Tag: Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas’s mindset didn’t reflect interest in tackling Derrick Henry

Titans RB Derrick Henry ran wild again, this time, running over Ravens safety Earl Thomas, who made comments suggesting the Ravens could stop him.

There isn’t much anyone can say to detract from the likely Hall of Fame career of Ravens safety Earl Thomas. Super Bowls, All-Pro selections, positions of prominence on some of the best defensive teams of his generation, Thomas has the bona fides of a great all-around defensive player. But Titans running back Derrick Henry clearly didn’t care about that when he broke away from the Ravens’ defense in the second half of Tennessee’s 28-12 win over top-seeded Baltimore Saturday.

The run, which went for 22 yards, came at the tail end of the third quarter with the Titans holding a dominating 28-6 lead. Henry had already broken off a 66-yard run that set up his touchdown pass to Corey Davis, so the fact the drive didn’t result in points was irrelevant.

“I just said, ‘Good to see you, Earl. Good to see you, man. Hopefully we can do this again,’ ” Henry said of Thomas, according to USA TODAY’s Nate Davis.

It was a response to Thomas’s insight leading into the game that suggested the Patriots, whom Henry ran all over in a wild-card win, didn’t seem interested in tackling Henry, while suggesting the Ravens wouldn’t have an issue with it.

Thomas, and every Ravens defender, had an issue tackling Henry, regardless of their mindset leading into the game. Whichever team the Titans face in the AFC Championship game — either the Chiefs or Texans who play Sunday — would be wise to lead any conversation regarding Henry and the Titans ground game to a place of respect.

Earl Thomas learns just how difficult it is to tackle Derrick Henry

Earl Thomas talked a big game. And then Derrick Henry happened.

Earl Thomas talked a big game. And then Derrick Henry happened.

The Baltimore Ravens safety didn’t seem to know what he was in for when he prepared for Henry. Film study is terrific. But the reality is that Henry is 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds. He’s the NFL leading rusher. He’s darn-near impossible to tackle.

So when Henry got into the open field, Thomas tried and struggled to tackle the hulking Tennessee Titans running back — just like everyone else in the NFL. While discussing the Patriots, who lost to the Titans in the wild-card round, Thomas said: “Those guys didn’t seem too interested in tackling [Henry]. I think our mindset is a little different.”

Thomas seemed to learn that the Patriots were just as interested in tackling Henry as the safety — but it’s extremely difficult.

Better luck next time, Thomas.

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8 reasons the Ravens will whoop the Titans in the NFL playoffs

The Baltimore Ravens are the favorites over the Tennessee Titans for good reason. Here are eight reasons why they’ll win in the NFL playoffs

The Baltimore Ravens finally get their chance to taste the 2019 NFL playoffs this week. After sitting out of the first round thanks to holding the top seed in the AFC, the Ravens will go up against the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round.

While there are some reasons to be concerned about the Titans — or any playoff team for that matter –, Baltimore is in good shape for this game. In fact, they have eight great reasons why they’ll not only beat Tennessee but put a whoopin’ on them.

We’ll start off with the biggest reason the Ravens have been so successful this season . . .

Lamar Jackson is unstoppable this year

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

There’s a reason why Jackson is the presumptive MVP this season and that’s because no defense has really figured out how to stop him. More importantly, Jackson has turned the game back into 11-on-11 football, which favors the offense and forces opposing defenses to match them talent-wise.

Whether it’s been through the air or on the ground, Jackson has been efficient and explosive. He’s created big plays with his arm this season, posting a 66.1% completion rate, along with a league-leading 36 touchdown passes and 9.0% TD-to-attempt rate. He’s done it with his legs, breaking Michael Vicks’ rushing record while posting a 6.9 yards-per-carry rate to lead the entire NFL.

Jackson has been shattering both franchise and NFL records all season long. No offense to the Titans, but they don’t have anything special that the likes of the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49er don’t have. If those teams couldn’t stop Jackson from destroying them, I can’t see Tennessee suddenly having the recipe or the secret sauce to get it done.

