HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "It's good to see everybody out here. We appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. [There is] much to be grateful for. We're grateful for our media – we really are – most of the time." (laughter) "But we do appreciate you."
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? (A.J. Gersh) "I'm thankful for all of you amazing people gathered around here in this circle that do such a great job of bringing the teams to the fans – I really am. I'm grateful for my family and for this organization and for our players, and I'm grateful for our creator, our God. He gives us an opportunity to breathe and live and a chance to enjoy a great existence."
There's a report that TE Charlie Kolar broke his arm... (Bo Smolka) "We just got into some deep stuff right there, and we're going to go right into Charlie Kolar's arm." (laughter) "Yes, he has a broken arm."
How will the offense compensate for that? (Bo Smolka) "We're going to put another guy out there. We're going to play with 11 guys for sure, and whatever Charlie [Kolar] was going to be in there, there will be another player on the field doing football stuff and running plays and blocking and catching and whatever else would happen for that position, so that's how we'll handle it."
Going against the Eagles, what has impressed you the most about RB Saquon Barkley? (Jamison Hensley) "Wow, where do you start with Saquon Barkley? He's just a really hard guy to tackle. I think his vision is really good. They run a lot of different schemes – inside zone is kind of where they start – but inside zone, outside zone [and] they have different gap schemes. Just his vision – his ability to see from edge to edge and all the way across whenever there's a gap that's not defended – he can see it. [He can] not only see it, but get to it. All of the other highlight stuff is there as well, but just his ability to make a defense pay for not being in the right spot is probably the thing that jumps out at me the most."
Talk about in general facing this Eagles team that is as hot as any team right now and it's a quick turnaround for you guys. (Jerry Coleman) "Yes. [It's] a quick turnaround for us facing an Eagles team that's as hot as anybody right now, like you said. We've had a lot of hot teams that we've faced this year, too, so we've had some experience with that so far this year."
This offseason, there was a lot of talk about the running back position as a whole. When you're looking at the top of rushing numbers right now in the league, RB Derrick Henry and RB Saquon Barkley are at the top of that list and two guys who were free agents. Do you think this kind of impacts the talk around the running back position and how it's being viewed right now? (Cordell Woodland) "Well, we're just going to have a tough time and challenge stopping this running back that we're playing, and we're hoping that they have a tough time stopping our running back. So that's kind of our focus right now."
With that being said, there was a lot of talk this summer with the offensive line and trying to figure out what that would like, but with RB Derrick Henry having so much success and him giving so much credit to that line, how have you seen that group develop and mature throughout the season? (Alex Glaze) "To me, it's a really good point, I'm glad you brought it up. I think our O-line is playing well. They have established the line of scrimmage a lot of times. I think they've done a good job of pass protection, protecting Lamar [Jackson], and giving us a chance to get the ball downfield, which is always a challenge. We've had some really good pass rushing teams that we've played, too, so we're really proud of those guys, but they can be so much better. There is so much more growth in those guys, and I think we all just try to keep our nose to the grindstone and see if we can get better from one day to the next, one game to the next and see how good we can get. Along the way, we've had some really challenging games that we've had to play – we had some challenging fronts [against] the offensive line. They're doing a great job, and [I'm] looking forward to seeing how they do this week against a really good Eagles defense and a really good front."
Any time you guys play an NFC team, people will cite the stat that you guys are 23-1 in games which QB Lamar Jackson has started against the NFC. Do you think there is something to the idea that it's harder for teams to prepare for a unique player like that when they don't see him very often? (Childs Walker) "I think we have a really tough game against a really good team on Sunday. We're going to try to be 1-0 on Sunday if we can be. These guys are a well-rounded football team. All three phases are really as good as anybody in the league. I think they're really good up front on both sides of the trenches. That's a huge challenge for us, and not just that, they can run the ball, of course. The quarterback can run it, the [running] back can run it, but they have really good receivers [too]. They push it downfield, they run all the RPOs. There are just a lot of challenges for us this week."
