Tag: Nnamdi Madubuike

Patrick Queen replaces Roquan Smith as Ravens have two more out of 2025 Pro Bowl

Patrick Queen and Jeffery Simmons replace Roquan Smith and Nnamdi Madubuike on 2025 Pro Bowl rosters

The Baltimore Ravens initially had Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry opt out of the 2025 Pro Bowl games before the NFL released a final participation list. That list was amended again after Roquan Smith and Nnamdi Madubuike opted out before Thursday’s start date. Linebacker Patrick Queen, who replaced Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, was named to the Pro Bowl Games.

Queen, who signed with the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent during the 2024 offseason, started all 17 games and the Wild Card game at inside linebacker.

Queen, who was selected to the Pro Bowl Games in 2023 while with the Baltimore Ravens, finished the 2024 season with a team-high 129 tackles, the fifth-most n by a Steelers defender since 1994. He added seven passes defenses, defended seven passes, had two forced fumbles, one forced two fumbles, sacked one, and recovered. He was the first in the NFL in 2024 to record 125 or more tackles, six or more tackles for loss, and seven or more passes in defense.

Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons is headed back to the Pro Bowl.

On Wednesday, Simmons was named a replacement for Madubuike at the Pro Bowl Games. Madubuike cannot participate due to an injury.

It will be Simmons’s third Pro Bowl appearance, also named a Pro Bowler in 2021 and 2022.

Simmons finished second on the team with 76 tackles in 2024 and led the team with 42 quarterback pressures. Simmons also tallied five sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

The Pro Bowl Games will be held Thursday through Sunday in Orlando, Florida. They will include skills competitions and a flag football game.

Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum, Patrick Ricard, Ronnie Stanley, and Kyle Van Noy are all slated to participate.

Von Miller’s big play helps swing momentum in Divisional Playoff game

Aggie star returns fumble 39 yards setting the Bills up to take the lead in divisional playoff game

Texas A&M great Von Miller is now in the twilight of his career and is one step closer to his second NFL title.

Over the weekend, several Aggies took the field to fight for a chance to compete in the conference championship game. Unfortunately, they will not be able to live out that dream this season. Not wanting to be denied that opportunity, Miller came up with his biggest play of the season early in the game against the Baltimore Ravens.

After a high snap threw off the timing of the Raven’s play, the Buffalo Bills were able to force a turnover that Miller was able to scoop up and take near the red zone, setting up an offensive touchdown a few moments later.

Below, you can watch him turn back the hands of time as he sprints down the field.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

Josh Allen will want to avoid Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy in AFC Divisional

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the team in total sacks with 12.5 in 2024.

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the team in total sacks with 12.5 in 2024. Soft-spoken, Van Noy has thrived as a game-wrecking force for defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who will be looking to contain Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen this Sunday.

With teammate Nnamdi Madubuike on the inside and Odafe Oweh on the opposite, Orr uses a swarm attack to contain opposing quarterbacks and keep them inside the numbers. The Bills’ O-line protected Josh Allen exceptionally in the AFC wildcard game, but he still was sacked twice—a key point to remember versus the novice Broncos opponent.

Linebacker Roquan Smith mentioned in an interview on NFL Network earlier this week that the Ravens wanted to make a goal of stopping the run and forcing the Bills to be one-dimensional on offense.

Expect Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady to use quick pass plays, screens, and misdirection to nullify the defensive line’s intensity. If not, Van Noy and company may weary the Bills offensive line as the game progresses.

Ravens’ Roquan Smith ain’t buying what Bills HB James Cook is selling

Buffalo Bills HB James Cook and Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith are scheduled for a meet and greet in the AFC Divisional Round.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith means business when his chin strap and helmet are on. Allowing just 80.1 rush yards per game this season, Smith and the Ravens ranked No. 1 versus the run all year.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is ultra-talented, and his swift cuts and churning legs make him a massive factor of concern for the Ravens’ defense. Smith, however, will be ready to meet and greet Cook, preferably in the backfield before she starts.

Last weekend, the Bills dictated the pace, tallying 26 first downs and winning the time of possession against the Denver Broncos with a total hold time of just over 41 minutes. Cook contributed to the endeavors by producing 120 yards on 23 carries, and his backup running back, Tyus Johnson, also had 44 rush yards.

