HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Alright, [I] appreciate you guys being here. [This was a] great win. [We had] a lot of faith. [There's] a lot of faith our guys have in each other and powers – a lot of trust – so I'm proud of our guys, man. What questions do you have?"
It was another game for QB Lamar Jackson where he finished with five touchdown passes and just four incompletions. He had more touchdown passes than incompletions. What do you think a performance like that kind of says about Lamar? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, I just think all around [Lamar Jackson] just had a great game. He's been locked in all season. He was locked in all week. He's on the guys [in] meetings, walkthroughs, everything, just keeping it about football and getting the football right. I feel like all the guys are like that. The guys came back this last week [on] Monday, [and] they were ready to go. They were full of energy. You could tell that they wanted to get back to it. They felt like, 'Man, this is OK. We have nothing else to do. Last week proved it. Let's go do some football.' They took the Giants seriously. The Giants are a serious football team, and it's a really good win for us."
On the play for WR Devontez Walker, you obviously want to win the game, but to get a young guy like that experience on a play like that, how meaningful was that to see? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes, [it's] really meaningful. I mean for 'Tez' [Devontez Walker] to get that – we kind of talked about it all week – it was a play ... We had a couple plays in there like that, take routes like that where he'd have a shot at it, [and] we worked on them all week. He's been doing great. He gets downfield fast, and he can track, and he can catch., so to see him make that play was really awesome. Everybody was fired up for him."
You had your longest kickoff return of the year and the longest punt return of the year. Do you feel like special-teams wise and the new mechanics of that play, especially on kickoffs, is kind of coming together now? (Ryan Mink) "I just think the guys have been working hard. [Special teams coordinator] Chris [Horton] has been doing a great job with [senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown] and [assistant special teams coach] Sam [Koch], but the guys, they're working on all of the details. It's a detailed technique [and] fundamental type of a play. All the special teams plays are, and they're doing a good job. All of a sudden, you start doing that well, and guys [are] in the right spots. You start making some plays like that. I thought Rasheen [Ali] did a great job. He hit that thing, and then Justice [Hill] did a great job and hit that thing. The one [return] Rasheen had got called back, and then 'Des' [Desmond King II] on the punt return just looked solid back there and got north. Those are all really big plays for us."
TE Mark Andrews set the all-time touchdown record today. From your point of view, what have you seen from the relationship with QB Lamar Jackson and TE Mark Andrews over their careers? (Bo Smolka) "That's something that's historic, really. I mean it's proven now with the record, right. I guess it's institutionalized now. Those guys have a feel for one another. They make route adjustments that are not always in the playbook. They make the kind of adjustment that you make because you've been playing together for so long. All these reps, and they continue to do it, and a lot of those touchdown passes are those two guys just having that chemistry."
I know you don't take it for granted, but the opportunity to get the rookies in the game and the reserves in the game and just get some snaps for guys who have not been huge contributors but might be called upon, what is the value of a game like this? (Jonas Shaffer) "[It's a] great opportunity. That's a great point. I mean for [Rasheen] Ali to get those carries and to get hit and to feel what it's like, that's massive. He did a great job. For the linemen to get in there and get those reps, I can't wait to see those guys on tape and see how they did, and I think they did well. Same thing on defense. Obviously, you hope to be in a position to do that. You have to earn it, and our guys earned it."
You don't punt too often on fourth-and-1 in the opponents' territory. For that to work out exactly as I imagined you planned, to force them deep then get the punt back and go get points, how much dd that kind of set the tone for the rest of the game – that sequence? (Jeff Zrebiec) "That's how we planned to play this one. We just decided that we were going to play that field position game early in the game, and you're right, there's nothing wrong with that. We do celebrate going for it a lot, and all the analytics folks want to talk about that, but sometimes you pin them back in there, you trust your defense [and] you force a punt. [That] punt return's a big play. It's hard to punt the ball off your own goal line; it's a big challenge. Sometimes you get a very returnable punt, and you get a big return and you're right back in business. We did it in the Super Bowl, right, all the way back in 2012. We had a similar situation when we tried the fake field goal. It wasn't a punt, but we tried the fake field goal and got the return then got the touchdown. Yes, it worked out just kind of how we thought we were going to play it, early in the game at least."
