News Ravens Team Notes

Fan confidence in Ravens rises after preseason

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Earlier this week, we polled Baltimore Ravens fans on how their confidence in the 2025 Ravens compared to earlier in the offseason. The results, brought to you by our sponsor, FanDuel Sporstbook, are in and the majority are more confident than before. In fact, only two-percent of fans had their confidence diminish since the Ravens’ offseason ended.

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It’s unsurprising to see fan confidence grow with regard to Baltimore. The team added exciting talent, big names and high-caliber rookies. No major injuries were sustained to the starting roster, though tight end Isaiah Likely isn’t expected to be available at the beginning of the season. Sadly, the team did see a few players land on injured reserve as rookie cornerbacks Robert Longerbeam and Bilhal Kone will be out for the season, and outside linebacker Adisa Isaac will miss some time due to elbow surgery after dislocation.

But with a healthy roster, Lamar Jackson commanding the offense and a hearty crop of star talent remaining on the team, the Ravens appear set for another season with Super Bowl aspirations.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...an-confidence-in-ravens-rises-after-preseason
 
Which UDFA will make the biggest impact for the Ravens in 2025?

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Earlier this week, the Baltimore Ravens granted spots on the 53-man roster to three different undrafted free agent rookies. Reuben Lowery, Keyon Martin, and Jay Higgins IV each burst onto the scene this summer and exceeded expectations. After making a strong impression in training camp, this trio were leading defensive playmakers for the Ravens in the preseason and made a number of highlight plays.

Ultimately, their performances punched their ticket to the active roster and convinced the Ravens to keep them over some other bubble players. Now that they’re set to be on the 53-man squad for the regular season, the question begs: which of the three UDFAs will make the biggest impact for the Ravens in 2025?

The answer to this will ultimately come down to path to playing time and which player maximizes their snaps the most.

Today’s Question of the Day is:​


Which UDFA will make the biggest impact for the Ravens in 2025?

My Answer:
DB Reuben Lowery

From the onset of this spring to now, Lowery has had the most linear and consistent path of the three. He began flashing early on and continued an upward trajectory. His performance in the preseason served to reinforce what he had displayed throughout rookie minicamp and training camp, where he had already begun to emerge as a possible candidate to make the team.

Higgins and Martin came on strong towards the end of the summer and made more of a late push to make the team. That’s especially true for the latter, as Martin originally joined the Ravens after a tryout back in the spring. He climbed in the depth chart in a huge way and his standout preseason showing forced the team’s hand.

In terms of which player has the best path for a starting role and/or significant defensive playing time, that answer is probably Higgins. The Ravens are deeper at both cornerback and safety than they are at inside linebacker, and Higgins could possibly push for snaps alongside Roquan Smith. However, that will only be true if Trenton Simpson again struggles in a starting role and does not progress from last season. Based on what we saw in the preseason, Simpson appears primed to improve.

Lowery, meanwhile, is set for a primary backup free safety role behind Malaki Starks. He’s also versatile enough to play cornerback as well and, as a denominator, will almost surely handle a lot of snaps on special teams. Lowery would only assume starting-caliber reps in the event of an injury to either Starks or Hamilton. However, he could be given a handful of occasional snaps in three-safety alignments alongside this pair.

Martin is almost squarely a nickel/slot defender and his path to playing time likely stems from special teams only, unless there are multiple injuries at the cornerback spot. Between his guaranteed special teams role and potential for an increasing defensive role, Lowery is the safest option to make a consistent impact in 2025.

Do you agree that Lowery will be the biggest contributor between these three? Or do you think Higgins or Martin will make a greater impact? Share your thoughts below and discuss!

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...ake-the-biggest-impact-for-the-ravens-in-2025
 
NFL Week 1 Power Rankings: Baltimore Ravens enter 2025 as consensus Top 5 team

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The long offseason has ended and Week 1 has arrived. But before the Baltimore Ravens face off against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, the pre-Week 1 Power Rankings are here.

