HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "[I] appreciate everybody being here. [It was] a heck of a game, a heck of an environment [and] a playoff feel with the crowd and everything. Fans from both teams [were] loud. [It was] a very tough, physical game against a tough, physical football team that has been [playing] and did play at the highest level. I guess [it was] the ultimate team win. All three phases contributed to the win when they had to. [They] overcame adversity. [We had] long drives on offense, big stops on defense, particularly on third down – which [the Commanders] were the No. 1 third-down offense in the league going into this thing – and I thought our front did a great job of containing the quarterback. We're just appreciative and grateful and humble and hungry for the next challenge, but that's a big win. I'm proud of the guys, and we [were] prospered on that victory. What questions do you have?"
How well is QB Lamar Jackson throwing the ball these days? (Jamison Hensley) "I thought Lamar [Jackson] had a great game. He was on point against man coverage. They were loading the box up against the run and playing a lot of man coverage, which they had not done a lot of throughout the course [of the season]. We had a lot of first- and second-down play-action passes up. Guys like Zay [Flowers were] running crossing routes and sail routes away from those guys, and they were on our guys, but [they had] enough separation [and] Lamar dotted it. These guys made contested catches on the run and then made guys miss after the catch, as well. I'm just proud of all of those guys: Zay, Mark [Andrews], Isaiah [Likely and] 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman]. Everybody did a good job."
WR Zay Flowers had a career-high in yards receiving. What kind of weapon has he turned into for you guys? (Todd Karpovich) "Yes, [Zay Flowers is] exactly the weapon we absolutely knew was and would be and has been, to be honest with you. He's been there all along, and the opportunities came up today. Sometimes the defense doesn't allow it. Sometimes the ball doesn't come your way for whatever reason, but today the opportunities showed up, and we had to have ... Those catches had to be made. Those plays had to be made in the pass game, and Zay made them. That was the difference probably in the game. We were moving the ball. I think we had [five] drives to end the game that [we] scored, and then the last one was the one that closed the game out, with the big run by Derrick [Henry] and the block by Pat [Ricard], so that was pretty impressive. We go down, right down the field, we get the pick, the defense comes up with a stop, [and] we go down and score a touchdown. The guys answered today in a lot of ways."
We know teams are going to try to take away the run game of QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry, who still ran the ball well today, but you mentioned WR Zay Flowers in the first half, and in the second half, it was a lot of TE Mark Andrews and a lot of WR Rashod Bateman. How impressed are you to see your offense clicking on both the run and the pass game? (Cordell Woodland) "I definitely think that's the offensive story of the game, absolutely. The fact that they did that ... we expected that. We didn't know if they were going to play a lot of man [coverage] or not, but they did, and I understand why they did. With all the quarterback and the run game stuff, they felt like they had to. They know how to stop they stuff; they run those plays, and for Lamar [Jackson] to put those passes where he did, and for the guys to make those plays, was the difference in the game."
TE MARK ANDREWS
On tying the Ravens all-time touchdown record: "It feels great. When you get something like that you should credit your teammates. I'm blessed and fortunate to have a quarterback like that and teammates that surround me. We just want to continue to keep things going, to be patient, and good things will happen. This was a team win, and everyone played really, really well."
On letting out his emotions after the record-tying touchdown catch: "Of course, it felt great to get in the end zone. It was a great feeling. It usually doesn't take me six games to get in there. Yes, that was a fun one. [QB Lamar Jackson] threw a great ball."
On QB Lamar Jackson saying Andrews should have scored last week: "Yes, but that's part of it. Sometimes you're working hard, and things just don't go that way, but like I said, it's just patience. We are so versatile, and guys are going to get their touches on the ball and good things will happen. That's what happened today."
On how good this offense is right now: "It's good, but we can always get better. But I think we are extremely versatile in what we are doing. We are going to take this game and get better from it and keep it going week-by-week to become the machine that we know we can be."