I know this game just ended, but how quickly now with the short week does the attention turn to the Steelers? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, it already has. We've already talked about it. We'll be working [on the] gameplan tonight, tomorrow and into the short week. We'll see the Steelers on [Saturday], and we're excited. [We're] excited [and] looking forward to it."
On the penalties, what do you need to see more of on the defensive end? (Brian Wacker) "Well, the biggest thing was the pass interference calls. I don't know about the one late against 'Des' [Desmond King II]. I'll have to see that one. The other ones, [we] just [have to] get our head around quicker, play the ball [and] play the ball sooner. One time we were playing the ball, but there was a grab. They called it tight. Those are tight, tight called plays there in terms of pass interference, so we have to adjust. [For] roughing the passer, you have to find a way to get off to the side. You have to find a way to do it, so we'll be drilling it. We'll be working on those. Those are kind of technique things that we just have to do a good job of working on because that's really ... Their drives were penalty inspired. If it wasn't for the penalties, those drives wouldn't have happened, so it's obviously something that's very important."
TE MARK ANDREWS
On becoming the Ravens' franchise leader in touchdowns scored: "Well, it's a blessing. It's a blessing just to ... There are so many people that have helped throughout the way, and the guys that have contributed and that I've played with, I'm thankful for, and this organization. I'm just extremely thankful and blessed and just using it as fuel for the fire. I want to continue to get better, continue to grow throughout this year and get to where we need to go."
On looking for QB Lamar Jackson as soon he scored the record-breaking touchdown: "Well, it didn't ... Honestly, the record, that wasn't in my mind. I honestly didn't think about it, but what I did think about was how incredible of a ball it was. [Lamar Jackson] kind of led me into that touchdown. I turned my head around and just see the ball right over the defender, and I'm like, 'OK, oh, I'll score this ball.' And that's how good he is, and that's what he's done throughout the years, and he makes my job a lot easier."
On when he realized that he had broken the Ravens' all-time touchdowns record: "Well, it wasn't probably until later on, but that really wasn't on my mind. I'm just trying to win games. I'm happy with the way the guys played today, and I think, offensively, we played well. I think [our] special teams played well, and defensively, they did their thing. So, [we're] just trying to build off that, and we've got a big game [next] week."
On quantifying his chemistry with QB Lamar Jackson: "It's hard to; it's hard to quantify that. It's kind of an unspoken thing, but I think that Lamar [Jackson] and I just have a good gel, have always been able to see the game very similar, and [we] just play football. I think we're working off that this year and continuing to grow."
On how much the Ravens' all-time touchdown record means to the tight end position: "I just think, for us, it's just about playing good ball, making plays, helping the team win. We've got an incredible tight end group, and we all look to make plays to help the team win. And hopefully, when we get Charlie [Kolar] back, [we'll] be at full force, but we're just incredibly blessed by the tight end group that we have [and] to be able to contribute to this team."
On stutter stepping at the top of his route on the record-setting touchdown and if that came down to feel: "Yes, it was a little bit of a rub route, and then, after I got through the rub, I just saw [something] and kind of took it a little vertical, but [Lamar Jackson] had already seen it before I even noticed it, so as I turned my head – [we were] on the same page – the ball was there. It was perfect. It was great."
On WR Devontez Walker scoring his first-career touchdown: "It was awesome. Yes, it was a really cool experience. I'm happy for [Devontez Walker]. He continues to make plays in practice, but for him to go out there and make a big-time play, have the toe tap ... He got a big headbutt from me."
