Category: AFC Playoffs

Ravens have a catch-22 yet no one can catch 22: Derrick Henry is him

Whenever Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry gets 20 or more carries, the team offense is usually right on schedule and opponents tremble.

Whenever Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry gets 20 or more carries, the team’s offense is usually right on schedule. Henry recorded 140 rushing yards on 24 carries versus the Los Angeles Chargers, and his performance led to a well-needed week 12 win on Monday Night.

The formula seems obvious, yet Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has complicated the apparent dynamics of run-first and pass-last. In the Ravens’ week 11 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Henry had just 13 carries. Doubling his carries in week 12 increased his offensive production and led to an outpouring of 30 offensive points.

The Ravens’ week 12 win is worthy of celebration, but their 8-4 season start does not truly reflect the team’s potential. Congratulations to John Harbaugh for defeating his little brother Jim Harbaugh on Monday Night Football, but the Ravens have bigger fish to fry in 2024.

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With a Steelers loss in week 12, the Ravens still have a shot at the AFC North. However, to regain ground. They must continue prioritizing Henry for the rest of the season. If the playoffs started today, they’d be No. 5 in the AFC standings. 

Ravens perplex viewers with lack of rushing attempts in AFC Championship loss

Ravens confuse fans with lack of rushing attempts in AFC Championship loss

Following the Baltimore Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, viewers were left perplexed by the lack of rushing attempts by the Ravens.

After leading the league in rushing yards in the regular season and facing a defense that allowed nearly 200 rushing yards against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round, Baltimore seemingly abandoned the run in the AFC Championship despite never trailing by more than 10 points.

The Ravens finished the game with only six carries between running backs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.

Social media was filled with viewers befuddled by Baltimore’s lack of rushing attempts during and after the game.

Head Coach John Harbaugh was asked about the lack of rushing attempts following the game.

“It was that kind of a game,” Harbaugh said. “That’s the way it worked out.”

Todd Monken deserves blame for Ravens loss in AFC Championship

Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken completely abandoned the No. 1 ranked Ravens rush attack in the AFC Championship.

The Baltimore Ravens ranked No. 1 in rush yards per game all season long. Yet, offensive coordinator Todd Monken opted for 37 pass plays in the AFC Championship.

If Monken thought Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wouldn’t blitz his generic shotgun attack, think again. Quarterback Lamar Jackson struggled versus the Chiefs’ blitz all afternoon being sacked four times. Yet, instead of opting to run the ball to gain tempo, Monken insisted on reaching for home-run plays through the air.

Baltimore loss the time of possession stat 37:20 to 22:30, meaning, Monken basically left the Ravens’ defense out to rot.


Fueled by frustration, and endless trash talk from Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce, linebacker Roquan Smith and the Ravens’ defense rendered some penalties. Still, Smith and the Ravens’ defense held the Chiefs to just 17 total points and a 2nd-half shutout through 73 plays (incredible).

 
 
 
 
 
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Considering that this was Monken’s first-season making it this far in the NFL Playoffs, grace will be extended on his behalf. Hopefully he uses this experience as a compel to data-dump his ideals and call the plays that actually fit into the teams personnel.

Takeaways and observations from Ravens 17-10 loss to Chiefs in AFC Championship game

We’re looking at the takeaways from the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game

The Ravens are again staring disappointment in the face after a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at M&T Bank Stadium.

The consensus favorite for NFL MVP, Jackson will have to wait another year to escape the notion that he’s unable to win games in the most crucial moments.

Jackson and the Ravens offense imploded with three turnovers, and the team is 0-8 in team history when committing three or more turnovers in the postseason.

Jackson finished 20 of 37 for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception as Baltimore tied a season-low with 10 points.

With a critical offseason and major decisions ahead, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the shocking loss.

National reaction to Lamar Jackson spinning out a sack and hitting Zay Flowers for 30 yard TD

Baltimore Ravens All-Pro QB Lamar Jackson avoids several sacks to find Zay Flowers for 30 yard TD in AFC title game against Kansas City Chiefs

Lamar Jackson is a magician with the football, and the MVP favorite put his magic on display Sunday when he spun out of a sack to find Zay Flowers running clean for a 30-yard touchdown.

