Tag: Marlon Humphrey

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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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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Steelers fans react to AFC North showdown in Week 10

In Week 10, the Ravens a staged comeback to beat the Bengals in Week 10, leaving Steelers fans disappointed with divisional implications.

In the AFC North, true classics never fade away—the rivalry games simply grow more dynamic. This was evident in the second meeting between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10 on Thursday Night Football.

Steelers fans, who may have been rooting for Cincinnati to help further Pittsburgh’s lead in the divisional race over the Ravens, were likely disappointed by what can only be described as a miraculous comeback by Baltimore.

With 13:21 remaining in the third quarter, Bengals QB Joe Burrow threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to his WR1, Ja’Marr Chase, putting Cincinnati up 21-7. However, Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey forced Bengals RB Chase Brown to fumble the football with less than seven minutes left in the third quarter, setting the stage for a terrifying Baltimore comeback.

Four second-half Ravens touchdowns gave the team a 35-28 lead with less than two minutes remaining. A failed two-point conversion ultimately spelled the Bengals’ fate, securing a 35-34 Ravens victory in Week 10. While disappointing to say the least, here are some of the best Steelers fans’ reactions to this outstanding game.

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Report: Ravens offered third-round pick for CB Marshon Lattimore at the trade deadline

Ravens offered third-round pick for Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore at the trade deadline

After a night in which the Baltimore Ravens allowed 428 passing yards and four touchdowns from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, with 264 yards and three touchdowns going to star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, it was reported that New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was almost a member of the purple and black at the trade deadline just a few days prior.

According to NFL Insider Albert Breer, the Ravens offered the Saints a third-round pick for the four-time Pro Bowler but was ultimately outbid by the Washington Commanders.

Instead, Baltimore traded for Los Angeles Rams cornerback Tre’Davious White in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick and received a 2027 seventh-round pick back in the deal.

The Ravens’ pass defense has been the team’s biggest weakness through the first 10 weeks of the season, and that was never more evident than when they were against the Bengals on Thursday Night Football. Baltimore’s safety play has been a significant reason for the unit’s regression, but cornerback Brandon Stephens had a rough season after a breakout performance in 2023. Veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey is back to playing at a high level, forcing a game-changing fumble on running back Chase Brown to jumpstart a comeback victory over Cincinnati, and rookie first-rounder Nate Wiggins has been solid. The team could still use any form of help in the secondary.

Whether or not White will be able to make a difference for the Ravens’ secondary down the stretch remains to be seen. The former first-rounder has struggled this season, leading to several inactivations as a healthy scratch on gameday for the Rams. The former All-Pro cornerback suffered a torn ACL with the Buffalo Bills in 2021 and is coming off a torn Achilles that ended his 2023 season.

 

Marlon Humphrey voices frustration with Ravens’ pass defense after win over Bengals

Marlon Humphrey voices frustration with Ravens’ pass defense after win over Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens entered Week 10, allowing the most passing yards in the league, and things only got worse against the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns, with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase catching 11 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens’ secondary.

Luckily for Baltimore, the offense led by MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson has been good enough to overcome the poor play of the defense in most games this season, but that does not mean that these issues are not a threat to keep the team from reaching their ultimate goal of a Super Bowl.

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey did not mince words about the secondary’s performance following the thrilling 35-34 victory over the Bengals.

“These wins are getting harder to enjoy based off of what we’re doing in the pass defense,” Humphrey said. “It’s not cool to win a game, and you look up and a team has 300 passing [yards on you] every week. It’d be different if we didn’t have [any] guys that could play. I haven’t once heard anybody say, ‘We don’t have the guys; we don’t have the players; we don’t have the skill.’ We’re not doing it in practice. It’s clear that it’s something from … When we do that last preparation to the game, what is happening in that span? We’ve got to figure it out. It’s pretty simple.”

It is hard to imagine Baltimore’s defense becoming a top unit this far into the season, but as Humphrey said, they have the players to be a much better unit than they have been over the first 10 weeks. Rookie defensive coordinator Zach Orr has been heavily scrutinized in his first season, taking the reigns from now-Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who was the mastermind of one of the best defenses in franchise history last season with most of the same players. With several extra days before their next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Orr and the rest of the coaching staff need to hammer down the basics to hopefully begin turning things around on defense.

Marlon Humphrey is Mega Man, Ravens overcome Bengals 35-34

Baltimore Ravens DB Marlon Humphrey deserves credit for the forced fumble that ignited a team comeback on Thursday Night Football.

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey deserves credit for forcing the third-quarter fumble that ignited the 35-34 comeback win versus the Cincinnati Bengals last night.

The boo birds were flocking at M&T Bank Stadium, and the Ravens trailed 21-7 with 7:00 minutes to go in the third quarter. With things seeming bleak, Humphrey had to rely on charisma and awareness, intangible assets that motivated him to try for the strip on running back Chase Brown.

Linebacker Roquan Smith pounced on the fumble, allowing the Ravens to take over in plus territory and begin their climb back into the game.

