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AFC Playoff Picture: Baltimore Ravens retake AFC North lead after Steelers loss

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The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving, but a few short days later, they have retaken the AFC North lead after the Pittsburgh Steelers loss to the Buffalo Bills thanks to a tiebreaker.

Baltimore is 5-2 against similar opponents, beating the Jets, Vikings, Browns twice, and the Bears while losing to the Bills and Bengals. Pittsburgh only has four wins against common opponents, beating the Jets, Vikings, Browns, and Bengals while losing to the Bills, Bengals, and Bears.

The New England Patriots haven’t played yet in Week 13, but Baltimore can’t move higher than fourth anyway. The Denver Broncos won on Sunday night and took over first place.

The biggest change happened in the AFC South, where the Jaguars moved into the division lead and third place in the conference after beating the Titans. The Houston Texans dispatched the Indianapolis Colts, so Indy drops into the wild card race.

The Los Angeles Chargers move ahead of the Colts and the Bills won to stay in seventh place.

The Texans are one game back at 7-5 then the Steelers and Chiefs at 6-6.

AFC standings during Week 13​


In the tie between the Broncos and Patriots, Denver is undefeated against the Jets, Raiders, Titans, and Bengals. The Patriots lost to the Raiders in Week 1 and that’s the difference.

1. Denver Broncos (10-2, record vs common opponents > NE)
2. New England Patriots (10-2, record vs common opponents < DEN)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-6, record vs common opponents > PIT)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4, 7-2 AFC)
6. Indianapolis Colts (8-4, 6-3)
7. Buffalo Bills (8-4, 5-3 AFC)
8. Houston Texans (7-5)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6, record vs common opponent < BAL, 5-3 AFC)
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6, 3-4 AFC)
11. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
13. New York Jets (3-9)
14. Cleveland Browns (3-9)
15. e-Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
16. e-Tennessee Titans (1-11)

The Tennessee Titans were eliminated from playoff contention as were the Las Vegas Raiders.

AFC North standings after Week 13​


The Ravens retake the division lead thanks to their record vs common opponents. Pittsburgh falls to second place in the AFC North.

1. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-9)
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...ens-retake-afc-north-lead-after-steelers-loss
 
Ravens’ updated playoff probabilities entering Week 14

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Despite a crushing loss to the Bengals on Thanksgiving, the Ravens are still favored by several forecasters to win the AFC North and make the playoffs.

Here are the current divisional standings:

  1. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
  2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
  4. Cleveland Browns (3-9)

The Ravens and the Steelers have yet to play, so the head-to-head tiebreaker does not yet apply. They share the same in-division record (2-1), but Baltimore’s record against common opponents (6-3) puts them ahead of Pittsburgh (5-4). The Steelers, however, are a game up against in-conference opponents, the fourth tiebreaker.

And here’s the beauty of the NFL schedule: for the last five weeks of the season, each team plays the other twice as well as common opponents in the division and both conferences. In other words, both teams control their own destiny, and each one’s path to the playoff goes right through the other.

So, what are their chances?

Let’s start with Next Gen Stats. Their model, which simulates the rest of the season 10,000 times, places the Ravens’ playoff probability at 70%. The Steelers are at 29%, and the Bengals are far behind at 2%. The Browns are still technically in playoff contention, but their chances are less than 1%.

The Athletic’s predictive model, which does 100,000 simulations, gives the Ravens a 64% chance to make the playoffs and to win the division. The Steelers are at 30% and 29%, respectively, while the Bengals are at 6% in both categories. Once again, the Browns are below 1%. While a first-round bye is virtually out of reach, Baltimore’s Super Bowl chances are 4%, the highest of any six-loss team and tied with the Colts (8-4) and the 49ers (9-3) for the seventh-highest in the league.

PFSN (formerly Pro Football Network) also simulated the remaining NFL schedule 100,000 times, but their model is significantly lower on the Ravens. They have just a 40.5% chance of making the playoffs and a 40.1% chance of making the playoffs, while the Steelers are at 52.5% and 51.9%, respectively. The Bengals’ playoff and divisional odds are placed at 8.1% and 7.9%, respectively. PFSN also gives the Ravens a 1.3% chance of winning the Super Bowl, tied for 16th with the Kansas City Chiefs.

And, just for fun, here are the Ravens’ playoff betting odds (via FanDuel):

  • To win the AFC North: -195 (66.1% implied probability)
  • To make the playoffs: -200 (66.7%)
  • To miss the playoffs: +160 (38.5%)
  • To win the AFC: +700 (12.5%)
  • To win the Super Bowl: + 1600 (5.9%)

It’s worth noting that oddsmaking is a somewhat secretive process that is less focused on predicting the right outcome and more on creating lines that result in the most profit. To set their odds, sportsbooks use predictive models while also factoring in risk analysis, betting patterns, and the ‘vig.’ As a result, implied probability represents something very different than the models described above. Books set lines at odds they will take bets on, not ones that reflect their predictions of the future. As with most things, it’s all about the money!

What do you think of the Ravens’ playoff probabilities? Are they too high or too low? Let us know by joining the discussion in the comments!
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...pdated-playoff-probabilities-entering-week-14
 
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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After a devastating 32-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving, the talk around the Baltimore Ravens has been, rightfully, very negative. So, for this rendition of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, I’m going to turn it around to be positive. After the Pittsburgh Steelers lost on Sunday, the Ravens remained in first place of the AFC North. With a ten-day break following their Thursday game, the Ravens have one more mini-bye to fix the last of their issues and make a run towards the postseason with five games remaining. It’s all in their control.

The Good​


Lamar Jackson’s health: We’ll get into his play later, but for now, I’d like to talk about the biggest reason I could see the season turning around. On Thursday, despite the poor play, we saw Jackson move the best he has since his injury, maybe since Week 1. Multiple times, he ran the ball decisively and without hesitation, something that’s been lacking recently. At one point, he audibled out of a play on third down and changed it to a read call, calling his own number to pick up the first down. These are positive signs for his health. Now with a break after a Thursday game, we can only hope that Jackson will continue to get healthier and more comfortable, eventually settling back into his MVP play.

Derrick Henry: Another strong showing with 6.0 yards per carry. Henry continues to show the Ravens can lean on him if they want. Even more importantly, he seems to be becoming a fixture in Jackson’s pass game, someone he can rely on. Unfortunately, Henry only received 10 carries in this one, with all three backs totaling fewer than 20 carries in this game combined. The Ravens continue to abandon the run in their biggest games for no reason.

