Category: Baltimore Ravens

NFL QB Index, Week 8: Jared Goff enters top five; Brock Purdy slips

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The NFL QB Index Week 8 saw significant shifts in rankings based on recent performances, with Jared Goff entering the top five and Brock Purdy slipping. Here’s a summary of the top quarterbacks:

1. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)

Jackson remains at the top, showcasing his dual-threat ability. With 1,810 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 455 rushing yards, he continues to prove doubters wrong with both his arm and legs, leading the Ravens to impressive victories.

2. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)

Mahomes may not be posting gaudy stats, but his efficiency and ability to make plays under pressure keep him high in the rankings. His improvisational style continues to be a nightmare for defenses.

3. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)

Despite offensive struggles, Burrow’s chemistry with his receivers, particularly Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, keeps the Bengals competitive. His precision in key moments elevates his play.

4. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)

Allen’s growing connection with Amari Cooper looks promising. His arm talent and ability to extend plays with his legs continue to fuel Buffalo’s offense, making them a team to watch.

5. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions)

Goff enters the top five after a strong comeback win. With consistent play, aided by solid protection and a balanced offense, Goff is thriving in Detroit’s system.

Other notable shifts include C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), who dropped to sixth due to offensive line issues, and Brock Purdy, who slipped out of the top rankings due to recent struggles.

 

Ravens Look to Avoid 0-3 Start as Cowboys Aim to Fix Defense

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As the Baltimore Ravens prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, both teams are dealing with significant pressure. The Ravens are off to a rocky start with an 0-2 record for the first time since 2015 and are desperate to avoid a devastating 0-3 beginning to the season. On the other side, the Cowboys are still recovering from their embarrassing 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints, a defeat that exposed major defensive issues. Both teams enter this pivotal game with much to prove.

Baltimore’s Urgency to Rebound

The Ravens, who had the best regular season record last year, are reeling after a frustrating start. Despite outgaining the Kansas City Chiefs in their season opener, Baltimore couldn’t hold on, losing 27-20 after surrendering a fourth-quarter lead. Last week’s 26-23 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders stung even more, with the Ravens losing on a last-minute field goal after holding a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Baltimore linebacker Odafe Oweh emphasized the importance of the team getting back on track, saying, “We’re trying to right our wrongs (and) get our pride back… Everyone is pretty focused and understands what we have to do.” Oweh also acknowledged that despite their struggles, the team remains determined not to let things spiral into an 0-3 start. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson echoed this sentiment, noting that the locker room isn’t moping or pointing fingers, but instead is focused on turning things around.

Cowboys’ Defensive Struggles

The Cowboys, who started the season with a victory over the Cleveland Browns, are still reeling from last week’s disastrous loss to the Saints. Dallas allowed six touchdowns on New Orleans’ first six drives, giving up a total of 44 points in a game that saw the defense fall apart. First-year defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has been tasked with repairing the damage ahead of the Ravens game.

Zimmer is no stranger to tough situations, recalling his first game as Dallas’ defensive coordinator during the infamous “pickle juice” game in 2000, where the Cowboys allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to rush for 306 yards. He vowed to fix things then, and now faces a similar challenge.

“We’ve got to get things tightened up so we don’t have another slide like we did last week,” said Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis. “And I know they’re thinking the same thing.”

Key Matchups and Uncertainties

Lamar Jackson is set to return to AT&T Stadium, where he was drafted by the Ravens with the 32nd overall pick in 2018. Since then, he has become an MVP and one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Jackson will look to exploit the Cowboys’ struggling defense, which gave up 190 rushing yards and allowed two long touchdown passes against the Saints.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ offense continues to face questions at running back. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle have both been limited to 56 yards rushing through two games. Derrick Henry, in his first season with the Ravens after eight years in Tennessee, will be a key player to watch as he looks to become the first Ravens back to score in each of his first three games.

Both teams enter this game with a sense of urgency. The Ravens are fighting to avoid an 0-3 start, while the Cowboys are eager to fix their defensive woes and get back to their winning ways. Sunday’s matchup will be a test of resilience for both franchises.

Cowboys Stars Lamb, Diggs Uncertain for Week 3 Showdown vs. Ravens

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The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for a crucial Week 3 NFL clash against the Baltimore Ravens, but uncertainty looms over the availability of two of their key players, CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs. After suffering a disappointing 44-19 defeat to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, the Cowboys are eager to bounce back. However, injuries to Lamb and Diggs may affect their ability to secure a victory.

