Tag: Trent Williams

7 takeaways from first half as Ravens-Steelers are tied 7-7 in season finale

We’re looking at the takeaways from the first half of the season finale between Baltimore and Pittsburgh

The Ravens sat six starters and held out several key contributors, but the weather was an ally as rain engulfed M&T Bank Stadium in the first half on Saturday.

Baltimore overcame two fumbles, including one Melvin Gordon turnover that Pittsburgh recovered, and utilized a late second-quarter drive to even things at 7-7 to end the first half.

The Ravens were without Lamar Jackson, Odell Beckham, and Roquan Smith, among others, but got a timely turnover from Del’Shawn Phillips and some elite running after the catch by Isaiah Likely.

With the second half set to begin, here are takeaways and observations from the first half.

Ravens vs. Steelers: Five storylines to watch for in Week 18

We’re looking at five storylines to watch in the Week 18 matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore is 12-3, the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC, and they’ll enter Week 18 against the Steelers with nothing to officially play for.

Such a scenario allows John Harbaugh to rest his starters.

Several vital starters and contributors will play on Saturday afternoon, and we’re looking at five storylines to watch in the season finale.

Ravens 53-man roster for season finale vs. Steelers

We’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens updated 53-man roster for the Week 18 season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Ravens (12-3) have ruled out six players for Saturday afternoon’s season finale against the Steelers (9-7) at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore will be the No. 1 seed in the AFC and has the luxury of resting players, while Pittsburgh will roll with Mason Rudolph at quarterback, as Mike Tomlin’s team needs a win and some help to get in the tournament.

With kickoff fast approaching, here’s an updated 53-man roster for the regular season finish.

5 Oklahoma Sooners named to the NFL Pro Bowl

Offense and success at the NFL level have gone hand in hand for the Oklahoma Sooners for a really long time. So it comes as no surprise that University of Oklahoma was among the schools with the most Pro Bowl selections this season. With five …

Offense and success at the NFL level have gone hand in hand for the Oklahoma Sooners for a really long time. So it comes as no surprise that University of Oklahoma was among the schools with the most Pro Bowl selections this season.

With five selections, Oklahoma comes in at No. 3 behind Alabama and Notre Dame in schools with the most Pro Bowl selections.

Four of the five Sooners selected make a strong case to be considered the best at their position as the 2023 season winds down.

Here’s a look at the five former Sooners selected to this year’s Pro Bowl.

Odell Beckham is among six players ruled out for the season finale vs. the Steelers

Ravens rule out six players for season finale vs. Steelers

With Baltimore already in possession of the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round playoff bye, the Ravens ruled out six players before Saturday’s season-finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Ravens ruled out Lamar Jackson, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., guard Kevin Zeitler, cornerback Marlon Humphrey (groin), linebacker Malik Harrison (groin), and defensive back Daryl Worley (shoulder/ankle).

Tyler Huntley will get the start at quarterback.

AFC Pro Bowl: Baltimore Ravens 5 biggest snubs

We’re looking at five Baltimore Ravens that were 2023 NFL Pro Bowl snubs

The Ravens are the NFL’s best team, and the AFC power was properly represented on the Pro Bowl team, with seven players named.

Baltimore’s Pro Bowlers are quarterback Lamar Jackson, linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, center Tyler Linderbaum, linebacker Patrick Queen, and kicker Justin Tucker.

It’s the first time for Hamilton, Madubuike, Queen, and Linderbaum – all players General Manager Eric DeCosta drafted.

The process isn’t perfect, and there were several Ravens who were well deserving, and left off the list.

Lamar Jackson among seven Ravens named to the AFC Pro Bowl

Lamar Jackson is among seven Baltimore Ravens players named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster

The Ravens are the NFL’s best team, and the AFC power was properly represented on the Pro Bowl team, with seven players named.