Derrick Henry ends the third quarter in STYLE with this 44-yard catch and run 🏃pic.twitter.com/mhfl2kbnF8

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 28, 2025
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Keaton Mitchell: After two long years, Mitchell finally found the end zone for the first time since his spectacular 2023 season. It’s not hard to see that his speed is in full effect. He can delete tackling angles like few can. With Justice Hill on IR, Mitchell needs to see a larger workload, along with Henry, to help kickstart this struggling offense. Even when plays break down, Mitchell is able to turn negative plays into positive or neutral gains because of his speed.

Ravens back in it following a Keaton Mitchell TD!

CINvsBAL on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/2oJhi0rN4j

— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2025
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Rasheen Ali: Hill’s injury will also put Rasheen Ali in a bigger role. It seems as though he’s taken over Hill’s role as a pass-down back, with most of his snaps coming on passing plays. He received an 81.1 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. That being said, even with his limited carries, Ali still out-snapped both Henry and Mitchell, something that can’t happen going forward.

The tight ends: Outside of his fumble, it was great to see Isaiah Likely finally get involved for the first time this season with five catches for 95 yards on six targets. After losing training camp and the beginning of the season to his foot injury and surgery, Likely started slowly once he came back in week four. Now, with a pivotal stretch of play coming up, Likely finally seems to be coming back to form. The vital part is that his and Jackson’s connection on broken plays during the scramble drill seems to remain.

Isaiah Likely and Lamar Jackson hooked up for a 30-yard gain late in the 2nd Q. Lamar escaped the pocket and found the TE to get the ball across midfield with a chance to re-take the lead.#Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/EMf9rAmfmy

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) November 28, 2025
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Mark Andrews also had a pretty big game, four catches for 47 yards. He is now the triple-crown franchise leading receiver: receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Charlie Kolar added 17 yards on a single target. With Jackson struggling and the Ravens needing to lean on the run game, being able to put all three of those guys on the field in the Ravens’ bigger packages and still being able to throw out of that will be crucial.

First-half defense: After Zach Orr’s defense got torched in both games last year, the Ravens’ ability to defend the Bengals’ offense was rightfully in question. Even with Burrow coming off an injury and Tee Higgins out, there was little confidence coming into this game. The Ravens defense did a great job in the first half, holding the Bengals to 12 points, all on field goals, despite three red zone trips and two turnovers by the offense inside of their own 20-yard line. The biggest stop came early, after a Ravens fumble set up the Bengals two yards from the end zone. The defense gave up nothing in four plays, forcing a turnover on bounds. In the first half overall, they the Bengals to three of 12 on third down conversions, on which Burrow completed five of his 10 passes for 46 yards. The second half, though, was a different story.

The Bad​


Second-half defense: After halftime, Nate Wiggins was ruled out for the rest of the game. Coincidentally, the Bengals’ next two drives ended in touchdowns before the Ravens started forcing punts and field goals again. For most of the second half, the defense couldn’t get off the field. The Bengals were seven of 10 on third down, five of which Burrow converted through the air for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Orr still managed to adjust and give the Ravens offense a chance. It was 26-14 going into the fourth quarter, and the Ravens’ defense only allowed two more field goals the rest of the game. The Ravens offense, meanwhile, squandered the opportunities, giving the ball away via an interception, a fumble, and a turnover on downs. If Wiggins is back on the field soon and the defense can stay healthy, they should be good enough to play complementary football in January.

Pass rush: Against what is considered a bottom-tier offensive line and a returning Joe Burrow, who hadn’t played in weeks, the thought going into this game was that the Ravens’ newly revived pass rush had a chance to feast. Instead, the Ravens only had 12 pressures on Burrow’s 46 pass attempts and his scrambles, per PFF. Burrow certainly didn’t look limited, so that part of the equation is less potent, but the Ravens’ pass rush still needed to do more. In particular, the newly formed edge duo of Mike Green and Dre’Mont Jones, which many are hoping can be the future, only had four combined pressures. The Ravens are going to need more down the line.

Devontez Walker: Walker had two massive targets on Thursday and couldn’t manage to haul either one in. Both would have been massive deep shots, nearing 100 total yards, and a possible touchdown. Walker had a lively summer and seemingly earned himself a role by producing when given targets. He was given the game day nod over Tylan Wallace in Week 13, but couldn’t make it count. It will be curious to see if he gets another chance next week. The Ravens should still look to keep Walker involved downfield, but opportunities in the league are rare, and Walker might have squandered his in Harbaugh’s eyes.

Officiating: I’m not usually one to complain about the refs. It happens for all teams; everybody gets bad calls. There’s not much you can do about it. But it needs to be said: the offensive pass interference call on Zay Flowers’ touchdown catch was egregious as it gets. It was one of the softest calls of the season in an era of football where most receivers can generally get away with almost anything. Meanwhile, Ja’Marr Chase was throwing elbows into corners all night, uncalled. Flowers’ deep touchdown was a massive play for the Ravens, and getting that stolen fundamentally altered the game. The Ravens had plenty of opportunities afterwards, which they squandered; there’s no denying that. But momentum is a fickle mistress, and changing it like that can’t go ignored.

The Ugly​


Lamar Jackson: We’ve established that I think Jackson is getting healthier and therefore could find his form and get the Ravens back up and moving. But we can’t deny that Thursday was one of the worst showings we’ve ever seen. Even without the turnovers, which are bad but not something I would count on sticking around for Jackson, he just missed basic throws. He went 17-for-32 through the air, just over a 50% completion rate once again. He fumbled twice and had an interception. He’s not playing at his MVP level, and they need him to. It’s that simple. The season rides on Lamar Jackson finding his form, and it’s scary because we really don’t know if he will or won’t. This is uncharted territory. We’ve never had to see Lamar Jackson bounce back from this bad a stretch of play before.

The fumbles: The Ravens put the ball on the ground four times on Thursday. You can’t win any games doing that. Jackson had two fumbles, one on a strip sack and the other on a throw he tried to pull back on, where the ball simply slipped out of his hand. Isaiah Likely had the biggest one, fumbling on what should have been a game-changing 44-yard touchdown that would have given the Ravens an eight-point lead in the first half. Instead, the Ravens gave the ball back to the Bengals, who took a 9-7 lead. The Ravens never had a lead again. Flowers had a fumble late in the game as well, when the game was beyond a comeback, but it’s still inexcusable.

The Ravens had gone on a five-game win streak recently. They did it by not turning the ball over and not making mistakes, while the defense dominated. They’ll need to get back to that to continue a run for the playoffs until Jackson returns to form.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...cinnati-bengals-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly
 
Ravens to sign ex-Steelers RB Jonathan Ward

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The Baltimore Ravens are signing veteran running back Jonathan Ward to their practice squad, per KPCR2’s Aaron Wilson.

The Ravens needed to add another running back after placing Justice Hill on injured reserve on Saturday. They brought in three for workouts on Monday; Ward beat out 2022 third-rounder Tyrion Davis-Price and undrafted rookie Ahmani Marshall for a practice squad spot.

