injured reserve)
  • QB Lamar Jackson (back)
  • TE Charlie Kolar (nose)
  • FB Patrick Ricard (ankle)
  • LT Ronnie Stanley (knee)
  • LG Andrew Vorhees (foot)

Limited participation

  • WR DeAndre Hopkins (non-injury related-rest)
  • LB Roquan Smith (hamstring)

Did not participate

  • WR Rashod Bateman (illness)
  • OLB Kyle Van Noy (quad)

This story will be updated with more information.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...sday-injury-report-roquan-smith-still-limited
 
Ravens waive OL Ben Cleveland

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The Baltimore Ravens have waived fifth-year offensive lineman Ben Cleveland, per a team announcement.

Cleveland was just coming off a three-game suspension for a DUI, and the team did not have room to keep him on the 53-man roster. He could be a candidate to return to the practice squad, but the Ravens would have to clear a spot. At this point, they may be finished with Cleveland, though his experience in the current offense may keep him around.

As a result of the move, Ravens will not have to pay Cleveland his final $65,000 game check. Rookie guard Emery Jones will continue to be active on game days as the backup guard.

This story will be updated with more information.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/baltimore-ravens-news/79303/ravens-waive-ol-ben-cleveland
 
Roundtable Reactions: Ravens sign NT John Jenkins to extension

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The Ravens signed veteran nose tackle to a one-year, $2.1 million contract extension on Friday. Here are the initial reactions from Baltimore Beatdown’s staff:


Jenkins turned out to be a crucial offseason signing by Eric DeCosta. Initially pegged as the Ravens’ No. 2 nose tackle, he has taken on a starting role and played some of the best ball of his career in his age-36 season. Keeping him on a cheap one-year deal feels like a smart move by DeCosta given the uncertainty surrounding Nnamdi Madubuike and the team’s 2026 defensive line in general. Broderick Washington feels like a potential, if not likely, cap casualty, and only Travis Jones and Aeneas Peebles were under contract next year. (C.J. Okoye can be retained for cheap as an exclusive rights free agent, too). Jenkins’ experience in the defensive line room amid an up-and-down season hasn’t hurt, either, and he has enjoyed his time in Baltimore so far. Both will carry into 2026. – Nikhil Mehta


I was not expecting any more extensions before the end of the season, but this is a welcomed one. John Jenkins has exceeded my expectations as Michael Pierce’s short-term successor, and in a future where Nnamdi Madubuike’s presence is uncertain, it was (and will continue to be) important to keep around the current IDL pieces. With Travis Jones and now Jenkins both extended, two important members of the Ravens front seven will be around next year. I still expect an early draft addition to this unit in the offseason. – Mark Myers


This is an unexpected extension before the end of the season, but John Jenkins has earned it. I did not have high expectations for Jenkins when the Ravens signed him this offseason after the retirement of nose tackle Michael Pierce, but he has filled in admirably at the position. This has allowed Travis Jones to play more at 3-tech in the absence of Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington, where he has excelled and earned a contract extension of his own. Baltimore still needs to address the defensive line this offseason, considering Jenkins’ age, the unknown status of Madubuike, and the potential release of Washington, but Jenkins and Jones, if healthy, provide a solid floor to start with in the trenches. – Dustin Cox


While the Ravens have talked about wanting to get a couple more extensions done before the end of the season, this one wasn’t on my radar. But it’s a great move considering the state of the line going into 2026. Jenkins has been a steady rock in the run game following the departure of Michael Pierce and was a tick better than expected in the pass rush game as well. With Madubuike’s career still in question, adding another piece to pair with recently extended Travis Jones isn’t a bad thing. The Ravens are going to need more top end talent jumping into next season but this is a good starting point for depth. – Zach Canter
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...ions-ravens-sign-nt-john-jenkins-to-extension
 
Ravens Week 18 injury report: Lamar Jackson is full-go vs. Steelers

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The Baltimore Ravens took Lamar Jackson off their Week 18 injury report after the star quarterback completed his first full week of practice since Week 10.

Jackson suffered a back contusion in Week 16, sidelining him all of last week. The team emphasized the severity of the injury last week, raising concern about Jackson’s status for Week 17 as well. But his full participation on Wednesday spurred optimism in The Castle about his status for Sunday’s trip to Pittsburgh.

That optimism has turned into certainty; in fact, Jackson might be the healthiest he has been all season.

“It’s been the closest we’ve been in a long time where [Jackson]’s going to be a full-go all week – that’s a fact,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said on Thursday. He noted that Jackson’s absences have given Tyler Huntley more reps with the first-team offense, which has clearly translated to the field.

“If that doesn’t really tell you that practice matters and the reps and your timing and your team’s confidence around you, I don’t know what does,” he added. “You like having your quarterback out there every day.”