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4 Ravens starters that need to step up in the playoffs

The Ravens are the best team in the league right now but will need to see improved play from a few specific starters to reach Super Bowl LIV

As the Baltimore Ravens begin their road through the playoffs, they’ll need to see improved play in order to get to Super Bowl LIV. In spite of being the best team in the league entering the postseason, every game means more now and Baltimore’s opponents will come more prepared.

While every player will need to play their best games in the postseason, there are a few that have to step up a little more. That’s not to say they’ve been playing poorly, just that they’ll face opponents looking to take advantage of them specifically.

Here are the 4 Ravens who need to step up in the playoffs if Baltimore is to make it to Super Bowl LIV.

OLB Jaylon Ferguson

Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Baltimore is going to go up against a bunch of really good rushing teams in the playoffs, starting with the Tennessee Titans and running back Derrick Henry. At times this season, the Ravens have struggled when setting the edge in the run game and have allowed running backs to pick up big yards. They can’t have that in these final few weeks if they want to get to Super Bowl LIV.

Ferguson has been steadily improving throughout his rookie season but will be tested in the playoffs. You better believe the Titans are going to run right at him with Henry until he proves he can stop it. Ferguson also needs to make a bigger impact as a pass rusher

Ferguson also needs to pick up the slack in the pass rush as well. He has 1.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits in the final four games of the season but with better quarterbacks in the playoffs, it would be nice to have another real threat opposite Matthew Judon for defensive coordinator Don Martindale to use.

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Should you bet on the Baltimore Ravens to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

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The Baltimore Ravens cruised through the 2019 NFL regular season to a 14-2 record and a second straight AFC North crown. They won their final 12 games of the year after a 2-2 start and nine of their 14 wins were decided by at least a two-score margin. Now, they head into the postseason as +225 favorites to win Super Bowl LIV in Miami Sunday, Feb. 2.

The Ravens, led by MVP frontrunner QB Lamar Jackson, locked down the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will host the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills or Houston Texans in the Divisional Round Saturday, Jan, 11.

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 12:30 pm. ET.

Baltimore Ravens playoff futures

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AFC Champion: -112

The Ravens are the only team in either conference getting a negative number to advance to Super Bowl LIV. The Kansas City Chiefs are the next closest favorite in the AFC at +200, while the Buffalo Bills are the biggest long shot at +3000. The books are putting the juice on a Ravens team, which obtained the NFL’s best regular-season record, controls home field through the AFC playoffs and enters the postseason on a 12-game winning streak.

The Ravens’ two losses this season came at the Chiefs (33-28) and at home to the rival Cleveland Browns (40-25) in Weeks 3 and 4, respectively. Baltimore and KC may meet in the AFC Championship Game, but it’ll be Baltimore with the home advantage in the rematch.

(Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan – USA TODAY Sports)

The Ravens led the NFL with 33.2 points per game and ranked second in total yards of offense per game at 407.6. Defensively, they ranked third in PPG allowed (17.6) and fourth in YPG allowed (300.6.). Only six teams had a better turnover differential than Baltimore’s plus-10.

These merits aside, there’s zero value in placing a futures bet on the team getting the juice. There’s too much that can happen, even in a three-game sample. It’s a hard PASS for me on the conference title odds. It’s Super Bowl or bust for John Harbaugh’s Ravens.

Super Bowl: +225

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Ravens to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $22.50 should Baltimore win the game.

Harbaugh should be viewed as the Coach of the Year favorite, much like Jackson ran away with the MVP honors. Additionally, the Ravens tied an NFL record with 12 Pro Bowl selections this season. Behind Jackson, free-agent additions RB Mark Ingram and S Earl Thomas received nods, as did in-season trade acquisition CB Marcus Peters. Nine of the team’s sections were either drafted by the Ravens (six) or signed as undrafted free agents (three).

