Category: AFC North News

Kyle Van Noy is the Ravens nominee for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship award

Kyle Van Noy is the Ravens nominee for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship award

On Monday morning, the NFL released its 32 nominees for the tenth annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Since its inception in 2014, each NFL team has nominated one of its players for the award, which recognizes players around the league who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field. The award honors the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Art Rooney Sr.

“Sportsmanship is the core of the game, the vanguard of public confidence, the keeper of game integrity,” said Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations. “These Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominees exemplify the spirit of fair play and the values of respect, integrity, commitment to team, and resiliency at the highest level of competition.”

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy was nominated for this prestigious award. His extraordinary leadership and sportsmanship were evident throughout this season in his work on and off the field.

Current NFL player’s votes determine the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award winner. The winner will be announced during NFL Honors and receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.

WATCH: First look at HBO’s Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North

HBO released the initial trailer for Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North featuring the Ravens, Bengals, Browns and Steelers

The AFC North is the most challenging division in the NFL. The season started with four potential 2024 playoff teams and tons of storylines. As HBO’s Hard Knocks takes an inside, in-season look at this historical division, fans will now have an up-close look.

For the first time since its debut, the award-winning docuseries goes behind the scenes of an entire NFL division for the first time. Warner Brothers Discovery made the announcement back in June.

HARD KNOCKS: IN SEASON WITH THE AFC NORTH will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season, as well as a playoff run for the division-winner and any AFC North Wild Card teams. The 18-time Emmy®-winning series will deliver its signature all-access coverage as it follows the Mike Tomlin-coached Pittsburgh Steelers, who have never been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the history of the series, as well as coach John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, coach Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals, and coach Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields will share the “Hard Knocks” spotlight with Derrick Henry, Ja’Marr Chase, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, and an array of other AFC North star players.

It will debut Tuesday, December 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and stream on Max. Subsequent Tuesdays will air through the end of the NFL regular season and continue into the NFL playoffs in January 2025. HBO released the first trailer on Tuesday, and it looks as intense as the action presents.

Baltimore was the first team featured on the original “Hard Knocks” training camp series 2001. Since then, the Bengals have appeared twice, in 2009 and 2013, and the Browns in 2018, while the Pittsburgh Steelers will be making their debut appearance. Storylines to watch will include Patrick Queen’s arrival in Pittsburgh and the renewed Steelers-Ravens rivalry.

Contract disputes in Cleveland, Deshaun Watson’s return and subsequent injury, Russell Wilson’s debut, Justin Field’s arrival, and Joe Burrow’s return are just the tip of the iceberg of storylines and interesting subplots.

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Mike Tomlin keeps outsmarting John Harbaugh, Steelers lead AFC North

Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh has gotten far too comfortable allowing the Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin to walk over his team.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh never seems to outsmart Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, especially when it matters most.

Unlike Harbaugh, Tomlin doesn’t like finesse and beauty. He leads a rugged football team, led by his powerful defense and offensive ground attack. On Sunday, Tomlin stuck to his guns, and his team forced three turnovers on the Ravens in the pivotal week 11 win.

 

Even with Baltimore ranking No. 1 in rush defense, Tomlin still ran the ball 34 times, using a committee of players to forward his attack. Tomlin even dispatched wide receiver Cordelle Patterson and reserve quarterback Justin Fields to cap off the 18-16 victory.

Harbaugh not only allowed offensive coordinator Todd Monken to neglect running back Derrick Henry from the game plan, but he also opted out of an opportunity for the onside kick with the team down two points with under 2:00 minutes to go. The most embarrassing moment in the game was the broadcast zooming in on Harbaugh as he called the aimless final timeout with under a minute to go, not realizing the Steelers had converted on 3rd and 1.

Impulsivity isn’t the leading factor compelling Ravens’ fans to scrutinize Harbaugh. Instead, Harbaugh’s unseemly contentment with coming up just short and his postured composure after losing critical games for the franchise.

Is Patrick Queen the dominant storyline for Ravens vs. Steelers on Sunday?

Even the most important storyline of the game, the AFC North division race, could take a back seat to Patrick Queen.