Here are the Ravens’ final injury designations for Sunday night’s game in Pittsburgh:

Questionable

  • WR Rashod Bateman (illness)
  • DT Taven Bryan (knee, designated to return from injured reserve)
  • CB Marlon Humphrey (illness)

This story will be updated with more information.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...y-report-lamar-jackson-is-full-go-vs-steelers
 
Ravens downgrade WR Rashod Bateman, DT Taven Bryan

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The Baltimore Ravens downgraded wide receiver Rashod Bateman and defensive tackle Taven Bryan from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bateman. 26, has been dealing with an illness that kept him out of practice this week. Head coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism about the fifth-year receiver’s status on Thursday, but he was not able to recover in time to take the field.

Bateman’s 2025 season will conclude with just 19 catches on 38 targets for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He has posted lower numbers across the board relative to his breakout 2024 campaign, both in terms of volume and efficiency. Sunday will also be his fourth absence of the season after missing only one over the last two years.

The overall struggles of the Ravens’ passing game certainly contributed to Bateman’s step back, but that road runs both ways. The former first-round pick could not step up as a difference maker and has instead dropped a few crucial passes this year.

Bryan, 29, has been working his way back from a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve at the end of November. He returned to practice at the end of last week and progressed to full participation this week, but the Ravens declined to activate him from IR. They would have to clear a 53-man roster spot to do so, and there is not a clear way to do so. Bryan’s practice window will close next week, so the Ravens will need to make a move if they qualify for the postseason.

For Sunday’s game, the Ravens may roll with a four-man defensive line rotation and deactivate rookie Aeneas Peebles, as they did last week. The potential for the Steelers to lean on their run game with D.K. Metcalf sidelined could be a reason to keep Peebles active on game day.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...ns-downgrade-wr-rashod-bateman-dt-taven-bryan
 
Ravens elevate CB Amani Oruwariye, WR Keith Kirkwood to face Steelers

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The Baltimore Ravens elevated cornerback Amani Oruwariye and wide receiver Keith Kirkwood from their practice squad for Sunday night’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oruwariye has only appeared in one game this year, the Ravens’ Week 12 win over the New York Jets. He played 12 snaps on special teams and will likely have a similar role in Pittsburgh. He is also added cornerback depth in case Marlon Humphrey (illness, listed as questionable) is unable to play.

The Ravens elevated Kirkwood in Week 18 last year, but he did not play a single snap. It might have been to reward Kirkwood with a bigger game check (as a result of being on the active roster on game day), which could again be the case this year. Rashod Bateman is sidelined, but it would be odd for Kirkwood to play over Tylan Wallace or Devontez Walker. Both offer more on offense while also contributing on special teams, and the former is much more important this weekend.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-oruwariye-wr-keith-kirkwood-to-face-steelers
 
Roundtable Reactions: Ravens lead Steelers at halftime

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The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers are all tied up at 10 points entering halftime of their win-or-go-home matchup. Here are the first-half reactions from Baltimore Beatdown’s staff.


A seven-point lead doesn’t feel like enough given Derrick Henry’s production (15 carries, 112 yards), and the Ravens’ terrible two-minute defense almost allowed a game-tying touchdown before half. Lamar Jackson has not been comfortable dropping back behind the line of scrimmage, but Henry’s effectiveness should only go up in the second half. The defense has looked great outside of that last drive, but the Steelers are still getting too many easy yards. So there’s plenty of reason for cautious optimism. The Ravens are playing well enough to win; that’s for sure. – Nikhil Mehta


Big time stop! A predictably ugly game, but penalties have prevented the Ravens from going into halftime with a larger lead. Pittsburgh predictably has no threat in the pass game outside of the screens to Gainwell and Warren. As long as the defense continues to do its job and the offense can add another ten points, this game should be there for the taking. They absolutely have to eliminate the first-down penalties and let Derrick Henry continue to eat. These next 30 minutes will surely be excruciating. – Mark Myers


Despite the best efforts from the referees, the Ravens have looked like the far superior team. You knew going into this game it would be a close one, it was just a matter of how it would transpire. The Ravens ran the ball effectively but still looked out of sorts in obvious passing situations. In the second half, Monken needs to run the ball and get Jackson in a rhythm with the short passing game. Pittsburgh’s offense is not good without D.K. Metcalf. Zach Orr needs to focus the attention on the Steelers running backs and tight ends. I except a heavy dose of Henry in the second half, but for Baltimore to win, they will need to avoid the dreaded turnover.
– Stephen Bopst


The defense is doing exactly what they need to do, limiting a Steelers offense that’s lacking big play makers to only one field after a big fourth down stop on the goal line to end the half. They do need to improve their tackling. The only offense Pittsburgh’s had has been checkdowns to the running backs. Limit those underneath gains after the catch, and the defense will limit.

