Tag: Odell Beckham

Ravens vs. Texans: 10 takeaway from first half of Divisional Round matchup

We’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half as the Ravens and Texans are tied 10-10 in AFC Divisional Round matchup at M&T Bank Stadium

Baltimore got off to a slow start on Saturday before kicking things into gear on both sides of the football.

All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson was 7 of 11 passing, for 52 yards, one touchdown, and a 105.1 quarterback rating. Jackson had runs of 23 yards and 15 yards in the second quarter, scoring a drive that put the Ravens up 10-3 on the youthful Texans.

Houston responded on special teams, as recently elevated running back Steven Sims brought a punt return back 67 yards with 5:00 left in the first half.

With both teams back on the field, we’re looking at ten takeaways from the first half.

Projecting the Ravens depth chart for divisional round matchup vs. Texans

We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens updated depth chart of ahead of the Divisional Round playoff matchup vs. the Houston Texans

We’re a little over five away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.

Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

Baltimore has ruled out Marlon Humphrey for the contest, while Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews won’t be active after being listed as questionable.

With Humphrey out, Brandon Stephens and Ronald Darby are the likely starting cornerbacks against C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and the Texans’ dynamic passing attack. Darby has made seven starts this season, as Humphrey will miss his eighth game.

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney returned from an illness that kept him out of practice Wednesday and told reporters he’ll play. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) also both returned to full practice and said they’ll suit up.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s a projected two-deep depth chart for Baltimore.

 

Ravens’ updated 53-man roster for AFC Divisional Round matchup vs. Texans

We’re looking at the updated 53-man roster for the Baltimore Ravens AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Houston Texans

After producing the NFL’s best record (13-4), the Baltimore Ravens return to M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday after earning a No. 1 playoff seed.

They will host the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round (Jan. 20, 4:30 p.m.).

The Ravens clinched the AFC’s top postseason spot for the second time (2019) in franchise history. The 2023 season also marked Baltimore’s first division title since 2019 and the fifth (2011-12, 2018-19) under head coach John Harbaugh.

Star tight end Mark Andrews is not expected to play after returning to practice, and he’ll join cornerback Marlon Humphrey on the list of inactives.

With kickoff a little over 24 hours, we’re looking at Baltimore’s updated 53-man roster for the divisional round matchup against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans.

AFC Divisional Round picks: Who the experts are taking in Ravens vs. Texans

The NFL experts have made their picks, and the Baltimore Ravens are favored to defeat the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round

We’re a little over 30 hours away from the Ravens (13-4) and Texans (11-7) kicking off the AFC divisional round of the playoffs on ESPN.

Houston advanced to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth time in franchise history with a 45-14 win over the Browns in Super Wild Card Weekend.

The playoff win earned the Texans a rematch against the Ravens, and they’ll return to M&T Bank Stadium hoping to avenge a 25-9 loss in Week 1.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s the NFL expert picks.

Marlon Humphrey ruled out of Ravens divisional round matchup vs. Texans

The Baltimore Ravens have ruled out Marlon Humphrey for the divisional matchup vs. the Texans, while Mark Andrews is listed as questionable

The Ravens have ruled out Marlon Humphrey for the divisional round matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.

Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews is listed as questionable, along with four others.

With Humphrey out, Brandon Stephens and likely Ronald Darby are the likely starting cornerbacks against C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and the Texans’ dynamic passing attack. Darby has made seven starts this season, as Humphrey will miss his eighth game.

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney returned from an illness that kept him out of practice Wednesday and told reporters he’ll play. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) also both returned to full practice and said they’ll suit up.

Ravens release first injury report ahead of AFC divisional round matchup vs. Texans

Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers were among four Ravens to not practice ahead of Saturday’s divisional matchup vs. the Texans

An already dynamic offensive unit could get a massive jolt as Mark Andrews continues to ramp up his participation ahead of the team’s AFC divisional round matchup against the Houston Texans.

Wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf), outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle), and linebacker Malik Harrison (groin) all returned to practice.

Andrews returned to practice on Friday, but it remains to be seen whether the talented pass catcher will be healthy enough to play in Saturday’s divisional playoff game against Houston.

Despite missing the final six games with a fractured fibula, Andrews leads the Ravens in touchdown receptions (6) and has the second-most catches (45) and third-most receiving yards (544).

Ravens who benefited the most from first-round bye in the AFC playoffs

We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens who benefited the most from the first round bye in the AFC playoffs

The Ravens used the bye week to get even healthier ahead of the divisional-round matchup against the Texans. Head coach John Harbaugh is “optimistic” that injured players will gradually return to practice this week.

“We’re pretty optimistic about everybody, varying degrees of optimism with certain guys,” Harbaugh said. “It’s just like any week, you have to see it unfold. Some guys are good to go. Other guys are going to be more day by day.”

Baltimore has decisions on wide receiver/returner Devin Duvernay and defensive back Ar’Darius Washington, who are in the middle of their injured reserve practice window.

With preparation for the Texans underway, we’re looking at which Ravens benefited the most from the first-round bye.

Odell Beckham says he desired to join Jets in free agency before Ravens offer

Odell Beckham seemed to have his heart set on joining the Jets before the Ravens’ made their offer.

Odell Beckham was almost a New York Jet. The Jets wanted him and Beckham seemed to want to play in New York before the Baltimore Ravens changed those plans.

Beckham recently appeared on the Punch Line Podcast and revealed that he nearly joined the Jets during free agency.

“I think in my heart, I was set to go back to New York and be a Jet,” Beckham said on the podcast. Beckham added: “My heart desired to be in New York again. …They just kind of slow-played the offer or felt disrespected. They just kind of thought that they had in the bag and that they were the best team and it would be a privilege for me to be over there.” Beckham spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Giants before being traded to the Browns.

The Jets had a competitive offer for Beckham but the Ravens swooped in with an offer the Jets frankly couldn’t match. Beckham noted the Ravens were more direct with him when he visited Baltimore and ultimately got him to never take the visit he was scheduled to take with the Jets.

Beckham played 14 games this season, catching 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns as the Ravens topped the AFC with a 13-4 record and earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. The Jets would struggle at the wide receiver position outside of Garrett Wilson en route to another 7-10 finish.

Ravens rework Odell Beckham’s contract clearing the way for a potential return in 2024

Ravens rework Odell Beckham’s contract clearing the way for a potential return in 2024

Odell Beckham found himself a new home back in April, agreeing to a one-year, $18 million deal with the Ravens.

The deal included a $13.835 million signing bonus, $1.165 million base salary and $3 million in reachable incentives.

The veteran made at least $15 million, but missed out on some incentives when he missed Baltimore’s regular season finale.

Now according to Ravens Salary Cap, Beckham has reworked his deal, and it could open up some movement on a potential return in 2024.

The move allows Baltimore to use a post June 1 release for Beckham if the parties can’t agree to an extension at the start of the new league year.

This with the Ravens, Beckham appeared in 14 of the 17 regular season games, logging 35 receptions for 565 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.

OBJ hasn’t recorded a 1,000-yard season since 2019, but he’s vibed well with the Baltimore skill players and has a tight relationship with Zay Flowers.