Category: AFC North Standings

Ravens window for 2024 AFC North title has re-opened with Steelers loss

The fantastic finish left the Ravens just one game behind the Steelers for the division lead, with seven left to play

When the teenage/1970s version of Homer Simpson traveled to the future, which for us is the present (actually, to be accurate, it’s already the recent past), he was in pure awe of the very existence of Thursday Night Football.

Many Baltimore Ravens fans, as well as neutrals for that matter, probably matched the excitement and wonder of high school-aged Homer while watching this week’s edition of Thursday Night Football.

The Cleveland Browns’ 24-19 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers was an actual “snow globe” game, and that alone made it enjoyable to watch. Within this winter wonderland, you saw an extremely entertaining game that kept going back and forth during crunch time.

The fantastic finish on the snow-showered shores of Lake Erie left the Ravens just one game behind the Steelers for the division lead, with seven left to play. Plus, any time you see the division leaders drop a game to the last-place side, it’s a tremendous boon to all the other teams chasing them.

After the Brownies upset the Steelers in the Snow Bowl, the ESPN Analytics app updated its postseason predictor the following day. According to their projections, the Ravens have a 45% chance of winning the AFC North.

In other words, we have a division title race again! The model also gives Baltimore a 97% chance of making the postseason but only a 1% chance of earning a bye.

They do give the Ravens an 18% chance of reaching the Super Bowl, which is encouraging. As Brian in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy famously said, “60% of the time, it works every time.”

In all seriousness, though, the Ravens’ game against the Steelers on Sunday, December 21, could very well be the de facto AFC North division title game.

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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Ravens-Steelers to have more acrimony than usual in Week 11

Ravens-Steelers is always a heated rivalry grudge match, but in 2024 the temperature is raised even higher. 

It’s arguably the best rivalry in the NFL, and we had to wait until week 11 to see it renewed. And “this time, it’s personal.”

Fun fact: that well-worn catchphrase appears to have originated as a tagline for a movie that many critics consider firmly among the all-time worst- Jaws: The Revenge. (The plot revolves around a shark being aware enough to have a revenge motive and the intellectual capacity to stalk one specific family from New England to the Bahamas, so yeah, it’s bad).

With all that was said back and forth between Patrick Queen and his former teammates, this game is indeed “personal” for many. Many Ravens fans might now look at Queen like a Jedi knight looked at Anakin Skywalker once he joined the dark side and became a Sith.

Ravens-Steelers is always a heated rivalry grudge match, but in 2024, the temperature is raised even higher.

Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who served as the Ravens DB Coach last season, described the rivalry as “a bloodbath.”

The fate of the AFC North may rest in this game and the other meeting between the two rivals in Baltimore on December 21.

So while this game will be significant, on multiple levels, and just in case you’re not excited enough already, consider this Roquan Smith quote from early August, about Queen:

“I have much love for him. Always care for him, but definitely when we play him, he gots to get dealt with by any means necessary.”

Sunday afternoon just cannot get here fast enough.

Derrick Henry can help the Ravens avoid another hiccup vs. Bengals

it’s time the Baltimore Ravens stop treating HB Derrick Henry as an added commodity and focus on making him the primary option on offense.

Quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are in town to face the Baltimore Ravens for Thursday night football. To neutralize Burrow and the stellar Bengals pass game, the Ravens should rely on running back Derrick Henry to both lead the offensive attack and milk the game clock.

The 6-3 Ravens cannot afford another hiccup in week 10, especially versus an AFC North foe. Currently sitting behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division standings, the Ravens need to put their foot down in primetime, and the entire world will be watching. 

In Week 8, Henry was limited to just 11 carries, and the Ravens lost 24-29 to the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens have three losses on their season record, and only one of those opponents is currently in playoff contention. Nevertheless, all hope is not lost as offensive coordinator Todd Monken keeps Henry well-fed in tonight’s attack.

Henry’s 23 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns were complete staples to the Ravens’ 41-10 victory over the Denver Broncos last Sunday. Sure, quarterback Lamar Jackson had a great outing, but it’s time the Ravens stopped pretending that Henry was just an added commodity and focused on making him the primary option on offense.

Ultimately, if the Ravens get into a shootout against the Bengals as they did in week 5, favor might not grant them the last-minute victory like last time. Thus, the Ravens must stay ahead of schedule and feed Henry the ball.

John Harbaugh lacks hindsight & Patrick Queen might laugh last: Steelers lead AFC North

Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh is losing ground to the Pittsburgh Steelers and LB Patrick Queen is reaping greatly.

