Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson has struggled in his career against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He didn't change that narrative on Sunday.

The Baltimore Ravens' quarterback threw for just 207 yards, one touchdown and an interception in his team's 18-16 loss against Pittsburgh in a crucial AFC North showdown. It was not exactly an MVP-level performance.

He led the Ravens to a late touchdown drive with just over a minute remaining, but the Ravens failed to convert the two-point conversion and the Steelers killed the clock from there, securing the win.

TOUCHDOWN, ZAY FLOWERS!!!!!!!!

Tune in on CBS/@paramountplus pic.twitter.com/97rIfmfeBn

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 17, 2024

STEELERS DEFENSE COMES UP CLUTCH ‼️

STUFF RAVENS ON THE 2-PT CONVERSION

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/FrQYCzvjl4

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 17, 2024

The loss moved the Ravens to 7-4 on the season, while the Steelers now hold a commanding lead in the division with an 8-2 mark.

Jackson—who also rushed for 46 yards—wasn't alone in his struggles. Derrick Henry was bottled up for much of the game (65 rushing yards, one touchdown) and lost a fumble. Isaiah Likely lost a fumble as well. Justin Tucker missed a pair of crucial field goals in the first half. And the Ravens struggled with discipline and were penalized 12 times for 80 yards.

WELCOME BACK @nickherbig_‼️

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/LyAOlprd6v

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 17, 2024

BIG PLAY PQ‼️ @Patrickqueen_

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/7Nyt40chKD

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 17, 2024

Even his interception was a tough break, as Payton Wilson made an absurd play to steal the ball from Justice Hill:

WHAT A PLAY @payton_wilson21‼️

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/HrLSYaBOrB

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 17, 2024

But Jackson's struggles against the Steelers were a storyline coming into the game, and the reaction on social media after the contest further amplified that talking point. His teammates and Baltimore's coaches weren't safe from criticism either:

no lamar mvp talk? what happened? pic.twitter.com/2RvlJylkdX

— Q (@wockhardtflame) November 17, 2024

As long as he’s not playing the Chiefs (dynasty of his era), the Steelers (his team’s hated rival), or in the playoffs, Lamar is as good as any QB ever.

Unfortunately, in those spots (4-12 record, 75 rating, more turnovers than TDs) he’s simply bad.

Unpopular but undeniable. 🤷‍♂️

— nick wright (@getnickwright) November 17, 2024

The song remains the same. The @steelers have won 8 of the last 9 meetings against the @Ravens Lamar falls to 1-4 all time against Pittsburgh and his numbers against the Steelers D continue to be the worst against any team in his career

— trey wingo (@wingoz) November 17, 2024

Steelers defense this good or Lamar this bad against the Steelers?

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 17, 2024

https://twitter.com/NonstopXBL/status/1858254393017262301

bro lamar is making magic happen out there just for the ravens to erase it with penalties and drops😐

— Ian Sanz (@Ian_Sanz05) November 17, 2024

Pittsburgh have cooked defensively today, Lamar got snuffed.

— 96’ (@DullyTweets) November 17, 2024

Damn Lamar can’t beat em

— LMenterprise (@Bigl6192011) November 17, 2024

Narrative is that Lamar can't beat the Steelers. Can John Harbaugh win against Mike Tomlin? That's the real question.

— Young C (@cantrellyoung99) November 17, 2024

https://twitter.com/myravensburner/status/1858259648555409651

Jackson is now 1-4 in his career against the Steelers, with five touchdowns and eight interceptions in those games. He's lost four straight starts against them and has been sacked 22 times in those contests.

And while it seems like a small amount of total games against a divisional opponents, he's missed six contests against the Steelers because of either injury, illness or twice due to late-season rest after the Ravens clinched the top overall seed in the AFC.

Jackson has been brilliant both this season and in his career. But the Steelers remain his bogeyman, and the MVP conversation just got a lot more interesting in the process.

As good as Lamar Jackson has been throughout his career, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been his Achilles heel.

Jackson is 1-3 against the Steelers while posting a 17-5 record against other AFC North teams in his seven-year career. He's thrown seven interceptions and just four touchdowns against Pittsburgh, the only team in which he has more picks than touchdowns against.

