Ravens Week 10 snap counts: Some interesting substitutions going on

The Baltimore Ravens made some interesting substitutions against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10 according to the snap counts.

The Baltimore Ravens beat up on the Cincinnati Bengals so bad, we got the see the backups enter the game and play nearly a full quarter. In their 49-13 drubbing of the Bengals, the Ravens managed to score both on offense and defense, throwing some new wrinkles on the field for future teams to have to gameplan against. When looking at the snap counts for Week 10, we see some interesting changes occurring on both offense and defense.

Offensively, we’re beginning to see tight end Hayden Hurst dip into Mark Andrews’ snap counts at times. The same thing happened last week where Hurst played 40% of the offensive snaps compared to Andrews’ 34%, compared to Week 10’s 57% to 51%. As previously predicted, Hurst offers value as both a pass catcher and blocker, allowing offensive coordinator Greg Roman to use more misdirection and catch defenses off guard rather than lining Andrews up and tipping off the play.

It’s also interesting to see how the wide receiver snap counts adjusted this week with Chris Moore inactive and a gameplan that favored the tight ends. By looking at the box score, it seemed pretty obvious the tight ends got far more looks in the passing game, catching 12 of Lamar Jackson’s 18 completions. Naturally, they got far more playing time than the wide receivers to fit that narrative.

Marquise Brown seems to still be on a limited snap count as he returns from injury, playing just 40% of the offensive snaps. But fellow rookie Miles Boykin supplanted Seth Roberts this week, getting the second-most snaps behind Willie Snead. Though Boykin didn’t get targeted in this game, it could point to the team’s growing comfort level with him in the lineup. Given his size and speed, he seems like a natural for cold-weather football to help spell both Moore and Roberts down the stretch.

Ravens offensive snap counts:

Player Position Snaps Snap %
Bradley Bozeman G 47 100%
Orlando Brown T 47 100%
Matt Skura C 47 100%
Nick Boyle TE 36 77%
Ronnie Stanley T 36 77%
Lamar Jackson QB 36 77%
Marshal Yanda G 36 77%
Hayden Hurst TE 27 57%
Mark Andrews TE 24 51%
Mark Ingram RB 23 49%
Willie Snead WR 22 47%
Miles Boykin WR 21 45%
Marquise Brown WR 19 40%
Patrick Ricard FB 18 38%
Seth Roberts WR 18 38%
James Hurst G 14 30%
Justice Hill RB 12 26%
Robert Griffin III QB 12 26%
Gus Edwards RB 11 23%
Patrick Mekari G 11 23%

Click on the next page to see the defensive snap counts and analysis on what it means.

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Stock up, down after Giants’ 34-27 loss to Jets

Whose stock is up and whose is down following the New York Giants’ loss to the New York Jets in Week 10?

The emotions are still settling in after the New York Giants lost to their equally inept co-tenants, the New York Jets, 34-27, on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Several players flashed while others crashed. Here’s quick rundown from Sunday’s game.

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Wide receiver Darius Slayton

Slayton, coming off a down week against Dallas (one reception for six yards), exploded all over the Jets’ secondary grabbing 10 of 14 targets for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Slayton, a fifth round pick out of Auburn in this year’s NFL Draft has forged a sold rapport with quarterback Daniel Jones and now has five receiving touchdowns on the season, tied for the NFL lead among rookies.

Stock Down: Running back Saquon Barkley

No question Barkley’s performance is concerning. He’s been back from his high ankle sprain for three games now and does not appear to have fully recovered from the injury.

Barkley carried the football 13 times against the Jets, gaining just one yard and his pass blocking, an aspect of his game he prides himself in, has taken a step back. He was blown up twice by Jets safety Jamal Adams, with both plays resulting in fumbles by Daniel Jones. One was recovered by Barkley. The other was taken on for a touchdown by Adams.

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Nuggets rookie Bol Bol appears to be nearing his G League debut

Two-way rookie Bol Bol has been assigned to the Windy City Bulls of the G League, the Nuggets announced Monday afternoon.

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Denver Nuggets two-way rookie Bol Bol has been assigned to the Windy City Bulls of the G League, the team announced on Twitter Monday afternoon.

With Bol set to join the Bulls, it appears as though the 7-foot-2 center is nearing his debut for the organization. Of course, Bol did not play in Summer League and hasn’t suited up yet for the Nuggets after suffering a foot injury last season at Oregon.

