Tag: Trenton Simpson

Sights and sounds from first half as Bills hold a 21-10 lead over Ravens in divisional round

Sights and sounds from first half as Bills hold a 21-10 lead over Ravens in divisional round

The first half appeared to be a reverse of Week 4, and two Lamar Jackson turnovers played a pivotal part in Baltimore trailing 21-10 after 30 minutes of football in Buffalo. The Bills held the Ravens to 73 yards rushing in the first half and 28 offensive plays. According to Next Gen Stats, Jackson has been under pressure on over half of his dropbacks (54.5%) for the first time since Week 4, 2023. He’s been pressured 6 times and sacked once on 11 dropbacks (as of Damar Hamlin’s strip sack).

With the second half underway, here are seven takeaways from the first 30 minutes.

***

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.

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.

***

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

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.

***

Zach Orr just keeps upping the score, Ravens clinch AFC North

Over the last three games, the Baltimore Ravens defense are allowing opponents just 11 points per game. DC Zach Orr deserves his credit.

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr is catching stride at the perfect time of year. Over the last three games, Orr’s defense has allowed opponents an average of 9.7 points per game, bringing punishing play on defense and flocking the way the Ravens have throughout franchise history.


Orr’s mike linebacker Roquan Smith featured seven assisted tackles in the 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. The defensive unit has designated leaders at all three levels to help ensure the agenda of making the opposing offensive miserable. The Ravens continue to lead the entire NFL in rushing yards and opponent rushing yards allowed per game. Certainly, a universal understanding of the front seven should go as a credit to both the offensive and defensive line coaches for the Ravens, who make it all happen in the trenches.


Ultimately, while Orr builds momentum with his unit heading into the season’s biggest stage, Ravens fans can only stand in awe. From here on out, it’ll be win or go home for the Ravens, and hopefully, they have what it takes to make a push to the Super Bowl.

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.

***

WATCH: Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Malik Harrison’s increased snaps at linebacker

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh says Malik Harrison has earned his increase snaps and vital role in Ravens defense

The Ravens re-signed one in free agency this past spring, inking linebacker Malik Harrison to a one-year deal. The team expected Harrison to offer value and versatility as an edge rusher and inside linebacker.

That role has increased recently, with Baltimore benching Trenton Simpon and giving Harrison and Chris Board more snaps. As a result, Harrison has become a reliable run defender who can rush the passer while also being stout in pass coverage.

While addressing the media on Monday, head coach John Harbaugh gave insight into Harrison’s increased role.

Over the past four games, Harrison has 29 tackles (two for loss), including a career-high 13 in a win over the Chargers in place of an injured Roquan Smith. 

Harrison played a team-high 73 snaps in that win and has been in the lineup since.

Harrison has played 269 snaps (33%) this season,, and that number should continue to rise as Baltimore starts to hit its stride on defense.

WATCH: John Harbaugh gives some insight into Trenton Simpson’s lack of playing time

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh explains why Trenton Simpson was benched for Malik Harrison

Trenton Simpson took baby steps in 2023, hoping to replace the departed Patrick Queen at the linebacker spot opposite Roquan Smith. The former Clemson linebacker got off to a strong start, but he’s seen his play time diminish significantly over the past month.

Simpson, who started the first 13 games this season, played just five snaps in Baltimore’s 35-14 win over the Giants. In the Ravens’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1, the 2023 third-round pick logged just 22 snaps.

In the Week 13 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, he was on the field for 30 snaps.

On Monday, head coach John Harbaugh gave some insight into Simpson’s lack of playing time.

Harbaugh said they are hoping to take some pressure of ILB Trenton Simpson, who didn’t play until late in the game yesterday. “He’s a young guy. He can take a breath a little bit.”

Veteran linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board have seen significant increases in their snap counts, which will continue with Simpson becoming a liability in the passing game.

Ravens vs. Chargers: Roquan Smith needs rest so DC Zach Orr must tweak

Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith is listed as questionable, DC Zach Orr will need to make adjustments vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith is questionable for the week 12 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. At 7-4, the Ravens might want to roll the dice and suit Smith up, but they badly need to let him rest and recover, especially as the team prepares for a late-season stretch.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCzEbe5uVHI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Ravens’ defensive coordinator Zach Orr has done his best to adjust for the many digressions within his unit depth chart, and Smith has been his anchor. With 101 total tackles, Smith leads the Ravens on defense, but his vocal leadership and pre-play decipher ability will be crucially missed by Orr tonight.

Running back J.K. Dobbins’s physicality poses a massive problem for the Ravens’ defense without Smith. Perhaps linebacker Trenton Simpson can show himself vital by assuming the Mike position. Safety Kyle Hamilton will need to apply himself as an underneath cover man for the Chargers’ tight ends and additionally play as run support.


Attrition may be the deciding factor for the Ravens on the road tonight. If the Ravens’ offense continues to struggle, the defense will be forced to hold steady on the road, where physicality and the Chargers’ might become too much to bear.