On if the team can't afford to enjoy this one for too long, given that the Steelers come to town next week: "This is the time of year where it's all ball all the time, and it should be. This is where we want to go, [and] this is what we want to do. We're in a position to put ourselves in a great position, if we do our thing. So, we're going to continue to focus. And this is a great win, [but] we're on to the next one."
On how big the Ravens-Steelers game will be on Saturday: "It's a great game, great game. [It will be] a great, big game for us at home, at M&T Bank Stadium, and we want to get this one, [and], obviously, they do, too. [It will be] two great teams going at it."
On where he's going to put his record-breaking touchdown ball: "Probably my house. [I'll] get a ball case for that one. Yes, there are a couple cool balls that I have, and this will be one of them."
WR RASHOD BATEMAN
On how it feels to score multiple touchdowns for the first time in his career: "It definitely feels good. I'm blessed and fortunate, obviously, but I'm just going to enjoy this win with the team and go back to the drawing board. We've got a tough game coming up."
On his 49-yard touchdown: "I think that's the first time actually scoring with some juke moves since I've been in the NFL, so I was definitely impressed with that one. But a lot of work went into that. Me and Lamar [Jackson], we practiced that all week this week, and we brought it to life."
On how good it feels to be healthy and stack consecutive games: "It's definitely a blessing. I think I've definitely shown myself that I am what I say I am, and hopefully, I've shown the Ravens fans, this organization, Coach 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh], 'Monk' [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] – whoever – that I am a playmaker. And earning Lamar [Jackson's] trust [and] teammates' trust, it's been big."
On earning a big victory after the loss to Philadelphia prior to the bye week: "[It will] definitely get us going, definitely get us motivated. [There's] still a lot to clean up, [I'm] excited to go play Pittsburgh."
On how the team will carry this momentum into the next game: "Just [by] being mature, knowing that we've still got work to do. Don't get complacent, and I don't think we ever have. But just being able to go back to work tomorrow and sharpen the details, I think that's what we need to do."
On seeing WR Devontez Walker get his first touchdown: "I'm happy for [Devontez Walker]. I know that feeling; we all know that feeling. But first target, first catch, it's impressive. 'Tez' [Devontez Walker] has come a long way since he's been here, so I'm excited to see him continue to develop."
On what makes him such a good deep-ball threat: "I just think I'm just good at playing football. I don't really know what ... I do, but I just pride myself on being a full receiver – not just a deep threat, [but also] intermediate, short, long. You never know what the team is going to need from you, so you've got to be prepared for it all."
On QB Lamar Jackson's performance today: "What do you think?" (laughter) "It's the Jackson Five [touchdowns]. Lamar [Jackson's performance] speaks for itself. [He's] definitely a leader of this team and a good role model to look up to. He leads by example [with] his character, so [I'm] definitely impressed with him, always."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On if the deep passes were something he thought would be there for them today: "Yes, just watching the film on those guys, [they play] a lot of man [and] a lot of zone [coverage] here and there. They were doing a lot of [cover] three. They were running a lot of [cover] three versus us, a lot of man [coverage] sometimes, and our guys just did a great job of getting open and just running their routes and catching the ball. The offensive line did a great job protecting, so it was just an all-around team effort."
On how much of a rhythm he felt like he was in after the bye week: "I felt I started off slow with that turnover, so I was hot about that. With the return team doing a great job of getting us positive yards, flipping the fields for us before we get out there, and for us to drive the ball and then just [have] a mishap like that, I was ticked off. So, we just had to lock in and play Raven football, and that's what we did."
On TE Mark Andrews setting the record for most touchdowns in franchise history: "Like I said, I have a guy with me. [Mark Andrews] is a guy, right there, one of the GOATs to just play football ever, I believe. Just entering the league together, and from then to now, it's like each and every year, we're just trying to get better and perfect our craft from years previous, and I believe we're doing that. He got injured last year, came back, [and] people were talking about this and that. 'We need to trade Mark, this and that.' I didn't forget that, and I know he didn't forget that, and he's just showing it each and every game."