Disclaimer: I, Kyle Phoenix, loathe power rankings before games have been played. All power rankings are superficial and Ravens fans are notably uncaring for them. Over my years of consolidating them, fans grow tiresome of them. Wherever the Ravens are ranked, fans are annoyed cause it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is when the Ravens are in the playoffs and can handle what they should have for years now.

This is me getting on my soapbox about power rankings in an area that matters: College Football.

Preseason rankings for College Football are ridiculous. No team should be ranked until the season begins. It only hurts teams before the season starts. Texas was ranked No. 1. Now they’re No. 6. Should they fall that far? Not enough? How would it differ if they were yet to be ranked? Same goes for teams like Utah, or BYU. They both made Top 25 (BYU via Coaches, Utah via AP). Maybe they’d be higher (or lower) depending upon the true outcomes of their respective games, not moving up or down because of preseason rankings based exclusively on their on-paper roster and regime.

Thank you for your time. Now, onto the Ravens’ Week 1 before-they’ve-played-a-game Power Rankings.



NFL.com: 2

From: Eric Edholm

“The Steelers have Aaron Rodgers, and the Bengals might be due for a bounce-back season, but the Ravens remain my clear favorites in the AFC North right now. Lamar Jackson has played at an MVP level in each of the past two seasons, and the Ravens weren’t as gutted — personnel-wise or in the coaching staff — as they often are in the offseason. Continuity will help Baltimore in its quest for a third straight division title, with the biggest changes arguably coming on special teams. The Ravens have 10 offensive starters back, as well as most of their defense, which performed at a higher level by the end of the 2024 season and still might have some room for improvement. If they get to the bye (Week 7) in decent shape, it should be another strong year.”

ESPN: 1

From: Mike Clay

“This team has it all: an elite coach in John Harbaugh, perhaps the league’s best QB in two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, a terrific offensive supporting cast (led by RB Derrick Henry, WR Zay Flowers, TE Mark Andrews, OT Ronnie Stanley and C Tyler Linderbaum) and a terrific defense that returns 10 of its top 11 snap-getters from 2024 (including stars in S Kyle Hamilton, CB Marlon Humphrey, LB Roquan Smith and DT Nnamdi Madubuike). They also strengthened their secondary by signing cornerback Jaire Alexander.”

Sports Illustrated: 1

From: Conor Orr

“If I had to evaluate an offense and a defense in totality, excluding any prior narratives the team has amassed, the Ravens would be the most sensible selection for the Super Bowl. Best defense over the final six weeks of the 2024 season. Second-best offense and second-best quarterback over the same stretch. In addition to that, you look at which team still has the most to grow in terms of potential ceiling and upside. The Ravens check all the boxes.”

The Athletic: 2

From: Josh Kendall

“You know what AFC defensive coordinators weren’t thinking? The Ravens need one more offensive weapon. Too bad, says Keaton Mitchell, who averaged 7.6 yards per carry in the preseason and showed the type of burst he had in 2023, before ACL and PCL injuries. Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot injury) is starting the season on the 53-man roster, but his status is murky.”

Yahoo! Sports: 2

From: Frank Schwab

“In Week 1, the Ravens play at the Bills, and in Week 4 they’re at the Kansas City Chiefs. Those two games will be massive in ultimately determining seeding in the AFC. Baltimore also faces the Lions in Week 3. The Ravens will be under a lot of pressure in September.”

The Ringer: 4

From: Diante Lee

“You can make an argument that all three of the AFC’s top contenders should be tied in the rankings heading into Week 1. And one could make an even more compelling argument that Baltimore is the most talented of the Big Three. With two-time MVP Lamar Jackson in his prime, a still elite Derrick Henry, and the best defensive depth chart in football, all the necessary pieces are there. This offseason was about continuity and building on the foundation that Baltimore has built over the past couple of seasons. The Ravens should dominate again in the regular season, but it’ll be hard for them to leapfrog over rivals Buffalo and Kansas City until they do something convincing on the field this fall.”

The Sporting News: 3

From: Vinnie Iyer

“The Ravens will be right there trying to take down the Chiefs and Bills again with their two-time MVP, Lamar Jackson, coming off his best overall season. The Buffalo-Baltimore matchup will set the tone early.”