The offense meanwhile can’t get out of their own way. Multiple drives stalled and halted by penalties. But the Ravens continue to feed the Birthday King, who’s already over 100 yards. Lamar Jackson looks sharp, dotting multiple passes despite drops from the receivers. This game is a race to 20 points for Baltimore. If the offense can get there, they’ll take the division. – Zach Canter
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...le-reactions-ravens-lead-steelers-at-halftime
 
Baltimore Ravens Report Card, Week 18: Unbalanced at the wrong times in season-ending loss

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Quarterback: A–

Lamar Jackson began the game sharp with a long 38-yard, fourth-down touchdown pass on the opening drive. From there on, his passing production stagnated for most of the next two quarters and the offense scored only three points. Jackson had a couple throws deflected at the line of scrimmage, one of which was bounced into T.J. Watt’s arms for an interception. In the fourth quarter, Jackson put on his superman cape and came alive when the Ravens needed him most. He evaded sacks, played decisively, and made three crucial throws: the 50-yard and 64-yard touchdown passes to Zay Flowers, and the 26-yard fourth-down completion to Isaiah Likely. The latter set up what would have been a game-winning field goal. Jackson finished with a passer rating of 121.5 and 238 passing yards, while completing 11-of-18 throws in total.

Running Back: B

Derrick Henry was not able to replicate last week’s otherworldly performance but was still effective. He rushed for 126 yards on 20 carries, good for 6.3 yards per carry. Most of that production came in the first half, though, and a chunk of it came on the first play of the game — which was a 41-yard breakaway run. Henry was bottled up for much of the second half and the Ravens got into pass-first mode late in the game. Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali did no damage on the ground but each had unfortunate miscues in the passing game. Mitchell dropped a wheel route pass and Ali was overpowered by Nick Herbig on a pass protection set, which resulted in Jackson taking a sack on third down.

Wide Receiver: B+

As mentioned previously, Flowers had two big-play, clutch touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter. Both were busted coverages by the Steelers and Flowers took advantage by finding open space. He had only two catches prior to that but finished with 138 yards and a pair of scores, marking his first multiple-touchdown game of the season. Devontez Walker was the recipient of Jackson’s 38-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive and had another catch for eight yards later on. Deandre Hopkins finished with no catches on two targets and had an unfortunate miscommunication with Jackson late in the game. Hopkins was uncovered on the sideline while Jackson scrambled away from pressure, but he stood still instead of running up-field and Jackson threw the ball away.

Tight End: C+

Mark Andrews had a quiet night with only two receptions for 14 yards on three targets. It marked his seventh game of the year with less than 20 receiving yards and ninth game with two catches or fewer. Likely also caught just two passes, but 26-yard snag on the final drive of the game was incredibly impressive and clutch. He had to high point the ball in traffic and secured it after hitting the ground. That could have been a storybook moment for Likely had it in fact set up the game-winning field goal. Regardless, it was a crucial fourth-down conversion to keep the Ravens’ hopes alive for a few more seconds.

Offensive Line: C

The Ravens ran blocked well overall, as the offense finished with 137 rushing yards overall on 5.1 yards per carry — almost all of which Henry accounted for. It was a tale of two halves, though. The Steelers’ defensive line began to close gaps and cram running lanes up front as the game progressed. Henry was not able to find much room for success over the final two quarters. Baltimore’s pass protection was shaky, which had been the case almost all season. Jackson was sacked three times and the Steelers racked up five quarterback hits with multiple deflected passes at the line of scrimmage. Jackson’s elusiveness in the pocket negated what would have been at least another sack, if not more, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens were also flagged multiple times for costly holding penalties, and Ronnie Stanley was penalized for a five-yard illegal formation on the final drive of the game.


Defensive Line: C

The Steelers didn’t commit to running the ball at all in the first half but were able to find some success against the Ravens’ defensive front. Jaylen Warren averaged 4.7 yards per carry and picked up some important yardage in the second half. The run game ultimately did not kill the Ravens’ defense, though. Travis Jones was a lone soldier on the defensive line in terms of pass rush again, with a sack and quarterback hit. Overall, though, the Ravens got very little notable pressure through the interior. Brent Urban and John Jenkins each had three tackles.

Edge Rusher: C

As has been the case for much of the year, the Ravens didn’t get enough pressure on the quarterback. Tavius Robinson was the only edge rusher to record a sack and Mike Green had one quarterback hit. Rodgers got more comfortable as the game progressed and was granted enough time in the pocket to inflict damage. Kyle Van Noy had two tackles and Dre’Mont Jones was blanked on the stat sheet. The Ravens’ lack of a consistent pass-rush winner is a glaring flaw. Against the run, the Ravens set the edge decently for much of the game but they didn’t blow up many plays or wreak havoc.

Linebacker: C

Trenton Simpson tied for the team-lead in tackles with nine including six solo. Simpson made some good tackles in open space. Roquan Smith, meanwhile, surprisingly only had three tackles total. The Ravens’ pass coverage over the middle of the field was once again an issue, and the linebackers did not bottle up the run enough either.