Ahead of their meeting on Sunday, Jackson had no explanation for his woes against the Steelers.

"I don't know what it is, man," he said, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "Last year, we [were] supposed to [beat] them, but things just didn't go our way; the football gods weren't on our side. But it's a whole other year, it's a new year, [and] I'm looking forward to the game."

Jackson's only win against Pittsburgh came in 2019 despite that matchup being arguably his worst performance as he threw for 161 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. Since then, he's lost three straight meetings.

Despite his record against the Steelers, Jackson doesn't treat the game differently than he would any other matchup.

"I hate every team in the league when I'm going against them," Jackson said, per Hensley. "I don't have [any] heart for a team when I'm going against them -- I'm trying to win -- because they don't have a heart for me, when they're going against me. Probably, after the game, it's all love, but on that field, no."

As he reflected on teams he struggled against, Jackson recalled his days in youth football and said he still has hard feelings for certain teams.

"Fort Lauderdale Vikings. I hated 'em. I still hate 'em," he said, per the Baltimore Sun's Brian Wacker. "All I can think about is the games we lost against 'em....(laughing) I don't want my child to play for Fort Lauderdale."

Last year's meeting was a 17-10 loss in which Jackson threw for 236 yards and an interception. The Ravens and Steelers met again in January last season, but Jackson didn't play with Baltimore having already decided its playoff fate.

Jackson, in the midst of another MVP-caliber season, is coming off an outstanding game against the Cincinnati Bengals where he threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns. He'll look to carry that momentum into Sunday's meeting and finally shake his struggles against the Steelers.

The NFL has rescinded the $16,883 fine levied against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith for his hit on Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The league initially ruled Smith's tackle, which resulted in Godwin suffering a season-ending ankle injury, violated the new hip-drop rule. The two-time Pro Bowler filed what proved to be a successful appeal.

Upon appeal, NFL hearing officer Jordy Nelson has rescinded the $16,883 fine levied against Ravens LB Roquan Smith for his alleged unnecessary roughness on Chris Godwin on the play that ended in the Bucs WR dislocating his ankle, per source. pic.twitter.com/nLFO69e2pE

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 12, 2024

The hip-drop rule was unanimously approved in March. In explaining the new guideline, the NFL cited its finding that "this specific technique causes lower extremity injuries at a rate 20 times higher than other tackles, resulting in an unacceptable risk to player health and safety."

The final ruling on Smith is likely to lead to further scrutiny of the rule.

The NFL Players Association already came out against it in the spring, arguing that it makes the jobs of defensive players even more difficult. It's also tough to discern what is and isn't a hip-drop tackle.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero cited Smith's hit on Godwin in October as "the latest example of why the NFL banned the hip-drop tackle." Now, the league is sending a much different message.

NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent has pointed to how the rule might prove to be inconsequential for the most part. He told reporters in October that 22 potential hip-drop tackles had been sent to the league office to that point, and none met every necessary criteria to violate the guidelines.

The Baltimore Ravens pulled off a dramatic 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Thursday's AFC North showdown, but the winning locker room was reportedly anything but a party.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Friday the "Ravens' postgame locker room scene was more somber than you'd expect after a heated divisional win. People with the team could sense it. Pass defense owned the bad play. Wasn't exactly a celebration. That can be a good thing long term."

As Fowler pointed out, the secondary was largely missing in action.

Joe Burrow threw for 428 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions, while wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase torched Baltimore for 11 catches, 264 yards and three touchdowns. It didn't help that star safety Kyle Hamilton exited in the first half with an ankle injury, but it was still anything but an encouraging performance from the home team's defense.

Yet that defense also helped turn the game around when Marlon Humphrey forced a Chase Brown fumble in the third quarter when the Bengals had a 14-point lead and the ball. Baltimore scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession and set the stage for an incredible fourth quarter that saw Lamar Jackson throw three touchdowns and Burrow throw two.

One of Burrow's fourth-quarter touchdown passes was a 70-yarder to Chase after the star receiver scored a 67-yarder earlier in the contest. To say the tackling left much to be desired would be quite the understatement, although the Baltimore secondary did win the game by stopping the Bengals' two-point conversion in the final minute.

