Tag: Keaton Mitchell

AFC Wild Card: Ravens HC John Harbaugh is just a hero with a headset

Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh has ignited a focus into his team that is leading to pure execution on the field.

Focus, execution, and pure resilience are being infused into the team locker room, thanks to Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens blasted the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 last night, and from the first quarter onward, the Ravens seemed determined not to let the Steelers steal the momentum at home in the AFC Wild Card.

Harbaugh’s offensive unit totaled 41 plays for 21 points in the first half, which prevented the Steelers from scoring a single point for 30 minutes. With a straightforward recipe for success, Harbaugh ensured his offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, prioritized the running game. For reference, stats indicate that the Ravens totaled 50 rushing attempts compared to just 21 pass attempts in the entire game.

After clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC last season, Harbaugh hit the locker room and pulled out a few dance moves. This season, he alternatively led the team in collective prayer, a suggestive gesture that indicates his current state of mind. A poised, postured, and professional demeanor is pulsating throughout the Ravens locker room right now, and Harbaugh is at the heart of this late-season surge. Hopefully, the team can conjure up another win in the Divisional round.

Top photos from Ravens 28-14 win over the Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

The Ravens are peaking at the right time and look like the most complete team in the AFC after a 28-14 win over the rival Steelers on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore will now wait for Sunday afternoon’s conclusion of the Buffalo Bills’ matchup against the Denver Broncos. If the Bills win, the Ravens will travel to Buffalo, while a Broncos win will see John Harbaugh’s team host the Houston Texans next week.

Here are the top photos from the win.

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Ravens advance to AFC Divisional Round with 28-14 win over Steelers

Baltimore Ravens advance to AFC Divisional Round with 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Wild Card game

The journey isn’t complete, but the Ravens avoided embarrassment and moved onto the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs with a convincing 28-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson was 16-21 passing for 175 yards, two touchdowns, and a 132.0 rating. Jackson rushed 15 times for 81 yards, while Derrick Henry carried the night, logging 186 yards on 26 rushing attempts and two touchdowns.

Baltimore’s defense held Pittsburgh to 280 yards of offense, with just 29 yards rushing on the ground. Najee Harris finished with six carries for 17 yards, and Jaylen Warren had two for six yards on the night. The Steelers had the football for just 20:27.

Baltimore will now wait for the conclusion of the Buffalo Bills matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon.

If the Bills win on Sunday, the Ravens will travel to Buffalo, while a Broncos win will see John Harbaugh’s team host the Houston Texans next week.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Ravens hold a 21-0 lead over Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Sights and sounds from first half as Ravens hold a 21-0 lead over Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Like a Samantha Pollino Broadway Performance, the Ravens were flawless in the first half and looked like a Super Bowl favorite, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead.

After holding Pittsburgh to a three and out, Baltimore navigated a 13-play, 95-yard drive that ate almost 8 minutes of clock to put the Ravens on the board, 7-0. The Ravens dominated offensively and ended the first half with a 21-0 lead.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 18 free-agent forecast

Here are the top waiver-wire targets in fantasy football for Week 18 of the 2024 season.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Keaton Mitchell could become an x-factor for Ravens

Keaton Mitchell got a nice Christmas present on Wednesday- his first touches of the 2024 season.

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell got a nice Christmas present on Wednesday—his first touches of the 2024 season. Mitchell, who was activated in week 10 after being on the Physically Unable to Perform List since July 15, made three appearances before this game.

However, Wednesday saw his first carries (11 for 20 yards) and receptions (a really nice 28-yard play) of the campaign.

Mitchell played 17 snaps in total, mainly due to Justice Hill having to miss out, with the Ravens’ backup running back currently in concussion protocol. Obviously, Derrick Henry is the King of the running back position group, and Hill is his backup, but Mitchell could play a role next week against Cleveland and maybe even see some time in the postseason.