Cornerback: D+

Nate Wiggins had a better performance than last week’s debacle in Green Bay. He had multiple pass breakups in single coverage and battled through some in-game injuries. Marlon Humphrey was victimized again in man coverage when Adam Thielen reeled in a long third-down conversion. Shortly after, Humphrey badly missed two open-field tackle attempts on Warren. Chidobe Awuzie also had a forgettable outing. Awuzie slipped in man coverage against Calvin Austin III on the Steelers’ final drive of fourth quarter, and Rodgers threw a wide-open touchdown pass as a result. That gave the Steelers the lead with under a minute remaining. Overall, this should have been a mismatch against Pittsburgh’s D.K. Metcalf-less receiving corps, but they were still able to find success and big plays when needed.

Safety: C+

Kyle Hamilton exited the game with a concussion early in the third quarter, and the Ravens’ defense promptly nosedived after that. Hamilton had nine tackles and a pass breakup before leaving and was disruptive, with his lone blemish being a pass interference penalty in the end zone. Alohi Gilman made eight tackles with a pass breakup as well and had a key tackle-for-loss on the team’s goal-line stand just before halftime. Malaki Starks made a nice play deep coverage where he broke on a long pass to Marquez Valdez-Scantling that nearly resulted in an interception. Despite some of these good individual moments, the Ravens still surrendered too many long passes and missed tackles in open space, and the backline shares some of the blame in that. Ar’Darius Washington was targeted frequently after Hamilton went down and he struggled a bit.


Special Teams: C+

Tyler Loop’s missed field goal the end of the game drags this grade down and rightfully so. It was a difficult high-stakes moment for a rookie kicker in a tough environment. However, he was perfect on 29-of-29 kicks under 50 yards up to that point, and the 44-yarder would have sent the Ravens to the playoffs. Jordan Stout had multiple punts inside the 20 and was effective, capping off a career-best season. Keaton Mitchell’s 41-yard kickoff return late in the fourth quarter was almost a key play of the game, as it set the Ravens up in great position to kick a game-winning field goal.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...rt-card-week-18-unbalanced-at-the-wrong-times
 
Ravens sign 8 players to reserve/future contracts

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In their first moves of the 2026 offseason, the Baltimore Ravens signed the following eight players to reserve/future contracts.

  • T Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan
  • WR Cornelius Johnson
  • DT David Olajiga
  • DB Amani Oruwariye
  • G Jared Penning
  • DB Marquise Robinson
  • OLB Kaimon Rucker
  • FB Lucas Scott

All eight spent the 2025 season on the Ravens’ practice squad. Only Oruwariye, a seven-year veteran, appeared in a game this year. He played 12 special teams snaps in Week 12.

None of these players profile as serious candidates for the 53-man roster in 2025. Rucker and Scott would be the two likeliest to make the team. Rucker was a reliable pass rusher at North Carolina and Scott could be groomed to replace Patrick Ricard, who is set to hit free agency in a few months.

More practice squad players will sign reserve/future contacts in the coming days as the Ravens start to fill their 90-man offseason roster.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...ns-sign-8-players-to-reserve-future-contracts
 
Baltimore Ravens Post-Week 18 Hangover Thread

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Okay, Flock Nation, this is a safe space. Let it all out.

The Ravens’ 26-24 loss to the Steelers last night was a disappointing end to a disappointing season, and arguably, a deeply disappointing decade in Baltimore. There are several tough questions that need to be asked inside The Castle over the coming days, weeks, and months, most of which fans have been yelling for weeks, months, and years. There are many built-up frustrations with individual players and coaches as well as the team’s general direction and philosophy.

Those all belong here. Add your commentary and criticisms of the team in the comments section below, and check out the rest of our post-game content!

Post-Week 18 Content​

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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...baltimore-ravens-post-week-18-hangover-thread
 
Roundtable Reactions: Ravens fire head coach John Harbaugh

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On Tuesday, following the Sunday Pittsburgh loss that sent the Baltimore Ravens home at 8-9, the Ravens fired 18-year head coach John Harbaugh. Here are the instant reactions from Baltimore Beatdown’s staff:


I have felt for months that John Harbaugh could be fired if the Ravens did not make the playoffs. That is the organization’s basic annual goal, and, for the first time since 2021, Harbaugh did not get the job done. Not only that, his team did not play well all year, even when they were winning. The same problems that have plagued both sides of the ball in seasons past became insurmountable this season. Harbaugh is not solely responsible for the team’s failures over the last several years, but he is the biggest consistent factor. That includes both his in-game decisions and his general management of the team.

Of course, all eyes will now turn towards the the Ravens’ head coaching search. This hiring cycle is not considered as strong as last year’s, but Baltimore’s vacancy will probably be one of the most desirable in the league. That should give Steve Bisciotti and Eric DeCosta a strong shot at landing their preferred candidate. – Nikhil Mehta


Wow. It’s finally over. John Harbaugh has been the only coach I’ve known since following the Ravens, so this feels weird. However, it was clearly time. Harbaugh is one of the more well-respected coaches in the NFL and has helped build a great culture in Baltimore, but Steve Bisciotti and Eric DeCosta felt, along with the fan base, that his time had run its course. It will be a new era of Ravens football next year, and it should figure to be the most desirable coaching position available. Hindsight is 20/20, but this is something that should’ve happened after the 2023 season when the team had Mike MacDonald in the building. The question now becomes… what direction does Baltimore go? Offensive-minded coach, defensive-minded? This almost certainly means the end of either Zach Orr or Todd Monken’s time in Baltimore as well. So many questions, but it should be a very exciting offseason in Baltimore. – Stephen Bopst


I am stunned. Even though the writing was on the wall following such a disappointing season and another heartbreaking final game, I did not expect this decision, and especially not so soon.

