Tag: John Harbaugh

Ravens to ramp up Diontae Johnson’s workload ahead of game vs. Steelers in Week 11

The Baltimore Ravens are planning to ramp up Diontae Johnson’s workload ahead of game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11

Diontae Johnson has now played two games for Baltimore since being acquired in a trade from the Carolina Panthers for draft picks.

Since joining the Ravens, Johnson has recorded one catch on six targets for six yards. Still, on Monday, head coach John Harbaugh forecasted a more significant role for the talented wide receiver as the season advances.

It just so happens that Johnson will face the team that drafted him into the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore’s two top pass catchers are Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, but Johnson could start to take snaps and catches away from Nelson Agholor or Tylan Wallace.

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John Harbaugh breaks down Tre’Davious White’s role in Ravens CB rotation

John Harbaugh says Tre’Davious White has a role in Ravens CB rotation

The Ravens have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL and just acquired a former Pro Bowl cornerback at the trade deadline.   Tre’Davious White didn’t suit for the Week 10 win over Cincinnati, but John Harbaugh says the veteran cornerback will have a role.

White started the first four games of the season for the Rams but had been inactive for their last four games before the trade.

White, who tore his Achilles while playing for the Bills last season, had 12 tackles and two passes defensed in his four appearances. He’ll join a cornerback group that includes Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Nate Wiggins, Arthur Maulet, and T.J. Tampa.

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John Harbaugh says ‘everything is on the table’ when asked about changes in secondary

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh says he’s contemplating making changes to the Ravens secondary ahead of game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Ravens are 7-3 on the season and Super Bowl hopefuls, but they have one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses. They are coming off a game in which Ja’Marr Chase logged 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns.

Head coach John Harbaugh met with the media on Monday and clarified that personnel changes could be considered.

“Everything is on the table always. It’s not headline worthy. That’s what you do. We’ll look at every aspect of it.”

When asked specifically what he wants improved, Harbaugh was clear that Baltimore can’t continue getting gashed in the middle of the field by big plays.

Marcus Williams and Brandon Stephens are two of the biggest names under the most pressure. The safety has allowed a 158.3 passer rating in coverage. Stephens is a natural safety who has converted to cornerback, and according to PFF, he’s allowed the third most yards in coverage in the NFL.

Veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White could be added to the rotation, adding more depth and experience.

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Ravens open as slight road favorite vs. Steelers in Week 11

The Baltimore Ravens will open as three points favorites against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11

The AFC North appears to be a two-team race in 2024, and the first of two regular-season matchups between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are upon us.

There are storylines galore with Mike Tomlin vs. John Harbaugh, Russell Wilson vs. Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Queen facing his former squad for the first time.

BETMGM has revealed their early betting lines and the Ravens are 3-point favorites at Acrisure Stadium

Moneyline (ML)

  • Ravens -185
  • Steelers +140 (bet $140 to win $100)

Against the spread (ATS)

  • Steelers +3 (-110)
  • Ravens -3 (-110)

Over/Under (O/U)

  • 47.5 (O: -105 U: -115)

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John Harbaugh ‘proud’ of defense’s heart in Week 10 performance vs. Bengals

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he’s proud of the team’s defense for their performance vs. the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10

The Baltimore Ravens escaped the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10, defeating them by the final score of 35-34. It was a much-needed win for Baltimore, especially considering they moved to 2-1 in the division with the victory.

Despite the win, Baltimore’s defense struggled mightily throughout the game, failing to stop Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and others. While acknowledging the unit’s struggles, head coach John Harbaugh also said he was proud of the heart his defense showed, especially in some critical moments.

“Yes, it means a lot. I really do, I’m proud of those guys for that, because it’s the kind of heart they have. They didn’t get down. They didn’t point the finger. Nobody pointed any fingers out there, but we have to get better. That’s just not the standard. I think I heard many guys say … That’s what the defensive guys were saying in the locker room, that that’s not the standard. We have to be much better. We have to take pressure off our offense, too. We’re required to do that on the defensive side, but for them to keep fighting the way they did and find a way to win the game, that’s really … At the end of the day, that really is the important thing. I’m really proud of those guys for that.”

The Ravens need to figure out their pass defense quickly to have a realistic shot at winning a Super Bowl this season. It has been far below the standards necessary to win, and they will need to figure out where the problems are coming from sooner rather than later.

Derrick Henry can help the Ravens avoid another hiccup vs. Bengals

it’s time the Baltimore Ravens stop treating HB Derrick Henry as an added commodity and focus on making him the primary option on offense.

Quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are in town to face the Baltimore Ravens for Thursday night football. To neutralize Burrow and the stellar Bengals pass game, the Ravens should rely on running back Derrick Henry to both lead the offensive attack and milk the game clock.

The 6-3 Ravens cannot afford another hiccup in week 10, especially versus an AFC North foe. Currently sitting behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division standings, the Ravens need to put their foot down in primetime, and the entire world will be watching. 

In Week 8, Henry was limited to just 11 carries, and the Ravens lost 24-29 to the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens have three losses on their season record, and only one of those opponents is currently in playoff contention. Nevertheless, all hope is not lost as offensive coordinator Todd Monken keeps Henry well-fed in tonight’s attack.

Henry’s 23 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns were complete staples to the Ravens’ 41-10 victory over the Denver Broncos last Sunday. Sure, quarterback Lamar Jackson had a great outing, but it’s time the Ravens stopped pretending that Henry was just an added commodity and focused on making him the primary option on offense.

Ultimately, if the Ravens get into a shootout against the Bengals as they did in week 5, favor might not grant them the last-minute victory like last time. Thus, the Ravens must stay ahead of schedule and feed Henry the ball.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh weighs in on banged up Baltimore defensive line

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh weighed in on the team’s banged up defensive line

The Baltimore Ravens picked up a huge win against the Denver Broncos in Week 9. They won the game by the final score of 41-10, and were in control for essentially the entire contest.

Baltimore earned the win while playing banged up on the interior of the defensive line. Head coach John Harbaugh talked about the group, saying they held up great and making sure to mention he’s proud of his guys.

“They held up great. Obviously ‘Madubeeks’ [Justin Madubuike], he led the group; he led the charge. But then you had two guys up off the practice squad – Chris Wormley and Josh Tupou. Those two guys, they stepped it up, and we’ve always thought those were quality players – really good football players. Hats off to those guys as well. Broderick Washington played very well also. [I’m] proud of those guys.”

The Ravens were missing Michael Pierce and Brent Urban, and had Travis Jones not play a single snap due to an injury. Multiple different players stepped up in Week 9, and the defensive line was one of many units to put up a quality-caliber effort.

Sean Payton to face off against ‘good coaching friend’ John Harbaugh

“I would consider him a good coaching friend,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

The Denver Broncos will face the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, and all eyes will be on legendary coaches Sean Payton and John Harbaugh.

Both men are past Super Bowl champions and have their teams, 5-3, primed for an AFC playoff run. Sunday’s showdown will have big playoff implications.

Payton and Harbaugh’s relationship goes back a long way, and Payton reflected on their working relationship during his media availability on Friday.

“We worked together for a year in Philadelphia,” Payton said. “My second year in the league I think was his first year. So my first year was [1997], and then I think John was hired in ’98. We were together under [former Eagles head coach] Ray Rhodes in 1998.

“I ended up at the Giants. John obviously was with Philly for quite a while, and then became a head coach. So I got to know him and his family well, and I would consider him a good coaching friend.”

The friendship will turn into a rivalry for four quarters on Sunday when Payton and Harbaugh face off at 11:00 a.m. MT on select CBS networks.

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Is Marcus Williams set to return to Ravens lineup for game vs. Broncos in Week 9?

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh says Marcus Williams will play vs. the Denver Broncos in Week 9

Whether it be a difference of opinion on a change in personnel, Marcus Williams was benched and a healthy scratch in Baltimore’s loss to the Browns in Week 8.

Williams played no snaps and, afterward, said all the right things about being ready when his number gets called again.

After the week’s final practice on Friday, head coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Williams would play on Sunday.

Williams’s struggles played a massive part in Baltimore, which had the worst pass defenses in the league, and Zach Orr made a change with the team in Cleveland facing the struggling Browns.

Entering Week 8, he was among the lowest-graded safeties in the NFL, allowing 16.3 yards per catch and a 143.9 passer rating allowed in coverage.

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Ravens HC John Harbaugh provides injury updates on Lamar Jackson, Keaton Mitchell

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh provides injury updates on Lamar Jackson and Keaton Mitchell

The Ravens just wrapped up their final practice of the week, and Lamar Jackson returned, looking refreshed and focused on Sunday afternoon’s game against the Broncos.

Baltimore’s quarterback could take the load management approach for the rest of the season as he works to stay healthy and pain-free.

Harbaugh was noncommittal on Keaton Mitchell’s availability, but he’s looked explosive and could make his debut this weekend.

Since Jackson became the full-time starter, the Ravens have been 63-22 (.741) with him in the lineup and 4-9 (.307) without him.

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