:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/G2HFMOJH4RCKZLWXBBP63HPFXQ.jpg)
Analysis: Backup QBs saw plenty of action in NFL playoffs
Jameis Winston threw a 56-yard trick-play touchdown pass to TreโQuan Smith on his first playoff action after 76 regular-season games over six seasons. In his 72nd NFL game, Henne atoned for an end zone interception with two huge plays to allow the Chiefs to escape with a 22-17 win over the Browns. Rodgers and Tom Brady, making his 14th conference championship appearance in 21 seasons, square off next week at Lambeau Field. If this was it, Brees went out with a whimper: 134 yards passing and three interceptions in the worst playoff game of his career. The Chiefs forced a punt and Henne got the ball back with just over four minutes left.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WEVEAT2AG5FOLF5Q66FE3TQGDI.jpg)
Ravens' season ends with Jackson in locker room, 17-3 loss
The Ravens and Lamar Jackson were stymied for the much of Saturday night by a hustling, relentless Buffalo defense. Then, the biggest miscue on a night of missteps for the Ravens effectively put an end to an otherwise memorable season. In the end, however, the Ravens got blown away on a windy night by a team that chased Jackson all over the field. 1-ranked rushing game generated 150 yards, but Jackson was limited to 34 yards on nine carries with a long of 15 yards. Throwing under duress for much of the game, Jackson went 14 of 24 for 162 yards with an interception and three sacks.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KRRD3E3OCBD5JF2JE7IPJMCNVQ.jpg)
Harbaugh, Ravens happily travel road to success in playoffs
Home-field advantage in the playoffs is overrated for Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who has found that the road to success in the postseason usually involves packing his bags and getting the heck out of Baltimore. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, FIle)Home-field advantage in the playoffs is overrated for Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who has found that the road to success in the postseason usually involves packing his bags and getting the heck out of Baltimore. In fact, Harbaugh has a better road record in the playoffs (8-5) than at home (2-2). For Harbaugh and the Ravens, there's nothing like a good old road trip in January. Asked to explain his ascent to the top of the list of road wins for an NFL coach, Harbaugh came up empty.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ULQSZTTCINAJFN2JRKM3CFE3HE.jpg)
Lamar winless no more, leads Ravens to 20-13 win over Titans
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates after the Ravens beat the Tennessee Titans in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Lamar Jackson finally has his first postseason victory โ and on the road, no less. Combine that with Baltimore smothering 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry, and the Ravens look playoff tough. After the turnover, the Ravens came onto the field and started waving good-bye to the Titans โ drawing a taunting penalty they didn't mind at all. โWe won the division, hosted a home playoff game,โ Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. The Ravens held Tennessee to minus-7 yards in the second quarter, the third fewest in any quarter of a playoff game since the 2000 season.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NFVDGVY4LZGRPKZHDLKV6N22RU.jpg)
Mahomes leads champion Chiefs to 14-2 mark in stacked AFC
While the Chiefs get another weekโs rest, the six other AFC playoff teams get going this weekend. For just the second time since the 1970 league merger, every team in the AFC playoffs has at least 11 wins. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 54, 31-20 over the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2, 2020, at Miami. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 43, 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2009, at Tampa, Florida. Their pass rush is nearly nonexistent with 19 sacks, the fewest by a playoff team since Denver had 19 in 1979.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SWGPOTYJAFFVVFB67QNUVQLSBQ.jpg)
AP source: NFL fines Ravens $250,000 for COVID violations
The Baltimore Ravens were fined $250,000 by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols, a person with direct knowledge of the punishment told The Associated Press on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)The Baltimore Ravens were fined $250,000 by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols, a person with direct knowledge of the punishment told The Associated Press on Monday. The team was not docked draft picks for the violations, which led to a coronavirus outbreak and the rescheduling of the Ravens' Thanksgiving night game against Pittsburgh. Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged Monday that the team had been fined for the violation of protocol. In the wake of the virus outbreak at the team training facility, team president Dick Cass addressed the issue in a statement issued on Dec. 5.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/F7NKT76BXRDVZB2TNXMAC44ECI.jpg)