On coming back from the early interception: "Obviously, starting like that isn't good. That's not the way you want to start with the first pass thrown to you, but we have guys here who continue to work, work, work, so we don't get caught up in the little things, especially early on in the game. [QB Lamar Jackson] had an incredible game throwing the ball [and] running the ball. All we have to do is just keep our heads down, work, and be tough on the defense."
On the offensive versatility: "I think we are quick and there are a lot of guys impacting the game. It's kind of a pick your poison for the defense. I've been saying that for a while, and I think week-by-week we continue to show that and it's a week-by-week league. So, we have to go out there next week and do the same thing."
On how hard it's been to be patient in getting the ball: "It's just different, every season brings something different. So, personally, for me, I've kind of grown to get some patience in my game. But I'm playing hard, blocking hard, and doing a lot of different things on the field. I knew things were going to come my way eventually and make big-time plays when they come. It's just a matter of trusting my teammates, and I trust them more than anybody."
WR ZAY FLOWERS
On the mentality when the Commanders played as much man-to-man coverage as they did: "It's just win. I feel like that should be the mentality for all of us, and that was the mentality for all of us today – to just go win. We've been doing so well running the ball that they've got to pack the box, and we have to go win, so I was just glad to be able to show that we can win."
On how good the offense is right now: "We're really good, but I feel like we can get better, [and] we can keep getting better as the year goes, just in everything we do. I think we're one of the best offenses in the league."
On a career-high 132 receiving yards in the first half today: "It's those guys. It's 'L' [Lamar Jackson]; it's Derrick [Henry]; it's 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman]. You have to respect all of us, so they're helping me get open. Rashod Bateman is doing a great job of making his plays when they're coming his way. Mark Andrews is getting better and better every week. Everybody knows Isaiah [Likely] is going to do what he [does]. So, it's just all the guys around me that help me get open and help me do what I do."
On how important the 93-yard TD drive and 94-yard TD drive were: "Yes, I feel like we needed those drives to set the tone that this offense is going to keep going all game, and we're just going to keep scoring, either running or passing. So, I feel like those two drives right there were much needed. We showed we needed that, and we showed what we needed to do."
On if last year's training camp practice versus the Commanders, mentally, rolled into the game for him: "Not really, because it was joint practice. But I knew what they do [and] what they did – what type of man [coverage] they ran [and] what type of zones. I was able to get a feel for them from that – from joint practices – and [was] able to run my routes off that, so it helped a little."
On his connection with QB Lamar Jackson and how it's advanced: "I just have to keep earning [Lamar Jackson's] trust – catching the ball when it [needs] to be, contested catches – no matter where it's at and just keep playing football the way I am."
On how much QB Lamar Jackson hitting him in stride has allowed him to do some of the things he can do after the catch: "Every time, every ball ... Every ball today was in stride, and I was able to pick up more [yards] after. We've been working on that a lot."
On if it's still an adjustment to not get the ball every quarter but it not bothering him, as long as the offense, as a whole, is working: "Yes, absolutely, because [with] Derrick Henry, you have to feed him the ball. No matter what, no matter who you have a receiver, no matter who you have a tight end, you've got to get that man the ball. So, I just wanted to wait, just wait, and I knew he was going to open it up for us; now, we're able to do both – run and pass."
On if the offense is nearing a stage where they have an answer for whatever the opposing defense turns to: "I just feel like we're good at what we have to do. If we have to run the ball, we're going to run the ball. If we have to pass it, that's what we're going to do. And if we have to do both – like we did today – then that's what we have to do."
On using a spin move to get extra yards after the catch and trusting that the move will work multiple times: "It's not like I'm saying, 'Oh, I'm about to spin move right here.' It's just a feel for it; it's just a feel for how fast they're running in front of me or the type of angle they have on me. I'm just trying to go get some more yards and do what I do."
RB DERRICK HENRY
Opening Statement: "I just want to apologize to some of you all. On Wednesday, I kind of looked mad and rude, and I didn't want to come off that way. I know you all have a job to do, and I just wanted to say [that I'm] sorry about that."