When the Baltimore Ravens visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, AFC North supremacy will be on the line. While this is ultimately the most important storyline of the game, it will likely take a back seat to Patrick Queen.

All the storylines in this game will probably overshadow the reality of Queen facing his former team.

Just today, the Pro Bowler revealed that the Ravens didn’t actually offer him a contract extension once his deal was up. It is likely that someone within the Ravens organization will publicly dispute that claim, but no matter what actually happened, what’s done is done.

Once Queen left for Pittsburgh in the spring, he went out of his way to say how much he preferred his new home, Baltimore. Queen even threw shade at Charm City’s trademark cuisine, saying that seafood isn’t real food.

On the heels of these remarks, Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey said on his podcast that Queen should be wary that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Queen then posted a video of himself watering a green patch of grass on social media.

Shortly thereafter, newly signed free agent Derrick Henry discussed just how much he loved Maryland seafood, in a manner that made it seem like he was clapping back at Queen.

All the banter gave us something to write and talk about during June, which is notoriously the slowest news month on the NFL calendar. He said/he said/he said/he said it continued in August with Queen’s former running mate, Roquan Smith, boldly putting him on notice for the two games this upcoming season.

Later in September, when Justice Hill signed his new contract extension, he made sure to include a “grass is greener” remark.

Have I got all that?

And, of course, this is just what was said out in public. Who knows what some of the other guys inside the Ravens’ locker room are thinking about this game against their former mate?

At this point, Queen is like Eminem in this rivalry—who hasn’t he had beef with?

Also, who could think that seafood isn’t real food?

Blasphemous!

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin pushes back on comparing rookie QB Jayden Daniels to Lamar Jackson: ‘That’s a multi-time MVP’

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin pushes back on comparing rookie QB Jayden Daniels to Lamar Jackson: ‘That’s a multi-time MVP’

The 7-3 Baltimore Ravens will face their arch-rivals, the 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers, in Week 11, with first place in the AFC North on the line.

After the Steelers defeated the Washington Commanders in Week 10, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the similarities between Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

“Man, be real slow comparing people to Lamar Jackson,” Tomlin said. “That’s a multi-time MVP. That’s Mr. Jackson. We’ll see Mr. Jackson in a few days.“

Daniels is in the middle of an incredible rookie campaign, but Jackson is currently on pace to win his third MVP award while producing one of the best seasons ever seen at the quarterback position. Funnily enough, Tomlin is one of the few coaches to have success against Jackson throughout his career, although the two have met far fewer times than you may think, given Jackson’s time in the league.

Despite being in the same division, Jackson has only played in six games against Pittsburgh, winning only two while throwing four and seven touchdowns. Jackson was let down by his pass catchers in a Week 5 17-10 loss to the Steelers last season but has otherwise not played his best football against Tomlin’s squad.

Jackson has the chance to get the monkey off his back this Sunday, but Pittsburgh’s defense, led by superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt, will look to do what no other team has been able to so far: slow down the NFL’s best offense.

WATCH: Motivated Joe Burrow wants Bengals ready for ‘Big One’ vs Ravens on Thursday night

Motivated Joe Burrow wants Bengals ready for the ‘Big One’ vs Ravens on Thursday night

Joe Burrow called this past Sunday’s game against Las Vegas a ‘must-win” for Cincinnati, and the Bengals quarterback led the way with five touchdowns in a 41-24 over the Raiders in Week 9.

In the win, according to ESPN Research, Burrow became the first player in franchise history to have multiple games of five or more passing touchdowns in a single season.

After the 41-24 win over the Raiders on Sunday, Burrow had this message for his team.

“Get your f—ing bodies right, get your minds right. It’s a big one on Thursday.”

Even with the win, the Bengals still have a losing record (4-5) heading into a showdown against the Ravens (6-3) on Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football.

Baltimore won the first matchup in Week 5, 41-38.   At one point in the fourth quarter of that loss to the Ravens,

At one point in the fourth quarter, Burrow was 27-for-34 for 353 yards and five touchdown passes, while former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase had nine catches for 174 yards and two scores.

Burrow finished 30-39 passing for 392 yards, five touchdowns, and one costly interception. His MVP counterpart, Lamar Jackson, was 26-42 passing for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson also had 12 carries for 56 yards on the day.

