Tag: Josh Johnson

Ravens TE Mark Andrews praises Week 16 performance of QB Josh Johnson

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews praised the performance of quarterback Josh Johnson in Week 16

The Baltimore Ravens weren’t able to pull out an ever-so important victory in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, losing 41-21. Baltimore ended up having to start quarterback Josh Johnson in the absences of Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley and Chris Streveler, and despite the loss the veteran played well, completing 28-of-40 passes for 304 yards to go along with two touchdowns and one interception.

After the game, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews talked about the performance of Johnson, and gave high praise to the veteran for what he was able to do against the Bengals in Week 16.

“No doubt. He studies the playbook, works hard. He’s a smart guy, and he’s been around the league for a long time. So, he did a great job stepping in, knowing the plays and then hitting open guys. He spread the ball around big time, and a lot of guys made big plays: Tylan [Wallace], James [Proche II], ‘Quise’ [Marquise Brown], ‘Bate’ [Rashod Bateman] – all those guys. So, he was able to spread the ball around, and he played that quarterback position really, really well today. Like I said, you’ve got to tip your cap off to him. He’s been here for 10 days. Playing quarterback, knowing a system for 10 days is not an easy thing.”

There’s no question that Johnson stepped up in a tough spot and delivered solid play all around. He wasn’t perfect, but showed many flashes where he placed the ball in a perfect window and delivered it with power and poise. All things considered, the 35-year-old did his job well, and impressed his Baltimore teammates in the process.

5 takeaways from Ravens’ 41-21 loss to Bengals

We take a look at five takeaways from the Ravens’ 41-21 loss to the Bengals in Week 16

The Baltimore Ravens fell at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16, losing 41-21. The defeat puts Baltimore at 8-7, while Cincinnati moves to 9-6 and holds sole possession of first place in the AFC North plus the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Ravens, which is a very important thing to have.

Some of the key storylines in the contest included Baltimore having to start veteran quarterback Josh Johnson, the lack of Ravens’ secondary members as well as their inability to stop Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and more.

Below we look at five takeaways from Baltimore’s 41-21 loss to Cincinnati in Week 16.

Tunnel Vision of Week 16

Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.

SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks Pass-Rush TD
 Joe Burrow 525 – 11 4
 Josh Allen 314 – 64 3
Zach Wilson 102 – 91 2
 Patrick Mahomes 258 3
 Dak Prescott 330 – 21 3
Running Backs Yards TD
Damien Harris 18-103 rush 3
Justin Jackson 11-64 rush
8-98 catch		 2
Rex Burkhead 22-149 rush 2
Joe Mixon 18-65 rush
6-70 catch		 2
Nick Chubb  17-126 rush
3-58 catch		 1
Wide Receivers Yards TD
Tee Higgins 12-194 2
Davante Adams 10-114 2
A.J. Brown 11-145 1
Isaiah McKenzie 11-125 1
Deebo Samuel 5-32 rush
9-159 receive		 1
Tight Ends Yards TD
Mark Andrews 8-125 1
Gerald Everett 4-68 1
Kyle Pitts 6-102 0
Zach Ertz 8-54 0
Dalton Schultz 8-82 1
Placekickers XP FG
Ryan Succop 2 4
Matt Gay 3 3
Greg Joseph 2 3
Evan McPherson 5 2
Jake Elliott 4 2
Defense Sack – TO TD
Buccaneers 6 – 1 0
Eagles 2 – 2 1
Packers 5 – 4 0
Texans 1 – 3 1
Cowboys 5 – 2 2

Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts

RB James Robinson – Torn Achilles
RB Darrell Henderson – Knee
RB Miles Sanders – Hand
RB Jordan Howard – Stinger
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Collarbone
TE Jack Doyle – Ankle/Knee
WR Adam Thielen – Leg
WR Philip Dorsett – Ankle

Chasing Ambulances

Nothing like competing all season, reaching the fantasy playoffs, and then losing your players.