On WR Devontez Walker's touchdown: "This week, we pretty much had that play drawn up just from what they've been doing [and] showing on defense. We caught them in that look, and 'Tez' [Devontez Walker] did the rest. I just had to deliver him a strike, and he did the toe drag at the end, so he's just, 'Tez Toe Tap' from now on.'" (laughter)
On the offensive line allowing him to see the field and be able to get to the second level: "That's just hard work and preparation and dedication. That bye week, I felt like we all needed that, and our guys were just ready. They just blocked their tail off. We probably had one mishap, but everyone is not perfect. Everyone is not perfect. That's our goal to be perfect, but they did great today."
On how good it feels to see WR Rashod Bateman have the year he's having: "Yes, 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman] is that guy. We call him 'Batman' for a reason, and that's just amazing. It was long overdue, I believe. There have been plenty of times that I felt he should've had multiple touchdown games, but things happen in the backfield. We can't get to him sometimes, but he's just working. He's grinding. [He keeps his] head down and is just trying to win."
On he much he appreciated the team's response this week in practice and how this game game sets the team up going forward: "[I] pretty much didn't have to say anything. I believe 'Broddy' [Broderick Washington] really kicked it off earlier this year in our indoor practice when he said what he said, and I feel like we all felt that way. We just have to play Raven football for the rest of the season."
On how eager he is to play the Steelers on Saturday compared to how eager he was to play after the bye: "The same. Our record just being 9-5, those five losses [are] just sitting in the back of our minds. I feel like everyone's minds is like, 'We have to go into every game with the same mentality from this day forward.'"
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On if allowing 236 yards showed how seriously the team took the Giants this week: "Yes, you take every single opponent throughout the league very seriously. At the end of the day, each of those guys on that side of the ball have a job, and at the end of the day, they're going to do what they have to do to the best of their ability, because it's their job, and it's our job to do everything to the best of our ability. And we just have the mindset – after the bye – [of] this is a new season for us, so focus one game at a time. We check this off, enjoy this for a couple of hours [and] move on to Pittsburgh. So, that's the focus."
On if it already feels like a different type of week with the Steelers game on Saturday: "Yes, it's a short week, for sure, so there is one less day. I know [for] myself, personally, I'm not going to watch Pittsburgh tonight, but tomorrow, I'll definitely get on the Pittsburgh [film]. I'm personally going to enjoy this one, on this bus ride, and then at home tonight. [I'll] just relax a little bit, maybe hang out with 'Dafe' [Odafe Oweh]. It's his birthday, so [I'll] maybe kick it with him or do something like that. Yes, [we] have to shift the focus to Pittsburgh, knowing that it's going to be a very important game, and we control what we control, and that's our focus. [We] just have to go out and do what we do and be ourselves, and we know if we be ourselves, everything will fall in our favor."
On what it's been like to watch QB Lamar Jackson this year: "Yes, absolutely. I [have] a great deal of respect for Lamar [Jackson]; he knows that, and everyone around the building does, as well. I actually was chatting with him – I don't know when this was, but recently – and I just told him, 'Yes, bro. You know you've had MVP years, and different things like that,' but I told him, 'Hey, you're playing a different style of ball right now,' and it's not like just ... He wants to beat you from the pocket, and then, if that's not available, then he can take it down; running is second. So, it's kind of crazy. Then, how he can get through his reads and create more time [and] make his [O-Line] better ... Everything, man. What the guy is doing is truly special, and you just have to actually be next to the guy and actually just watch him from a view to truly appreciate some of the things that he's doing. I've always said, [I'm] extremely happy that he's on my team and [that] I'm not playing against him, because [he causes the defense] a lot of headaches, for sure."