Denver had 79 rushing yards last weekend, likely due to the Broncos’ inability to sustain offensive drives.  Sean Payton’s team converted just two of their nine third-down attempts, allowing the Bills to silk the clock and impose their offensive will. 

With Smith piloting the agenda on the Ravens’ defense, one would have to be drunk off a gallon of Jim Bean to believe the Bills will come anywhere near 200 rushing yards in the AFC Divisional Round. However, Cook will be asked to make his impact in the ground game to make things more manageable for quarterback Josh Allen in passing situations.

AFC Divisional Round: Ravens’ All-Pro Marlon Humphrey is ready for war

Baltimore Ravens DB Marlon Humphrey knows the time is now and his decision lessen his internet podcast and focus is paying off.

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey has been the All-Pro player his team needed in 2024. Plagued last season by injury, and the distraction of his punchline podcast, Humphrey has shown an ability to refocus and be the staple in the defensive secondary.

Humphrey totaled six interceptions this season and ranked No. 3 in the entire NFL category. Humphrey’s 15 pass deflections also rank him in No. 9 amongst league defenders. Knowing that the Ravens have two all-pro defensive backs anchoring their secondary and a developing supporting cast to contribute to the team’s endeavors is imperative. 

Humphrey has been operating as a slot defender in defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s passing defense for most of the season. In the slot, Humphrey has excelled, taking away the immediate and easiest targets for opposing quarterbacks by playing smothering man coverage. The Ravens’ defense has resurged with Humphrey locking down and the front seven working steadily in the pass rush.

Sunday, Humphrey will need to have his best game versus Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. As the Ravens look to keep their Super Bowl aspirations alive, their defense must be the iron door that allows the offense to pull away in this game.

Nnamdi Madubuike is coming for Josh Allen; Ravens rank No. 2 in sacks

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen better watch for Baltimore Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike to avoid being overly sacked in the AFC Divisional Round.

Newsflash: The Baltimore Ravens know how to get home to the quarterback. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike tallied 6.5 sacks this season. While outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the Ravens with 12.5 of the team’s 54 on the season, the amount of attention Madubuike demands on the inside is a catalyst.

Madubuike would not be denied in the AFC Wild Card game. He pushed vehemently through the Steelers’ run-blocking and conjured two sacks. Teammate defensive tackle Michael Pierce was also in on the action, getting his first career post-season sack. Madubuike totaled 14 tackles for loss in 2024, so the Buffalo Bills might want to think twice if they expect to run the ball down the Ravens’ throats like they did against the Denver Broncos.

Despite Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s success in the AFC Wild Card win, the Broncos still were able to sack Allen twice in the loss. Allen and the Bills dictated the pace with 26 first downs, but they will be up against a much more experienced, hungry, and potent opponent with Madubuike and the Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.

As ESPN’s Jeff Saturday said this week, this match-up will depend on who operates more efficiently in the trenches. Madubuike and his comrades are most definitely scheduled for a major collision with the Bills’ offensive line.

Ravens rookie CB Nate Wiggins must excel in man coverage vs. Bills

Baltimore Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins was drafted No. 30 overall for moments just like this. Wiggins must play big versus the Buffalo Bills.

Baltimore Ravens rookie defensive back Nate Wiggins must hold his own versus the shifty Buffalo Bills wide receivers in the AFC Divisional Round. Bills wide receivers Amari Cooper, Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakur, and Mack Hollins pose serious threats in the opponent’s pass attack.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen has enough intelligence and throwing accuracy to thread the needle, so Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr will not be able to sit in soft zone coverage. Instead, Orr may ask Wiggins, teammate defensive back Marlon Humphrey, and Brandon Stephens to buckle up and play man coverage while he schemes up advantages in the pass rush.

Wiggins tallied 13 pass deflections during the season, ranking No. 13 in the NFL. Avoiding penalties will be very important, but Wiggins will need to be physical and handsy with the Bills bunch if the Ravens are going to stop the Bills passing attack.

Wiggins was selected No. 30 overall in the 2024 NFL draft to be effective for the pass defense. Humphrey needed a journeyman to help him and safety Kyle Hamilton sow up the problems on the back end. It’s time for Wiggins to make it happen when it matters most.

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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