Photo Credit: Rich Barnes – USA TODAY Sports

At +225, the books still aren’t offering much value on the Ravens to win it all in early February. The Ravens opened with +2000 odds of winning Super Bowl LIV last February, with those rising all the way to +4000 by the end of the preseason. To all those who acted at the right time, congratulations. Sit back, and hold your ticket tight.

For those needing action entering the postseason, go ahead and back the Ravens on a multi-unit bet. Hedge it by backing a long shot out of the NFC such as the Minnesota Vikings (+1600) or Seattle Seahawks (+1200).

Alternatively, try predicting the exact Super Bowl LIV matchup. Baltimore Ravens v Green Bay Packers (+800) will be getting some of my money.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Ravens vs. Steelers injury report: Who’s playing and who isn’t

With a decision to be made on which players will sit out, seeing four Ravens listed as “questionable” against the Steelers should help

The Baltimore Ravens are already set to rest several key contributors, both on offense and defense, against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. But with an injury report that features five players listed as “questionable” already and nothing to play for, we could effectively see a preseason squad on the field for Baltimore this week.

Players like tight end Mark Andrews and cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith have been limited in practice this week. With how important they are to the Ravens’ ultimate goal of winning Super Bowl LIV, all three could see a reduced snap count, if they play at all.

Meanwhile, the Steelers will be without starting running back James Conner and center Maurkice Pouncey, who were ruled out with injuries. That will make it far easier on a defense that’s already seeing third-string quarterback Devlin Hodges start.

Take a look at the full injury report for the Ravens and Steelers in Week 17 and which players could miss this game.

Baltimore Ravens injury report:

Player Position Injury Wed. Thur Fri. Game status
Mark Andrews TE Ankle DNP DNP LP Questionable
Brandon Carr CB NIR DNP FP FP –
Mark Ingram RB Calf DNP DNP DNP Out
Marcus Peters CB Chest DNP LP FP Questionable
Jimmy Smith CB NIR/Groin DNP LP LP Questionable
Earl Thomas S NIR/Knee/Hand DNP DNP DNP Questionable
Brandon Williams DT NIR – DNP FP –
Chris Wormley DT NIR – DNP FP –
Marquise Brown WR Illness – – DNP Questionable

Pittsburgh Steelers injury report:

Player Position Injury Wed. Thur Fri. Game status
Mark Barron LB NIR DNP FP FP –
James Conner RB Quad DNP DNP DNP Out
David DeCastro G NIR DNP FP FP –
Cameron Hayward DT NIR DNP FP FP –
Vance McDonald TE NIR DNP FP FP –
Steven Nelson CB Groin DNP FP FP –
Maurkice Pouncey C Knee DNP DNP DNP Out
Alejandro Villanueva T NIR DNP FP FP –
T.J. Watt LB NIR DNP FP FP –
Ramon Foster G NIR – DNP FP –
Joe Haden CB Foot – DNP FP –

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Ravens vs. Steelers injury report: TE Mark Andrews not practicing Thursday

The Baltimore Ravens are set to rest several key starters against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17 but TE Mark Andrews was out of practice

The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 17 with only pride to play for. They’ve secured the top seed in the AFC playoff picture. In turn, they’ve decided to sit several key players in an effort to get them healthy for the postseason. But there are still a bunch of bumps and bruises a handful of Ravens players have been dealing with this week.

Top of the pile is tight end Mark Andrews. Andrews was seen hobbled slightly in Week 16’s game against the Cleveland Browns, missing some of the game being attended to by the training staff. On Thursday, Andrews missed practice with what’s labeled as an ankle injury. Though Andrews wasn’t among those officially ruled out, don’t be terribly shocked if he doesn’t play against the Pittsburgh Steelers this week as he recovers from his ankle injury.

Take a look at the rest of Thursday’s injury report for both the Ravens and Steelers.