CBS Sports: 5

From: Pete Prisco

“Talent, talent and more talent. Now they just have to get it done in the playoffs. They will be a deep playoff team and should push for the Super Bowl.”

USA Today: 2

From: Nate Davis

“Looking for a flaw here? They didn’t manage to get in on the Parsons sweepstakes, otherwise … The biggest issue facing Baltimore presently might be avoiding boredom in September and October − and the Ravens have been known to strike some easily avoidable early schedule potholes in past seasons.”

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-power-rankings-baltimore-ravens-open-2025-as
 
What roles will the Ravens’ UDFAs have in 2025?

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Three undrafted free agents (UDFAs) made the Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 squad. It’s an incredible feat considering just how stacked the roster was heading into the summer, where the idea of even one making it seemed a long shot.

However, Reuben Lowery, Jay Higgins IV, and Keyon Martin are here to stay. Now, we figure out what they can do to help the team.

To start, there’s a good chance that all three of these guys could be gameday scratches. A team can only dress 48 players each game, meaning five players from a 53-man roster are scratched each game and more if practice squad elevations occur. Injuries and healthy scratches will make up that list.

Rookie offensive tackle Carson Vinson will likely be a healthy scratch for the entire year as a redshirt season, and tight end Isaiah Likley could be a scratch for the first couple of weeks. Other injuries could impact the list as well, such as Jaire Alexander. Howeevr, fans should be ready to see the UDFAs miss multiple games this season.

That being said, the most immediate way that Lowery, Higgins, and Martin can get snaps is on special teams. Just like defensive coordinator Zach Orr when he first joined the Ravens as a UDFA linebacker, you earn snaps on the defensive side of the ball by dominating on special teams. We saw Martin do this in the last preseason game, stonewalling a gunner during a punt coverage.


Reuben Lowery


Lowery was maybe the strongest UDFA of the bunch, with his name being talked about all the way back during rookie minicamp. Many media members mentioned his name for making plays and constantly being around the ball, even getting a shoutout on the Ravens Lounge podcast. He never slowed down, taking the momentum through the summer into training camp and preseason, earning a roster spot, practically kicking last year’s 53-man roster UDFA roster Beau Brade off.

The Ravens have run a ton of three safety sets since Mike Macdonald took over in 2022. That hasn’t changed with Zach Orr as defensive coordinator. As of right now, Sanoussi Kane has the higher possibility of presuming the third safety role, being more of a box player. But Lowery is likely the top backup free safety, with Kane not having much experience as a deep roamer. Lowery will get snaps as a free safety and likely will end the season as the UDFA with most defensive snaps. Lowery also showed a ton of versatility, being praised for playing every position in the secondary during training camp. He’s a potential slot option for the Ravens down the road but another UDFA might get first shot at that.

Because of his versatility, only having four safeties on the roster, and being the top backup free safety option, expect Lowery to be active every game day and get snaps on defense.

Keyon Martin


Martin’s path to playing time will be a little harder than Lowery’s but that’s nothing new. Martin managed to make the team despite an incredibly deep cornerback room, making the Ravens choose him over veteran Jalyn Armour-Davis. Martin’s path has already been wrought with difficulty, getting only one offer, a rookie minicamp tryout, from one team — the Baltimore Ravens. Not even signed as an initial UDFA, Martin managed to make the squad.

Martin’s path to playing time comes in a unique spot. Amongst this incredibly deep corner room, Martin might be the only pure nickel corner they have. Marlon Humphrey will be the obvious starter at the position, but will likely rotate between there and as one of the top outside corners, opposite Nate Wiggins. Kyle Hamilton plays the slot and Kane and Lowery could offer versatility there. Martin, though, who’s been noted as looking a lot like previous starter Arthur Maulet, is the only pure slot corner the team has.

His route to playing time is clear: contribute and dominate on special teams, and earn the role of top backup for that nickel role behind Humphrey. With Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie’s noted injury histories, there’s going to be games and snaps available when both top backups are sitting.