With that being said, this had to be the way forward for Eric DeCosta and the Ravens. I am completely scrambled. In a perfect world, the Ravens would have made this decision when better offensive-minded coaches were available. A move like this likely means Zach Orr will also be gone as well. Reports have also made it seem like Todd Monken could also be on the way out. This is unprecedented territory for a franchise known for its stability. It will be strange to see another face on the sidelines next season, but I am eager to see how this will unfold. – Mark Myers


I am actually shocked that the Ravens did it. This is honestly a little bittersweet. I was ready for Baltimore to move in a different direction, but John Harbaugh has been a constant in my football life for almost two decades. He will not have trouble finding a new job and will likely do very well wherever he lands, but it was time for a change here. There’s only so many times you can bang your head against the same brick wall before trying a new approach.

This is quite an exciting time to be a Ravens fan. A new coach has the potential to reinvigorate this roster as they push for the ever-elusive Super Bowl while Lamar Jackson is still in his prime. I expect that both coordinators will be gone as well after a move like this. This should immediately vault to the top head coach opening on the market now. I am beyond excited to see what is ahead for this team, but I also want to thank Harbaugh for the countless memories and great moments he helped create in his time here. – Dustin Cox


I can’t believe they actually did it. It was expected after such an awful season. But 18 years can be hard to break up, no matter how bad it gets. And then talks recently made it seem like the Ravens were truly thinking about retaining him and only making changes on the coordinator level. Instead, it is Harbaugh who gets the first axe. Taking a step back, it’s a big day. Harbaugh has been here for nearly two decades and was a big part of the Ravens culture. He helped revive the Ravens after years of mediocrity following the 2000 Super Bowl. The Ravens have been a team that was always in the conversation, and whose every game mattered until the end of the season. A lot of teams can’t say they’ve had that kind of success for 20 years, and Harbaugh is a big reason Baltimore could.

But it was time to move on. The Ravens have Lamar Jackson at quarterback, and the lack of playoff success with only one championship game appearance over eight years is underachieving. Making the playoffs can’t be enough. Years of blown fourth-quarter leads and fumbling away have stacked up beyond a singular season, player, or coordinator. Eventually, the head coach has to be looked at. I think hiring Zach Orr, who just simply wasn’t ready, and missing the playoffs this season was the last straw for Harbaugh. Now the search for a new era of Ravens football begins. Look out for names like Brian Flores, Robert Saleh, Klint Kubiak, and Jesse Minter as names to be connected to Baltimore. – Zach Canter


John Harbaugh’s firing is a surreal moment. Despite rampant speculation and discussion surrounding his standing in Baltimore over the past few years, it almost felt as though Harbaugh’s job security was ironclad. Instead, owner Steve Biscotti pulled the trigger to part ways with the captain of the team’s ship for the past 18 years — a decision that comes not without legitimate risk, but one that is necessary. Harbaugh gave the Ravens nearly two decades of consistent winning football, highlighted by a Super Bowl victory and numerous other memorable wins. For this, fans should think fondly of his tenure overall.

However, the Ravens have failed to get over the hump one too many times now in recent seasons and let some of the most talented rosters in franchise history flame out early in the playoffs. Their recurring faults and bad habits have continued to fester, not go away. To maximize the remainder of Lamar Jackson’s prime years, the Ravens need a new voice and vision at the helm. Bringing in a new head coach and other fresh adjacent coaches, while trying to compete for a super bowl right away, is a daunting task. Fortunately, there are plenty of notable candidates available who could be great fits in Baltimore (if only Mike Macdonald was on the market). Farewell and thanks for the memories, John Harbaugh, and here’s to a new era of Ravens football to come. — Frank Platko
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...eactions-ravens-fire-head-coach-john-harbaugh
 
Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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As it turns out, the league’s last game turned out to be its most dramatic one. Once Tyler Loop’s field goal sailed wide of the uprights, Baltimore had their ticket to the playoffs slip away in a 26-24 loss. Here’s the final Good, Bad, and Ugly of the 2025 season.