Baltimore Ravens injury report:

Player Position Injury Wed. Thur Fri. Game status
Mark Andrews TE Ankle DNP DNP
Brandon Carr CB NIR DNP FP
Mark Ingram RB Calf DNP DNP
Marcus Peters CB Chest DNP LP
Jimmy Smith CB NIR/Groin DNP LP
Earl Thomas S NIR/Knee/Hand DNP DNP
Brandon Williams DT NIR – DNP
Chris Wormley DT NIR – DNP

Pittsburgh Steelers injury report:

Player Position Injury Wed. Thur Fri. Game status
Mark Barron LB NIR DNP FP
James Conner RB Quad DNP DNP
David DeCastro G NIR DNP FP
Cameron Hayward DT NIR DNP FP
Vance McDonald TE NIR DNP FP
Steven Nelson CB Groin DNP FP
Maurkice Pouncey C Knee DNP DNP
Alejandro Villanueva T NIR DNP FP
T.J. Watt LB NIR DNP FP
Ramon Foster G NIR – DNP
Joe Haden CB Foot – DNP

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Two Former Longhorns Named to NFL Pro Bowl

Two former Texas Longhorns standouts named to the NFL Pro Bowl.

It is that time of year in the NFL where Pro Bowl voting has closed and players will be announced as part of the annual Pro Bowl festivities. This year two former Longhorns and now teammates were selected to the 2019-2020 Pro Bowl. Both are members of the Baltimore Ravens who currently own the best record in the NFL. Should the Ravens make it to the Super Bowl then both players will be replaced on the roster as they will be preparing to chase their second Super Bowl championship.

Justin Tucker

There are many accolades for the former Longhorns kicker. Tucker is the most-accurate kicker in NFL history with at least 100 attempts. He owns many other accolades including fastest player to 1,000 points in NFL history. This season Tucker is hitting 95.8% of his kicks which is the 2nd best mark of his career (97.4% in 2016).

Earl Thomas

Former Longhorns safety Earl Thomas is enjoying his 10th season in the league and this marks his seventh Pro Bowl selection. The numbers aren’t the same for Thomas but he is still proving that he can be a force in the defensive backfield. He has 27 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended this year.

You can watch both players in the Pro Bowl should the Ravens miss the Super Bowl on January 26, 2020 which will be aired on ESPN.

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

 

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

Every year, a group of undeserving players are named to the Pro Bowl. Here’s this year’s list, and the players who should replace them.

If you think the Pro Bowl is a meaningless exercise, don’t tell the fans, players, and teams when somebody on their side is snubbed in the process. Every year, there are deserving players who aren’t voted to the Pro Bowl roster, and every year, there are players who get on more through previous reputation than current performance.

Here are the most egregious omissions in the 2019 voting, with thought on which players these unfortunate snubs should replace. Because if you’re going to complain about a player who’s wrongly off the Pro Bowl roster, you should be able to find a guy who’s taking up space. That’s where things get a bit more difficult!

Quarterback (NFC)

In: Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins
Out: Aaron Rodgers

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Either Prescott or Cousins would be a better fit on the NFC roster than Aaron Rodgers, who had just three games with more than 300 passing yards this season, three games with less than 200 yards passing, and eight games with one or zero touchdowns. Cousins has been on fire after a rough start to the season, and Prescott ranks first in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics. Not that Rodgers has had a bad season, but this seems much more like a reputation pick than anything else.

Receiver (AFC)

In: Julian Edelman
Out: Jarvis Landry

(Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Landry has been one of Cleveland’s few bright spots on offense this season, but it’s kind of ridiculous to have him in over Edelman, who was part of a total snub of New England offensive players that hasn’t happened since 2003. Yes, Landry has 74 catches on 1,018 yards and five touchdowns, but Edelman has 92 catches for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns in an offense so broken, opposing defenses can bracket him on just about every play. Edelman has faced more double teams than at any other point in his career, and he’s having arguably his most productive season.

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