Ward, 28, has played for three different teams in his five-year career and spent time with four more. He has played 612 snaps on special teams and just 80 on offense. He was with the Giants during the preseason and spent most of November on the Patriots’ practice squad. His last regular-season action came with the Steelers in 2024, though he did not play in their matchups against the Ravens.

Interestingly, Baltimore did not work out any of their former running backs who are currently free agents: Gus Edwards (2018-2023), John Kelly (2024), and Owen Wright (2023-2024). Edwards’ injury history and lack of special teams impact makes him an unsurprising omission, but Kelly returned kicks in Baltimore and Wright was on track for the 53-man roster last year before breaking his foot in the preseason finale.

The Ravens likely preferred Ward due to his ability to contribute to coverage and return teams for both kicks and punts, though he himself is not a returner. Undrafted rookie linebackers Jay Higgins and Chandler Martin are both on IR with knee injuries after filling core special teams snaps this year. Martin is out for the season with a torn ACL, while Higgins has no return timeline. Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell, and Rasheen Ali can fill all of the Ravens’ backfield snaps, but Ward could see game day activations for special teams work.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...6/ravens-to-sign-ex-steelers-rb-jonathan-ward
 
Roundtable Reactions: Ravens sign TE Mark Andrews to extension

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On Wednesday evening, the Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms with tight end Mark Andrews on a three-year, $39.3 million contract extension that includes $26 million guaranteed. Below are the Baltimore Beatdown staff’s reactions to this move.


The Ravens were always going to keep one of their top two tight ends. Coming into the year, it felt like that would be Isaiah Likely, but his preseason injury may have delayed negotiations. He also would have cost more, and the Ravens have plenty of other contract situations to work out. By keeping Andrews at a discounted APY, Baltimore seems to be prioritizing Travis Jones and Tyler Linderbaum as the key extensions from their 2022 draft class. Lamar Jackson gets to keep his longtime target for the next few years, and Andrews seems poised to eventually retire a Ravens. – Nikhil Mehta


Fresh off officially becoming the triple crown holder for all receiving categories in team history, Mark Andrews gets to stay in town and further cement his legacy in the purple and black. My first thought was that this should mean Isaiah Likely will not be on the team next season, but I am happy Andrews is sticking around. His usage has varied but Andrews is Lamar Jackson’s security blanket and a great locker room presence. Hopefully the Ravens can keep Charlie Kolar around as well. — Mark Myers


While it usually isn’t surprising to see a team’s all time leader in yards and catches sign an extension, the Ravens have two other good tight ends that are younger and would arguably be cheaper. Before the year, it was expected the team would move on from Andrews in favor of the up and coming Isaiah Likely. However, Likely has underperformed expectations this year, making it a prudent move for the Ravens to lockup their star tight end. Given Lamar Jackson’s connection with Andrews, it makes sense to keep him in Baltimore as contract talks with Jackson will eventually ramp up. — Stephen Bopst


While I am happy to see Andrews remain a Raven, I do not love this extension. I was firmly in the boat of keeping Isaiah Likely long term despite his disappointing 2025 season. Signing Andrews does not necessarily rule out a Likely extension, but the possibility seems much lower now.

Andrews has been the go to guy for Lamar Jackson since the two entered the NFL together in 2018 and he has cemented himself in franchise history. What bothers me about this extension is that Andrews is past his prime and has shown clear regression in recent years. He is still a reliable target, though, especially in the red zone. At least now the Ravens won’t enter the offseason with all three tight ends as free agents. — Dustin Cox


Let me say this. I love this for Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson, and the Ravens. Mark Andrews was a top-three tight end in the league before his leg injury in 2023 and has still continued to be a fixture in this offense since. He’s a do-it-all tight end who is Lamar Jackson’s favorite weapon and most trusted target. If you asked Jackson about Andrews, he’d probably tell you he’d want him forever. And it looks like that might happen.

I do hate that this comes at the expense of probably extending Isaiah Likely. Likely was a rising star who’s arguably a more dynamic weapon than Andrews right now. It was only a couple of months ago that rumors about a Likely extension were swirling and Andrews future was uncertain. Now, a foot injury and a down-season later, Likely’s future with Baltimore is probably coming to an end. — Zach Canter


Mark Andrews is entrenched as the Ravens’ all-time leading receiver and has been an integral part of the team’s success since 2018. However, this contract extension comes as a surprise given recent circumstances. Andrews is on the wrong side of 30 and his production has declined over the past two years. While he’s long been Lamar Jackson’s go-to safety blanket, his role in the passing game has also decreased significantly, and he’s had his fair share of issues with dropped passes — including untimely drops in the postseason. This move likely seals the fates of Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in Baltimore, who will also be free agents after this season. It would be difficult for the Ravens to re-sign either given the length and money of Andrews’ new contract. — Frank Platko
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...ions-ravens-sign-te-mark-andrews-to-extension
 
Baltimore Ravens Week 13 Rookie Report

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The Baltimore Ravens had a rough Thanksgiving loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, and unfortunately, their rookies had plenty to do with it.

Malaki Starks​


Another mostly-steady game from Starks was overshadowed by the most egregious mistake of his rookie year. On the Bengals’ second touchdown of the game, he was the deep safety in the middle of the field near the red zone. Instead of staying in his zone, Starks immediately broke to the right sideline for some reason. He may have been trying to guess something he saw from watching film or got the call wrong. Either way, he left the middle open and forced Roquan Smith to cover wide receiver Andrei Iosivas, a track star who ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, on a deep post route. It went how you would expect.

Joe Burrow DIME for six

CINvsBAL on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/RzSWjwB0Uu

— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2025
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Other than that, Starks was fine. It was his biggest rookie blunder, and it came at one of the worst times it could have in what ended up being a very embarrassing game for this team. We can only hope it’s a learning moment for the rising star and he doesn’t make the same mistake.

Mike Green​


After finishing with the Ravens’ highest grade from Pro Football Focus, Green dropped this week to the bottom of the charts. It was a lackluster day for the entire edge group and Green actually led the room with four pressures, compared to the two combined pressures from Jones, Van Noy, Simpson, and Lawson. He ended up grading out poorly per PFF, though, with a 44.3 grade. He didn’t have a single grade over 53.0. Like Starks, Green just needs to keep learning and getting better as a rookie. You’d like to say that these rookies are simply building and preparing for the playoffs right now. Unfortunately, the Ravens have to lean on them to simply make the postseason — which is not ideal for them nor the team.

Emery Jones Jr.​


Jones took his first snaps as an NFL player on Thursday, working in rotation with Andrew Vorhees at left guard. After watching most of his snaps, it’s easy to see why the Ravens like him. Jones was active in the pass game, head on the swivel, looking for work, and doing well to try and pass things off. He looked like a great athlete and moved extremely well in the pass game. PFF gave him a 67.6 grade for pass protection. His run blocking left a lot to be desired, but it was only his first game action since college — all coming off a major shoulder injury.

Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Jones will continue to get work at left guard and probably stick there. He won’t rotate between the guard spots, according to Harbaugh, who said it would only make the learning curve harder. You’d think taking a college right tackle and making him a left guard would be harder than right guard but so far, Jones looks good and the ceiling is clear.

Teddye Buchanan​


Buchanan continues to impress. Another seven tackles and a pressure added up to give Buchanan a 63.7 PFF grade. Surprisingly, PFF thought Buchanan did better in the run game than in coverage, a reverse split from how Buchanan normally performs and where his strengths lie. Roquan Smith finally passed him in total tackles and despite Smith missing two games, it’s an impressive feat that the Day 3 rookie linebacker managed to have the lead for as long as he did.

Tyler Loop​


It was a quiet day for Loop, who had recently become the entire Ravens offense. This week, Loop’s only attempts were two extra points, both of which he made. He also didn’t commit any penalties on kickoffs.

LaJohntay Wester​


Once again, Wester didn’t take any punt returns this week. It begs questioning how much confidence or leeway he has after his muff in Cleveland a couple of weeks ago. He did take five snaps on offense, a little bit of a boost, likely because Tylan Wallace was a surprise healthy scratch.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b.../78309/baltimore-ravens-week-13-rookie-report
 
Lamar Jackson absent, 2 others downgraded on Ravens’ Thursday injury report

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The Baltimore Ravens downgraded quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker on their second injury report of Week 13.

Jackson did not participate in Thursday’s practice after a limited session on Wednesday. He is still expected to play on Sunday against the Steelers.

Bateman and Walker were full participants on Wednesday but limited on Thursday. Since they were listed on Monday’s injury report, these are not new issues. Status downgrades could indicated a setback or an effort to give the two wideouts rest before Sunday’s game. Friday’s injury report will be much more indicative.

Here is the Ravens’ full injury report:

Thursday's Injury Report pic.twitter.com/kBbMJFYBhv

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 4, 2025
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This story will be updated with more information.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...s-downgraded-on-ravens-thursday-injury-report
 
Discussion thread: should the Ravens have extended Mark Andrews?

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Last night, the Ravens signed tight end Mark Andrews to a three-year contract extension. My initial breakdown focused on the financial details of the contract and why the Ravens might have made this decision. I really appreciated the discussions that proliferated in the comments about whether or not this was the right move. So much so, in fact, that I wanted to dedicate an entire article/thread giving my opinion and seeking yours on this simple question:

Should the Ravens have signed tight end Mark Andrews to a three-year, $39.3 million contract extension?​

The case for:​

  • Value: Based on my assessment of the tight end market, $13.1 million per year is an appropriate value for Andrews. His $900k pay cut is even larger when you consider the increases in the salary cap since 2021. Back then, Andrews’ extension accounted for 7.7% of the salary cap. His new deal is just 4.5% of the current cap, which reflects his decline/lowered value that many fans have pointed out. I will also say that the teams and agents think of contracts in these terms more nowadays than they used to. And if you think about it, it makes sense. The salary cap isn’t about pure dollars and sense; it’s about resource allocation. There is a limited amount of cap space every year, so the percentage taken up by different players is more important than their raw dollar value. It’s also worth noting that Andrews will likely have a lower APY than Likely, so this deal allows the Ravens to keep one of their starting tight ends and save money for their other (more important) extensions.
  • Pedigree: Andrews is a known quantity and perhaps one of the most proven tight ends in the league. I do believe that Isaiah Likely could put up some big numbers if he had a bigger target share on another team – I think similarly of Rashod Bateman – but we don’t know that for sure. Here’s what we know: Andrew is the franchise’s leading receiver and has been one of the best tight ends in the NFL for virtually his entire career. When he was a high-volume TE1, he produced some of the league’s best numbers at his position, and he continued to average over 50 yards per game even after Likely and Charlie Kolar were drafted until his brutal leg injury in 2023. He has also continually improved as a blocker.
  • Intangibles:
    • Leadership: Andrews is undoubtedly a respected leader in the Ravens’ locker room and a beloved player in The Castle generally. He has mentored Likely and Kolar since they came in the league and will continue to do so with Baltimore’s next crop of young tight ends.
    • Grit/dedication: Fans also forget that Andrews went down in Week 11 on November 16 with a fractured fibula and damage to a ligament in his ankle and only missed seven games. He fought as hard as he could to return in the playoffs, despite the risk to his career if he re-injured himself.
  • Recent playing history: Andrews got back to 100% during the 2024 offseason, then a car accident in the preseason sidelined him for two weeks. With Likely and Kolar emerging as more reliable players, the Ravens opted to rotate their tight ends more often in 2024 to keep all three fresh. So sure, Andrews’ volume-based stats ticked down last year, but he was incredibly efficient. His 79.7% catch rate, 9.8 yards per target, and 11 touchdowns on just 69 targets. For context, every other player with 10 or more receiving touchdowns was targeted at least 100 times. Yes, Andrews made a few terrible blunders in Buffalo, but that does not completely erase his excellent 2024 season.
  • Lamar Jackson: This is an assumption, but it is one based on logic and history. The Ravens basically have to sign Jackson to an extension this offseason, and we all remember how the last round of negotiations went. The team also has consulted Jackson on past roster decisions, especially those related to pass-catchers – drafting Marquise Brown, signing Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins. Notably, the signing of Beckham seemed to play a part in Jackson signing an extension a month later. Financially, the Ravens were in an ‘Andrews or Likely’ situation, and it stands to reason that they would seek Jackson’s opinion for the future of a position he loves to target. If Jackson said he preferred Andrews, then Baltimore absolutely should have done this deal, plain and simple.