JA'MARR CHASE AFTER THE CATCH IS UNSTOPPABLE

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/NaJSUwNikc

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 8, 2024

The Ravens appeared to get away with some defensive holding on the play, but they ultimately earned bragging rights with the victory.

Yet Baltimore will have to be much better defensively if it is going to accomplish its goal of winning the Super Bowl. Potential playoff games against Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen likely won't go well with similar efforts as Thursday, which is surely why there weren't huge celebrations in the aftermath.

But it also shows the team knows it has to improve and will look to do so moving forward into the season's stretch run.

Dramatic comeback wins in AFC North clashes take a lot of work, and Lamar Jackson was tired after leading his Baltimore Ravens to a 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.

The quarterback posted a tired worker meme on his Instagram page after throwing for 290 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions while outdueling Joe Burrow by a single point:

Lamar’s IG story after W over Bengals 😭

(via @Lj_era8) pic.twitter.com/i5ThdLg4Ke

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 8, 2024

It seemed like the Bengals were going to cruise to a road win when Burrow found Ja'Marr Chase for a 67-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 14 in the third quarter. They then forced a punt from Baltimore and had the opportunity to seize full control and put Jackson and Co. away with another score.

Instead, Chase Brown lost a fumble in Cincinnati territory, Derrick Henry parlayed it into a touchdown on the ensuing possession and the two teams were off to the races.

Jackson had three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter alone, while Burrow countered with two. Both of Cincinnati's touchdowns went to Chase, as the wide receiver was unstoppable on his way to 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns in a performance that likely won some fantasy contests well before the Sunday slate even started.

Lamar with the floater 🏀

Ravens lead by 7

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/vPE9GVmqWS

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 8, 2024

Chase's final touchdown came with 38 seconds remaining and cut Baltimore's lead to one. Rather than play overtime on the road with a struggling defense, the Bengals elected to go for two.

Yet the Ravens forced an incomplete pass, perhaps with the help of some uncalled holding, and then clinched the win by recovering the ensuing onside kick.

Jackson is now 10-2 in his career against the Bengals and continued his dominance over the division rivals with his late dramatics. It was surely tiring, but the good news for the quarterback and the rest of his teammates is they now have a mini-bye after playing on a Thursday.

The timing couldn't be better, as next up for Baltimore is a road showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 17.

Pittsburgh is one game ahead of the Ravens in the loss column, so the winner of that one could find itself in first place in the AFC North.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson made a cryptic post Friday morning on X following the Ravens' 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football.

Johnson, who has played sparingly in two games with the Ravens since arriving in a trade from the Carolina Panthers, wrote on social media that there are "two sides to a story," but did not provide further context:

https://twitter.com/Juiceup__3/status/1854881962432893053

On Thursday, Johnson had just one catch for six yards on two targets, and he played only 8 percent of the Ravens' offensive snaps.

One week before the Nov. 5 NFL trade deadline, the Ravens agreed to send a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

Carolina had acquired Johnson and a seventh-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick during the offseason.

The 28-year-old Johnson emerged as Carolina's No. 1 receiver, registering 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games, but he became expendable since the Panthers had only one win when they traded him and since he can hit free agency during the offseason.

Johnson was more of a luxury pickup than a glaring need for Baltimore since the Ravens' offense was already firing on all cylinders prior to his arrival.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson is perhaps the front-runner to win his second consecutive NFL MVP Award and his third overall, while running back Derrick Henry is a leading candidate for NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

In terms of pass-catchers, second-year wideout Zay Flowers is trending toward a career year with 50 receptions for 688 yards and three touchdowns. Also, Rashod Bateman has re-emerged with 31 grabs for 501 yards and four scores, and tight end Mark Andrews has 30 catches for 357 yards and five touchdowns.

The Ravens No. 3 wide receiver from a production standpoint has been Nelson Agholor with 13 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns, so it can be argued that an upgrade was at least worth exploring.

Johnson figured to slot right in as the Ravens' No. 2 wide receiver across from Flowers, but he hasn't assimilated to the team as quickly as anticipated.

In his first game with the Ravens, which was a 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos last week, Johnson played 30 percent of the offensive snaps, but did not have a catch.

He now has a total of one catch in two games with the Ravens and has played only 22 offensive snaps in all.