RB James Robinson (CIN) – The Jaguars’ running back got out of the doghouse with HC Urban Meyers was fired and then faced the NFL-worst Jets defense. And Robinson tore his Achilles after just three carries. He’s gone for the season and hopefully not impacted next year. Dare Ogunbowale ran for 57 yards and a score on 17 rushes as the next man up, and he’ll be the starter since he was the only other back on the active roster since Carlos Hyde is on injured reserve from a concussion. The final two games are at the Patriots and hosting the Colts – neither very attractive.

RB Darrell Henderson (LAR) – Twisted his knee but believed to be minor. Sony Michel has already taken over the primary role anyway. He’ll get an MRI on Monday to determine if it is going to be an issue.

RB Miles Sanders (PHI) – Feared to have fractured his hand which would end his season. Boston Scott (12-41, TD) and Jordan Howard (9-37) would fill in for Sanders. Howard left the game in the fourth quarter with a stinger, so he’ll be checked out to make sure he can go forward. The Eagles play at Washington this week.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) – Left with a collarbone injury but reports are that an X-ray was negative and that he would get an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury. Darrel Williams will replace him if needed, along with help from Derrick Gore. The Chiefs play at the Bengals this week.

WR Adam Thielen (MIN) – Missed three games with a high-ankle sprain and returned to face the Rams. He left in the second quarter after appearing to have aggravated the injury when he was tackled. He returned to catch a third-down pass but then left again. If he is out next week  at Green Bay, K.J. Osborn will step up again as he did for the other three weeks. 

Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables

RB Chase Edmonds (ARI) – James Conner was out  with his heel injury, and Edmonds was given the start against the Colts. He responded with 16 rushes for 56 yards and a touchdown, plus he was the Cardinals leading receiver with 71 yards on eight catches. Conner never practiced last week, so he’s no lock to return for Week 16 at the Cowboys. Edmonds’ receiving ability will be needed in Dallas.

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) – Caught nine passes for 91 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons. He also became just the third rookie ever to record eight receptions and a touchdown in three-or-more games, Joining Anquan Boldin and Odell Beckham.

TE Kyle Pitts (ATL) – Caught six passes for 102 yards for his third 100-yard performance. Pitts totals 949 receiving yards on the season, more than all rookies in NFL history other than Mike Ditka (1,076). He is one of only three with three 100-yard games. It doesn’t feel like he is a revelation at the position, but he actually is.

Buccaneers’ backfield – With Leonard Fournette gone, the Bucs went with a combination of Ronald Jones (20-65, TD) and Ke’Shawn Vaughn (7-70, TD) to beat the Panthers. Jones added two catches for 16 yards, but Vaughn had no receptions. Vaughn broke a 55-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to open the scoring for the Bucs.

QB Josh Johnson (BAL) – The Ravens were down to Johnson when Lamar Jackson and  Tyler Huntley were not available. He threw for 304 yards and two scores that included relying on Mark Andrews (8-125, TD) who doesn’t care which quarterback plays.

QB Joe Burrow (CIN) –  His 525 yards and four scores were not just the top quarterback marks for the week, it was the fourth-most yardage in NFL single-game history.

RB Justin Jackson (LAC) – Austin Ekeler was out on the COVID list and his replacement helped win any fantasy playoff game that he was started. Jackson ran for 64 yards and two scores on 11 runs, and led the team with eight receptions for 98 yards. Playing at home against the Broncos this week won’t be as easy as the Texans and Ekeler could be back.

RB Rex Burkhead (HOU) – Turned in a career-best 22 rushes for 149 yards and two scores in the shocking upset of the Chargers. Royce Freeman (12-34) contributed as well, but Burkhead was the better back. David Johnson was out with his quad injury.

RB Sony Michel (LAR) – Was reliable for 80 yards in each of the last three games and has taken over the primary role  from Darrell Henderson. Versus the Vikings, he had a season-best 27 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown, plus caught a pass for four yards. Cam Akers was activated from injured reserve but isn’t expected to be a factor this week or even next. But the backfield may be getting more crowded for the playoffs.

