HOT TAKES: As The Regular Season Winds Down

You’ve heard it said many times that the NFL season is a grind. You’ve heard the NFL season described as a marathon. And while both are true, coaches will tell you that the NFL season is a process. They seek to develop chemistry in their roster. They will continually self-scout while refining technique, the goal of which is to get the players to play their best football in December and January. Without effective processes, teams will fail to reach their goals.

But that’s not as simple as it sounds. Bodies take beatings throughout the season. A healthy roster doesn’t mean that everyone is 100%. It just means that the players are still available to dress on game day and contribute.

Injuries are unavoidable. They are part of the game in the NFL. But in the modern day, teams are spending time and resources in player strength and conditioning to manage their rosters in a way that helps them avoid injuries if possible, and then manage the injuries better so that players don’t miss extended periods of time.

During episode 5 of Hard Knocks: In Season With the AFC North, on HBO, John Harbaugh, while observing his team’s first practice following their dismantling of the Texans on Christmas Day, marveled at how quickly the players had recovered. There were no noticeable signs of fatigue or drag in the quality of practice – remarkable when you consider that the team just played three games in 11 days in late December.

But back to that marathon analogy for a moment…

To finish three of the last four regular NFL season games in 1 ½ weeks, is akin to making four of the last 5 miles of a 26 mile marathon a steep incline. And yet you could argue, that despite the daunting challenge, the Ravens are playing their best football of the season.

Now that’s managing the process.

Let’s give Harbaugh and his staff their flowers for a job well done in December. Here’s to it continuing through January.

A New Banner

“We have so much to play for… It’s an opportunity to put a banner up here and that means a lot. ” pic.twitter.com/2gqA6qWZkH

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2025

Every NFL season, the first goal of each of the 32 teams across the league without exception, is to win their division. The banners representing divisional championships that adorn the Ravens facility and M&T Bank Stadium, validate team accomplishments. They are meaningful. Veterans appreciate the accolades. Young players can observe them and feel inspired to contribute to the next decorative symbol of achievement.

In the video above, Harbaugh’s reverence towards those banners is obvious. It’s genuine and poignant. One day, the next banner earned (hopefully this Saturday), will be a reminder that hard work has its rewards. Once achieved, there’s no rest for the weary. Goal No. 2 becomes the focus.

Faalele

We learned on Thursday that Daniel Faalele was named as a Pro Bowl alternate. Now it’s worth mentioning that the Pro Bowl voting is split into thirds – 1/3 players, 1/3 coaches and 1/3 fans. So somewhere along the way, those who know the game best, casted their votes for the Ravens starting right guard.

I just don’t see it.

When the Ravens get in trouble offensively, it’s almost always because the team’s two offensive guards failed miserably. That was the case during the team’s last loss at home against the Eagles. Philadelphia’s interior defensive line manhandled the Ravens. Until Faalele holds his own against the best defensive fronts in the playoffs, there’s little doubt in my mind that opponents will target Faalele. Attacking the weakest link is always part of an opponent’s game plan in the postseason. Daniel will be in the crosshairs.

Here’s to me eating these words (happily) by mid-February.

“This is just the beginning for @DanielFaalele_… He gets a chance to see what players and coaches around the league think he is.”

Coach Harbaugh on Daniel Faalele being named a Pro Bowl alternate: pic.twitter.com/PmdcF2NVCt

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2025

Brown Out

If the Ravens start fast on Saturday evening, the Browns’ players will start making business decisions. Sure, they’d love to wreck the Ravens chance to win the division title and enjoy the moral victory of sweeping the Ravens during the 2024 season. But a fast start from Lamar & Co. will sabotage those hopes and if the game gets out of hand, Browns players will begin to worry about protecting themselves and step out of harm’s way so as not to sacrifice future earnings.

Perhaps some Browns have already made business decisions.

Browns game statuses vs. the Ravens:

Denzel Ward – out
David Njoku – out
Jerome Ford – out
Jordan Hicks – out
Pierre Strong – out
Ogbo Okoronkwo – questionable
Dalvin Tomlinson – questionable
Blake Whiteheart – questionable
Jameis Winston – questionable
Michael Woods -…

— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) January 2, 2025

The Cost of Pro Bowlers

The Ravens have a league-high nine players who have been selected to the 2024 AFC Pro Bowl roster. And while those awards are deserving they will cost the Ravens and represent challenges to GM Eric DeCosta when managing the team’s salary cap. RSR’s Brian McFarland chimed in on X to enlighten us on how the Pro Bowl selections will be costly for the Ravens.

While historic for sure (finally!!), this also has an effect on Flowers’ 5th yr option (if it gets that far). Flowers’ 5th yr option in 2027 will now be equal to the 2016 WR Transition tag. Another PB and it will bump up to the 2026 Franchise tag amount. https://t.co/UlmKoSOXbo

— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) January 2, 2025

This is the 2nd PB selection for both Hamilton & Linderbaum. This will push both of their 5th yr options (2026) to the 2025 Franchise tag level. Those would be approx $20M & $25M respectively. Both will be eligible for long-term extensions after Saturday night. https://t.co/A0ZV9ZRPAn

— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) January 2, 2025

Steelers v. Bengals

There’s no denying that Joe Burrow and the Bengals are on a heater and with a lot of help, help that I don’t think they’ll get, Cincinnati will earn a playoff berth.

Back on December 1, the Bengals lost to the Steelers 44-38 in Cincinnati. Since then, they’ve won four straight and now they’re heading into Pittsburgh for the 2024 regular season finale as two-point FAVORITES.

Maybe oddsmakers are expecting the Ravens to win and clinch the AFCN, leaving the Steelers with little to play for. But I find it hard to believe that Mike Tomlin will want to go into the playoffs having lost four in a row. I also can’t imagine that he’d prefer to play the Ravens in Baltimore instead of the Texans in Houston during the Wild Card round.

There’s no denying Burrow’s hot hand. The last time these teams met, the Bengals gunslinger chucked it for 309 yards and three scores. But let’s not forget the forty-burger the Steelers threw up on a suspect Bengals’ defense a little over a month ago during which Russell Wilson posted 414 yards, while passing for 3 TDs of his own.

Two points at home for a playoff team. That seems like a bet too good to pass up.

But the words of my buddy Bobby Martinez are ringing in my brain:

“Just remember, the Steelers will f— you every time!”

Enjoy the games this weekend RavensFlock.

Represent well at The Bank. Let’s never take for granted those AFC Champion t-shirts and hats the Ravens will wear with a smile on Saturday around 7:40PM.

[Related Article: The Calm Before the Storm]

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