Tag: AFC Playoff picture

Highlights from the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, Flag Football competition

We’re looking at highlights from the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl games, and the Flag Football competition

We can now look towards Super Bowl 58 as the NFC won the Pro Bowl Games with an overall score of 64-59.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson broke up a pass from Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, creating a turnover on downs with four seconds remaining.

Stroud led all quarterbacks with 173 yards on 18-of-22 passing, while Seattle Seahawks’ Geno Smith led the NFC in passing with 154 yards on 15-of-21 passing.

Allen was among the standouts, with 90 receiving yards on nine catches, including three touchdowns receiving and one passing.

Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb had three touchdown catches including one from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had 10 catches for 117 yards and a TD for the NFC.

Ravens: 11 takeaways from Eric DeCosta, John Harbaugh’s end-of-season press conference

We’re looking at 11 takeaways from the Baltimore Ravens end of season press conference held by Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh

The Ravens season ended shockingly, after last Sunday’s 17-10 loss to Kansas City in the AFC Championship.

With the defeat, Baltimore faces an offseason of change after Mike Macdonald bolted for the Seahawks job and 20+ free agents, headlined by Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike.

With questions about Lamar Jackson, the receiving corps, and a lack of rushing attack in the title game loss, GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh faced the media on Friday, taking questions for about an hour.

With the offseason now underway, here are takeaways from the presser.

Patrick Queen among 7 Ravens to to participate in these Pro Bowl events

Kevin Zeitler and Roquan Smith are among Baltimore Ravens set to participate in the Pro Bowl Skills showdown on Thursday night and the Flag Football game on Sunday

The Ravens were the NFL’s best team during the regular season, and the AFC power was properly represented on the Pro Bowl team, with seven players named.

Baltimore’s Pro Bowlers were quarterback Lamar Jackson, linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, center Tyler Linderbaum, linebacker Patrick Queen, and kicker Justin Tucker.

It’s the first time for Hamilton, Madubuike, Queen, and Linderbaum – all players General Manager Eric DeCosta drafted.

The Pro Bowl Games get underway Thursday, and every player selected except Lamar Jackson will be participating in Pro Bowl skills challenges.

AFC Divisional Round picks: Who the experts are taking in Ravens vs. Texans

The NFL experts have made their picks, and the Baltimore Ravens are favored to defeat the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round

We’re a little over 30 hours away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.

Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s the NFL expert picks.

Will Ravens QB Lamar Jackson finally silence the critics?

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson can redeem his post-season struggles and advance to the AFC Championship this weekend.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has played exceptionally in response to his five-year $260 million contract this spring. Will Jackson finally silence his critics by advancing to the AFC Championship?

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Jackson’s 1-3 record in the post-season is a stark contrast to his counterpart, Houston Texans quarterback C.J Stroud. Stroud is now 1-0, thanks to the Texan’s win in the AFC Wild Card.  Jackson complimented Stroud this week in the media but did so with an undertone that implied his aspirations.

Jackson knows that Regular season success won’t be enough for his critics to merit him the MVP award. The Ravens finished the season on a high note with locker-room celebrations and tons of raves in the media. It can be all for naught if they are one and done.

It is imperative that Jackson avoids turnovers and makes accurate passes against the Texans’ blitz. The Texans are allowing just 3.5 rush yards per carry this season. To counter the Texans’ run defense, Jackson may look for wide receiver Zay Flowers in 1-on-1 situations.

Ideally, the Ravens will want to avoid turning this game into an offensive shootout and sustain offensive drives to keep the home crowd engaged. Jackson must exemplify poise and precision to prevail. That is if he wants to advance to the AFC Championship.

PFF grades: Where Ravens offensive players ranked in NFL this season

We’re looking at where Lamar Jackson and other Baltimore Ravens ranked in PFF grades for the 2023 NFL season

The AFC playoff field is set, and the Baltimore Ravens will have a first-round bye after earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Lamar Jackson is the likely NFL MVP after having a career year, while Mike MacDonald’s defense is the best in the NFL and could have a handful of All-Pros.

Baltimore will hold light practice sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before resting over the weekend.

We previously looked at the highest and lowest-graded Ravens, with Lamar Jackson taking the top spot.

Today, we’re looking at where key standouts on both sides of the football landed among their peers via PFF. 

 

Ravens PFF grades: Highest and lowest graded players from 2023 NFL regular season

With the AFC Wild Card Weekend set to begin, we’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens highest and lowest-graded players from the 2023 NFL season

The AFC playoff field is set, and the Baltimore Ravens will have a first-round bye after earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Lamar Jackson is the likely NFL MVP after having a career year, while Mike MacDonald’s defense is the best in the NFL and could have a handful of All-Pros.

Baltimore will return to the Under Armour Training Facility for work on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before resting over the weekend.

With the Wild Card matchups fast approaching, we’re looking at the highest and lowest-graded Ravens in 2023 via PFF.

Jaguars out of playoff race after being stunned by Titans

The Jaguars will not repeat nor go to the playoffs after a loss to the Titans

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Buffalo Bills can rest easy. They all might want to give a nod or send a gift to the Tennessee Titans

The Titans shocked the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday of Week 18, 28-20.

The fifth loss in the last six games for the Jaguars cost them a chance to win the AFC South.

The defending AFC champion’s season is done. They are eliminated from any playoff hope.

It means the Houston Texans are the AFC South champions.

The Steelers have earned a wild-card berth, and the Buffalo Bills are assured of one, too,

The winner of Sunday’s final game between the Bills and Dolphins will be AFC East champion.

The seven AFC playoff teams are set.

 

Ravens snap count vs. Steelers: Breakdown, observations from Week 18

We’re looking at the snap counts and playing time percentage for the Baltimore Ravens in their Week 18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore will finish the regular season 13-4 after a desperate Pittsburgh squad (10-7) held on for a 17-10 win at sloppy M&T Bank Stadium.

The Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive while snapping the Ravens ‘ game-winning streak.

After securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the AFC North title in Week 17, the Ravens (13-4) entered Saturday’s game against their division rival with no playoff ramifications for themselves.

Baltimore sat NFL MVP favorite Lamar Jackson and six other starters: Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, guard Kevin Zeitler, middle linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

With the Ravens set for a Wild Card week bye and the Steelers needing help on Sunday, here’s the snap count from Saturday afternoon.

Here are the Bills’ remaining playoff scenarios on Sunday

Here are the #Bills’ remaining playoff scenarios on Sunday

The Buffalo Bills head into Week 18’s Sunday with some scoreboards to watch.

The team itself might leave the TVs off in the locker room as their focus will be on beating the Miami Dolphins (11-5). The Bills could still win the AFC East.

But Buffalo (10-6) will feel the implications of some others games around the NFL. They already have as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens’ backups on Saturday.

Now all eyes go to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

For those curious, here’s how the Bills’ playoff scenarios could end up unfolding on Sunday: