GOOD, BAD & UGLY: Capturing a Crown

The regular season has ended. After today, 18 teams will clean out their lockers, pack their things and leave their team’s facility – some for the last time. The NFL can be cruel that way.

Players convened back in May for voluntary workouts. Many leaving loved ones behind, some uprooting their families and moving them into temporary quarters close to team headquarters. They practiced, worked out, studied film and spent time recovering to get their bodies back to ground zero. And then the next day they hit replay to do it all over again.

The vicious grind is physical and mental. Only those who share that locker room understand. It’s hard to wrap your mind around what it’s like to walk in the shoes of an NFL player. Sure, there are many rewards, but the sacrifices may be even greater, especially for those on the bubble – those who have careers hanging by a thread for any number of reasons.

They seek solace in each other. Camaraderie grows at a phenomenal rate. They share a journey that is ripe with adversity, leaning on one another to not only survive the grind, but accomplish team goals, together. The first of which, is a divisional title. Should they fail to attain the title and fall short of a wild card berth, it’s over. The season is done. Exit interviews follow and shortly thereafter they return home to contemplate the next season, to ponder the future.

The Ravens took that first step. Goal no. 1, the AFC North crown is in the bank. And now, they move on to the single elimination tournament. There can be no letdowns. Despite their weary minds and bodies, their resolve and focus must remain sharp, otherwise they are just one week removed from cleaning out their lockers as well.

Last season ended in a shockingly disappointing way. The sting still reverberates in the Ravens locker room and consequently, their collective guard remains up. After yesterday’s win, Kyle Van Noy was asked if the 11-month journey from the bitter loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game to the 2024 AFC North crown has been weighing on their minds:

“Yes … We’d be lying if we said we hadn’t been thinking about it. Me and Coach [John] Harbaugh had a conversation earlier, and I had told him I hadn’t left my house for a week after [the AFC Championship loss]. Just that mindset … In my career, you’re closer to the end, and those chances, you don’t want them to slip. It’s all I’ve thought about all offseason, training camp, we as a group during training camp. It’s been on everybody’s mind, ‘LJ’s’ [Lamar Jackson] included, and we haven’t forgotten about that, and we hope we can correct that mistake, but it doesn’t matter. We can talk about the AFC Championship all we want, but we have to get through the Wild Card game. That’s our main focus. That’s all we’re focused on as a team, is just take these next seven days – eight days or wherever we’re at – and take it one day at a time.”

Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy talks about the challenging road that this team endured to become AFC North champions pic.twitter.com/aiuk3Hoo8q

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 5, 2025

It may sound cliché-ish, but true, nonetheless – one day at a time.

As fans and observers, we oftentimes try to draw parallels from one season to the next. Sometimes we compare one playoff team to the next, embrace the similarities as if they are accurate predictors for the future. Maybe it matters, maybe it doesn’t. Yet after listening to KVN, it’s hard not to recall Ray Lewis’ speech in 2012 after the Ravens lost in heartbreaking fashion to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

Ray Lewis delivers a powerful speech to his team after losing in the 2012 AFC championship game

“Let’s make somebody smile when we walk out of here.”

Powerful @raylewis https://t.co/bjr3BBJg0d

— Jaycob Ammerman (@Jammer2233) November 12, 2020

“Don’t ever drop your head when it comes to a loss because there’s too much pain outside of this that people are really going through. This right here, makes us stronger! Let’s understand who we are as a team. Let’s understand who we are as men. And make somebody smile when we walk out of here.” ~ Ray Lewis

I remember after that loss in 2012 and after Ray’s speech, Ricky Williams shared that it flipped the entire mindset of the team as they looked ahead to the 2012 season – one that was not free of adversity. Quite the contrary. Yet they persevered and ultimately won Super Bowl 47, the franchise’s second.

Over the course of the next 6 weeks, we’ll find out if the 2024 Ravens have the resolve of John Harbaugh’s team from 12 seasons ago.

“Dial in. Let’s go.”

Inside the postgame locker room: pic.twitter.com/ykh5xIT4mx

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 5, 2025

As for the division clinching game, the outcome was hardly a surprise. The goal for the Ravens of course, was to win the game and escape without any significant injuries. Unfortunately, they’ve only checked one of those boxes. Zay Flowers suffered a sprained LCL (knee) believed to be a Grade 1 (although not confirmed) which typically takes 3-4 weeks. Time will tell if the Ravens medical staff and Zay’s healing powers can accelerate the timetable but it’s fairly safe to say that Flowers will not bloom in the Wild Card round.

In league circles, generally the knee-jerk response is “next man up”, but that’s easier said than done when it comes to a Pro Bowl wide receiver. Makes you wonder if GM Eric DeCosta will dip into his cell phone favorites and give Odell Beckham, Jr. a call.

THE GOOD

As a team, the Ravens had 437 yards of offense against an inspired Browns defense, 220 yards on the ground. Defensively, the Ravens held the Browns to 230 total net yards and 56 yards rushing.

Offense

Lamar Jackson wasn’t his best yet even when he’s not, he’s still among the best players on the field. Saturday was no exception. While his stats were subpar for him, he made a couple electrifying runs and tossed a few teardrops into the waiting arms of Mark Andrews. He also pushed his passing TD total to 41, eclipsed 4,000 yards passing and 900 yards rushing, a first in NFL history. It’s hard to find fault in that even if he did overshoot a couple of wide-open targets downfield and played at times like frenetic playoff Lamar…

Yeah, @Lj_era8 knew that was 6.

Tune in on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/LCh5euN45w

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 4, 2025

Mark Andrews had 4 catches for 54 yards and a score but if Lamar hadn’t airmailed an open Andrews twice, he could have easily notched a 100-yard receiving game…Rashod Bateman posted 5 catches for 76 yards and a score including some nifty navigating after the catch.

Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten did a nice job of minimizing the damage from game wrecker Myles Garrett…Andrew Vorhees did a nice job subbing for the ailing Patrick Mekari, including a key block on Derrick Henry’s 43-yard scoring scamper down the left sideline…Props to Pat Ricard for his blocking efforts in both the run game and pass game. A missed block by Isaiah Likely kept him from a receiving TD.

Defense

Kyle Van Noy notched a sack, pushing his total for the season to 12 ½. The effort earned him $250,000.00…Odafe Oweh registered his 10th sack of the season, the first time that the Ravens have had two players with double-digit sacks since Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil accomplished the feat back in 2014…Roquan Smith continues to stack games playing a lot like, Roquan Smith 2023. He filled in well to stop runners for little or no gain and he also disrupted Bailey Zappe a couple of times with effective blitzes.

Kyle Hamilton was outstanding diagnosing and closing on plays in the flat…Ar’Darius Washington was solid in coverage on the back end. In fact, the back end of the defense was tight throughout for all defenders not wearing No. 21…Marlon Humphrey was an aggressive and efficient tackler. Plus, he had an outstanding PD on fourth down enabling the Ravens to take over in Browns territory…

Like Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey knew that he needed to ball out in 2024. He didn’t disappoint and was among the best DB’s in the NFL this season. pic.twitter.com/XRR0o2w6nq

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) January 5, 2025

Nate Wiggins did an excellent job setting up Zappe when settling in Cover 2. He passed off a receiver running an in-route, momentarily shadowing him to bait the Browns QB. When he settled back into his zone, Zappe had already committed to throwing the out-route and the result was an easy Pick-6 for Wiggins.

Chills pic.twitter.com/RYFHwXbpN5

— ð™•ð™–ð™˜ð™® (@NewEraZach) January 4, 2025

Chris Board covered well in space and nearly had an INT to stop a 4th-down attempt…Nnamdi Madubuike was disruptive as a run defender and added a QB hit…And then there’s Michael Pierce. Not only was he stout against the run, but how many times do you see a near 400-pound man practically jump a route after dropping into coverage? And as you can see below, he teammates reveled in it.

BIG BIG MAN INT! Michael Pierce drops and coverage at 355 pounds and picks it off!

: #CLEvsBAL on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/sjMZjhmPuu

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

Victory Sunday’s are much sweeter when the Baltimore Ravens secure back-to-back AFC North championships!!

The beer is colder too! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/auflMxGZd3

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) January 5, 2025

THE BAD

Offense

When Justice Hill returns to active status, Rasheen Ali should take a long winter’s nap. He adds nothing as a runner, can’t catch, apparently doesn’t know where to set up on a screen pass and generally speaking, he isn’t trustworthy at this point in his career, particularly with the stakes so high…The Ravens were 0-for-3 on fourth down.

Defense

Brandon Stephens is a liability. He will be targeted. What the Ravens do to mask this weakness will be a challenge at this point in the season. After a 2023 season that seemed so promising, Stephens has been a major disappointment in 2024 and his sharp decline will cost him millions. Looking ahead, the only way I can see the Steelers beating the Ravens (assuming that is the matchup) is if the Steelers use and abuse Stephens with shots downfield in his direction resulting in DPI’s or winning contested catches.

TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/WSCAHHdznw

— Ivan Evans (@CoachEvans9) January 5, 2025

Special Teams

Jordan Stout netted 34.8 yards per punt while averaging a very mediocre 44.8 yards. Each game he seems to shank one and this low-pressure game against the Browns was no exception. Stout hit a 29 yard dud from the Ravens 43 late in the third quarter while leading 21-3. Fourth round pick or not, the team needs to bring in competition for him in 2025.

THE UGLY

The Ravens committed 10 penalties for 83 yards while the Browns had 3 for 20 yards. That 63-yard difference might not matter against the Browns. In the postseason it could destroy dreams.

[Related Article: Ravens Report Card]

COACHING

John Harbaugh

When a player puts together a string of very impressive games, it’s described as “a heater”. If Harbaugh was a player, we might describe him the same way. He’s brilliantly led the team through a tough 11-day span during which they played 3 games and won them all. And now he has the team focusing on small things in the moment so that they experience success in the big picture.

John’s words here are on point and judging from the way the players are focused on one game at a time, the message is hitting its mark.

Great speech from Derrick Henry in the Ravens’ postgame locker room last night:

“We’ve got to be different this time. I think you all know that and we all feel that. We all know what we’re capable of. Let’s go get it.” https://t.co/Im5ta46k9L

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) January 5, 2025

Zach Orr

The Ravens DC didn’t show much in the way of stunts, altering post snap looks or in schemed pressure packages. He was rather basic with his game plan and that probably has a lot to do with not wanting to put too much on film and the fact that they were playing an offense that might struggle against Towson University. That said, Orr and Dean Pees need to go to the lab and figure out what they’re going to do about No. 21.

Todd Monken

The first snap didn’t go as planned. Monken’s offense has this annoying tendency to leave some of the best edge defenders unblocked and the results are seldom good. On the first play from scrimmage Henry was dropped for a 4-yard loss because they didn’t put a man on Myles Garrett. And then seemingly for the balance of the first half, they were primarily hat on hat blocking. The Browns front seven came to play. Henry’s first 6 carries went for 8 yards.

But Monken made some adjustments and featured more zone blocking and then Henry went off. His next 14 carries resulted in 130 yards and 2 scores.

KING!!!!!

tune in on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/70H2RA4Aex

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 5, 2025

THE PAIGE SPIRANAC AWARD

Derrick Henry had 138 yards (6.9 YPC) and two touchdowns, which put his seasonal total at 1,921 rushing yards to go with 18 total touchdowns on the season. It has been a phenomenal year for King Henry and clearly the Ravens have gotten their money’s worth from Derrick (2 years, $16M).

How fitting on his 31st birthday that he earned The Paige Spiranac Award, a victory cigar and $500,000 for his 15th rushing touchdown.

Which do you think he appreciated most?

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