Jackson and Flowers stayed on the same page after the quarterback eluded several rushers, and with the rookie pass catcher matched up on linebacker Nick Bolton, Jackson lofted a dime for the score.

Here’s the national reaction to the play: Baltimore and Kansas City are tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

WATCH: Travis Kelce throws Justin Tucker’s helmet so Patrick Mahomes can warm up

Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce tried to chump Ravens kicker Justin Tucker and make him move so Patrick Mahomes can warm up

We’re a little over an hour away from the Ravens and Chiefs kicking off the AFC title game, and star tight end Travis Kelce just added some drama to the contest.

Baltimore’s All-Pro kicker, Justin Tucker was down in the Chiefs end of the field warming up with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kelce and the Kansas City offense took the field for some early pregame warmups of their own.

After watching Mahomes take a couple of dropbacks with Tucker still stretching, and his helmet in the Chiefs way, Kelce took upon himself to tell the kicker to move, while tossing his helmet.

Social media reacts to everything, and this altercation was no different.

5 reasons why the Ravens will beat the Chiefs in AFC Championship game

We’re looking at five reasons why the Baltimore Ravens will defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

The time has come, and we’re a little over 3 hours from one of the biggest AFC Championship tilts in NFL history when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

With pregame warmups already underway, we’re looking at five reasons the Ravens will win the AFC Championship.

Patrick Mahomes better run from Ravens DT Justin Madubuike

Baltimore Ravens DT Justin Madubuike led his team with 13 sacks this season. Can Patrick Mahomes escape his wrath?

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike led his team with 13 sacks this season. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes better avoid him at all costs in the AFC Championship.

The Ravens rank No. 1 in the NFL in total sacks with 60. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid better hope Mahomes has enough dance moves to shake off the blitz of Ravens’ defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald.

MacDonald shouldn’t hesitate to blitz Mahomes on passing downs, especially with Chiefs’ offensive guard Joe Thurney ruled out. Ravens’ linebackers Odafe Oweh and Jadeaveon Clowney will work to contain Mahomes inside and Madubuike may get a few clean-up sacks if Mahomes thinks he’ll be able to climb.

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Madubuike will look to pummel Mahomes and halt the Chiefs run game in the AFC Championship. It’s almost game time.

Lamar Jackson may end Chiefs dynasty in AFC Championship

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson will look to end the Chiefs and advance to Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will make his first-ever appearance in the AFC Championship with a chance to end Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs’ reigning dynasty.

Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo better have an answer for Jackson Sunday. The Ravens average 4.9 yards per carry, using a committee of running backs to wear down opponents. Jackson led the Ravens with  821 rush yards on 148 carries this season. That’s 5.5 yards per attempt.

The Chiefs are allowing 4.5 yards per carry on defense and the Ravens rank No. 2 in the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 26.

Ravens’ offensive coordinator Todd Monken knows how to use the run game in moderation. Monken likes to call on Jackson in the Red Zone but the Chiefs have only allowed 10 rushing touchdowns this year.

Jackson and Monken will want to use the run and intermediate/quick pass game to sustain offensive drives.

Unlike in the past, Jackson now has a plethora of wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs to distribute the ball in the passing game.

Jackson will look to end the Chiefs and advance to Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

Report: Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey expected to play in AFC Championship game

Jeremy Fowler is reporting that Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humprhey is expected to play in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs

The Ravens are nearing full strength, and after getting Mark Andrews back in the lineup, the defense will benefit from Marlon Humphrey’s return.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Humphrey is expected to play in the AFC title game after missing the last three games with a calf injury.

Humphrey practiced in full Friday after opening the week with back-to-back limited sessions, and it’s unknown if the 27-year-old will start after having already missed eight games this season. Still, adding the All-Pro cornerback is urgent for a unit that’ll defend Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.