Soaring Ravens canโt afford letdown against lowly Jaguars
The Ravens would love to savor the memory of Lamar Jackson coming off the bench to throw a pivotal fourth-down touchdown pass before setting up Justin Tucker for a 55-yard winning field goal. So if the Ravens experience a letdown Sunday against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12), then Jackson's heroics in that epic 47-42 win over the Browns could turn out to be meaningless. โThese are professional players, and they understand that to make the last win matter, you have to win the next one," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. โI donโt know if itโs hitting their stride or just really executing on a real high level, both in the run game and in the pass game," coach Doug Marrone said of Baltimore. Rookie Jake Luton started three games while Minshew was out with a thumb injury and Mike Glennon started the following three games.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6BMYDEFOGZEELBRG2WF3RSRASY.jpg)
NFL's Sills: all proper procedures followed with Dez Bryant
The NFL's medical director says all procedures followed before the Baltimore Ravens' game Tuesday night when receiver Dez Bryant tested positive for COVID-19 were done properly and in the same manner as for every case. โBut the same exact process was followed in this case as we do in every case. In the meantime, the league told us we would not be allowed to bring a different player up if he tested positive, but if he tested positive, he wasnโt going to be allowed to play. "My understanding, they did all the contact tracing; all the procedures were followed as far as any other player was concerned. But then they came back out when we were on the field in pre-game warmups and said that he had tested positive.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/A5S4M4UWHRFQFB5VIACU5NEXBM.jpg)
Cam Newton helps Patriots beat Ravens in rain and wind
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, center, celebrates his rushing touchdown with teammates in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. Cam Newton threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score and the Patriots fought through rain and wind to hold off the Baltimore Ravens 23-17 on Sunday night. Damien Harris ran for a career-high 121 yards to help the Patriots (4-5) win consecutive games for the first time this season. As rain and wind pelted the field, the Ravens started the drive with a penalty, pushing them back to their own 9. Facing second-and-6 on the Ravens 24, Newton threw what appeared to be a wide receiver screen to Jakobi Meyers.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6BGXD2HVUVCD5AJ23LNZ6ZQPSQ.jpg)
Short-handed Ravens hope for negative COVID-19 tests & depth
(AP Photo/Gail Burton)The Baltimore Ravens are considerably short-handed at practice this week after moving two starting offensive linemen to injured reserve and placing eight players on the COVID-19 reserve list. Following Humphrey's diagnosis, the Ravens put starting linebackers Patrick Queen, Matthew Judon and L.J. Fort on COVID-19 reserve, along with starting safety DeShon Elliott and reserve linebackers Malik Harrison and Tyus Bowser. โIt creates opportunities for a few younger guys and for some guys to play some different spots. โWe know that any given week you could be down a key player or key players,โ starting strong safety Chuck Clark said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AOXGUEX5RBHSJBATAHHLVRLQ5M.jpg)
Ravens' Humphrey says he has virus; Packers also have 1 case
The Green Bay Packers reported that a player tested positive for COVID-19, and Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed that two Cardinals tested positive over the weekend. The Ravens confirmed Monday that a player tested positive for COVID-19, but did not release the name of the individual. The Packers on Monday also sent out a release that said a player tested positive. Packers officials said all player meetings Monday would be conducted virtually. This marks the first time a Packers player has tested positive during the season.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7Z27E2KTNZESRJQKCJGQOVEFHE.jpg)
Ravens hold on for 30-28 win over depleted Eagles
Baltimore Ravens' Gus Edwards (35) scores a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles' Shaun Bradley (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)PHILADELPHIA โ The Baltimore Ravens got the stop they needed against a depleted Eagles offense that staged an impressive comeback. Fort and Matthew Judon tackled Carson Wentz on a 2-point conversion attempt with 1:55 remaining and the Ravens held on for a 30-28 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday. โItโs a win that weโre very, very happy to have,โ Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. I'm proud of these guys.โJackson, the reigning NFL MVP, was efficient, passing for 186 yards and ran for a 37-yard TD.