On if the Steelers game on Saturday is going to be more than the typical divisional game: "It's going to be a hostile environment, for sure; make no mistake about that. Those guys are going to come in, and we know what's on the line; it's the division title. Each and every team in the division wants to win a division, so you're willing to put everything on the line for that. And I know, myself, personally, I'm ready to go out on my shield, one way or another, and I know a lot of the guys in the locker room feel the same exact way, so that's what it's going to be. Check your manhood, do your job, [and if we] do that, we'll win the game. That's all it's about – every single person [doing] their job – and if we do that, we'll like the results. It's just that simple."
On what he's seen from LBs Malik Harrison and Chris Board: "Those guys are great. [I] have a lot of respect for 'CB' [Chris Board]. He's been a great [special] teamer his entire career, and when he's asked to play linebacker, [he] plays linebacker pretty good, as well. And Malik [Harrison], man, I love that guys' physically. The guy will knock your facemask off; it's pretty crazy. But I just enjoy being out there with those guys – veteran guys. I have a lot of respect for them, and when they see things, they don't let the same thing beat them twice, so it's awesome just being out there with those guys. I have a lot of respect for them, and they're just going to continue to keep getting better, as well as Trenton [Simpson]. I have a lot of respect for him and who he is as a person as well as a player. [He's] a young player, [does] all the right things and [has] a bright future in this league. So, I'm just excited [for] our room. I have a great deal of respect for every single person in there. They bust their tail day in and day out, so you can't argue with that, and that's just something that I truly look forward to every day – spending time with those guys."
On how good he feels going into Week 16, health-wise, compared to other Decembers in years past: "Truth be told, I feel really, really good. The bye week was awesome. Having that, even more so mentally, for myself, just having that bye week and then just getting back in, it was just almost like a breath of fresh air – just being away from it – because you're tied up in it every single day. Regardless of what days you're coming into the facility, you're truly one day off, but that day is really not off, because you're still doing things focused around work. So, when you think about it, just being able to truly get away, it was a lot, and it was very meaningful, so I'm grateful for that, and now, it's just like, 'Get going.' I feel really good. I can't speak for anyone else. I feel really good, so I'm just excited about that and just to keep going. [After] coming out of this game a little sooner, I'll be on 10 Saturday."
On how good it was to see S Ar'Darius Washington make the late interception to seal the game: "Yes, I have a lot of respect for 'AD' [Ar'Darius Washington], the type of player he is and the type of person that he is. On a daily [basis], he busts his tail, never asks for any handouts, go gets everything out the mud, and when you're an individual like that ... 'This kid ... Oh, [he's] too short, too small. Oh, maybe not this or maybe not that;' he has the mentality [of] 'F' everything. 'I'm going to prove it play in and play out.' And when things like that happen to people who bust their tail day in and day out, I just love to see it. The guy prepares just like no other, and he just showed those bunnies on that play. I told him he has the best bunnies on the team, and he needs it, though, for his height. But he's a damn good player." (laughter)
T RONNIE STANLEY
On if the mentality of the team is to take every opponent seriously: "Yes, it's the NFL. We respect every single opponent we play against. It's a week-to-week league, and you don't know what you're going to get from an opponent every week. So, we respect everyone we play against, and we respect ourselves as well, so we're always going to play to our highest ability."
On if QB Lamar Jackson having five passing touchdowns is not surprising anymore: "Yes, it's pretty normal for me to see Lamar [Jackson] have a bunch of touchdowns."
On the impact of DL Broderick Washington's speech to the team before the bye week: "I think it just reaffirmed the focus we have on this team, especially coming off of a bye. It's easy to be a little laxed, but everybody came back with great intentional work they wanted to do and the mindset of what we have left in front of us. We know none of it is going to be easy, but we're all ready for the challenge."
On how important it was to have a good offensive game: "It was very important, especially this late in the season. We have to be an elite offense to get where we want to go, and that's where our focus is."
On how beneficial it was to get some backups some reps in the game: "It was great. I love for those guys to get those reps out there and get those live-action reps, because they work their ass off at practice going against our one's every single day. So, for our guys to get out there, it was a big thing. We came out here, and we did what we should do. We handled business, and it doesn't mean that we're just overlooking people, but we played the way we should play, and we'll always be happy with the results."