On Wednesday, both Lamb and Diggs were listed as non-participants in practice due to injuries. Lamb is dealing with an ankle issue, while Diggs is nursing a foot injury. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, their statuses for the upcoming game remain in question as both players work toward recovery. The Cowboys are hopeful for a swift and safe return for both, but their absence could significantly impact the team’s performance against a strong Ravens squad.

CeeDee Lamb’s Stellar 2023 and 2024 Contributions

CeeDee Lamb is coming off a remarkable All-Pro  season in 2023, where he totaled a career-high 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. His dynamic playmaking ability solidified his role as the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ offense. In the first two games of 2024, Lamb has continued to make an impact, recording 151 yards and one touchdown on nine receptions. He hauled in 90 yards on four catches in the Cowboys’ loss to the Saints in Week 2.

Lamb’s potential absence would leave a noticeable void in the Cowboys’ offensive attack, as his speed and route-running have been crucial to Dallas’ game plan.

Trevon Diggs’ Ongoing Injury Struggles

Trevon Diggs has faced injury challenges in recent seasons, playing only two games in both 2022 and 2023. Coming into 2024, Diggs was determined to regain his form and strengthen the Cowboys’ defense. Through the early part of the season, he has already made an impact with eight solo tackles, one interception, and two passes defended.

His absence would be a blow to a Cowboys secondary that relies on his playmaking ability to disrupt opposing offenses.

As the Cowboys approach their Week 3 matchup with the Ravens, the status of CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs will be closely monitored. Their availability could be pivotal as Dallas seeks to rebound and avoid falling to 1-2 on the season.

NFLPA and NFL Clash Over Medical Treatment Dispute Following Chiefs-Ravens Game

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Chiefs Respond to Van Noy’s Criticism

The Kansas City Chiefs had kept a low profile after Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy expressed sharp criticism regarding the team’s medical response to an eye injury he sustained during the NFL season opener at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. However, on Friday, Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder broke his silence, addressing Van Noy’s grievances head-on from the media room at the team’s practice facility in Kansas City.

Burkholder responded forcefully to Van Noy’s criticism, emphasizing his respect for the Ravens and their medical staff. “We respect the Ravens, respect their medical staff,” Burkholder stated. “I respect Kyle as a player and I’m pretty upset that he was upset. I’ve talked at length with their doctors and actually exchanged text messages with (Ravens coach) John Harbaugh to clear the air.”

Details of the Medical Response

Van Noy, who appeared on his podcast “McCoy and Van Noy” on Wednesday, had labeled the Chiefs’ medical staff’s handling of his injury as “unprofessional.” The 33-year-old linebacker voiced his disappointment, saying, “When you get hurt, especially something that could be serious like mine was, you’re supposed to rely on the (home) team’s training staff or their doctors. They took an entire quarter to get down to talk to me in the locker room, which to me is unacceptable. Because then you start thinking, ‘What if I was trying to go back in the game? What if I was really, really hurt?’”

Burkholder addressed these concerns directly, clarifying the situation. “It’s not mandated in the NFL to have an ophthalmologist or a dentist in the stands,” Burkholder explained. “We do that as a courtesy to both teams. It’s not mandated by the NFL or the NFLPA.” He further detailed the sequence of events, stating, “When he went down, I went out there because I thought he had a head or neck injury. I asked their physician if they needed an ophthalmologist. They didn’t at the time. They evaluated him, and then when they wanted an ophthalmologist we made a phone call up into the stands and got the ophthalmologist to the locker room in 12 minutes.”

Despite Burkholder’s detailed explanation, he did not take questions from the press following his remarks. Meanwhile, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell supported Van Noy’s position, asserting that on-site medical treatment should be administered “as quickly as possible” and suggesting that the situation fell short of this standard.

In response, the NFL criticized the NFLPA’s stance. “It’s disappointing the NFLPA would publicize unsupported conclusions without attempting to understand the facts,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. “We have reviewed the case with the Chiefs’ and Ravens’ medical staffs and are comfortable he received appropriate care.”

The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of medical management in high-stakes NFL games and underscores the importance of clear communication between teams and their medical personnel.