The Good:​


Lamar Jackson: I mean, wow. After weeks and weeks of having outside media (and some local media) question whether or not Jackson could still be a franchise quarterback, he delivered his best performance since his return from injury. While the legs still weren’t quite there, the two-time MVP reminded everyone that his arm is enough to win. He threw 11/18 totaling 238 yards and three touchdowns for a 121.5 rating, and it should have been more, too. Not only did the Ravens pass-catchers drop a few targets, a number of Jackson’s passes were battled at the line of scrimmage. The lone interception was a tipped ball that somehow pinballed around and landed in a defender’s arms. Jackson led multiple game-winning drives in the fourth quarter. There is zero doubt that the he still has it and should remain in Baltimore as long as possible. I also think his legs will return after an offseason of rest.

Zay Flowers: This was the closest thing we’ve seen to a playoff performance since Flowers’ disastrous fumble against the Chiefs in his rookie year, and he delivered against Pittsburgh. Four catches for 138 yards and the two massive scores in the fourth quarter. He was reliable, did not try to do too much after the catch, and crucially, held onto the ball. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens approach Flowers with a contract extension when he becomes eligible this offseason.

TOUCHDOWN ZAY FLOWERS AGAIN!!!!!!

Tune in on NBC!!!! pic.twitter.com/bX1jX4Nc7H

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 5, 2026
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Derrick Henry: The King finished just shy of taking the rushing crown for the 2025 season, totaling 126 yards on 20 carries with multiple explosive runs in the first quarter that put the Ravens ahead early. Unfortunately, the Ravens somewhat forgot Henry existed in the fourth quarter, though the negative game script and explosive passes limited the opportunities to use him to salt away the game.

Derrick Henry goes OFF on the first play of the game!

BALvsPIT on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/wI4GYgRu9L

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2026
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Devontez Walker: Walker continues to maintain his efficiency. He snagged two catches on two targets, and a long touchdown. He now has four touchdowns on seven catches in his career. He easily ran away from Jalen Ramsey in man coverage for his score on Sunday and looks to be a potential downfield weapon for 2026. With questions surrounding the future of this team, Walker’s involvement could explode next year.

THAT'S TOUCHDOWN TEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tune in on SNF! pic.twitter.com/za6JT4K2tl

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 5, 2026
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Kyle Hamilton: Hamilton led the team in tackles against Pittsburgh, despite missing most of the second half. He was a menace to an offense that relied entirely on underneath stuff and yards after the catch. Without his presence, the Ravens’ defense simply fell apart and couldn’t contain Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. The unit went from allowing 3.9 yards per play to giving up 6.9 yards per play after he left the game. In other words, Hamilton was holding this defense apart.

Isaiah Likely: Likely made the biggest catch of his career against Pittsburgh, and it’s probably going to be his last as a Raven. On a do-or-die fourth down on the last drive of the game, fourth down, he made an incredible catch in traffic to set up the field goal that would have won the game. It’s going to be hard watching Likely go somewhere and become a top-five tight end as the top option on a new team.

ISAIAH LIKELY FIRST DOWN!!!!!!!!!!

Tune in on NBC!! pic.twitter.com/dt1zF17HHp

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 5, 2026
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The Bad​


Offensive line: The biggest worry from the beginning of the season might be the reason they failed on Sunday. Derrick Henry had over 100 yards in the first half of the game, but the run game failed to get going in the second half. A major reason for that was a lack of push compared to the first half. Not to mention how under siege Lamar Jackson was most of the night, including the first Zay Flowers touchdown, which happened after two rushers went untouched and sandwiched Jackson, who somehow escaped. It was the weakest point of the team all season long.

The defense: It simply fell apart after Kyle Hamilton walked off the field. The whole unit aside from him deserves to be admonished, which is unfortunate cause there were a ton of positives in the first half. They allowed one field goal the entire first half and had multiple fourth-down stops, including the incredible play at the goal line to end the half. The defensive backs, in particular, were playing extremely well and had a ton of pass breakups and tight coverage early. Then it all fell apart. And no matter how well they played early, it doesn’t make up for how terrible and inept they were late. They only forced one punt the entire second half against an offense missing D.K. Metcalf and Darnell Washington. Just pitiful.

Pass rush: Part 2 of the weakest part of this team. Like the first matchup with the Steelers, the Ravens failed to pressure Aaron Rodgers. They did finish with two sacks, but the rush simply was nowhere near consistent enough to really impact the game. Baltimore only totaled nine pressures in Rodgers’ 50 dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. The pass rush absolutely needs to be fixed for next season. You can’t compete in the playoffs if you can’t win with four. (Editor’s Note: Or scheme up pressure with a new head coach. *cough cough* Brian Flores.)

The Ugly​


That kick: It’s not a Ravens season if it doesn’t end in heartbreak. With two seconds left in the NFL regular season, despite the yearlong struggles, the Ravens had a chance to win the division go to the playoffs. Instead, rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed the 44-yarder wide right, a bad kick from the moment his foot struck the ball.

Tackling: This was simply atrocious. It was well-known that going into this game without D.K. Metcalf, the running backs for the Steelers would be the primary focus, both on the ground and in the air. There wouldn’t be much of a deep attack, and it would mainly run through short yard passes. Instead, the Ravens missed tackles all night and often struggled to finish plays. They had five missed tackles on run plays, seven missed tackles on pass plays, and 195 yards of the Steelers’ 294 passing yards were yards after the catch. It simply abysmal performance; even worse, it came against what entered the game as an inept offense.

