Ravens, 49ers top title contenders; Eagles, Dolphins, Bills among pretenders
As we enter the final weekend of the regular season, Bucky Brooks identifies the contenders and pretenders in the playoff field.JANUARY 4
BALTIMORE RAVENS 8-4 · 2ND IN AFC NORTH
8-4 · 2ND IN AFC NORTH
Over a decade after their Super Bowl matchup, Harbaugh brothers soaring again with Michigan, Ravens
John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens have the NFL’s best record and have clinched the top seed in the AFC playoffsJANUARY 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Zay Flowers - Sits out another practice Flowers (calf) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
Impact The Ravens won't release their final injury report of the regular season until later Thursday, but after failing to practice in any fashion this week, Flowers appears to be trending toward sitting out Saturday's game against the Steelers. With Baltimore having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, the team can afford to take a cautious approach with banged-up players like Flowers, who will presumably be closer to 100 percent by the time the Ravens play their first postseason game in the divisional round. Even if Baltimore chooses to make Flowers active against the Steelers, the rookie wideout may play only limited snaps, if any.
JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE
5 Pro Bowl snubs: Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield leads the way
Here are five of the most egregious Pro Bowl snubs, where the league's best players missed out to reputation and legacy picks.JANUARY 4
Lamar Jackson to be held out of Ravens' regular-season finale. Tyler Huntley set to start at QB
Ravens coach John Harbaugh says Lamar Jackson will not play in Baltimore’s regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekendJANUARY 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens: Prediction, odds, picks
Here's everything you need for the matchup between the Steelers and Ravens — the point spread, moneyline, total Over/Under and an expert pic...JANUARY 3
Ravens vs. Steelers Injury Report – Week 18, 2023
JANUARY 2 • DATA SKRIVE
Kyle Van Noy - Limited with calf issue Van Noy (calf) was estimated as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report.
Impact Van Noy logged 45 percent of the defensive snaps in last Sunday's 56-19 demolition of the Dolphins, recording one sack to move his season total to eight. Baltimore has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Brandon Stephens - Limited in Tuesday walkthrough Stephens (ankle) was estimated as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report.
Impact Stephens was a mid-week addition to the injury report last week, logging a DNP Thursday before being deemed inactive for Sunday's eventual win over the Dolphins. It remains to be seen if the Ravens plan to play any of their injured players or starters in Week 18 since Baltimore has already sewn up the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Kyle Hamilton - Estimated as limited Hamilton (knee) was estimated as a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report.
Impact Hamilton was injured late in the Week 16 win over the 49ers and didn't play last Sunday against the Dolphins. With the Ravens already locked into the No. 1 seed in the AFC, there's a pretty good chance Hamilton is rested until the Divisional Round.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Arthur Maulet - Limited Tuesday Maulet was a limited participant at Tuesday's practice due to a hip injury.
Impact Maulet returned from a one-game absence due to a knee injury and recorded five solo tackles and one pass deflection on 42 snaps (64 percent) in Sunday's win over the Dolphins. It appears he picked up a hip issue in the contest, so his status will need to be monitored as the week progresses.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Patrick Queen - Estimated as limited Tuesday Queen (shoulder) was estimated as limited on Tuesday's practice report.
Impact It's a new injury for Queen, but the limited tag would suggest he has a decent chance of playing in Week 18, though the Ravens could opt to rest any injured players and key contributors with the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
John Harbaugh has reason to dance after another dominant performance by the Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens decimated Miami 56-19 on Sunday to wrap up the AFC North title and the top seed in the conferenceJANUARY 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Talk the Line: Early breakdown of NFL Week 18 odds; Bills-Dolphins spread off
Geoff Schwartz, Sam Panayotovich and Jason McIntyre break down every Week 18 opening spread. Read to see which way JMAC anticipates the line...JANUARY 2
Justin Tucker - Makes eight extra points in rout Tucker converted all eight of his extra-point attempts in Sunday's 56-19 victory over the Dolphins.
Impact It was a prolific day for the Ravens offense and a busy day for Tucker as he set a new season-high for XPA. He converted each attempt, bringing him to 50-for-51 on extra points this season. Tucker ranks second in fantasy points among kickers entering Week 18, trailing only Dallas' Brandon Aubrey. The Ravens host the Steelers to close out the regular season.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Herd Hierarchy Week 18: Can any team overtake Baltimore, San Francisco?
Colin Cowherd delivers his top 10 NFL teams heading into the final week of the regular season. After Baltimore and San Francisco, who does h...JANUARY 2
Charlie Kolar - Notches first NFL touchdown Kolar caught his lone target for a 19-yard touchdown in Sunday's blowout win over the Dolphins
Impact Kolar's 28 snaps on offense marked a season-high and he also scored the first touchdown of his NFL career. In the five games since Mark Andrews was lost for the season, Kolar has caught all three of his targets for 51 yards and a score on 19 routes. Isaiah Likely has established himself as the clear top tight end in Andrews' absence, and Kolar's playing time uptick Sunday was mostly attributable to the lopsided margin on the scoreboard. Kolar may be busy again in Week 18 against the Steelers if the Ravens opt to rest their starters, but he's unlikely to be a major factor once the playoffs get underway.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Melvin Gordon III - Scores late touchdown in romp Gordon had six carries for 10 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Dolphins.
Impact The veteran was elevated from the practice squad in Week 16 following Keaton Mitchell's season-ending injury. Gordon did not get in on the action against the 49ers but did factor into the box score in the blowout win over the Dolphins. He ended up seeing twice as many carries as Justice Hill, though it's worth noting that Gordon did not get into the game until garbage time. With Baltimore having the No.1 seed sewn up, it's possible that Gordon will have his largest role of the season in Saturday's season finale against the Steelers.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