The case against:​

  • Age and potential decline: Andrews is 30 years old. That’s pretty much it, right? Tight end is a physical position that does not age very gracefully except for those at the highest level. Andrews may no longer belong in that group. There is one counterpoint I’ll add: Andrews’ game is not overly reliant on athleticism or physicality. He is a savvy route-runner who understands leverage, soft spots in zone coverage, and crucially, how to play with Lamar Jackson. The Ravens can get out of this contract after the 2027 season, and Andrews may not be worth the final year of his deal. But he may not necessarily be worth the first two years, either. His production has dipped this season, though he has still been the team’s most reliable red zone target. The offense has struggled as a whole, too, but Andrews isn’t finding a way to carry the unit as he did in the past. This will be a huge factor in the retrospective evaluation of this deal.
  • Opportunity cost:
    • Isaiah Likely: Likely is a young, exciting player with a ton of athleticism. Like Andrews, he has not seen a ton of volume in a crowded Ravens offense but has still been very efficient. He would have been more expensive, sure, but he is a better long-term proposition with more upside than his veteran teammate. He also has chemistry with Jackson and is a solid if unspectacular blocker. Andrews’ extension means Likely is almost certainly out of Baltimore, and it would not surprise me if he outpaces Andrews statistically as the undisputed TE1 in another offense. It is also possible that Likely does not do as well in free agency as expected and turns out to be a much better value.
    • Charlie Kolar (?): There is also an argument that Kolar is the most sensible tight end to keep. It would cost significantly less and he has plenty of prowess as a run blocker and untapped potential as a receiver. The Ravens’ history of drafting and developing lends itself to the idea that they can find replacements for Andrews and Likely and should therefore retain their least expensive tight end. (That argument could also apply to Andrews, who may not be a long-term option, but could carry the tight end room until the team is sure they have found his replacement. Signing him at a lower price than Likely also makes it more likely that the team can also keep Kolar.) Again, Kolar’s next contract will inform the true value of Andrews’ extension.
    • Other extensions: If Andrews turns out to be cheaper than Likely, than this deal will have made it easier to extend other key players like Travis Jones and Tyler Linderbaum. Kolar, though, would make it even easier.

So, what do you think? Should the Ravens have extended Andrew or gone down a different path? Let us know your answer and additional thoughts in the comments section!
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-should-the-ravens-have-extended-mark-andrews
 
AFC North Preview, Week 14: Ravens and Steelers face off for control of first place

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Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) ​


Fresh off their most convincing victory of the season, a 32-14 trouncing over the Ravens on Thanksgiving, the Bengals will look to sustain momentum this coming Sunday. It won’t come any easier, as they’ll have to take on an eight-win Buffalo Bills squad who need a win for playoff hopes and positioning.

The biggest developments from last week’s win for the Bengals was their defensive improvements and the return of quarterback Joe Burrow. Cincinnati’s much maligned defense forced five turnovers against the Ravens, had a 70% success rate on third downs, and allowed just 14 points — their mark of the year. Burrow got into a groove as the game progressed and threw two second-half touchdowns with no turnovers and 261 passing yards.

The Bengals were without the services of two of their most important players on each side of the ball, too, in Trey Hendrickson and Tee Higgins. To pull off another upset in this week’s matchup with the Bills, the Bengals will need to prove up to the task defensively against another one of the league’s top quarterbacks in Josh Allen.

Forcing five turnovers again is a tall, unlikely task, but Allen has been turnover-prone at times in recent weeks — presenting some hope for the Bengals to come up with a takeaway or two. Burrow and the Bengals’ passing attack are potent, but they’d be well-served to challenge a vulnerable Bills’ rushing defense by establishing the ground game. Chase Brown has 284 rushing yards over the past three games while averaging 5.4 yards per carry and has 73 or more rushing yards in five of the past six games.

Cleveland Browns (3-9)​


The Browns were unable to start a win streak last week and dropped a 26-8 game to the San Francisco 49ers. It was Shedeur Sanders’ anticipated first start at home, but the Browns found little success offensively. After scoring a touchdown and two-point conversion to take a lead late in the second quarter, the Browns could not manage to put any more points on the board for the remainder of the game.

Cleveland’s offense averaged only 4.2 yards per play they converted on 3-of-11 third down attempts, while also failing on all four of their fourth down tries. Defensively, although they allowed 26 points, the Browns ceded just 251 yards overall and were stingy on the ground, giving up 2.7 yards per rush. As has been the case for most of this season, the Browns’ defense significantly outplayed their offense.

The Browns are better suited for success this coming Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, who are one of the only teams with a worse record than the Browns this year (2-10). Cleveland’s defense could feast against the Titans’ dismal offense and rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who has experienced his share of struggles this season with a shaky infrastructure around him.

Kevin Stefanski has made an effort to feature Quinshon Judkins heavily in most games this year, even when it’s been tough sledding. Judkins received 23 carries last week for 91 yards, with three additional touches in the passing game. Expect him to be leaned on again this Sunday and potentially have a big performance against Tennessee’s defense.

Baltimore Ravens (6-6)​


The Ravens were on the wrong end of Cincinnati’s big win last week, and instead were the victims of an embarrassing defeat at home. Lamar Jackson’s and the team’s offensive recent struggles hit a new low point as they scored just 14 points with five turnovers against the Bengals’ league-worst defense. Jackson completed only 17-of-32 passes with no touchdowns and two fumbles with a fourth-quarter interception.

With their defeat, the Ravens snapped their own five-game win streak and squandered an opportunity to take a one-game lead atop the division. Now, they have to shift focus to a matchup of utmost importance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens will enter this Sunday on 10 days of rest, which may have afforded them valuable extra time to try and fix their putrid offense.

From Jackson’s subpar play to questionable play-calling and inconsistent offensive line play, there’s no one single fix for the Ravens to key in on. A good turnaround method this week would be establishing the run and committing to the ground game against an exploitable Steelers’ rushing defense. In Week 13, Derrick Henry carried the ball only 10 times and was out-snapped by third-string running back Rasheen Ali.

Baltimore’s defense began to crack in the second half last week and wound up allowing 32 points, but they held up admirably in the first two quarters. Expect the Ravens to blitz Aaron Rodgers often and try to take away Pittsburgh’s rushing attack.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)​


The Steelers suffered their most lopsided loss of the year last week, dropping a 26-7 contest at home versus the Buffalo Bills. After taking a 7-3 lead into halftime while playing stout defense, the Steelers were outscored 23-0 over the final two quarters with no answers to climb back.

It was a worrisome offensive performance for Pittsburgh’s unit. They converted just 10 first downs, gained 166 total yards, and averaged 3.9 yards per play. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers’ vulnerable run defense was thrashed by James Cook and Ray Davis. The Bills rushed for 249 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per run.

Up until last year, the Steelers had consistently had the Ravens’ number in recent years and swept the season series multiple times. The Ravens beat them twice in a row last season by double-digit points, though, including in the playoffs. For the Steelers to revert the rivalry back in their favor, they badly need to fix their issues up front on both sides of the ball.

The Ravens will likely pound the rock and Pittsburgh’s front-seven will need a bounce-back performance. The Steelers have done a great job at forcing turnovers defensively against the Ravens during Jackson’s tenure, and he’s been more turnover-prone in recent weeks than usual. On the flip side, they need to do a better job of protecting an injured Rodgers under center.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-steelers-face-off-for-control-of-first-place
 
Baltimore Ravens fan discussion: How confident are you in team’s future?

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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.