The Ravens are 7-3 and they are averaging 38 points per game in the two games since Johnson arrived, but they are doing so without much production out of him.

Because of that, it is fair to wonder if he will be a nonfactor moving forward, although it isn't outside the realm of possibility that his role could grow as he becomes more comfortable with the offense.

Given that he averaged 94 receptions for 989 yards over a three-year stretch with the Steelers from 2020 to 2022, Johnson has shown that he can produce in the NFL, and he still has a chance to be an impact player in Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson wrapped up an incredible performance in an AFC North showdown on Thursday Night Football.

Jackson finished with four total touchdowns, helping the Baltimore Ravens erase a 14-point deficit in the second half and secure a hard-fought 35-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

He finished 25-of-33 for 291 yards and four scores without an interception. Jackson also made plays with his legs, adding 33 yards on seven rush attempts.

Baltimore trailed 14-7 at the half and gave up another touchdown to the Bengals near the start of the third quarter. However, the Ravens were able to secure a fumble before scoring a touchdown of their own that was set up by an incredible 10-yard run by Jackson in the red zone.

LAMAR HOW⁉️

WHAT A PLAY. 😱

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/gAWiBcxh4w

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 8, 2024

With the score tied 28-28 with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Jackson found Rashod Bateman for a go-ahead touchdown that was too much for Cincinnati to overcome.

Jackson to Bateman for the @Ravens lead!#CINvsBAL on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2vuQSQOMKJ

— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2024

While the Bengals found the end zone on the ensuring drive, a two-point conversion pass from Joe Burrow fell incomplete to seal Baltimore's win.

The Bengals go for two.. @Ravens get the stop! pic.twitter.com/EoIhYCfQVQ

— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2024

Fans were impressed with Jackson's heroics.

Lamar Jackson tonight:

25/33
290 Yards
4-0 TD/INT

He’s thrown 14 touchdown passes in the past 17 days. pic.twitter.com/ZKgmJHtivJ

— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 8, 2024

Lamar has played 10 games this season and has a 130+ passer rating in five of them lol

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 8, 2024

Lamar has 14 TDs & 0 INTs in the last month

— Nico (@elitetakes_) November 8, 2024

Lamar Jackson is popping out with jump passes in crunch time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a QB shoot a mid-ranger jumper for the win. pic.twitter.com/I9cAYwPQFA

— DJ Dunson (cerebralsportex.bsky.social) (@CerebralSportex) November 8, 2024

We are at the stage of Lamar Jackson’s career where he actually brings MORE as a passer than as a runner. His rise to superstardom has been so fun to watch

— Zack Wheeler FC (@cywheela) November 8, 2024

Lamar Jackson is now 10-1 vs. the Bengals pic.twitter.com/b0S4jBfpmt

— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) November 8, 2024

Lamar Jackson calling his "three-point shot" and manifesting #mv3 pic.twitter.com/DXbiwlJjFm

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) November 8, 2024

Lamar curry Jackson lol that was cold

— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) November 8, 2024

lamar jackson at his best might be a top 2-3 football player i have ever watched

— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) November 8, 2024

Despite the loss, Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase both thrived against Baltimore's defense.

Burrow completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 428 yards and four touchdowns of his own without getting picked off. As for Chase, he hauled in 11 of his 17 targets for a season-high 264 yards and three scores.

However, the Bengals came up short and were swept by the Ravens in 2024. Baltimore improved to 7-3 with the win, while Cincinnati fell to 4-6.

Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton suffered a sprained ankle in Thursday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it's not considered serious, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the game.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Baltimore received "excellent news moving forward" after tests on the ankle were "as positive as could be hoped."

Hamilton left his team's home game against the Bengals in the second quarter on Thursday after suffering the right ankle injury, which led to him receiving X-rays, per the Amazon Prime broadcast.

The Ravens eventually ruled him out in the second half.

Hamilton is in his third NFL season. The former Notre Dame star, a first-team All-Pro player last year, entered Thursday with 67 tackles (48 solo), five quarterback hits, two sacks and five pass breakups in nine starts.

Hamilton seemingly suffered a non-contact injury while in pass coverage. He stopped his momentum to put himself in position to get after running back Chase Brown, who was about to catch a pass from quarterback Joe Burrow. Hamilton fell down and stayed on the field before getting up and limping to the sideline. He went to the blue medical talent for further evaluation before heading to the locker room.

