Dec 05, 2025
3 min read
The defense is preparing for a full Ravens arsenal on Sunday
Quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens won three of four meetings.The Ravens then signed running back Derrick Henry.
The two-time NFL rushing champion joined the run-oriented Jackson last year to give the Ravens a two-headed rushing monster.The two had a shutout in their first meeting last season, but Henry had 162 yards rushing on 24 carries in the return game and 186 yards rushing on 26 carries in the Ravens' playoff win.
Defensive coordinator Tonstin Austin explains what Henry's presence has shown in terms of play planning.
"When you add a front hall to a runner, you have to fix this," he said."Now you have two things that you have back control that you worry about a lot and they are doing your job."
"In the first game last year we had a little success, in the second and third games we didn't have success, but again it's different between games. We will prepare and work hard to try well this week."
Jackson has been hampered this year by a hamstring injury.In just nine games, he is averaging 20 yards per game.He averaged 63 rushing yards per game over the last six seasons as the Ravens' starting quarterback.
Jackson was limited in Wednesday's practice this week, then missed Thursday's practice with an ankle injury.Austin said his defense plans to keep Jackson healthy.
"When you go to the stadium with him, you think he's always 100% Lamar," Austin said."If you're going to bully that guy, you're doing it in your job. If he makes a lot of runs or whatever, he's got the ability to change a game in a heartbeat, so we'll be ready for that."
Defensive relapse against invoices
There have been solid moments against the run this season.They held NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor of the Colts to a season-low 45 yards and held the Bears to 99 yards rushing two weeks ago.
But last week, he rushed for 249 yards for the Bills.Next, Austin was asked if this was a bad sign for the run-oriented Ravens team.
"We didn't get what we wanted last week, so we're going back to the drawing board," he said."I think overall we were pretty solid in the running zone, but we fell short last week, so we're going to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do better this week, knowing they're a team that wants to run the ball."
James Cook led the way with 144 yards and said after the game that the Bills' plan was to attack the perimeter.
"We didn't think we were wanted," Austin said."Being cornered is probably not the right thing to do."
"It's like anything; there's a lot of different things. It's not just one thing or one person playing poorly, and that's something we have to live with."
Do you expect the attack to be carried out in the same way?
"We'll see," Optin said."If I show all of us in this league, if you see someone next week and try to look at the video that's been fixed, we'll have to do what he's done."
Holding the stairs
Smith Smith hasn't connected on a pass of 20+ yards since Week 8 against the Packers.Get the veterans out and about this week, and ask Smith how a 12-year career with 693 receptions can help.
"There's a lot," Smith said."Adam's a guy with a lot of experience. Guys finding his habits, watching his habits, my habits.
Modger Marquez Arequez-Scarding-Santling of former Aaron Rodgers Bebgers has been working for the past four weeks.
"Everything," Smith said."All options."
Another big game option is obvious.DK MetCALF is 31, 80, 25, 24, 24 in the first week of the last seven games.
"We need to get back to doing what we did well at the beginning of the year," Smith said."We all have things to change.
"You don't get the results you want, you have to keep working and solving problems.You have to be decision based.But all these guys played a lot at different times.More needs more.You have to link them together.We need a victory."