Martin might be primarily battling T.J. Tampa for playing time. He needs to prove that when a third corner is needed, him in the slot with Humphrey and Wiggins outside is a more productive unit than Humphrey in the slot with Wiggins and Tampa outside. I think there’s a very real chance that Martin in the slot, rotating with Humphrey, and with Humphrey, Wiggins, Alexander, and Awuzie all rotating outside to stay fresh could prove one of the best units in the NFL.

Jay Higgins IV


Higgins’ has the hardest path to playing time and getting activated on game day. The chance of the Ravens dressing all five inside linebackers is small, especially with all six wide receivers looking like they need to be activated on game day. As the only UDFA in the room, Higgins unfortunately has the short stick. He may have to wait for injuries to pile up for gameday scratches to open a spot for him.

Higgins will look to follow in the footsteps of his defensive coordinator Zach Orr. He will have to dominate on special teams in order to win snaps on the field over Trenton Simpson and fellow rookie Teddye Buchanan. The one advantage Higgins has over the rest of the linebacker room is that he’s considered a pure linebacker.

Zach Orr said rookie ILB Jay Higgins should’ve been drafted. His football IQ and nose for the ball have stood out this summer.

“He’s been a linebacker basically his whole life. … There’s no reason he shouldn’t play a long time in this league.”

Higgins is on the roster bubble. pic.twitter.com/E1DKe4RSF2

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 20, 2025

A lot of linebackers in the NFL, like Simpson and Buchanan, played other positions in college (quarterback, running back, safety, pass rusher) before being moved in college to more inside linebackers roles. Their coaches try to capitalize on their athleticism, turning them into chase linebackers, just running after the play to end it. This isn’t to talk down on Simpson or Buchanan, but it means they could still be learning some of the intricacies of the position still.

Higgins knows the position. Orr noted how Higgins had been an inside linebacker his whole life, knowing how to use his hands to shed blocks, diagnose run plays from linemen and pulls, understands the concepts of zone drops and spots for coverage. It’s something that comes with time and feel at the position. Higgins arguably looked like the best pure linebacker on the field for any team in the preseason.

Higgins has the highest floor and ceiling for the UDFAs this season. He may never get the opportunity because of the players in front of him. It will require injury and flashes on special teams for him to get that chance. Because of the way he plays the position, though, don’t be shocked if Higgins is a starter by the end of the season if he gets the opportunity to show off. I’m sure Orr sees a lot of himself in Higgins and could be willing to give him the opportunity.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...what-roles-will-the-ravens-udfas-have-in-2025
 
Ravens injury report: Patrick Ricard remains out; Alexander returns

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The first injury report for the Baltimore Ravens of the 2025 NFL season has released. As the team ramps up to Sunday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills, the team is down two quality contributors. Fortunately, cornerback Jaire Alexander has returned.

OUT

  • FB Patrick Ricard (calf)
  • TE Isaiah Likely (foot)

Limited

  • CB Jaire Alexander (knee)
  • G Daniel Faalele (illness)

The absence of Likely is expected as he suffered a foot fracture in practice on July 29; he’s yet to return to the practice field. But the continued absence of Patrick Ricard is a curious one. When asked about Ricard and the odds of him returning after missing such a length of time, Harbaugh sidestepped from answering.

“Why don’t we just leave that for later,” Harbaugh said. “I appreciate the question.”

The Ravens did see free agent addition Jaire Alexander return on Wednesday. Harbaugh was asked if Alexander needs to ramp up or if he’s done enough in the training room that it won’t be necessary.

“We’ll see how it goes this week,” Harbaugh answered.

Ravens will face the Bills on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8:20 p.m. ET.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-patrick-ricard-remains-out-alexander-returns
 
AFC North Preview, Week 1: Bengals and Browns face off while Ravens, Steelers seek conference wins

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The start of the 2025 NFL season is finally here after a long wait. For the AFC North, this season promises to be another one full of promise, notable storylines, and high stakes for all four teams in the division.