The coaching staff: Sunday’s game turned out to be the final nail in the coffin. With the preseason talk and the expectations, at the end of the day, the failure of this season rests on their shoulders. Nnamdi Madubuike’s injury set the defense back, sure, and your franchise quarterback missing time is never good. But Madubuike’s injury happened so early, with plenty of time to adjust and regroup, and the Ravens went 2-2 without Lamar Jackson starting. But it was clear that the team was not living up to their potential. The offense was inconsistent and never could find a rhythm, largely because of the pass rush. The defense had no teeth and lacked pass rush. Now it’s about moving forward
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...sburgh-steelers-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly
 
The Baltimore Ravens 2026 Head Coach Interview Tracker

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For the first time since 2008, the Ravens are looking for a new head coach, and Baltimore Beatdown is here to document the team’s search process.

In this tracker, you will find an exhaustive list of the Ravens’ head coaching candidates and their interview requests, as well as updates on the scheduling and completion of those interviews. We will also keep track of rumored interest in other coaches and note ones who may have been eliminated from consideration. This is intended to be more of a hub, a repository of names and dates to visualize the process and timeline with links to full articles regarding individual coaches and the prevailing winds in Baltimore.

And now, without further ado: the Baltimore Ravens 2026 Head Coach Interview Tracker. Be sure to check back regularly to keep up with all of the latest updates, and add your thoughts in the comments section below!

Interview Requests​

Scheduled Interviews​

Completed Interviews​

Rumored, Reported, and Potential Interest​

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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...more-ravens-2026-head-coach-interview-tracker
 
Ravens Reacts Survey Postseason

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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ravens fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Well, folks, they did it. The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh.

Is that the direction in which you wanted the Ravens to go? What direction should they take for Harbaugh successor?

Let us know in the survey below, and share your additional thoughts in the comments section!
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/baltimore-ravens-opinion/79502/ravens-reacts-survey-postseason
 
AFC North Recap Week 18: Ravens, Browns fire their head coaches

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The battle for the AFC North came down to a missed field goal in the end. Massive changes have since hit the division as two head coaches were relieved of their duties following the end of the regular season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)​


The Steelers became AFC North champions for the first time since 2020 with a 26-24 win over the Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

A missed kick by Baltimore’s rookie kicker, Tyler Loop, saved Pittsburgh’s season after Chris Boswell had an extra point blocked on the prior drive. What started as somewhat of a slog of a game ended in fireworks in the fourth quarter as each team traded touchdowns back and forth. Aaron Rodgers was efficient through the air, completing 31 of 47 pass attempts for 294 yards, one touchdown, and zero turnovers. Rodgers finishes his first season in the black and yellow with 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Jaylen Warren finished the game with a team-high 66 rushing yards on 14 attempts, while fellow running back Kenneth Gainwell led the team in receiving yards with 64 on eight catches, with wide receiver DK Metcalf still suspended. Metcalf is set to return now in a matchup with the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

After allowing the Ravens to march down the field on the opening drive of the game, the Steelers’ defense tightened up, effectively shutting down Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry until allowing multiple big-play touchdowns through the air in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh finished with three sacks on Jackson while T.J. Watt came down with an interception on a batted pass in his first game back from a collapsed lung. With the interception, Watt became the third player with over 100 sacks and nine interceptions in NFL history, joining the Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers.

Baltimore Ravens (8-9)​


A disappointing season that began with Super Bowl aspirations for Baltimore came to an end with a missed kick in a 26-24 loss to the Steelers.

Lamar Jackson returned to action after missing the previous game with a back injury. After hitting Devontez Walker for a wide-open touchdown on the opening drive, Jackson struggled to do anything against Pittsburgh’s defense for much of the game. That was until the fourth quarter, when Jackson came to life, connecting on two deep touchdowns to Zay Flowers. Jackson finished the game with 11 completions on 18 attempts for 238 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The two-time MVP finishes a rocky, injury-riddled season with 2,549 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions while adding a career-low 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Derrick Henry led the ground attack with 20 carries for 126 yards, finishing just 26 yards behind Buffalo Bills running back James Cook for the rushing title. Flowers led all receivers with 138 yards and two touchdowns on four catches.

An injury to Kyle Hamilton at the start of the second half completely derailed the Ravens’ defense as they allowed 23 points after the star safety’s departure with a concussion. Baltimore finished with two sacks, but as they have for much of the season, the unit struggled to generate effective pressure on Rodgers.

The Ravens shocked the NFL landscape just a few days after the game, as it was announced that long-time head coach John Harbaugh was being fired after 18 seasons with the team. Baltimore now begins the search for just their fourth head coach in franchise history.

Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)​


The Bengals capped off their third-straight season without a playoff appearance with a 20-18 loss to the Browns.