You talk about the challenge of this game, and you guys are the best run-stopping defense in the league right now. You're going up against a high-powered rushing attack over there. Are you just excited to see your guys on that side of the ball compete and go up against a team strength knowing that it's your strength as well? (Cordell Woodland) "It's always exciting to play in big games. It's another big game for us. We had a big game last week; we had a big game the week before that; we had a big game the week before that, and this is the next one, and this is a really big game. This is a really good team we're playing. I think some people think that they might be the best team in the league, and that's the way they're playing. It's a challenge for us, a challenge for our run defense – yes – because they do it with their offensive line, they do it with their back, they also do it with their scheme – which the quarterback is a part of, too – and they can throw off the runs. So, there's a lot going on there."
What does WR A.J. Brown bring to their offense. It seems like it's very different for them when he's on the field and when he's not in terms of his availability, and he'll be there Sunday. (Pete Gilbert) "It starts with the inside-breaking routes and the RPOs and [A.J. Brown's] body presence and his ability to get inside of any kind of coverage and just make a strong catch. And then it goes to the catch-and-run stuff – you have to get him on the ground after that. You could say he's part of the run game, but he catches the ball, usually on inside-breaking routes or vertical routes, and he's a tough tackle, so [it's] a big challenge."
For you guys to play as many people as you guys did on defense on Monday and with how often communication has been the undoing for explosives, what did it say that you guys were as sound as you were, despite having so many guys rotating in different spots? (Jonas Shaffer) "I thought our guys played well, especially in the second half – they were going to throw it a little bit more. They challenged us with some routes and some motions and things like that, and it wasn't perfect. There was a couple of times where guys got loose on some man coverage stuff – we played a lot of man [coverage], and they were running a lot of man beaters. That's something we definitely have to work on, because we'll see that from these guys as well, but I was happy with the way the guys played."
This is our first chance to talk to you since looking at the film from Monday's game. With the penalties, did you see stuff that needed to be cleaned up? (Jerry Coleman) "Yes. We have to keep working on the penalties. We don't want to put ourselves in the hole on offense; that really hurt us on that second drive. You're first-and-25, so that's hard to overcome."
Speaking of the run defense, we saw DL Michael Pierce's return to practice. Is the hope that he could be ready as soon as this week? Or are you kind of pointing towards after the bye? (Bo Smolka) "We're hoping. We have our fingers crossed that [Michael Pierce] could be ready this week. We'll have to see."
The quarterback sneak play the way the Eagles run it, they've had a lot of success with it. What is it that's made them in particular so successful? Is that something you can spend a lot of time studying? (Noah Trister) "It's hard to practice it, obviously, because what are you going to do? It's a very unique play; I think they've mastered it, obviously. We ran one this last week [in] a similar type [of] deal, but they've been doing it for a long time now and they just continue to do it well. I think maybe you thought that [Jason] Kelce was not going to be in there anymore, [and] maybe it was going to change, and it hasn't changed. Jalen [Hurts] does a great job, their offensive line [is] a big physical offensive line [that] comes off the ball. The right guard [Mekhi Becton], he's a big physical guy [and] the center [Cam Jurgens] does a great job. We work on that, we've studied it, we have a plan, we'll do our best against it, and we'll see what happens."
With RB Derrick Henry, when you get around this time of the season, are Derrick Henry's total carries ever a thought process of if you should reduce them or do anything like that in that regard? (Jamison Hensley) "We're going to try to run the ball as much as we can, and so much of running the ball has to do with how many plays you get, and getting in a rhythm, and getting an opportunity to call more plays. Derrick [Henry] is our lead back, no doubt, obviously, and he only gets stronger as the game goes on, so we want to run the ball. If you have the lead, that helps you do that. If you establish some drives in the first half and go out there and get some carries in the first half – it's definitely something we want to do. If he doesn't get as many carries in some games, it's probably a reflection of we didn't have as many plays or we were behind, or we had more two-minute situations, but that's a main priority for us, yes."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On RB Saquon Barkley: "Obviously, [Saquon Barkley] is a great running back, can get out [of] the backfield, [is] elusive, fast, strong, and they've got an O-Line to help him, too. So, it's going to be a challenge, but I feel like we've got a pretty good run [defense] ourselves."