He has an easy-to-root-for underdog story, as he made the squad last year as an undrafted free agent out of East Carolina. Mitchell had quite a few impressive moments in 2023, but unfortunately, he tore his ACL in week 15 that season.

For him to come back from a serious injury like that and now play a role in a very competitive backfield is a tremendous accomplishment, to say the least.

Sights and sounds from first half as Ravens hold a 17-10 lead over the Steelers

Sights and sounds from first half as Ravens hold a 17-10 lead over the Steelers

It wasn’t a pretty start, but the Ravens again held a halftime lead over the Steelers, 17-10, with 30 minutes left to play at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore had 201 yards of offense and went 2-5 on third downs in the first half. Pittsburgh has 170 yards of offense, 2-4 on third down, and one turnover in a highly intense first half.

With the second half set to begin, here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Lamar Jackson will have to wait a few weeks to get that much-needed win over the Steelers after the Ravens sputtered in neutral for most of the afternoon in an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium.

The NFL’s No. 1 ranked quarterback in QBR, Jackson was 16-33 passing for 207 yards (6.3 avg), one touchdown, one interception, and a 66.1 rating, the lowest of this season.

Jackson had four carries for 46 yards, while Derrick Henry was held to 65 yards (5.0 avg) on 13 carries and one rushing touchdown, tying the single-season franchise record for touchdowns.

Zach Orr’s maligned defense held Pittsburgh to 4-16 on third downs and 303 total yards, but Pittsburgh held the football for 36:22, compared to Baltimore’s 23:38.

The Steelers held the Ravens ‘ top-ranked offense to 329 yards and just 124 yards rushing. Justin Tucker’s two missed field goals will further magnify the two-point loss. On the day, Tucker was 1-3 on field goal attempts, while Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was a perfect 6-6, including a 57-yard field goal.

Baltimore will quickly regroup before a massive Monday night matchup against Jim Harbaugh and the 6-3 Los Angeles Chargers.

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Ravens RB Derrick Henry heaps praise on RB Keaton Mitchell

Ravens running back Derrick Henry heaped praise on fellow running back Keaton Mitchell

The Baltimore Ravens were able to steal running back Keaton Mitchell away from half of the NFL in 2023 undrafted free agency. He had a phenomenal rookie season before it was cut short due to a devastating knee injury, one that would cost him half of his 2024 as well.

Mitchell is back in action, and many are excited to see what he can do in his return to the field. Fellow running back Derrick Henry was asked about Mitchell, and in response heaped praise on the second-year rusher.

“Keaton [Mitchell] is a great player. Everybody saw the dynamic and the big-play ability that he had last year. He’s worked hard to get back, so [we’re] excited to have him back. Him getting there and making big plays is another asset for us on offense. Me and Justice [Hill] are helping him any way we can.”

Henry, Mitchell and Justice Hill form one of the most formidable running back trios in the NFL. Each has a unique skillset, and all three players can play off of quarterback Lamar Jackson in a big way.

Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell on his first game back from injury: ‘It felt good’

Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell shared his thoughts on his first game back since his major injury

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cincinnati Bengals by the final score of 35-34 in Week 10, improving their record to 7-3. Baltimore had to come back on Cincinnati again after they had to do the same in their Week 5 victory over the Bengals but prevailed on a failed two-point conversion.

The Ravens got back one of their electric playmakers on offense in the contest with running back Keaton Mitchell, who suffered a brutal knee injury late in the 2023 season. While Mitchell didn’t play much or make much of an impact, but said that it felt good to get back on the field.

“It felt good. That was my first time putting on shoulder pads since December [of] last year, so it felt good. [It was] just like a warmup game. It felt good. I was blessed.”

Mitchell will be ramped up over the course of the rest of the year, and his speed and agility have a definite role. He will factor in with Derrick Henry and Justice Hill in Baltimore’s backfield rotation to form a three-headed monster as formidable as any in the league.