Tag: AFC North News

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.

VIDEO: Ravens WR Rashod Bateman “looks like he’s floating” in recent workout

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman’s dedication to rehabilitating after early career setbacks is paying off.

Yesterday afternoon,  reporter editor Sarah Ellison shared a video of Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman putting in work off-site. The video which originated from Bateman’s Instagram account, has since rendered plenty of engagement from fans online and hints towards Bateman’s rejuvenated athleticism.

If Bateman can increase his production this season, the Ravens will thrive in both the pass and run game on offense. Many analysts expect Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to use more 12 personnel in his play calling this upcoming season. If so, Bateman may see more 1-on-1 opportunities to win with YAC on underneath routes or use his speed to go over the top.

Bateman’s dedication to rehabilitating after early career setbacks is paying off. He claims this is the healthiest he’s felt in years Perhaps that’s why head coach John Harbaugh is optimistic about his potential in the future. Good job Rashod Bateman.

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AFC North news: Steelers to sign QB Russell Wilson

Adam Schefter reports that the Ravens AFC North Rival Pittsburgh Steelers are signing Russell Wilson to a deal ahead of NFL Free Agency

The AFC North is ripe with solid quarterbacks, and the Steelers are set to add another big name to a division that already has Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Joe Burrow (Bengals), and Deshaun Watson (Browns).

Adam Schefter reports that Russell Wilson successfully traveled to Western Pennsylvania and will sign with the AFC North power.

The Broncos announced they released Wilson this week after trading two No. 1 picks and signing him to a five-year, $242.6 million deal before the 2022 season.

Denver went 11-19 with Wilson as the starter and failed to make the postseason.

Wilson’s release means the Broncos will take an $85 million salary cap hit in dead money over the next two seasons.

Pittsburgh can sign him to a team-friendly deal for the veteran minimum and continue adding weapons around him.

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AFC North news: Steelers to sign QB Russell Wilson

Adam Schefter reports that the Ravens AFC North Rival Pittsburgh Steelers are signing Russell Wilson to a deal ahead of NFL Free Agency

The AFC North is ripe with solid quarterbacks, and the Steelers are set to add another big name to a division that already has Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Joe Burrow (Bengals), and Deshaun Watson (Browns).

Adam Schefter reports that Russell Wilson successfully traveled to Western Pennsylvania and will sign with the AFC North power.

The Broncos announced they released Wilson this week after trading two No. 1 picks and signing him to a five-year, $242.6 million deal before the 2022 season.

Denver went 11-19 with Wilson as the starter and failed to make the postseason.

Wilson’s release means the Broncos will take an $85 million salary cap hit in dead money over the next two seasons.

Pittsburgh can sign him to a team-friendly deal for the veteran minimum and continue adding weapons around him.

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Ravens enter bye week with the best record in AFC after 20-10 win over Chargers

We’re looking at instant analysis of the Baltimore Ravens 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on NBC’s Sunday Night Football

The Ravens are 9-3 and back atop the AFC after a hard-fought, 20-10 win over the Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday night.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson was 18-32 passing, for 177 yards and one passing touchdown, while Jackson also had 11 carries for 39 yards. Explosive rookie running back Keaton Mitchell led the group with 64 yards on nine carries, while Zay Flowers had two touchdowns and 62 total yards on the night.

The Ravens’ defense was dominant, holding the Chargers to 279 yards of offense on 69 plays. Justin Herbert and company went 7-15 on third downs and 1-2 in the red zone.

With Baltimore set for a much-needed goodbye, here’s an instant analysis of the win.

Ravens vs. Chargers inactive: Marlon Humphrey ruled out with Calf injury

The Ravens released their inactives list for Sunday night at the Chargers and Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham are both active, while Marlon Humphrey was ruled out

The Ravens released their list of inactives for Sunday night, and Zay Flowers will be available, along with Odell Beckham Jr.

Star cornerback Marlon Humphrey will miss the game with a calf injury.

Beckham called himself a game-time decision with a shoulder injury, while Flowers missed multiple practices this week with a hip injury.

Beckham had four catches for 116 yards in Week 11, while Flowers is the team’s leading receiver this season. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) is also expected to play after having a questionable designation.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson calls all-black team uniforms “sexy”

The Baltimore Ravens announced that they would wear the black uniforms for Thursday Night Football and Lamar Jackson was thrilled.

After the Baltimore Ravens announced that they would wear the black uniforms for Thursday Night Football, quarterback Lamar Jackson spoke playfully with the media about the decision. Jackson, who called the black color choice “sexy” seems every bit of optimistic heading into week 11. 

 
 
 
 
 
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On a more serious note, Jackson’s thirteen completion, one touchdown, and two interception week 10 outing was not sexy at all. Jackson needs to redeem himself tonight and be more efficient with his reads. 

The Ravens defense still leads the NFL in points allowed despite giving up 33 points to the Cleveland Browns last week. The Ravens defense has been excellent this season and greatly needs Jackson and the offense to be more effective sustaining drives to get them some well-needed rest during contest. Tonight’s game may very well come down to which team is able to avoid turnovers and the Ravens are not suited to play from behind. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Ravens defense looked fatigued in Browns’ 33-31 comeback win

The Baltimore Ravens defense spent 75 total plays on the field in Week 10, a strong indicator of potential fatigue.

A deeper analysis of the Cleveland Browns’ comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10 may point to time of possession being a key factor. The Ravens defense spent 75 total plays on the field, a strong indicator of potential fatigue.

Coordinator Mike MacDonald’s unit held the Browns offense to just nine first-half points yet had less luck stopping quarterback Deshaun Watson in the second half.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson struggled passing the ball, and the Ravens offense was not able to sustain drives. Perhaps opting for the run could have shortened the game. Instead, the Ravens opted to go for explosive plays, losing the time of possession statistic 34:15 to 25:45.

 

The fatigued Ravens defense had no answer for the intermediate passing game with wide receiver Amari Cooper and scramble runs of Watson. The Browns rushed the ball on 36 of their 75 offensive plays, using physicality to tire out the Baltimore defense.

In Week 10, only four teams allowed more points than Baltimore, and only the New York Giants defense was on the field for more plays.