On the team's defensive improvement over the past few weeks and how the unit can carry over the momentum: "Every week is different than the last. You can't just assume that the week that we're in right now is going to be the same as it was before; it's going to be different. Every week, you've got to face different challenges and come out and play the game. But I think we're on the right trajectory right now, and I think guys are playing with confidence, and I think we're peaking at the right time."
On where the defense has improved over the past few weeks: "Yes, I think it's just not making mental mistakes. That stuff really puts us behind. We'll be having good drives, people will be in good positions; it's just a mental mistake here or there, and they'll end up with a touchdown. So, [we've had] less of those, and [I'm] not saying that we've completely gotten rid of them, but less and less as we go on is good for us."
On RB Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle highlight and the best ways to defend a hurdle: "Well, first, when I saw the clip ... It's a wild play. It just kind of goes to show who [Saquon Barkley] is; he's super talented. He's a talent at the position that we don't see often, so it's cool to go up against him, but at the same time, stopping a hurdle is just ... I think a lot of people just assume you're going to dive, and you've just got to stay upright. It helps being 6-4, too." (laughter)
On the challenges WR A.J. Brown presents: "Like you said, [A.J. Brown] is physical, he's fast, he's got good hands, [and he's] a great RAC [run after catch] receiver, at the same time. And I think what separates [the Eagles' wide receivers] from a lot of other people is just their effort. I feel like you can see it on tape. They might not be open at first, but [they're] still working for the ball, and the quarterback [Jalen Hurts] does good at getting out of the pocket, and those plays – as they get extended – usually become big plays. So, I think he, along with everybody else in that receiver room, just works really hard – blocking [and] all that stuff."
On what he's doing for Thanksgiving tomorrow: "Football." (laughter)
On if there's a fun factor in the team measuring itself up against one of the best teams from the other conference: "Not really. I mean, every game, from Week 1 ... Now, it's obvious, but [when] you get to this point in the season, every game kind of counts [towards] getting the home [playoff] games, getting the No. 1 seed in the playoffs [and] stuff like that. So, as we go down the stretch, they get more and more important, but I don't really think we're thinking too much about that. A big win last week against an AFC opponent will definitely help us in the playoff picture, but at the end of the day, we're still trying to win the game."
On how playing in big games throughout the season helps the team's approach to another big game: "Yes, it helps, definitely – just having that experience. From Week 1, obviously, playing against [Kansas City] on Thursday [in the] first game of the year ... It just helps younger guys grow up a lot quicker. We're going to be only playing [in] big games from here on out, so we've got to get used to it at some point, and I feel like we have done a good job of that, and we can take that into the postseason and do what we can."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On what's impressed him the most about RB Saquon Barkley: "I think [Saquon Barkley] is a generational back. He's doing a hell of a job [and has] been a great back in this league since he came in. He's been playing well for them this year."
On OLB Khalil Mack's comments after last week's game: "I don't care. That [stuff] doesn't matter. We won."
On if he likes that this Ravens-Eagles matchup spotlights two of the league's best running backs: "It doesn't make [any] difference when I line up and play against them. They're a great team, and it's going to be a hell of a challenge. It should be fun. [Saquon Barkley] has been doing a great job, and [it will] be an exciting game."
On if it means anything to see the success of this most recent class of free agent running backs, including himself, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs: "Yes, I'm happy for those guys. They've been doing a hell of a job [of] playing the running back position [and] showing their value. We all just want to give other running backs behind us opportunities. So, they've been [doing] a great job [of] showcasing their talents, and we just want to keep doing that."
On the key to getting his body ready on a short week: "[Go through] my routine [and] take care of my body – same thing I've always done." (Reporter: "You're doing the same thing?") "Yes."
On seeing RB Justice Hill register a career-long 51-yard rushing TD last week: "I'm very happy for Justice [Hill]. He did a great job and got down the field. I was hoping he didn't get caught, [and] he didn't. He did a great job. [It was a] great run, and I'm always happy for Justice. He always does a great job, every single game."