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AFC North News: Steelers set to make a change at QB position

The Steelers plan to give Russell Wilson first-team reps in practice this week, putting him in line to make his season debut and start Sunday night against the Jets

The Steelers are 4-2, tied atop the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens. Even with the early regular season success, head coach Mike Tomlin appears set to make a change at the quarterback position.

Tom Pelissero reports that Russell Wilson will get first-team reps in practice this week, putting him in line to start against the New York Jets on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

Fields only threw for only 145 yards in the Steelers’ 32-13 win over the Raiders on Sunday, opening up the door for Wilson to add a downfield passing aspect to a team currently being led by its top-ranked defensive unit.

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Ravens’ fans can thank QB Joe Flacco again for beating the Steelers ahead of week 5

The Baltimore Ravens are now getting closer to dethroning the Steelers for the lead in the AFC North thanks to former QB Joe Flacco.

In all mischievous bliss, Baltimore Ravens fans enjoyed seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers fall to quarterback Joe Flacco and the Indianapolis Colts last weekend. Riding an extreme high from Sunday night, the Ravens are now getting closer to dethroning the Steelers for the lead in the AFC North.

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One thing Flacco knows how to do is win, and he left the Ravens franchise with many beloved memories. Surely, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin felt the brunt of Flacco’s elitism, a familiar sentiment of unpleasant nirvana. The Steelers are now preparing to play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night Football, while the Ravens will be looking to dismantle the Bengals.

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At 2-2, a Ravens’ victory in week five will put them above .500 for the first time this season. The Steelers are now hearing footsteps, and it’s only a matter of time before the quarterback controversy between Russell Wilson and Justin Field begins. All these pending circumstances could help the Ravens catch a well-needed stride in the AFC North.

Rookie DB Nate Wiggins is exactly what the Ravens needed

Baltimore Ravens DB Nate Wiggins produced a game changing play to help his team outlast the Dallas Cowboys in week 3.

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Nate Wiggins forced a timely fumble on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the team’s week three win.



Wiggins, who missed week two, can and will help teammate Marlon Humphrey get rest on defensive possessions. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr should be mindful of Humphrey’s attrition and continue to delegate his reps covering the top opposing wide receiver with Wiggins.

The Dallas Cowboys scored 19 fourth-quarter points before running out of time in regulation. Ranking At No. 32 in the NFL in opponent’s passing yards, the Ravens’ secondary still allowed a laughable 379 pass yards in week 3.

Nevertheless, the Ravens will take this three-point victory and strategize on ways to improve the pass defense as the season continues. Lastly, having Wiggins back in the lineup didn’t just help; it rendered the turnover very well, saving the game.

Patrick Queen might get the last laugh after joining the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers already have a two-game lead in the AFC North over the Baltimore Ravens and LB Patrick Queen has feel ecstatic.

The Pittsburgh Steelers already have a two-game lead in the AFC North over the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Patrick Queen has to be feeling good.

The Steelers are undefeated in 2024 with a defense ranking No. 2 in the NFL in points allowed per game. Queen might not like Baltimore’s seafood that much, but him, linebacker Roquan Smith, and defensive coordinator Zach Orr had a very close bond before he left.

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Queen was there inside the Ravens’ locker room in 2023 as he watched what seemed to be a perfect season and potential Super Bowl get hindered by the stubbornness of the teams’ offensive coordinator.

Angered and frustrated with a lack of team accountability, Queen joined the Steelers this off-season for an opportunity to play under head coach Mike Tomlin and next to all-pro linebacker T.J Watt.

Queen’s decision to leave was initially questionable, but incentives, including a pay raise and an a opportunity to covertly get revenge by playing against the team that ruined his dreams in 2024, are extremely valid.

The Ravens defense hasn’t been terrible this season, but they do rank last in the NFL in opponent pass yards allowed per game. Queen definitely play as a factor versus those underneath passes as Raven last season, hurrying running backs on flat routes, and disturbing tight-ends inside the hash marks.

Sure, it’s only week three in the NFL, but after a 0-2 Ravens’ start, Queen has to feel good about his decision to leave Baltimore.