On what was working well for the offense: "I feel like everything was working; it was like, 'Pick your poison.' Everybody did a great job of being locked in and executing. Hats off to everybody on offense of putting plays together and being able to field these drives to put ourselves in a position to win."
On what it feels like to close games: "I was just thanking the offensive line. Those guys are doing a great job of blocking and making my job easier. I just have to get the ball, make a read, get North or South, and finish runs. The credit goes to the O-line, tight ends, fullback [and] receivers blocking [and] doing a great job [of] being unselfish for me to able to have success."
On the pride he takes in a being a closer: "I definitely just want to be able to close the game so we can win, and everybody is happy, and everybody is high-fiving in the locker room. You have to take pride in that – to be able to finish games and have the ball last."
On the offense's many weapons: "I just think it's great. You have so many guys that can make plays. A lot of guys are getting chances to get the ball and being able to showcase their talents, and that's what you want as an offense, is everybody being dynamic [and] having playmakers who can make plays on any side of the field in Mark [Andrews], [and] Zay [Flowers]. Zay had 132 yards in the first half, [and] I was like, 'Woah. He was going crazy.' 'L' [Lamar Jackson] was finding guys, 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman], 'Nelly' [Nelson Agholor]; it's just been fun. I'm glad to see everybody putting in the hard work."
On if he can feel the defense getting worn down: "I don't think we try to think about them being worn down, I just think it's us being locked in and making sure we're all focused. It takes all 11 [players], and [we] just keep reminding each other when we're in the huddle on offense."
On the toss to the left having success: "Shush. Be quiet. I don't know what you're taking about." (laughter) "I think it was a handoff; it wasn't a toss." (laughter)
On how good the offense is playing right now: "We came in here humble. We're being humble. [We're] taking it one week at a time and approaching every week of focusing on being 1-0, keep pushing each other, keep working hard and let it translate to the game. It's a humble approach for sure."
On how versatile the offense is: "We're being humble." (laughter) "Guys [are] making plays. It's great to see guys being able to get open and catch the ball. Everybody is doing a great job, and we want to continue to do that. We know it starts early throughout the week to be able to have success on Sundays, and that's been the main focus."
On if being this productive is what he had in mind when he joined the Ravens in free agency: "[I'm] being humble." (laughter) "I just want to come in and be an added piece and help this offense have success, because they have always been dynamic and been one of the top offenses. I'm glad I'm able to do that and hopefully keep it going and continue to work and continue to do my best to help this team."
On how playing with QB Lamar Jackson affects what he's able to do on offense: "You have to respect [Lamar Jackson]. There's no question. I mean, Lamar is Lamar – every team knows that. Even playing against him, we knew what the gameplan was. You have to stop him to get yourself in a position to win, and I think that's always the approach for different teams. He's a two-time MVP for a reason, and I'm glad to be on his team now, and it's been fun."
On how he's able to score in the red zone: "Stop. Shush." (laughter) "[I give] credit to everybody blocking, that makes my job easier. It's not just me; I can't get the ball and run through 11 people. Everybody has been doing their job blocking, and [then] me getting to the end zone. So, I give credit to everybody blocking, for sure."
On how impressive it's been to watch WR Zay Flowers: "It's no shock to me or anybody on this team; we see it all the time. We knew it was coming; I told him it was coming. [Zay Flowers] been getting off and doing a great job of getting open and making plays with the ball. Every time he catches [the ball], I never think he's going down when he catches it. That's just who Zay is. Those Florida boys are different."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On if he believes the Ravens have the best offense in the NFL: "No, [we're] just proving we can win games. [We're] just playing Raven football right now. I don't think that really proved anything like we [are] the best offense. There's always room for improvement. It's only like our sixth game. There's always room for improvement though, because [there] was still [mental errors] happening out there. We still had drives where we should've put points on the board – that interception, stuff like that."
On if he believes this is the most balanced offense he's had: "Somewhat – in a way you could say yes. Because [in] 2019 we [were] pretty balanced until guys went down at the end of the season. But yes, you could say that."
