Mink: It was absurd that some media analysts claimed the MVP race was over a couple weeks ago after Josh Allen scored four touchdowns in a win over the Detroit Lions. There were still three games to play and it's not like Allen has clearly been the best player in the league. Lamar Jackson leads the NFL in nearly every major passing statistic and has the most rushing yards of any quarterback. The only categories where Allen tops Jackson are rushing touchdowns and team record, but there's a lot that goes into a QB's record.
I think Jackson's impressive win over the Steelers, coupled with Allen's sub-par day against the Patriots, last week made this a closer race down the stretch. And I think if Jackson has a big showing on Christmas and the Ravens win the division, he's going to be tough to deny a third MVP. But, of course, that also depends on how Allen plays in his final two games versus the Jets and Patriots.
There's no doubt that Jackson is playing the best football of his career. He's having a historic season by any statistical measure. He's definitely deserving of another MVP award. But Allen is also having a superb season, so I think it's going to be a tight vote that goes down to the wire. Ultimately, while Jackson of course would be flattered by another MVP, he's much more focused on winning a Super Bowl, as he should be. He said this week that he's not paying attention to this whole debate.
Brown: That's a good question and it reminds me of the old saying – be careful what you wish for!
Both the Chiefs and Bills would be formidable opponents, especially on the road in January. The Ravens may have to beat both to reach the Super Bowl.
Call me crazy if you want, but I'd prefer to play Kansas City in the divisional round. Knocking off the two-time defending champs would be payback for last season, when the Chiefs ended Baltimore's season in the AFC Championship. It would also send a clear message that this year's Ravens are ready for everyone in the playoffs.
The road to the Super Bowl isn't supposed to be easy. When the Ravens won their last Super Bowl, they took out Peyton Manning and Tom Brady on the way to doing it. How cool would it be to beat Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen on the way to winning the Lombardi Trophy this season?
The Ravens believe they're capable of beating anyone, anywhere, and their season-opening 27-20 loss against the Chiefs in Kansas City was a thriller. Let's run it back in a divisional round game that would be a classic matchup.
Mink: I don't know the Ravens' stats on rush-to-the-line plays, but I do know Baltimore has had a lot of success on those plays as well, including for multiple touchdowns. The Ravens do it a lot because it's harder for the opponent to make checks and adjust to Baltimore's formation. You can see the Steelers still getting lined up when the Ravens snapped the ball on their first touchdown of the game – a wide-open Isaiah Likely walk-in touchdown. It's not going to work every time, as you mentioned, but I think it has been an effective tool.
Brown: I understand why you're asking, since Odell Beckham Jr. is available after being waived by the Miami Dolphins earlier this month.
However, I think it's unlikely the Ravens sign OBJ for the home stretch. Nelson Agholor (concussion) will miss his second straight game on Christmas, but Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers are having career years. Tylan Wallace has made plays when called upon, and rookie Devontez Walker capitalized on recent playing time with a touchdown catch against the New York Giants.
Flowers (shoulder) is listed as questionable for the Christmas game, but he'll have extra time to rehab before the Week 18 season finale against the Cleveland Browns. Not only are the Ravens deep at wide receiver, but they have two very talented tight ends in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.
Beckham only had nine catches for 55 yards and no touchdowns in nine games with the Dolphins. I don't think he's the same player who helped the Los Angeles Rams win a Super Bowl in 2021. Injuries have taken their toll. If the Ravens signed Beckham at this point, I'm not sure how much he'd play or contribute. For those reasons, I don't think Beckham will return to Baltimore.