Week 1 will see two teams open the year with divisional matchups against each other — the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns — while the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will each play non-divisional conference foes from the AFC East. Beginning the season with a 1-0 record and getting an early leg up in the standings can go a long way later on down the line.


Pittsburgh Steelers​


The Steelers will travel to New York and begin their season against the Jets on the road. The biggest storyline between these two teams is the swap of quarterbacks. Last season, Justin Fields was the Steelers’ Week 1 starter while veteran Aaron Rodgers was the Jets’ starting signal-caller. Fast forward to this year and the reverse is now the case.

Rodgers is the newest starting quarterback for Steelers in what’s been a shuffling at the position for the past several years. Pittsburgh is hopeful he will bring stability and increase their offensive ceiling, maximizing what he last left in the tank at age 41. The Steelers re-tooled their skill position groups on offense while also undergoing a remake in the defensive backfield as well.

Despite being the away team in this matchup, the Steelers are favored to win by a field goal. While they’ll be working to incorporate several new pieces on both sides of the ball, the Jets too are transitioning into this season with a new quarterback and new head coach, too. Aaron Glenn’s squad is at a talent deficit at most positions compared to the Steelers but will likely try to make this a low-scoring, gritty type of game to give themselves the best chance to pull off an upset.

Much of the Steelers’ contests last season were of this affair, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see limited offensive fireworks from either team. The Steelers would love to see Rodgers and new pass-catchers D.K. Metcalf and Jonnu Smith to create some explosive plays in the passing game, with Jaylen Warren and company running the ball well against a talented Jets’ defense.

Cleveland Browns​


Following a rollercoaster offseason defined by their quarterback competition, the Browns will look to defy expectations with an upset divisional win in Week 1. The Browns are at home in this matchup but have won just one out of the previous three contests against the Bengals. After finishing with a putrid 3-14 overall record last season, the Browns have been widely predicted to again be one of the lower-win teams in the NFL.

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is back as the team’s starter after leading the Browns on a triumphant late-season playoff push two years ago. The Browns’ makeup has changed quite significantly since then, though, and they have a different look on both sides of the ball.

The Browns are hoping their offensive line can bounce-back this season compared to last and help keep Flacco upright, while helping lift an otherwise star power-lacking group of playmakers. Helping their case in this matchup is the Bengals lack of stout defensive talent.

If the Browns can control the ball and keep Cincinnati’s explosive offense off the field, while creating some turnovers and splash plays, they could make this game more competitive than many expect. Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, who may be tasked with shadowing Ja’Marr Chase, will be key. The Browns are underdogs by almost a full touchdown.

Cincinnati Bengals​


On the flip side of the divisional matchup for Week 1 is the Bengals, who will be the road team in the inter-Ohio showdown. The Bengals are looking to exorcise some early-season demons that have plagued them, as they’ve become notorious for getting off to slow starts in recent years. Under head coach Zac Taylor, the Bengals are just 1-5 in regular season opener games.

The stage is set for them to potentially win decisively and set the tone for a bounce-back season. On the heels of consecutive playoff absences, the Bengals are looking to capitalize on an elite offensive attack led by Joe Burrow at quarterback. While the Browns have a good defensive front and some talent in the backend, the Bengals should be able to move the ball and score with Chase, Tee Higgins, Chase Brown and company at the helm.

In contrast, the Bengals’ potential defensive struggles for this season have been well-documented. Their defense performed very poorly in 2024 and on-paper they don’t project to be too much better. The Browns don’t possess the offensive fortitude to put a scare in most opponents, so this will be a good early measuring test to see where the Bengals’ defense stands.

Divisional contests can get weird and wind up competitive regardless of talent discrepancy. If the Bengals get in their own way with careless mistakes or lack of execution, which they’ve done in Week 1 games over the past few seasons, they could find themselves in a close battle come Sunday afternoon.

Baltimore Ravens​


The Ravens are featured in what’s arguably the most anticipated game in all of Week 1. On Sunday night, they’ll travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills — the sight of their divisional round defeat at the end of the last season. Yet again, the Ravens are seeking to avenge a disappointing playoff finish and get over the hump with Lamar Jackson leading the charge.