Heading into Week 14, we want to know how you’re feeling after watching the team so far this year. Every week of the season we will ask fans if they are confident the team is headed in the right direction and more of the most pressing questions facing the coming game. Let us know what you think by taking the survey, and talk about it with your fellow Ravens fans in the comments!
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/baltimore-ravens-discussion/78327/confidence-record-results-poll
 
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bold Predictions

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The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will face off for the first time this season this Sunday, with the winner taking the lead of the AFC North. The latest installment of this storied rivalry carries heavy playoff implications. The staff of Baltimore Beatdown gives their bold predictions for the upcoming AFC North brawl.


Let’s be extra bold this weekend. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, against all odds, deliver a clean offensive performance and right the ship in a crucial victory to take sole ownership of first place in the AFC North. Todd Monken gets out of his head, getting Derrick Henry in the game more consistently, and is rewarded with 100+ yards and two touchdowns. Roquan Smith turns in a vintage performance on the day when the team celebrates their Super Bowl XXXV winners, who will be watching on with pride. Jackson doesn’t need to put the superhero cape back on just yet, but he limits the bad throws and keeps the ball moving to lead to a 27-20 victory. – Mark Myers


The Ravens seemingly broke whatever spell the Steelers had over them with two wins in a row over them last season, including a playoff stomping. Baltimore was able to assert their will with the rushing attack in those games last year, but I do not see the same thing occurring on Sunday with this current version of the Ravens’ offense. With Lamar Jackson hobbled and coming off several subpar performances, Pittsburgh feels comfortable stacking the box to limit Henry on the ground while forcing Baltimore’s passing attack to step up. This puts the Ravens’ shaky offensive line in a bad situation against the Steelers’ formidable pass rush, as T.J. Watt delivers a vintage performance, sacking Jackson three times and forcing a fumble.

Baltimore’s defense does its job against an uninspired Pittsburgh offense as each team trades punts for much of the day. It’s the Ravens who make more mistakes in the end, though, and the Steelers walk away with the division lead after a 16-13 win. The voices of a disgruntled fan base turn into a deafening roar following the loss. – Dustin Cox


It doesn’t feel bold to say that Sunday’s game will be close. These matchups are almost always close. So I’ll try to predict some particular things instead. Many of the Ravens’ offensive sources will come from an unusual source and/or in an unusual way. Keaton Mitchell gets loose for his longest run of the season, but unusually, it comes on a carry between the tackles. Devontez Walker racks up the YAC on a short crosser, and Rashod Bateman finally reminds everyone how good he can be. On defense, more surprises. Zach Orr turns up the pressure from the blindside and eventually knocks Aaron Rodgers out of the game. The Ravens feast on Mason Rudolph from there, with Chiboe Awuzie and Alohi Gilman notching their first picks in purple and block. And for another first, let’s go with CJ Okoye, who manages to win and get his first-ever NFL sack. – Nikhil Mehta
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...avens-vs-pittsburgh-steelers-bold-predictions
 
AFC Playoff Picture: Baltimore Ravens’ loss to the Steelers moves them out of division lead

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The big news for the Baltimore Ravens is they no longer lead the AFC North after their second loss in as many weeks. The Pittsburgh Steelers are back in front. Even bigger, the Ravens are now completely out of the playoff picture and there is a very hard road to the AFC wild card. But the Ravens and Steelers play again in Week 18, and it’s likely the loser of that game will be heading to Cancun for an early break.

The New England Patriots are on a bye, but the Denver Broncos passed them with their win.

The Jacksonville Jaguars won to stick in third place and their lead grew because they beat the Indianapolis Colts. Indy’s bigger loss was Daniel Jones, who is out for the rest of the season.

The Buffalo Bills have moved atop the wild card picture with their Week 14 win over the Bengals. The Chargers play on Monday night and can pass the Bills for fifth. The Colts will hold on to seventh for now but if the Texans win Sunday night, Houston passes Indy.

Right now the Texans are on the outside looking in along with the Chiefs, which is why their Sunday night contest is so huge.

AFC standings during Week 14​


The New England Patriots are on a bye in Week 14.

1. Denver Broncos (11-2, 7-2 AFC)
2. New England Patriots (11-2, 6-2 AFC)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
5. Buffalo Bills (9-4)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
7. Indianapolis Colts (8-5)
8. Houston Texans (7-5)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6, 3-4 AFC)
10. Baltimore Ravens (6-7, win over MIA)
11. Miami Dolphins (6-7, loss to BAL)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
13. e-New York Jets (3-10)
14. e-Cleveland Browns (3-10)
15. e-Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)
16. e-Tennessee Titans (2-11)

The Tennessee Titans were eliminated from playoff contention as were the Las Vegas Raiders. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns joined them in Week 14.

AFC North standings after Week 14​


The Steelers are back on top with their Week 14 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Cincy’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after their loss. They need a crazy run to win the division.

I think the Cleveland Browns were officially eliminated with their tenth loss and four division losses.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
2. Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
4. e- Cleveland Browns (6-10)
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-the-steelers-moves-them-out-of-division-lead
 
Baltimore Ravens Report Card, Week 14: All phases responsible for crushing defeat

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Quarterback: C+

Lamar Jackson had another uneven performance in this game, although he was undoubtedly better than the past few weeks. On the surface, his 54% completion mark, costly interception, and 71.0 passer rating with 219 passing yards leave much to be desired. Jackson and the offense could once again get very little going in the first half and it took them too long to begin scoring consistently. However, Jackson did begin to heat up a bit as the game progressed, and he showed a level of confidence and decisiveness as a runner not seen since Week 1. He ran for 43 yards with a touchdown on seven attempts. Jackson was not helped at all but poor pass protection at times, dropped passes, and a questionably overturned touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely late in the fourth quarter that would have put the Ravens ahead. Jackson was still subpar by his standards, and the Ravens needed him to be better, but he put them in position to win the game late.

Running Back: B+

Derrick Henry’s usage was once again head-scratching early in the game, as the Ravens went away from him for multiple drives in the first half. They began to feed him over the final two quarters, though, and the Steelers’ defense started to wear down more as a result. Henry’s 25 carries for 94 yards weren’t overly efficient, but his yardage was much needed and hard-earned. Meanwhile, Keaton Mitchell ripped off a long 55-yard run in the second half that nearly went for a touchdown. Mitchell finished with six carries for 76 yards before exiting the game early with a knee injury. Rasheen Ali played a decent amount of snaps again but only received three touches and gained 13 yards.

Wide Receiver: C+

After his worst performance of the season last week with just two catches for six yards and a fumble, Zay Flowers bounced back in a big way. Flowers caught a season-high eight receptions on 11 targets and gained 124 receiving yards. He had two long catches of 30+ yards and could have had more but narrowly stepped out bounds on a sideline catch attempt. Flowers is still seeking his first touchdown since the regular season opener, but as per usual he was the only wide receiver who made a significant impact of note. Rashod Bateman caught two passes for 23 yards but had a crucial drop on third down in the red zone, and Deandre Hopkins was only targeted once all game.