WR Isaiah McKenzie (BUF) – Gabriel Davis was unvaccinated and caught COVID, which means he missed Week 16 at the Patriots and will also be out Week 17 when they host the Falcons. In his place, McKenzie filled in and led the Bills with a career-high 11 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown. His 12 targets were second only to Stefon Diggs (13).

RB Damien Harris (NE) – With Rhamondre Stevenson out, Harris  handled all but two carries for the Pats backfield and gained  103 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. He’ll face the visiting Falcons this week and their Bottom-3 defense versus running backs.

RB Michael Carter (NYJ) – He still had to share with Tevin Coleman (14-57) but Michael Carter gained 118 yards on 16 carries and caught two passes for six yards in the win over the Jaguars. It was the rookie’s first 100-yard performance.

RB Rashaad Penny (SEA) – He’s been mostly a nonfactor for his four NFL seasons with the Seahawks, but he ran for 135 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in the loss to the Bears. It was his second game with 130+ yards in the last three weeks.

Broncos backfield – The Raiders were one of the worst defenses against running backs and doled out touchdowns and higher yardage to every opposing backfield. But against the Broncos, they held Javonte Williams (7-12, TD) and Melvin Gordon (7- (-4) ) to a net eight yards. Bad timing during fantasy playoffs to disappear.

QB Davis Mills (HOU) – He gets the benefit of opponents failing to prepare to play the Texans as well as they could. But then again, Mills is playing in one of the least talented offenses. He just threw for 254 yards and two scores against the Chargers, and that made him one of only three rookie quarterbacks to ever throw for 250 yards, two touchdowns,  and a passer rating of 130-or-higher in multiple games.

Huddle player of the week

QB Joe Burrow (CIN)  –  There’s getting a good game from your starting  quarterback, and then there’s throwing for 525 yards and four touchdowns with no turnovers. Burrow was stuck at mostly one-touchdown efforts for the last six weeks and was on some fantasy benches after his 157-yard, one-touchdown performance in Denver for Week 15. For those who still started him, the payoff was immense.

Salute!

Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry

Comedy Yards TDs Tragedy Yards TDs
QB Josh Johnson 304 2 QB Matt Stafford 197 1
RB Justin Jackson 162 2 RB James Robinson 10 0
RB Rex Burkhead 149 2 RB Saquon Barkley 28 0
WR Isaiah McKenzie 125 1 WR Adam Thielen 40 0
WR Byron Pringle 75 2 WR Tyreek Hill 19 0
WR Josh Palmer 43 1 WR Keenan Allen 35 0
TE Gerald Everett 68 1 TE George Kittle 21 0
PK Ryan Succop   1 XP  4 FG PK Justin Tucker 3  XP
Huddle Fantasy Points = 151 Huddle Fantasy Points = 31

Now get back to work…

Instant analysis of Ravens’ 41-21 loss to Bengals

We look at an instant analysis of the Ravens’ 41-21 loss to the Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens suffered a disappointing 41-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 of the 2021 season. The loss drops Baltimore to 8-7 and marks their fourth-consecutive loss, while Cincinnati moves to 9-6 and strengthens their lead on the AFC North division.

It was a game that got out of hand early for the Ravens and they were never able to truly recover. After taking a 7-3 lead after their first possession, Baltimore scored just 14 points over the remainder of the contest while Cincinnati scored 38.

Quarterback Josh Johnson was called upon to make the start for the Ravens after quarterback Lamar Jackson didn’t travel with the team and backup Tyler Huntley was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Johnson finished the contest completing 28-of-40 passes for 304 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. It was a valiant performance by the veteran quarterback, especially considering the circumstances. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman scored his first-career NFL touchdown, while wide receiver James Proche II had a great game, catching seven passes for 76 yards. Tight end Mark Andrews was his usual Pro Bowl self, hauling in eight receptions for 125 yards and a score.

Despite the Baltimore offense showing some flashes, the Ravens’ defense couldn’t buy a stop for the majority of the game. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow lit up a decimated Baltimore secondary to the tune of 525 yards and four touchdowns. Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins caught 12 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns, and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase added an extra seven receptions for 125 yards.