On the Ravens keeping their foot on the gas on offense: "I really feel like we just proved ourselves right. Instead of just talking about it, we [were] about it today. Just putting points on the board – we started off slow. Even when we [were] scoring on those drives, I still feel like we [were] kind of off somewhat. Like I said, there's room for improvement [and] we just got to keep stacking [victories]."
On if the hype around Commanders' QB Jayden Daniels motivated him: "No, I believe [Jayden Daniels] deserves all the hype he's getting. He played a tremendous game out there. They just came up short. He's been proving it. His rookie season – first six games he's been playing amazing."
On the mentality of the offense when they're deep in their own territory: "Let's get from our backs against the wall. Just get positive yards and try to finish with some points on the board. That's pretty much what we did most of those drives."
On his thoughts when he sees the defense in man coverage: "Who I'm going to throw it to, because I know whoever gets the ball on that play – somebody [is] going [to] come back and be like, 'I was open.' It's like, bro [there's] only one football – I can't throw like this. Pretty much just getting it to one of my guys and let them do work."
On holding a lead in the fourth quarter: "Not just scoring in the fourth. Every opportunity we got there on that field – my offense [is] just trying to put points on the board. We don't like coming up short. We bust our behind in practice against our scout team; first team; it [doesn't] really matter – just trying to put points on the board. We get in the game – it's like [we're] not seeing these guys every day; we should be able to move the ball and find little hiccups in their defense to put points on the board, and that's what we did."
On having RB Derrick Henry to help close games: "I always [have] confidence, but definitely, definitely. We just know [Derrick Henry] just needs a lane and he [is going] to do the rest. Every time [there's] a little crease he always just goes full force and gets many yards."
On the team's mentality after throwing an interception on the opening drive: "I mean we know we just [have] to deal with it. When we're watching film, [we're] going to get on each other, like, 'That was some B.S. right there.' But we [were] good. We didn't blink at all. We [are going to] get an opportunity, we just got to put points on the board. Our defense stopped them. We went down and executed. We just got to keep doing that without the [mental errors] – the mistakes."
On getting TE Mark Andrews involved in the offense: "It was dope. I told [Mark Andrews] last week he was supposed to score. I threw a bad ball. I threw a bad ball; he was open to the left side at Cincinnati. I told him – I'm like bro, 'I got to get you in the endzone next week.' I was ticked off at myself. He was mad at me too, but he didn't say [anything] about it." (laughter) "He [was] like, 'We good.' He told me, he was like, 'I was mad at you at first.' I'm like, 'I was mad at my damn self – you [aren't] going to be madder than me.' It was dope to get him in the endzone. He hasn't been there since Week 10 of last year or something. It was dope, and [there's] many more to come."
On passing QB Cam Newton for the second-most rushing yards by a QB in NFL history, behind QB Michael Vick: "It's dope. Not just because it's Mike Vick [at] No.1, but it's all the great guys who I'm in great company with – Cam Newton, stuff like that; Steve McNair – like all those great guys who [were] before me. It's just great to be in discussion with those guys."
On if he expected a big game for WR Zay Flowers: "I come in feeling like any guy can have a big day, I'm not [going] to lie to you. We just [have] that type of mentality and the guys who [are] around us."
On the offense staying hot without WR Zay Flowers having to be involved in the second half: "Just a pick your poison offense. Thats pretty much what I've been saying since camp when we got Derrick Henry and stuff like that. We've got Mark [Andrews], Zay [Flowers], Isaiah Likely, [Rashod] Bateman, 'Nelly' [Nelson Agholor], Charlie [Kolar], Patrick Ricard – like we [have] all these guys – Tylan Wallace. We [have] all these guys on our offense. Justice Hill – I can't forget about Justice. And our offensive line – you know the whole unit; we've got guys who want to work, who want to win and that's just pretty much what is showing out there."
DT TRAVIS JONES
On posting his first sack of the season: "It felt good. Just going through six weeks and now being able to get on the board [and] get one [sack], it was good for my confidence."