Tight End: C-

Hours after signing a three-year contract extension, Mark Andrews caught only one pass for nine yards despite seeing five targets. His catch didn’t come until the very end of the game, which is true also for Charlie Kolar. Kolar’s 19-yard reception on the final drive helped move the ball closer into scoring position but to no avail. The biggest story at tight end was once again Likely, but similar to last week for the wrong reasons. The aforementioned overturned touchdown pass came via Likely having the ball poked out of his hands in the end zone after reeling in what was a 13-yard score. It was highly questionable call by the officials, but nevertheless if Likely held onto the ball for just a second or two longer it would not have been overturned. Likely did have the only touchdown catch of the game in the third quarter and saw six targets, second most on the team.

Offensive Line: C

The Ravens’ offensive line was shaky in pass protection again despite surrendering only two sacks and five quarterback hits in total. Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten struggled to block the Steelers’ edge rushers on multiple occasions, and the Ravens also gave up pressure inside. There were notable instances where the offensive guards were beaten badly, and Jackson was forced to scramble or throw the ball into the ground. The game ended with Jackson being sacked by Alex Highsmith, who had two quarterback hits and three tackles for loss. The Ravens did a much better job in run blocking, as they were able to grind out 217 yards on the ground and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. They started wearing the Steelers’ defensive front down in the run game as the second half progressed.


Defensive Line: C+

Pittsburgh’s rushing attack was almost completely shut down by the Ravens’ defensive front. The Ravens limited running backs Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren to a combined 28 yards on 12 carries. Gainwell and Aaron Rodgers each scored rushing touchdowns but from six yards and one yard out, respectively. The Ravens were not able to generate much pass rush at all through the middle without bringing extra rushers, and even that had little effectiveness. Travis Jones and John Jenkins each had one tackle but no other statistics, and no other defensive tackle cracked the box score.

Edge Rusher: C-

The edge rushers played a part in the Ravens’ run defense effectiveness, as they helped contain outside runs and crash inside on up-the-middle attempts. However, they struggled to get pressure on Rodgers consistently and weren’t able to bring him down on multiple occasions. Despite Rodgers’ limited mobility, he was able to escape possible sacks and maneuver within the pocket. He also had plenty of time to throw on a number of dropbacks. No edge rusher had a single sack and Dre’Mont Jones recorded the team’s only quarterback hit.

Linebacker: C-

As per usual, Roquan Smith led the team in tackles with 10 and had one tackle-for-loss. Smith had some good run stuffs up front but also got lost in coverage at times in space. Teddye Buchanan had only four tackles but nearly came up with a big forced turnover in the second half before it was overturned after review. The Ravens had some issues defending Pittsburgh’s running backs in the passing game. Warren had a 38-yard touchdown catch on third down that broke the Ravens’ momentum in the third quarter, and Gainwell had six catches in total.

Cornerback: D+

The Steelers came into this game having not completed a single pass for 20+ air yards over the previous five weeks. On their first offensive play of the game, D.K. Metcalf beat Marlon Humphrey in single coverage for a long 52-yard snag. Metcalf gave Humphrey and whoever else tried guarding him trouble all day, finishing with seven catches for 148 yards. Humphrey, to his credit, did have a team-high three pass breakups. The Ravens gave up no more than one reception to any other Steelers’ wide receiver, but Calvin Austin III did beat Chidobe Awuzie on third down for a long 31-yard catch. Nate Wiggins returned from a foot injury in this game but unfortunately was on the wrong end of some bad missed open-field tackles. The Ravens should have been able to slow down Metcalf more than they did.

Safety: C-

Baltimore’s safeties also bear some of the blame for the secondary’s struggles as a whole. The Steelers connected on too many explosive plays for what has been an inexplosive offense for most of the season. Malaki Starks had a solid pass breakup and Alohi Gilman finished second on the team in tackles with seven. Kyle Hamilton was limited to only three total tackles and did not account for any noticeable splash plays like he usually does.


Special Teams: C–

Tyler Loop made all three of his field goal attempts but missed an extra point just before halftime, which would have cut the Ravens’ deficit to seven instead of eight points. In the end, it didn’t make a big difference. What did make a difference was a couple of costly special teams penalties. An unnecessary roughness flag on fourth down gave the Steelers a fresh set of downs after they kicked a field goal and led to a touchdown shortly after. That was another momentum-killer for the Ravens. Then, late in the fourth quarter, a holding penalty on a punt return backed the Ravens’ offense up and gave them worse field position on their final drive of the game. In the return game as a whole, the Ravens did not get very much juice — which has been the case for much of the year.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...14-all-phases-responsible-for-crushing-defeat
 
Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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The Ravens drop another divisional game in a late-game loss to the Steelers, 27-22. The Ravens are now at 6-7 with their season fully on the operating table, waiting to be saved.

The Good​


Lamar Jackson: Lamar Jackson had what was probably his best game since returning from injury. He took shots deep down the sideline and was accurate. He ran the ball with decisiveness and continues to look healthier and healthier each week. There were more designed runs for him as well, showing the confidence in his body building back up. He wasn’t perfect, but it gives hope for the future that the Ravens franchise quarterback is getting closer and closer to potentially returning to his top form.

Derrick Henry: While the Ravens’ listless first half was largely due to not running the ball well, they did a great job of it in the second half. Henry finished with 25 carries for 98 yards, a modest 3.8 yards a carry. But while that means that the Ravens didn’t have renowned success, they stuck with it, especially in the second half, while they were down, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Zay Flowers: There’s been a lot of chatter around Flowers recently, and he turned in one of his best games of the season after a slow stretch. Eight catches for 124 yards, one of the strongest performances of any Raven on Sunday. He started early with a massive sideline catch while going to the ground, showing the top-end performance that makes him a #1 receiver on a team.

Keaton Mitchell: Remember when they had this guy as a healthy scratch for weeks? Well, now he seems to make at least one explosive play a game and makes a lot of his touches. Six carries for 76 yards, including the massive 55-yarder to kick start the Ravens’ second half. Unfortunately, he injured his knee and couldn’t complete the run into the end zone. Luckily, the Ravens today said that Mitchell is only day-to-day and the injury isn’t serious.

The Bad​


Lamar Jackson: He’s been playing better and getting healthier, but frankly, it’s not enough. Is it fair to say Jackson isn’t doing enough when he’s carried this franchise for years? No, but that’s being the franchise quarterback, unfortunately. When you are a multi-time MVP, that’s what the team needs out of you. The interception he threw was about as ugly as it gets when Jackson isn’t playing to his potential. They need him to take the final step up if they want to make the playoffs.