Both the Ravens and Bills are super bowl favorites and repeat division champions. Jackson and Josh Allen, who narrowly edged out the former in MVP voting last year, are now MVP-winning quarterbacks. The Ravens have a well-rounded roster featuring returning Pro Bowlers and All-Pro talent on both sides of the ball.

The pieces are in-place for the Ravens to again be one of the league’s top teams. This will be a big early-season test against a Bills team returning much of their main core from 2024. It could also go a long way later in the year when tiebreakers come into effect for AFC standing purposes.

The Ravens are mostly healthy for this matchup minus Isaiah Likely and potentially Pat Ricard on offense. They will fortunately have the services of No. 1 wide receiver Zay Flowers, who was absent from the playoff matchup between these teams in January. Jackson and Allen will draw most of the headlines, but who controls the line of scrimmage and limits mistakes will ultimately determine the winner of the game.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...ff-while-ravens-steelers-seek-conference-wins
 
Two Ravens finish in the Top 10 of the NFL Top 100 2025

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The NFL Top 100 has become a popular program that signifies the start of the NFL season in the last couple of years. Whether or not you put any stock into how much it means is up to you. But it is cool that the players are the graders here, something you don’t see all offseason when countless lists and rankings are made by the media, usually with no input from the ones actually on the field.


The Ravens had two players in the top 10, starting with running back Derrick Henry in the seventh spot. Henry finished as the second-highest rated running back, behind only Saquon Barkley, who finished in the top spot of the Top 100. Henry finished with the second-most rushing yards with the highest yards per attempt of any back in the league. While he’s heading into his age-31 season, there are no signs of Henry slowing down. He signed an extension with the Ravens back in May and has shut down all discussions regarding his retirement plans.

#1 in our hearts @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/cLFe8jH2JW

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 2, 2025

The big news was Lamar Jackson finishing in the #2 spot on the Top 100 list as the top-ranked quarterback. Jackson finished as the first team All-Pro quarterback in 2024 and is now considered the best quarterback heading into 2025 by his peers. Lamar finished with the best TD/INT ratio, the highest passer rating, the highest QBR, the highest yards per attempt, and air yards per attempt. Jackson also led the entire league in yards per attempt rushing and had the most yards rushing amongst all quarterbacks. He was the first quarterback to ever finish with 4000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards. The accolades go on and on from a historical season in 2024 for Lamar Jackson.

.@Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is ranked No. 2 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025!@NFLFilms @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/rH4Q6zVVth

— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2025

The Ravens also finished with two other players landing in the Top 100: newly extended safety Kyle Hamilton was #51, and linebacker Roquan Smith was #40. The biggest snub, in my opinion, was Marlon Humphrey, who led all cornerbacks with six interceptions while being possibly the best nickel corner, while also playing lockdown outside corner.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-finish-in-the-top-10-of-the-nfl-top-100-2025
 
4 keys to victory against Buffalo

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For the second season in a row, the Ravens will open their season on the road against the team that eliminated them in the postseason the year prior. The Ravens travel to Buffalo for a Sunday night matchup against the Bills. Similar to last year, an opening-season victory wouldn’t necessarily erase the demons from last year, but it would set them up well for this season, both for home-field advantage and the mental hurdle.

Let’s talk about the four focuses for walking out 1-0 Sunday night.


1) Stay Calm!


This is going to be a theme all year long. This is the best roster in the NFL this season. They have unlimited talent. There are maybe one or two teams across the entire NFL that can truly outplay the Ravens and win if the Ravens are mistake-free. The goal of the 2025 season should be to gain that calm-killer mentality for the playoffs. Being able to play through chaos and play a clean four quarters every game is what this team needs to do week in and week out in order to become the Super Bowl champs they can’t.

The Ravens committed multiple turnovers and mistakes in the playoff match just a few months ago and still barely lost. If the Ravens don’t make mistakes, they could control this game from start to finish.