A last-second field goal vaulted Cleveland to victory over Cincinnati, finally putting an end to a frustrating season for the Bengals. Joe Burrow finished the game with 29 completions on 39 attempts for 236 yards and three touchdowns, but a 97-yard pick-six marred his otherwise solid day. Ja’Marr Chase, per usual, was Burrow’s top target, catching eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Chase Brown led the way on the ground with 72 rushing yards on 13 carries. Despite head coach Zac Taylor entering the season with a presumably hot seat, he is currently set to return to coach another season with Cincinnati. Much speculation will surely be made about the availability of Burrow, however, as the superstar quarterback has been vocal about his frustration surrounding the team’s lack of success at times this season. After missing nine games with a toe injury, Burrow finishes the season with 1,809 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions.

The Bengals’ defense did their part as 14 of Cleveland’s 20 points came from defensive touchdowns. Cincinnati’s defense can hang their hat on a strong finish to the season after a historically bad start to the year. The main question regarding the unit this offseason will be whether or not star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson will return to the team after missing much of the season due to injury. The 32-year-old free agent requested a trade last offseason before the two sides ultimately reached a conclusion to raise his salary for the 2025 season.

Cleveland Browns (5-12)​


The Browns may have ended their season on a two-game winning streak, but that did not save head coach Kevin Stefanksi from being fired after the fourth losing season in his six-year tenure in Cleveland.

The Browns will likely be in the quarterback market once again this offseason after neither of the two rookies they drafted showed much promise. Shedeur Sanders had another uneventful performance in his season finale, completing 11 of 22 passing attempts for 111 yards and zero touchdowns. The fifth-round rookie finishes his debut season with 1,400 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. While the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders has a staunch group of fans, a new coaching staff will likely want to hand-pick their guy at the position.

It took until the final week of the season, but Myles Garrett officially set the new single-season sack record with his 23rd of the year coming against Burrow. The defense as a whole finishes the year as one of the league’s best units, and they proved that on Sunday with a 97-yard pick-six and a fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Bengals.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/g...week-18-ravens-browns-fire-their-head-coaches
 
Ravens interview ex-Browns HC Kevin Stefanski to replace John Harbaugh

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The Baltimore Ravens interviewed former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for their head coaching vacancy on Friday.

Stefanski spent the first 14 years of his NFL career on the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff, rising from assistant coach to the team’s offensive coordinator, before being hired by the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

Stefanski then served as head coach of the Browns for six years before being fired this past Monday. The Browns finished the season 5-12, their fourth losing record during Stefanski’s tenure, and last in the AFC North for the second consecutive season.

Despite a 45-56 regular-season record, Stefanski left a relatively positive mark on Cleveland as the franchise’s most successful head coach this century. He led the team to its first playoff appearance in 18 years and its first victory in 26 years, when the team emphatically defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 48-37 in the 2020 season. The 43-year-old was also named the AP Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023.

Cleveland’s success under Stefanski was brief and inconsistent, though much of the blame for the team’s disappointing performance this decade can be attributed to the front office. During Stefanski’s six seasons, the Browns started a league-high 13 different quarterbacks, according to ESPN.

Do you want the Ravens to hire an offensive-minded coach? Let us know what you think of Kevin Stefanski as the Ravens’ potential new head coach in the comments, and be sure to check our Interview Tracker for a full overview of the search!
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-hc-kevin-stefanski-for-head-coaching-vacancy
 
Ravens request to interview Bills OC Joe Brady

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The Baltimore Ravens have requested to interview Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady for their head coaching vacancy, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Ravens will be able to interview with Brady after the Bills’ upcoming Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The #Ravens have requested to interview #Bills OC Joe Brady for their head coach position, source said. He can interview after Buffalo plays. pic.twitter.com/OsRzfjeB6a

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2026
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Brady, 36, is one of the younger offensive coordinators in the NFL and has had a steady rise in the coaching ranks. He first joined the professional ranks as an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints in 2017, before reverting back to the collegiate level as LSU’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2019. It was there that Brady put himself on the map, overseeing a historic LSU offense that won the National Championship with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and other NFL talent.

Brady’s success at LSU saw him land his first NFL offensive coordinator job with the Carolina Panthers the following year. He transitioned into a quarterbacks coach role for the Bills two seasons later and began working closely with Josh Allen in Buffalo. In 2023, he became the Bills’ interim offensive coordinator and replaced Brian Daboll. He’s been the team’s offensive coordinator in full ever since then over the past two seasons.

The Bills have ranked Top 10 in points scored in each of the past three seasons. Since Brady was promoted to full-time offensive coordinator over the last two years, the Bills have finished second and fourth in points per game average among all teams. In 2025, the Bills were the best rushing offense in the NFL.

The Ravens, like other teams, are likely attracted to Brady’s offensive intelligence and ability to get the most out of personnel at his disposal. His success in working with Allen and helping him develop into an MVP quarterback is noteworthy, too.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...avens-request-to-interview-bills-oc-joe-brady
 
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