Isaiah Likely: Let me start by saying, it should have been a touchdown. That being said, a week after Likely fumbled a touchdown away, he couldn’t hold on to the potentially game-winning score. As bad as the reversal call was, the NFL has had issues with knowing what a catch is for years. You can’t depend on them to get calls right these days. Hold on to the ball.

Rashod Bateman: Fourth quarter, third down in the red zone, down by 11 points. Targeted with space to run, Rashod Bateman could easily get the first down, maybe even make a move or two and reach the endzone. Instead, he dropped it. The Ravens are going to need Bateman in order to make a run these next couple of weeks. He’s one of their best man beaters and a great red zone target. They can’t afford any more errors.

Defense: Pittsburgh’s offense was anemic coming in. One of the worst downfield passing attacks all year. But the Steelers came in and threw the ball across the field. Both Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf finished with season highs in yards. They had multiple passes over 20 air yards, after zero in November. The Ravens could not pressure all game. They did well to stop the run and eliminate the short pass game and yards after the catch, but Rodgers was able to consistently hit shots down the field and scramble for plays. I’m not sure what Zach Orr’s future is, or if it’s in Baltimore. I think he’s a smart football guy, but these last two seasons hang heavily.

Special Teams: Tyler Loop missed an extra point, and his kickoffs have become an issue with short distances, leading to large returns. The kickoff returns have been less than thrilling, with the Ravens’ returners frequently getting stopped before the 30-yard line. LaJohntay Wester hasn’t made a big return in weeks. A unit that once seemed improved over last season has floundered since the Cleveland game. You shoot yourself in the leg when you can’t make hay on special teams.

2-minute drill: Despite Likely’s touchdown being taken away, the Ravens somehow still got the ball back one last time with the chance to take the lead and win the game. The Ravens had the ball on their own 26-yard line with 1:56 left to play and a timeout to use. There were fewer than 30 seconds left before they even got passed midfield. It was sloppy and utterly disappointing, especially considering Lamar Jackson has had success in moments like these.

The Ugly​


The Referees: Just an abysmal, awful performance. Isaiah Likely’s touchdown reversal and the Aaron Rodgers interception that they eventually changed to a catch by Rodgers are the first to come to mind. We could argue all day about whether or not Isaiah Likely completed the actions required to make the catch. But if Likely didn’t do so and the touchdown was reversed, I just don’t understand how Rodgers could have completed his “catch” despite the fact that he didn’t survive the ground and the ball finished in Teddye Buchanan’s hands. It’s ridiculous that every year for multiple decades, this discussion has gone on, and we still don’t really know what a catch in an NFL game is yet.

Then add on the Travis Jones’ roughing call on the field goal early in the game. The penalty was called, which gave the Steelers a fresh set of downs right at the 6-yard line. The Steelers go on to score a touchdown, a four-point swing. John Harbaugh reported the day after the game that the league told him they got it wrong and it should not have been called. Unbelievable calls that swing a game.

The Ravens’ playoff chances: The Ravens fall to 6-7 with the Steelers now leading the division. But the Ravens still control their destiny. All they have to do is win out and they are in. It just takes going on the road and beating the Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Oh, they also have to beat the number one-seeded New England Patriots at home, in a game flexed to primetime. It’s not looking easy for the Ravens, and there is serious doubt about the Ravens making it.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...sburgh-steelers-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly
 
Ravens OL Ben Cleveland suspended 3 games

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Baltimore Ravens offensive guard Ben Cleveland has been suspended for three games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, per a team announcement.

Cleveland, 27, was arrested in February and charged with a DUI. He initially pled not guilty, but recently reached a plea deal for probation, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

The fifth-year lineman was active for the Ravens’ first 11 games but has been a healthy scratch for the last three. He played one snap as a sixth offensive lineman in Weeks 1-3 but was limited to special teams duties since. Emery Jones’ activation from the physically unable to perform list made Cleveland expendable on game days and he is unlikely to play again this season.

This story will be updated with more information.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...527/ravens-ol-ben-cleveland-suspended-3-games
 
Week 15 odds: Ravens open as road favorites over Bengals

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Despite the Bengals’ Thanksgiving win in Baltimore, the Ravens are still favored by 2.5 points for this weekend’s rematch in Cincinnati.

Both teams are coming off disappointing losses. The Ravens dropped their second home game in a row to move one game behind the Steelers in the AFC North. The Bengals could not win a snowy shootout against the Bills, with their playoff odds now dropping to 3%, per The Athletic.

This line feels a little odd considering the last meeting between the two teams and Baltimore’s disappointing performance against Pittsburgh. Sure, the Bengals defense is still clearly an issue, but the Ravens failed to take advantage of their weakness on Thanksgiving. Their offense woke up in the second half of Sunday’s game, but there is little reason to believe that will carry into their trip to Cincinnati.

Here are the Ravens’ full Week 15 odds, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Spread​


Ravens: -2.5 (-110)

Bengals: +2.5 (-110)

Over/Under​


51.5 points (—110/-110)

Moneyline​


Ravens: -142

Bengals: +120
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...ds-ravens-open-as-road-favorites-over-bengals
 
Lamar Jackson gets rest day on Ravens’ first injury report of Week 15

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson did not participate in Wednesday’s practice with a non-injury/rest designation, per the team’s official injury report.

Rest days have become common for Jackson this season as he has dealt with a variety of injuries. He missed three games with a hamstring injury and has since been a near-mainstay on the injury report with ankle, knee, and toe injuries.

This week, however, his rest day was not attached to any specific injury, which is a mildly encouraging sign. It is still not ideal that Jackson feels the need to give himself rest time and miss practice, but not being bothered by a specific injury is an improvement. (Low bar? Probably.)

Here is the Ravens’ full Wednesday injury report:

Full participation

  • S Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles)

Limited participation

  • RB Keaton Mitchell (knee)
  • OLB Tavius Robinson (foot)
  • CB Nate Wiggins (foot)

Did not participate

  • CB Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder)
  • QB Lamar Jackson (NIR-rest)

Also absent for the Ravens was Chidobe Awuzie, who has been one of the team’s most consistent defenders this year. He already missed two games this season due to a hamstring issue and is now dealing with a shoulder injury. His absence would be a major issue for the secondary, especially with Nate Wiggins also nursing a foot injury.

Keaton Mitchell’s limited participation is a good sign after he left Sunday’s loss after pulling up on a breakaway run. His social media presence and comments from John Harbaugh indicate that the third-year running back avoided a significant injury.

Tavius Robinson (injured reserve) and Ar’Darius Washington (non-football injury list) are both in the second week of their 21-day practice window. Harbaugh said that both have a chance to play on Sunday against the Bengals.
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Source: https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/b...-day-on-ravens-first-injury-report-of-week-15
 
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