On where the defense's level of communication is right now: "I feel like the defense, through six weeks, we're starting to gel together and play together [and] play for each other."
On CB Nate Wiggins: "Nate [Wiggins] is just a young, fun guy [with] a lot of energy. He's been balling out."
On the pass defense against QB Jayden Daniels: "Throughout the whole week, we were talking about keeping [Jayden Daniels] in the pocket, just because, most of their rushing yards come from scrambling. So, I feel like we went out there and executed at high level."
On outside pundits calling this a breakout campaign for him: "I don't pay too much attention to people saying, 'Breakout year.' I just go out there and do my job to the highest level I can."
On what's changed for him and is clicking in Year Three: "I'm starting to see things a little slower, and going into my third year, my body is getting stronger [and] getting used to throwing guys around."
On putting pressure on opponent QBs and taking them down: "When I get to a quarterback, I want to make sure he feels me, for sure."
On how much confidence the offense has when defenses stack the box: "That's the goal, is to be efficient like that if they stack the box, to be able to throw the ball. It's easier said than done, but I thought we did a good job of that today. [We] were just trying to be [as] efficient as possible. When the runs are there, take it, and when the throws are there, take it as well."
On how the offense's mentality has changed knowing that they have RB Derrick Henry in the backfield: "[Derrick Henry] is a special back. He's a Hall of Famer back, so it's our job to block for him, and he's going to make one or two guys miss. Just his size and speed, he's going to wear down people, so it's our job just to block as long as possible."
On if the offense has a different mentality knowing that they have RB Derrick Henry in the backfield: "Teams preach it all the time, but [Derrick Henry] certainly a guy that absolutely does it, just with his size and speed. He's a fun player to play with, and just having [No.] 8 [Lamar Jackson] back there as well – it's challenging for defenses."
On how much confidence the offense is playing with right now: "[We're] continuing to improve. It's better to be on the winning side and learn from things than to be on the losing side and learn from things. [We] just have to keep getting better, keep improving, but just stacking wins is the main goal, and then learn from it."
On what long drives do for the offense: "It's important. That's our mentality. Whenever we're backed up, we have to go 95-, 93-yards down the field, but it's all about getting that first first down, and keep getting explosive plays, big plays, and just keeping moving it down the field, and I thought we did a good job of that. A couple of plays we had a little setback, but we were able to overcome. That's what efficient offenses have to do."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
On if he could sense the Ravens offense wearing down the Commanders defense: "I think whenever you have a back like Derrick Henry, that's the goal. He's a tough guy to bring down, and he's going to wear on people. It's our job to communicate right [and] block the right people. He's a good enough back to make one or two guys miss, as well. I think that's an offensive lineman's dream – is just wearing them down. [You could] feel it in the third, and then, at the fourth quarter, when it's time for us to run the ball and get a first down, that's how we need to finish games. That's what good teams do, and I'm glad we did that."
On the last time he had a botched snap like his today: "[Shoot], never. Thats the first time a ball has slipped out of my hand. Obviously, that can't happen, but yes. [I've] just got to learn from it and can't put our team in that situation, but [we've] just got to move on to the next play mentality."
On the Ravens' run defense: "Shoot, we go against them all the time, and it's a tough, greedy group. [They] give us a lot of challenges and make us better. I'm glad they're on our team. They play the game the right way. That front seven plays the game the right way – physical, aggressive – and [they're] smart football players. I'm just glad I'm not going against them on Sundays."
On what makes RB Derrick Henry so effective put in space: "Like I said, [in] critical situations, we've got to be able to do that – find certain looks [and] certain alignments of the defense to try to give us a favor. [It gives] us an advantage, and we got a couple of those and sprung some big runs. Credit, one, to the play-calling, and credit the guys for blocking it up right."