Baltimore’s Pro Bowlers are quarterback Lamar Jackson, linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, center Tyler Linderbaum, linebacker Patrick Queen, and kicker Justin Tucker.

It’s the first time for Hamilton, Madubuike, Queen, and Linderbaum – all players General Manager Eric DeCosta drafted.

Ravens have 12 players land on injury report ahead of season finale vs. Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens had 12 players land on the Wednesday injury report ahead of the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Ravens have the AFC’s first round bye and the rest will come at the right time for an elite team that’s banged up.

Baltimore will face Pittsburgh in the Week 18 season finale, and John Harbaugh’s team had 12 players land on the initial Wednesday injury report.

Cornerback Brandon Stephens (ankle) returned to practice after missing Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.

Baltimore also welcomed back defensive back Ar’Darius Washington, who was designated for return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window.

Washington suffered a chest injury in Week 2 in Cincinnati.

8 49ers who could get rest in Week 18 game vs. Rams

Here are some #49ers who could get rest in Week 18:

The 49ers don’t have anything to play for in their season finale. They’ve locked up the No. 1 seed, and the Rams have already clinched a playoff spot so there’s not really a spoiler angle they can lean on.

With their seeding locked in, it would make sense for San Francisco to give some of their starters an extra week of rest to close the year. Even with the first-round playoff bye, an additional week off could pay dividends for some of the team’s starters who have been banged up this year.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has already announced that running back Christian McCaffrey is out with a calf strain. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead will also remain out with knee and foot injuries. It wouldn’t be a surprise if a handful of other players dealing with injuries like safety Ji’Ayir Brown and tight end Ross Dwelley aren’t pushed into action in Week 18.

There are a handful of other players who could get the week off in the season finale, or at least see substantially reduced roles. If the 49ers treat their home bout with the Rams as a preseason game, here are some players who could (or should) miss the game:

‘I feel like he definitely could be special’: Daniel Akinkunmi turns heads at Under Armour All-American events

Akinkunmi has done nothing but show he belongs at the Under Armour All-American game with several good performances.

The Oklahoma Sooners may have found their hidden gem of the 2024 recruiting class: three-star offensive lineman [autotag]Daniel Akinkunmi[/autotag].

Akinkunmi is coming to Norman via the NFL Academy in London, England. He has only played football the past few seasons. That’s why people were anxious to see how he’d hold up against some of the nation’s best high school players at the Under Armour All-American practices.

Not only has he held up just fine, but he’s impressed a lot of people, including myself. He’s becoming my favorite player in the class.

From him talking about asking [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] for the playbook moments after signing to being the last one on the field earlier this week working on his technique by himself long after the events concluded to his early morning workouts with his future teammates, there’s no question his work ethic is there. And his peers are taking notice.

“We were up at, I think, 3 a.m. lifting,” Stone said. “Me, him and Von (Davon Mitchell) were all in the weight room and I ended up calling J.J. (Jayden Jackson) and I was like, ‘Hey man this dude is going to be special; his work ethic is just like ours.’ I feel like we could definitely make a case to be like [autotag]Trent Williams[/autotag] and that [autotag]Gerald McCoy[/autotag] class that we had. I feel like we could really be like that. Us going first round in the same draft class, I feel like he definitely could be special just like that.”

Being the next McCoy and Williams is a lofty goal. That duo went top four in the 2010 NFL draft. But the work ethic is there for both.

Akinkunmi spoke with OUInsider about his relationship with Bedenbaugh.

“We talk every single day,” Akinkunmi said. “He calls my mum every single day. He and my mum are best friends, they talk all of the time. We absolutely love each other. That’s my coach, and I’m never going to change up on him. Unless he gets fired, and let’s be honest, he’ll never get fired, so I’m rocking with Coach B all of the way.”

Akinkunmi said he’s headed straight to Norman after the Under Armour events conclude this week and will immediately get to work on becoming Bedenbaugh and Oklahoma’s next hidden gem.

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