On if the game against the Steelers on Saturday will be even bigger with the stakes at hand: "I think every game we play is big from this season [here on] out. So, every game we're playing is a playoff game in our head. We're just trying to be 1-0; that's all we're looking forward to. That's all we're looking at right now."
On how quickly the team's attention turns to preparing for the Steelers: "We'll enjoy this win for the rest of the day, but tomorrow, we know where our focus has to lie, and we have a new opponent coming ahead of us. It's a short week, and we have to be ready. I have full faith in everyone to get ready and prepare."
On if the teams knows they need to win on Saturday in order to keep their division title hopes alive: "I don't think anyone is thinking about that. I think we're thinking about, 'We just need to win this game.' No matter what, we're just looking at it like a playoff game – win or go home – so I think it's kind of the same mentality. I don't think we try to get caught up too much into the what ifs or here and there, so we're just focused on being 1-0 every week."
On how tough it is to play three games in 10 days: "It's very tough. I've never done something like that in my career, but like I said, [we have to] focus on one game at a time [and] not really what's ahead of us, but just that next game. I think we just keep that mentality just going one step at a time. I think that's our best mentality going forward."
On if he feels the upcoming schedule is concerning for players' safety: "I think a lot of these games – Thursday night games [and] Wednesday games – it's kind of crazy, but it's just what it is, so that's what we have to deal with and that's our challenge."
WR DEVONTEZ WALKER
On when he felt like him scoring in today's game was a possibility: "When we put that play in on Monday, it was the only play that my number was beside, so I made it my job to study it [and] know it. That's what I did all week."
On how he felt about his first NFL touchdown coming from QB Lamar Jackson throwing it to him: "I'm trying not to fanboy [about it], but obviously, it's crazy. Lamar [Jackson] is somebody I grew up in middle school [and] high school watching, and to be able to catch a touchdown from him – it's a really good feeling."
On what scoring his first-career touchdown does for his confidence: "It says a lot. I tell myself that I belong here – which I already knew. It tells the guys that I can be a trusted piece and an extra asset for Lamar [Jackson] out there."
On his emotions he had when he scored: "I didn't have too many. In my head, it's like, 'This is what I do,' because that was my whole college tape – making big plays down the field. When the opportunity presented itself, I went out there and made it happen."
On anything felt different on that touchdown: "No. It was just another day at the office really."
On if it was weird to go out on special teams after his touchdown: "It wasn't weird, but when everybody was celebrating out there on the sidelines, I was like, 'Dang. I have to go back out there on kickoff,' so I couldn't be too excited and go out there and mess up on special teams. But, it was a good feeling."
On how cool it was to score his first-career touchdown after having the rookie season he's had thus far: "I think it put more confidence in everybody to trust me to go out there and make plays for the team."
On what his focus is in these next three games: "I'm just doing what I do to help this team win. We have three big games left [and] then head into the playoffs with momentum. That's my goal heading into the next game."
On when his touchdown play was put in: "We put it in [on] Monday, and we've been working on it all week."
On if he was the first read on his touchdown: "Honestly, I'm not sure. I think it was Zay [Flowers] going across the field, and then we had anticipated the safety [having] all their attention to Zay and me being wide open."
On if he was ready when the play was called: "Yes. We called it, I ran down the field, and the safety wasn't looking, and that's what happened."
On the Ravens fans that showed up to MetLife Stadium: "We love that. Our fans are very loyal to us [and] very good to us. They show up to every game, [and] they're loud. They let us know they're here every game."
On if he was surprised by the amount of Ravens fans that showed up to the game: "No, I wasn't. New York isn't too far from Baltimore. We have a really good fan base, so I wasn't surprised at all."
On finally scoring his first-career touchdown: "It felt good. I couldn't get too excited because I had to go right by out to [play on] special teams, but it was a good feeling. It lets me know that I belong here, and there's many more to come, hopefully."