Humphrey’s energetic play makes me wonder: What was Smith relaying to the team inside the defensive huddle, considering the deficit? Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was operating exceptionally, yet Humphrey’s focus during the second half never wavered, even with all-pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase putting up numbers.

Remember, Humphrey also recorded a key interception versus the Bengals in week five, and though Chase scorched him in both games, he continues to make critical plays. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr will eventually sow up the breaches in the secondary, but he’ll rely on Humphrey to lead the pack as the season progresses. 

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey defends DC Zach Orr

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey defended defensive coordinator Zach Orr

The Baltimore Ravens hired defensive coordinator Zach Orr following the team’s AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during last year’s postseason. Orr has had his set of ups and downs this season, as has his unit, which ranks in the bottom of the league in terms of pass defense.

When asked about Orr, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey went to bat for his defensive coordinator. He said that he hates coaches get under scrutiny when it’s the players that are messing up, mentioning that it’s never a good thing and he “hates” how that goes.

“I don’t exactly know what’s going on besides what I get told. My only social media is Instagram Live after victories, so I haven’t seen a lot, but I do know or feel like there’s been some chatter. For me as a player, knowing what’s going on, I hate seeing coaches get under scrutiny when it’s the players’ fault. If I felt that there was, ‘This [isn’t] being coached this way right. This [isn’t] being this, [or] this isn’t being this,’ it’s a little different, but it really sucks when the product we’re putting out there isn’t what we’re being coached [and] isn’t what we’re practicing. That’s kind of what hurts me. Some of the plays I’ve given up, is that the coaches’ fault, or did we practice it this week, and then I got in the game, and I didn’t play it exactly how it was supposed to be, and it resulted in a big play. I hate how coaches get … I hate how that goes, but that is the NFL. The person over [seeing] it kind of gets whatever, but it is kind of what it is. I hate that just because when it’s your fault sometimes [on] why somebody is getting scrutinized. It’s never a good thing.”

Orr is still coming into his own as a play-caller after having no signal-calling experience prior to being promoted to defensive coordinator. There is still plenty of room for Orr to grow, and that’s what Baltimore will be banking on moving forward.

Top photos from the Ravens 35-34 win over the Bengals on Thursday Night Football

Top photos from the Ravens 35-34 win over the Bengals on Thursday Night Football

Underused pass catcher Tylan Wallace had three catches for 115 yards (38.3 avg) and one touchdown, including an 84-yard catch and run that resulted in Lamar Jackson’s longest touchdown pass of his career, as Baltimore held on for a 35-34 win at home on Thursday night. Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase almost spoiled the Purple Rising party, as the former LSU star logged 11 catches on 17 targets for 264 yards (26.4 average) and three touchdowns, with a long of 70 yards for a touchdown.

In another near-perfect performance, Jackson was 25-33 passing for 290 yards (8.8 avg), four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 141.4 rating. His AFC North rival, Joe Burrow, did his part for the Bengals, hanging in the pocket as he went 34-56 passing for 428 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

The Ravens defense allowed 470 yards, as Cincinnati was 8-16 on third downs.   Baltimore was sloppy on the night, with 11 penalties for 81 yards.

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Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey discusses what Dean Pees brings to team

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey discussed what coach Dean Pees brings to the team

The Baltimore Ravens have seen struggles with their defense over the course of the 2024 season. While the unit has been a top rushing defense, their passing defense ranks at or near the bottom in multiple different categories.

In response to the struggles, Baltimore brought in long-time veteran coach Dean Pees to help with his experience, particularly as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator during their Super Bowl season in 2012-2013. When Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey was asked about Pees, he said that he brings an extra set of eyes and ears, also saying that it’s helped them out in multiple ways.

“[Dean Pees] has just brought an extra set of eyes, an extra set of ears. He’s pulled guys to the side. It’s a real, surreal moment for me. I remember when I was a rookie, Pees pulled me up to the office. He was like, ‘Look at everybody else on the defense and then look at you.’ It wasn’t too good, so it’s been a surreal moment for me, just [seeing] how far I’ve come [and] how I’ve kind of been doing this job for a long time, but I think Pees coming in has been a really good help for us. The knowledge he has there, and then being that Zach [Orr] was already communicating with him throughout the season, it’s been really good [to] just give it a fresh set of eyes on some of the things he’s said. He’s doing this for the love of the game. That’s what I really like, so I think it’s only helped us. I really felt like the past week or so, he’s really kind of started to help out a little bit more.”

While not everything has been solved in regards to the Ravens’ defensive unit, there was promise following their 10-point showing agains the Denver Broncos. Baltimore needs their defense to hit on all cylinders, and hopefully Pees can contribute to that.

Ravens vs. Broncos: Top photos from Baltimore’s 41-10 win in Week 9

Top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 9 at M&T Bank Stadium

Denver entered the game 5-3 with the NFL’s third-ranked defense, but the Baltimore offense shredded them, as Vance Joseph’s defense surrendered 396 yards and five touchdowns on the afternoon.

The Ravens are 6-3 after a 41-10 win over the emerging Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium.

Here are the top photos from the win.

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