Since the Nuggets are one of two NBA teams without a direct G League affiliate, it was recently reported that Bol would play this season with the Bulls. Signed to a two-way contract, Bol will spend the majority of the season in the G League.

The report on Oct. 27 also indicated that Bol would be under a heavy minutes restriction to begin the season. Though it is unclear on how much time Bol will see initially, the Nuggets will certainly be cautious with their rookie as foot injuries have proven to be problematic with big men.

Bol has been seen practicing some with the Nuggets throughout training camp after he said in August that his foot injury has fully healed and he is completely healthy.

The Bulls play next on Friday against the Canton Charge.

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CeeDee Lamb named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

CeeDee Lamb went off against Iowa State, earning him Big 12 offensive player of the week.

Expect anything different?

CeeDee Lamb went off against Iowa State, earning him Big 12 offensive player of the week.

Being the main offensive weapon against the Cyclones, Lamb could not be contained even if he was covered by three defenders.

Not only was he a threat through the air with his eight catches for 167 yards and a touchdown, but he was a huge help in the run game. Lamb is one of the best blocking wide receivers in the nation, proving his abilities once again last Saturday.

This is the fourth time this season that the offensive player of the week is a Sooner and the second time this season that Lamb has been recognized as the offensive player of the week.

Jalen Hurts has also won offensive player of the week twice and newcomer of the week twice. Safety, Brendan Radley-Hiles and linebacker, Kenneth Murray have each been awarded Big 12 defensive player of the week once. In total, players from Oklahoma have been recognized eight times this season.

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Seahawks have yet to make a decision on tight end Ed Dickson

The Seattle Seahawks have not decided if veteran tight end Ed Dickson will be activated off the injured reserve in time for Monday’s game.

The Seattle Seahawks are just a few hours away from taking on the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday night football.

In typical Pete Carroll fashion, he is keeping his roster decisions as close to the chest as possible, which includes the potential activation of tight end Ed Dickson off the injured reserve.

“You have to wait and see on that one,” Carroll said on Saturday. “I’m not calling that one yet.”

Dickson was placed on the injured reserve in Week 1, so he is now eligible to return for Seattle. However, the team opted to keep him out last week while he got his legs under him in practice.

Now, with two full weeks of practice under his belt, it appears Dickson is ready to help this team on the field.

However, Seattle has not made room for him on their active roster just yet. The team will need to release someone, likely either receiver John Ursua or backup tight end Jacob Hollister, in order to clear a spot for him.

It seems they are waiting until the last possible moment, perhaps hoping they’ll be able to squeeze whomever they release through waivers and re-sign them to their practice squad.

Regardless, Dickson’s veteran experience and strong run-blocking will be a big boost for the Seahawks, whenever they feel he is ready to contribute on the field.

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Michigan State basketball falls to No. 3 in AP poll

The Michigan State men’s basketball team’s run as the AP No. 1 team was short lived. After losing to then-No. 2 Kentucky in the Champions Classic, the Spartans have slipped to No 3 in the latest AP poll. Kentucky-not a surprise-took over as the new …

The Michigan State men’s basketball team’s run as the AP No. 1 team was short lived.

After losing to then-No. 2 Kentucky in the Champions Classic, the Spartans have slipped to No 3 in the latest AP poll. Kentucky–not a surprise–took over as the new No. 1 team with Duke also jumping the Spartans into the No. 2 spot.

Louisville and Kansas round out the top five.

Michigan State rebounded from the Kentucky loss with an emotional win over Binghamton the day after Cassius Winston’s brother Zachary was killed after being hit by a train.

The Spartans will now travel to take on No. 12 Seton Hall this Thursday in the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

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A look at the Thunder’s quality 3-point shooting to begin the season

The Thunder are ranked seventh in the league for 3-point percentage to begin this season.

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It may have taken starting a rebuild for the Oklahoma City Thunder to be a good 3-point shooting team.

And yet with the Thunder at 4-6 to start the season, they’re one of the best shooting teams in the NBA.

The Thunder made a season-high 17 3-pointers in their 121-119 loss Sunday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. Mike Muscala and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each had a team-high four 3-pointers, and Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder each had three.

Through 10 games this season, the Thunder rank seventh in the league for 3-point percentage, shooting at a 37.5% clip. As a team, the Thunder make 11.5 3-pointers a game, and five players account for a good portion of those makes.

Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander, Terrance Ferguson, Danilo Gallinari and Darius Bazley combine for 8.7 of the Thunder’s 3-pointers per game. Each player has shot at least 38% from 3-point range.

Despite being two games under .500, the Thunder’s quality shooting has helped them remain competitive.

They’ve only shot below 36% from the 3-point line in two games. Both of those were losses, and in both games, they lost by 12 or fewer points. In games where they have shot 36% or better from deep, they’re 4-4. In each of the four losses, the Thunder have lost by single digits.

Having new players such as Paul, Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander has helped the Thunder improve their shooting.

Paul and Gallinari have both shot at least 37% from 3-point range in their careers. A rookie last season, Gilgeous-Alexander shot 36.7% with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Ferguson has also improved his shooting steadily over his career. He’s shooting 38.1% from three on 2.1 attempts. Bazley, a rookie, has shot 40.0% on 2.5 attempts. He ranks seventh among rookies for 3-point percentage, according to NBA.com.

In the past three seasons, the Thunder have been in the bottom half of the league for 3-point percentage. The last time they were in the top half was in the 2013-14 season, when they ranked 14th.

Their top two shooters last season were Jerami Grant and Paul George, but both players were traded this offseason to the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively. Ferguson was the team’s third-best 3-point shooter last season, hitting at a 36.6% clip.

The Thunder are rebuilding, but they have a budding young player in Gilgeous-Alexander. Paul and Gallinari are proven talents, so their leadership helps. Though the Thunder might not make the playoffs, their shooting ability gives them a chance to compete against most teams.

OKC will play the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.

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Super 25 Regional Football Rankings: Week 12

As playoffs get underway in many states, here are the latest Super 25 Regional High School Football Rankings for Week 12…

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USA TODAY High School Sports’ Super 25 regional rankings in football is selected by the HSS staff with weekly rankings in five regions — East, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and West.

SUPER 25: TOP 25 | TOP STAR | How the Super 25 Fared

EAST

Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Virginia, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine

  1. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore, Maryland (10-1)
  2. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (8-2)
  3. Southern Columbia, Catawissa, Pennsylvania (12-0)
  4. St. John’s, Washington, District of Columbia (6-4)
  5. Highland Springs, Virginia (10-0)
  6. Gonzaga, Washington, District of Columbia (8-2)
  7. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania (10-1)
  8. McDonogh School, Owings Mills, Maryland (11-0)
  9. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, New Jersey (6-3)
  10. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, New Jersey (8-1)

SOUTHEAST

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (10-0)
  2. Lakeland, Florida (11-0)
  3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Florida (9-1)
  4. Dutch Fork, Irmo, South Carolina (10-0-1)
  5. Lowndes, Valdosta, Georgia (9-0)
  6. McEachern, Georgia (10-0)
  7. Central, Phenix City, Alabama (10-1)
  8. Hoover, Alabama (9-2)
  9. Colquitt County, Moultrie, Georgia (8-2)
  10. Thompson, Alabama (9-1)

MIDWEST

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin

  1. Mentor, Ohio (11-0)
  2. Male, Louisville, Kentucky (11-0)
  3. Muskegon, Michigan (11-0)
  4. East St. Louis, Illinois (11-0)
  5. Muskego, Wisconsin (12-0)
  6. De Smet Jesuit, St. Louis (10-0)
  7. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Illinois (11-0)
  8. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (10-1)
  9. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minnesota (11-0)
  10. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (10-1)

SOUTHWEST

Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

  1. Duncanville, Texas (10-0)
  2. Katy, Texas (10-0)
  3. Allen, Texas (10-0)
  4. North Shore, Houston, Texas (9-1)
  5. Carroll, Southlake, Texas (10-0)
  6. Archbishop Rummel, Metaire, Louisiana (10-0)
  7. Owasso, Oklahoma (10-0)
  8. Catholic, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (10-0)
  9. Longview, Texas (10-0)
  10. Picayune, Mississippi (10-0)

WEST

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

  1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, California (10-0)
  2. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, California (9-1)
  3. Saint Louis, Honolulu (10-0)
  4. De La Salle, Concord, California (9-1)
  5. Chandler, Arizona (10-0)
  6. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-1)
  7. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (12-0)
  8. Mission Viejo, California (10-0)
  9. Folsom, California (9-1)
  10. O’Dea, Seattle (9-0)