Mink: This isn't a question, but let's get into it anyway. Derrick Henry is 217 rushing yards away from 2,000 this season. He would become the first player in NFL history to ever record two 2,000-yard seasons. Saquon Barkley has done it this season, as he sits at 2,005 rushing yards.
Henry has had some monster games this season, but he hasn't hit 200 yards in any yet. His season high was 199 yards in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills.
Is it impossible? No. Unlikely? Yes. Henry has rushed for more than 217 rushing yards three times in his career and most recently in 2022. He had 250 rushing yards in the regular-season finale against Houston in the 2020 season.
What Henry would need is a very long run (or two) against the Browns. Henry was bottled up with just 11 carries for 73 yards in the teams' Week 8 meeting this season. Cleveland's run defense ranks 19th in the league and is an aggressive, downhill attacking unit. If the Ravens crack the Browns' first line of defense, Henry could be off to the races.
While setting records is good and fun, Henry and the Ravens care most about getting a win and finishing the regular season healthy and ready for the playoffs. They aren't going to pump their workhorse running back just for the sake of trying to get him to 2,000. The Ravens want Henry as strong as possible going into the postseason.
Brown: It's not a coincidence. Which is why Zach Orr and John Harbaugh agreed that bringing Pees back as a senior advisor would be beneficial.
Pees' eyes and experience have given the coaches and players a valuable sounding board who can share ideas and opinions. As Harbaugh often says, success takes a collaborative effort.
The Ravens' defense was struggling when Pees arrived in early October, after Baltimore surrendered 38 points, 392 passing yards, and five touchdowns to Joe Burrow and the Bengals in Week 5. At that point, Baltimore wasn't playing anywhere close to championship-caliber defense. Since Week 11, the Ravens have yielded just 16.3 points per game. On Christmas, their defense pitched a shutout against a playoff team during a dominant 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans. That's what you call championship-caliber defense.
Two specific parts of the game where the Ravens have improved are giving up fewer big plays and red-zone defense. They are also aspects of playing defense that Pees has proven his expertise over his long career.
Many players and coaches played a role in the turnaround, but Pees has been part of the equation.
Mink: Ar'Darius Washington is slated to be a restricted free agent after this season. The Ravens will surely offer him a tender, with the question of how high they would need to make it so that another team doesn't try to pluck the feisty defensive back.
Washington has certainly earned a longer stay in Baltimore with his superb play this season. Even though he's the smallest guy on the field, he's making some of the biggest plays. Washington plays with a tremendous amount of heart, and he has the respect of his coaches and teammates. I wouldn't expect Washington to get an extension before next season, but he's still in the plans and will have the inside track to retain his starting role.
Brown: I think there's a good chance that could happen.
Another "Harbowl" featuring the Harbaugh coaching brothers would capture the country's attention, while Round 3 of this year's Ravens-Steelers rivalry would also be a compelling matchup.
Lamar Jackson's quest to reach the Super Bowl is going to be one of the postseason's most talked-about storylines. Any night game at M&T Bank Stadium makes for an electric atmosphere and Jackson has a long history of dazzling performances in primetime. I expect the Ravens to be placed in one of the nighttime slots whether it's Saturday, Sunday or Monday.