2) Attack the Bills’ secondary


When the Ravens beat the Bills in Week 4 of 2024, they ran the ball down their throat. However, Buffalo was also light in their front seven due to injuries. Then the Ravens struggled to be physical at the line of scrimmage in the playoff match and couldn’t get the run game going. Now, heading into this matchup, the Ravens themselves will be without key players, with fullback Pat Ricard and tight end Isaiah Likely ruled out for the game. Both of those guys play roles in the blocking scheme, especiaslly Ricard who allows the run game to have so much diversity.

So intead, the Ravens should focus on the core of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews through the air. Add in DeAndre Hopkins and Charlie Kolar and the Ravens should be able to take advantage of weaker Bills secondary. Their starting unit is massively injured, missing their first round rookie Maxwell Hairston and former Raven Tre White, leaving little depth behind the remaining starters of Christian Benford and Taron Johnson. Lamar Jackson and coordinator Todd Monken should have their secondary in a blender the entire game considering the prep time.

3) Shut down the run


A lot of Josh Allen and the Bills’ success in their offense from last year came from the addition of a stabilizing run game. The Bills no longer had to only lean on Josh Allen being Superman to Stephon Diggs. Instead, James Cook, Ray Davis, and Ty Johnson formed a good running back room for them, allowing them to have something else to lean on, whether it was the actual ground game or using the backs as pass catchers. While Josh Allen is still the main cog in what Buffalo does, one of the few ways to limit them is to stuff the run game and make them one dimensional.

When the Ravens won in 2024, the Bills had 81 total rushing yards. The Ravens got ahead by multiple scores quick, put the Bills in chase mode and didn’t let their run game get steam. When they lost in the playoffs, James Cook alone had 67 yards and the Bills had a near 150-yard game on the ground. The Ravens need to shut down the run game early, not let the Bills build momentum and get ahead fast, forcing Allen and the offense to chase points. That will allow the Ravens defense to shine, letting the pass rush get after Allen and the secondary be the strength.

4) Handle the pass rush


One of the few concerns on the Ravens roster is their guard play. Just how good Andrew Vorhees could be is still a question mark, after only playing part of the season last year and winning the left guard job again this year. Daniel Faalele is the weakest part of this offensive line and offense in general, making him a target for defensive coordinators to target. Those two guys working with Tyler Linderbaum on the interior to stymie a good pass rush is just the first of many tests. The interior offensive line is going to have to prove all season long that just because they are the weakest part of the offense, doesn’t mean they are a weak part.

Keeping Lamar Jackson clean and allowing him to work with the receivers could be the biggest difference in this game. If Jackson has time to hit his targets and work his reads, the Ravens offense could dominate this game, forcing Allen and the Bills to chase against what should be one of the best defenses in the league for Baltimore.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/baltimore-ravens-news/75646/4-keys-to-victory-against-buffalo
 
Ravens vs. Bills Week 1: Game Thread

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The Baltimore Ravens close out the Week 1 slate of Sunday action as they head to New York and face the Buffalo Bills.

For the Ravens, it’s a game of starting strong, playing fast and crossing off the first head-to-head tiebreaker when the season nears its end. But can they do so?

Offensively, the Ravens must execute mistake-free. No ugly interceptions or grave mistakes. Converting third downs and getting into the end zone is critical if they want to win in a hostile environment against one of the best teams in the AFC.

Defensively, the Ravens must prove the investments made across the board are paying immediate dividends. The team drafted rookie Malaki Starks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They signed cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie. They selected cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. These players, combined with Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton must secure the back end and give time for the pass rush to get home.

Speaking of the pass rush, it’s not all on the edge rushers of Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh and rookie Mike Green to get home. A lot of praise has been heaped upon defensive tackle Travis Jones. And, the resurgence of defensive end Nnamdi Madubuike must arrive after a bit of down season in 2024.

Special teams will be a factor. The rookie kicker, Tyler Loop, will be called upon at some point in this contest and he’s shown the ability to knock through deep field goals. But when the pressure is on in the regular season and a win is on the line, can he deliver? Can Jordan Stout pin the Bills’ offense deep on unsuccessful drives?