The Ravens now enter Week 17 with two must-win games on their docket in order to have a shot at making the playoffs. They face off against the Los Angeles Rams next week at M&T Bank Stadium, while finishing their year with another home matchup as they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ravens WR Rashod Bateman scores first TD of NFL career

Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman scored the first touchdown of his NFL career in Week 16 against the Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens are looking to pick up a win in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Baltimore has countless players on injured reserve and on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, but have still fought to be at 8-6 and in the thick of the AFC North race.

On the opening possession for Baltimore against Cincinnati, quarterback Josh Johnson led the Ravens’ offense down the field on a 12 play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by the first-career NFL touchdown by wide receiver Rashod Bateman.

Bateman had long been searching for his first career score, and he finally got it in his 10th-career NFL game. It should be the first of many for Bateman, who has shown a prowess for making good things happen when the ball is in his hands.

Ravens to place QB Tyler Huntley on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Ravens are placing quarterback Tyler Huntley on the Reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of their Week 16 game with the Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens have been the one of the most injured teams in the league during the 2021 season. They’ve seen multiple key contributors go down with various ailments, which has made Baltimore use the next man up strategy probably more than they would have liked to.

While injures have been a key factor for the Ravens, recently COVID-19 has swept it’s way through the Baltimore locker room. Quite a few players have been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list over the last week, and that didn’t change on Christmas Day, as Ian Rapoport and Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reported that quarterback Tyler Huntley will miss Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals after testing positive for COVID.

The loss of Huntley is the worst-case scenario for the Ravens, as it leaves Josh Johnson as the only healthy quarterback on their roster. Lamar Jackson didn’t practice all week with an ankle injury while practice squad signal caller Chris Streveler is also on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Johnson, a 35-year-old veteran, has played for a big handful of teams over the course of his NFL career ever since starting his professional career in 2008. He will now seemingly be thrust into a massive spot, as Baltimore likely needs a win over Cincinnati in Week 16 to keep their AFC North divisional hopes alive.

Ravens look to Josh Johnson with Tyler Huntley shelved due to COVID-19

It looks like the Baltimore Ravens will start Josh Johnson against the Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens are in quarterback trouble as they get ready for an AFC North clash with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Lamar Jackson is already unlikely to play due to the bone bruise in his foot. And now news Tyler Huntley has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the battle for first place in the division.

The next quarterback up? How about Josh Johnson, who signed a contract 10 days ago.

To say Johnson is well-traveled would be the understatement of the season.

ESPN.com with some more information on the situation in Baltimore:

Lamar Jackson hasn’t practiced in two weeks after injuring his ankle in a 24-22 loss in Cleveland on Dec. 12. Chris Streveler, the Ravens’ practice squad quarterback, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday.

Jackson, who is listed as questionable, might have to be active because Baltimore is so thin at quarterback. Punter Sam Koch has long been considered the Ravens’ emergency quarterback.

Ravens QB Tyler Huntley reportedly expected to start in Week 16 vs. Bengals

Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley is reportedly expected to start in Week 16 against the Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens are set to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in a pivotal Week 16 matchup that could very well determine the fate of the AFC North.  However, it has been unclear who the starter behind will be for Baltimore, as quarterback Lamar Jackson missed every practice this week due to an ankle injury.

On Friday, it was reported that the Ravens are expected to start Tyler Huntley in the place of Jackson, which would mark the second-consecutive game that the second-year player would start in place of the former league-MVP.

Huntley missed practice with a non-COVID related illness on Friday, but in a tweet replying to Ian Rapoport, NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala reported that even though Huntley was absent at practice on Friday, he is still expected to start.  Kinkhabwala also doesn’t expect Lamar Jackson to play in the AFC North showdown between the Ravens and the Bengals.

Adam Schefter of ESPN republished the story that ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley published on Saturday afternoon about Huntley being the expected starter.

If Huntley is somehow unable to play against the Cincinnati, that would mean veteran Josh Johnson would get the nod. The 35-year old journeyman quarterback has been signed and released by a handful of NFL teams throughout his career.  It would be a difficult task for Johnson to make an impact on this Ravens offense with such little practice time, but players on the team have stepped up in big situations before.