On G Ben Cleveland's field goal block: "I mean, isn't that special? I mean, that's awesome – just finding a role. I mean, [Ben Cleveland is] the biggest human being I've ever seen." (laughter) "It's incredible to just go in there ... It's his first or second game at that ... He might've played last week; I can't remember. It's crazy. I'm proud of him. He should be able to find a role on the team, and that's a crucial block that he had. It set the tempo going into the second half. So, yes, [I'm] just proud of him."
DT NNAMDI MADUBUIKE
On keeping QB Jayden Daniels in the pocket: "It was huge. He's a big scrambler, [he's] real fast, and we put an emphasis on that all week. Caging him in the pocket was mission number one and we did a good job of that today."
On the team's defensive performance: "I thought we played well today as a unit in executing our gameplan. We didn't want to give up that touchdown on fourth down, but other than that I thought we did everything we needed to."
On watching RB Derrick Henry: "He's the king. He's 'King Henry' for a reason, and I'm glad he's on our side."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On DT Travis Jones' impact today: "Yes, it was pretty sweet to see [Travis Jones] get that sack. The guy is an animal, as we all know. Just, sometimes, the sacks, you may not see them, but his presence throughout the game and just the impact that he had throughout the game is not taken for granted. So, I definitely appreciate him a lot and the way he busts his tail, day in and day out, and the type of person he is. But yes, so, I'm a big fan of Travis, 'Big Jones.'"
On QB Jayden Daniels: "Washington is in good hands with [Jayden Daniels]. I think the guy is ... He's the truth, for sure. He can run it, he can throw it – whatever you want – and for him to come into a hostile environment and perform the way he did, I've got much respect for him. He took some licks, too, so the guy ... I heard he was tough as nails, anyway, and even from watching him in college at a couple games, but he showed that. So, much respect and love for that guy, and yes, Washington is in good hands."
On Baltimore's gameplan against QB Jayden Daniels: "Yes, we definitely had a good gameplan versus those guys, and, definitely, they're pros, they're in the league, they're going to make plays. There are definitely some plays that we would all want back, including myself, and there were definitely things throughout the game, but that's why you're in the lab, and you try to get better, day in and day out. But it was a tough, tough fought game, and we knew it wouldn't be easy, so that's what it's all about."
On how much physicality was an emphasis heading into today's game: "Absolutely. I think the Ravens, in general – well before I got here, and it will be that way well after I'm gone – prides itself on physicality, and that's just something that we pride ourselves on. Just knowing that it's a rookie quarterback [in Jayden Daniels], and you've got to lay the hits on him and try to affect him, because most of the time, when you hit people in a nasty way, you definitely affect them. But the guy is tough as nails. He hopped right back up and kept it going. So, much respect to him, [and] hats off to him."
On how much QB Lamar Jackson having the offense humming affects the defense: "Oh, that's awesome. I've got a lot of respect for the offense – every single person on that side of the ball – and the head of the snake, Lamar [Jackson]. So, when those guys are rolling, it's definitely great, but as a defense, we can't focus on that; we have to focus on ourselves and getting stops throughout the game and getting those guys the ball back as much as we can, because we know if we do that, we're in good hands. So, we've just got to keep improving – defense, offense and all together – and we're just getting started."
On if it feels like the defense took a step in the right direction: "Yes, I felt like we definitely took a step forward. I feel like there are always plays throughout each and every game throughout the league ... We're chasing perfection, but we're humans, at the end of the day. So, there were definitely ... Like, in the first half, I remember – I can't really recall the second half – there were like two or three plays those guys got, but it was just like two really good schemed up plays, and hats off to the 'OC' [offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury] and [Jayden] Daniels for finding those holes and stuff. So, yes, you've just got to get back in the lab, get better, and that's all we can continue to do, and we're definitely going to do that."
On how helpful it is to know that the guys up front can handle the run: "Yes, it's definitely awesome, and just having those big boys up front ... Having those guys up front definitely makes everybody's life easier. Yes, I have to be in a lot of places, so it's something I take pride in, and we just have to continue to get better, and [we] have to be all over the field, [just] knowing how much the middle of the defense leans on the 'Mike' linebacker."