It’s happening again: the Baltimore Ravens are jeopardizing an opportunity to stay ahead in the AFC by losing games that they quite frankly shouldn’t.

Still, Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh isn’t discontent, and he had this to say after Sunday’s 29-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns:

…you’re not going to win every game, we didn’t make the calls… we didn’t make the plays…



Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen has to feel good knowing he left the Ravens last season for higher pay and a new head coach in Mike Tomlin, who is not content with losing.

With the possibility of injury, that is, the reality that no player is physically immortal, Queen knows that he doesn’t want to waste the prime of his NFL career playing under a “we’ll get them next time” type of head coach.

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Respectfully, Harbaugh has had a hall-of-fame NFL career, but Queen did not get to share Harbaugh’s Super Bowl glory back in 2013 because he was still in high school. Queen did, however, share the excruciating AFC Championship loss earlier this year with Harbaugh as his coach. 

Queen’s Steelers are 6-2, thriving under the leadership of all-pro T.J. Watt and the poise of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson. Queen has played his role within a Steelers defense that ranks No. 2 in opponent points per game. 

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On defense, the Ravens have clearly taken a step backward since Queen’s departure, and this flaw might be pivotal late in the NFL season when the premiere teams will appear. Whether bittersweet or not, Queen is having the last laugh.

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.

Ravens training camp: Lamar Jackson to miss 2nd straight practice due to an illness

Baltimore’s MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss his second straight training camp practice due to an unknown illness

Lamar Jackson is now up to two used PTO days this season. The Ravens MVP quarterback will miss the second straight day of training camp practice with an undisclosed illness.

Jackson was sent home on Saturday after not feeling well, and according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, he’ll be out of action again on Wednesday.

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson will take the first team snaps again for Baltimore, while rookie signal-callers Devin Leary and Emory Jones will benefit from another day of increased reps.

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2024 projected win totals for AFC North teams

We’re looking at a ranking of 2024 win total projections for all four AFC North teams

The Ravens (13-4) were the No. 1 seed in the AFC and had a first-round bye after navigating one of the NFL’s most demanding schedules.

With a first-place finish in 2023, the schedule will only get even more complicated, and after the late Sunday afternoon games, we have some unofficial idea of what the 2024 slate will look like.

Baltimore will play nine games on the road, eight at M&T Bank Stadium.

The schedule will be highlighted by matchups against their AFC North foes (Steelers, Bengals, Browns), the NFC East, AFC West, the AFC South champ, the NFC South champ, and the AFC East champion.

The league uses multiple factors to determine the year’s game schedule.

There’s a cycle of inter-conference faceoffs; each NFC division rotates through each AFC division every four seasons and the other NFC divisions every three seasons.

In addition, where a team finishes within their division dictates a same-finish matchup with one team from the opposite conference and whichever divisions aren’t in the rotation for that season.

Offering an early glimpse into where the Ravens could finish this season, we’re looking at total win projection for all four AFC North squads.

Lamar Jackson makes NFL history with dominant performance in 34-10 win over Texans

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after making NFL history in Ravens 34-10 win over the Houston Texans

Lamar Jackson was on another level from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP in the coming weeks.

In Saturday’s win, Jackson accounted for four total touchdowns while becoming the first player in NFL history to log two rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, 100 yards rushing, and 100 yards passing in the same game.

The stat line is a credit to offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the Ravens’ ability to develop a scheme that features what the dual-threat quarterback does best.

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after dominating the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

In all, Jackson accounted for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating on the night while getting Baltimore one step closer to a Super Bowl appearance.

National reaction to Ravens advancing to AFC Championship game with 34-10 win over Texans

We’re looking at the national reaction to the Baltmore Ravens advancing to the AFC Championship game after a 34-10 iwin over the Houston Texans

The Ravens avoided the repeat of 2019, advancing to the AFC title game after a dominant 34-10 win over the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The win gave Baltimore two wins over DeMeco Ryan’s team, and the combined scores of 56-19 provide insight into how far Houston has to climb before they start thinking about championship Sunday.

Lamar Jackson was dominant from start to finish and will likely win his second NFL MVP after accounting for 252 yards, four total touchdowns, and a `121.8 quarterback rating.

Mike Macdonald’s defense held Houston to 213 yards of total offense on 47 offensive plays, limiting C.J. Stroud to 19-33 passing for 175 yards and no touchdowns.

After overcoming past failures, here’s the national reaction to the Ravens’ dominant victory.