He returned to the sideline later without his uniform.

Needless to say, losing Hamilton was a huge blow for Baltimore, which notably gave up a 67-yard touchdown to Ja'Marr Chase early in the third quarter without the star safety.

Here’s a @Real10jayy__ TD for your viewing pleasure 😏#CINvsBAL on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/MuQnPucJZA

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 8, 2024

Numerous fans and analysts noted his loss.

Kyle Hamilton is a massive loss on this Ravens defense.. he is so versatile.

— Bengalorian (@thebengalorian) November 8, 2024

ravens might have the worst defense in the league without kyle hamilton

— zay flowers burner (@sleeper22222) November 8, 2024

first drive without kyle Hamilton ended in a 67 yard tuddy. he is the best safety in the league

— Adley·SZN™ (@HunterZz71) November 8, 2024

Losing Kyle Hamilton is a MAJOR loss for the Ravens defense, period...

— Christopher Freeman (@crf2464) November 8, 2024

Kyle Hamilton is officially OUT for the rest of tonight's game. A high calling for a defense that has now given up two passing touchdowns with him off the field.

— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) November 8, 2024

Kyle Hamilton changes that whole defense. That’s a big time loss. Hopefully it’s not serious

— Matthew Montgomery (@mattmontyff) November 8, 2024

Attention now turns toward Sunday, Nov. 17 and whether Hamilton will be able to play on the road against the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tre'Davious White is on the move.

After a few weeks of both he and the Los Angeles Rams looking for potential trade options, the Rams sent former All-Pro cornerback to the Baltimore Ravens, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Los Angeles also sent a 2027 seventh-round pick to Baltimore in return for a 2026 seventh-round pick.

Pelissero noted that the Ravens hoped to land cornerback Marshon Lattimore, but they settled for White after the New Orleans Saints traded Lattimore to the Washington Commanders on Tuesday.

In October, ESPN's Sarah Barshop reported the Rams were open to trading White but would also be content keeping him on the roster in case of injuries to other cornerbacks. Shortly after the report, head coach Sean McVay said Los Angeles had given White permission to explore trade options.

White, who signed with the Rams on a one-year deal ahead of the 2024 season, has not played since Los Angeles' Week 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears. He's been inactive since cornerback Darious Williams returned from a hamstring injury in October.

In four games, White logged 12 tackles and a pair of passes defended.

The eighth-year veteran had his best seasons when he was with the Buffalo Bills, earning All-Pro honors in 2019 and being named a Pro Bowler in 2019 and 2020. In his All-Pro season in 2019, White had 58 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and six interceptions, which was tied for the most in the league.

Injuries have since derailed White's progress over the last few years. He suffered a torn ACL in 2021 and played six regular-season games and two playoff games in 2022 before tearing his Achilles four games into the 2023 season.

White will now look to bolster the Ravens' defense as they continue their quest for a Super Bowl. As good as Baltimore has been on offense, its defense has been an issue this year. The Ravens have given up an NFL-worst 280.9 passing yards per game, which they'll hope to improve upon with the addition of White.

Behind a pair of MVP-caliber seasons from quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, the Baltimore Ravens are rolling.

They picked up another win on Sunday to improve to 6-3 on the year as Jackson threw for 280 passing yards and three touchdowns while Henry rushed for 106 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The two will certainly be in the conversation for the MVP award, but Henry believes it should go to Jackson.

"That's his. He deserves it," Henry said after the game. "MVP, MV3, that's what we call it."

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry may have to duke it out for MVP, according to @tracywolfson.

King Henry gave his pick 👀 pic.twitter.com/24ptjTWnX1

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 3, 2024

Ravens' receiver Zay Flowers also hyped up Jackson's performance this season, calling him "Lamarvelous," per ESPN's Jamison Hensley.

Jackson has had another terrific season, throwing for 2,379 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He's also totaled 505 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

Henry leads the league in carries (168), rushing yards (1,052) and rushing touchdowns (11).

When Henry joined the Ravens this offseason, many questioned whether he would fit into an offense led by a quarterback who likes to use his legs. The two have quickly proved that the pairing works.