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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/baltimore-ravens-news/75675/ravens-vs-bills-week-1-game-thread
 
The Ravens continue their collapsing ways

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To many, this may feel reactionary. The Ravens lose a heartbreaker and because of it, there’s great displeasure and high emotions. But this isn’t reactionary when it’s the same problem four consecutive years.

Ravens fans are exhausted with the devastating losses because of their frequency. The team gets in their own head. The team can’t get out of their own way. They can’t close games. They, they they. Them, them them.

Yes, both teams get paid to play. Players make plays. But the art of collapsing has been a part of their DNA for multiple years. It’s not a critique; it’s a statement of fact.

Here’s the proof.

Note: These aren’t even the games where they fail to live up to expectations. These are the regular season games where they blow a commanding lead.

2022


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2023

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2024

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2025

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Ten times in four seasons they’ve failed to close out the game. Ten times they’ve had their metaphorical foot on their opponent’s neck and pulled off.

John Harbaugh’s 17 blown double digit leads in second half are most since at least 1991

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) September 8, 2025

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...698/the-ravens-continue-their-collapsing-ways
 
Ravens Snap Count Analysis, Week 1: Flowers leads the way, defense labors through high snap total

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Offense​


Unsurprisingly, the Ravens’ offensive line went the distance against the Bills with all five starters playing 100% of snaps. Quarterback Lamar Jackson did as well.

After that, the leading snap-getters were the team’s top three pass-catchers. Zay Flowers was on the field for all but five offensive snaps, en route to catching seven passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. Rashad Bateman (37 snaps) and Mark Andrews (38 snaps) each played nearly 75% of snaps but had just three combined catches.

Backup tight end Charlie Kolar played 31 snaps with no targets. Zaire Mitchell-Paden, who was activated from the practice squad, played 15 snaps as a blocker in-place of Patrick Ricard. Newcomer Deandre Hopkins saw only 18 snaps in the No. 3 wide receiver role but had a highlight one-handed touchdown catch for 29 yards.

Derrick Henry ate up just over half of snaps at running back, playing 29 total. He rushed 18 times for 169 yards with two touchdowns. Henry ceded 23 snaps to Justice Hill in hurry-up offense and passing down situations. Rasheen Ali, who usurped Keaton Mitchell (healthy scratch) for the No. 3 running back role, played one offensive snap — which was a rushing attempt he gained five yards on.

Defense​


The Ravens’ defense was on the field for a whopping 85 snaps and wore down late. They were forced back onto the field often late in the fourth quarter when the Ravens’ offense quickly sputtered three consecutive drives. The usual suspects played nearly the entire game, including Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, and Kyle Hamilton. The latter two briefly missed a couple snaps due to injury before quickly returning.

Nate Wiggins and Malaki Starks each played 84/85 defensive snaps as well in the secondary. Chidobe Awuzie served as the No. 3 cornerback in the rotation, playing a healthy 67 snaps (79%). Fellow newcomer Jaire Alexander, who was nursing an injury for the past several weeks, had a smaller role with 33 total snaps in his debut.

Up front, Travis Jones dominated defensive tackle snaps (67/85) in a now full-time starting role. Nnamdi Madubuike played 59 snaps and Broderick Washington played 34. Veteran John Jenkins and rookie Aeanas Peebles played limited snaps but each reached double digits.

The biggest notable development was at inside linebacker opposite Smith. Trenton Simpson played three less snaps (29 vs. 26) than rookie Teddye Buchanan. They traded off drives and Simpson’s hold on the starting position is evidently not as strong as some perceived.

Odafe Owen surprisingly played 10 less snaps than Tavius Robinson with a 48-to-38 split. Neither made a significant impact in the box score. Oweh was third in snaps at edge rusher in total behind Kyle Van Noy as well, who crossed the 50-snap threshold. Rookie Mike Green saw 26 snaps (31%) in his first regular season game.

Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...he-way-defense-labors-through-high-snap-total
 
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