Ravens Stock Report: Most Surge, but What Could Derail Super Bowl Hopes?

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After a dominant win against the Steelers, the Ravens are moving on to play the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. The Ravens left no doubt who the “little brother” is in this rivalry and now it’s time to move on to the team that has been the second-best in the AFC for most of the year.

Stock Up

Josh Jones

Shout out to Josh Jones. Not only the first time appearing on this report (which is obviously a big deal to him) but the Ravens were using him a lot as the 6^th lineman for heavy packages. He played 18 snaps and did an excellent job moving guys out of the way to help with the run game. I expect more of that this week, as the conditions figure to be a little worse for the passing game.

Roger Rosengarten

While he had help at times, Roger Rosengarten shut out T.J. Watt.  I know Watt has some nagging injuries right now, but this isn’t only Rosengarten’s first playoff appearance but he is also a rookie and he held his own against one of the top defensive players in the league. Watt was a non-factor, and Roger had a lot to do with that.

Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson didn’t have to throw it a lot, but he was incredibly efficient when he did and his legs and decision-making had the Steelers confused all game long. Lamar has had some bad playoff outings, as the talking heads love to bring up (although most of his playoff experience was when he was 23 years old or younger). He is more experienced and mature now and it’s showing. He needs to keep it up if he wants to beat Josh Allen and then, likely, Patrick Mahomes.

Derrick Henry

This is why the Ravens got Derrick Henry. In these January games, the weather is cold, and the winds could be a factor. He isn’t a guy any team is excited about tackling when it’s 70 degrees outside, much less when it is 15 degrees. He had 142 yards after contact against a team that is supposedly physical.

Henry will have to bring it again this week. He dominated the Bills in Week 4 and will look to keep that up. Somehow, he seems like he is as strong now as he was in September. That’s a testament to both his preparation and the Ravens’ coaches approach to his load management all season.

Nnamdi Madubuike

Nnamdi Madubuike had two sacks and was disruptive all night. He didn’t have big sack numbers this year, but he was still highly disruptive and did an excellent job getting to the QB.  He is also a big reason Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy each had double-digit sacks. It will be important to get up the middle pressure on Allen and make it hard for him to step up and run.  The Bills have an excellent offensive line, and Allen was sacked only 14 times all season, including just once over the final six regular season games in which he played (although Denver got to him twice).

Todd Monken

In the the Ravens’ previous playoff game, they “attacked” the Chiefs’ excellent pass defense, had six rushes by their RB and got away from their game plan early. Now, you got a lead in this game, so that helps, but Monken called an excellent game. He needs to keep it up and understand that he has Henry and that sticking with him is key.

Stock Down

Bad Losses

We knew those losses to Las Vegas and Cleveland were bad, but they really hurt now.  If you don’t choke those games away, especially the Raiders game, the divisional playoff game is being played in Baltimore. The elements could be a problem in Buffalo, and while it will be cold in Baltimore, it’s not “Buffalo Cold.”

Brandon Stephens

Mistakes are always a worry in any game as they can cost you victories. But if the Ravens lose in Buffalo, it’s very likely because Brandon Stephens had a bad game and was picked on.

He knows he is going to be targeted.  He needs to step up, look for the ball, and play with confidence.  Easier said than done.

Jordan Stout

Jordan Stout is typically good for at least one bad punt every game. Early in the game Saturday, Pittsburgh didn’t even have a returner back there, showing complete disrespect for him. All he had to do was keep it out of the end zone, and he couldn’t do it.  The Ravens can not afford to lose the field position battle in Buffalo and the cold weather isn’t going to make things easy for either kicking game.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/01/14/ravens-stock-exchange/henry-stephens-monken/