On if there is a running back fraternity where they root for each other's success: "I never want somebody to do bad. I'm always happy to see everybody have success, unless they're playing us. But yes, I'm always wishing well for any running back to have a great season [and] do a great job every game – like I said – unless it's against us."
On what challenges the Eagles' defensive front presents: "They're a great front. They're disruptive, [and] they rely on their front, heavily. They've got great linebackers, who are very smart, who play very well together. [They have] two rookies on the defense who are playing outstanding, as well, who are fast, explosive, and [they're] good in the back end, as well. So, overall, [they're a] great defense – the No. 1 defense in the league – so it shows on film."
On if there's any extra motivation to play against a team with another top running back: "I'm just going to do my job. I don't really try to focus on the outside noise."
On RB Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle: "I thought [it] was crazy, like everybody else. I had never seen it before. It was a hell of a play."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On how he feels on a short week and the challenges of that: "We just have to lock in. [It's a] quick turn around, try to prepare your body for the next game the best that you could, as fast as you could and just dial in for your next opponent."
On what it's going to take to beat the Eagles: "Just worry about being who you are, stay true to yourself, going in like any other game, don't just put too much on your mind about the opponent. You have to focus on what's in front of you."
On if the team can build on what they did on Monday night for the quick turnaround: "Yes, I can. I believe so, yes."
On what he sees from the Eagles defensive front: "Jalen Carter is amazing. Those guys up front are doing an amazing job getting after the quarterback, causing disruption in the backfield. [They're] an explosive defense, that's what I'm seeing – [they have] great corners, all around defense, safeties. Pretty smooth."
On how TE Charlie Kolar's absence will affect the offense and what he's brought to the team this season: "Charlie [Kolar] has been huge for the last few seasons actually, not just this season. He definitely is going to be missed through these last regular season games, but I believe we're going to have guys step up and do what they're supposed to. He's definitely going to be missed for the time he's out, definitely."
On what it means to have converted three fourth downs at Los Angeles and how his relationship with head coach John Harbaugh has evolved: "I believe after 2019, it was just there. Coach [John Harbaugh] had all the faith in not just me, but the offensive side of the ball, just to go for fourth-down conversions. He's been doing that for quite some time now. I'm just used to it."
On if head coach John Harbaugh asked him about going for the fourth down on the Ravens' 16-yard line and his reaction to that: "Yes, he did ask me, because I believe it was a timeout or something, so I went to the sideline. He was like, 'Want to go for it?' And we were just talking about what play we want to run. He was like, 'It's only a half yard.' I'm like, 'Yes, we can do it, but I don't know what play we're going to call.' It was successful."
On if RB Derrick Henry's production has taken any pressure off him and what he has to do: "Yes, I believe so. I don't have to run the ball all the time. It's not like [the] years in the past, so definitely. It definitely does."
On him bringing up the slow offensive starts after Monday's game and the key to breaking the recent trend of slow starts: "Just stay on schedule, instead of having to get back on track. The first pass was like a 15-yard gain – it was like a first down – then, they called it back for a penalty. They called it on Pat [Ricard], so things like that, [it's] not necessarily always our fault, but they are calls. The refs have to do their job to make calls and stuff like that, so we just have to stay on schedule. That's our biggest thing, and that's what I meant by that statement."
On the running back battle between RBs Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley on Sunday: "I'm not thinking about that at all. I'm trying to win. I don't care about what everybody else is saying. I'm just trying to go in there and focus on winning the game, but it is going to be a game. That's two great running backs. I knew Saquon [Barkley] from high school. We were in the All-Star game together. He jumped over somebody's head, so I pretty much [saw] him before I even got to the league [or] college [or] anything. I've been [knowing] about Saquon. With Derrick Henry – King Henry – I'm with him every day, and I'm seeing what he's capable of, so it's going to be a great matchup, but I'm not worried about it."
On why he's been so successful in NFC matchups: "Probably because we're not familiar with each other; I'd say that. I'm just going to give you that, because I really have something else on my mind, really. I'm going to give you that."
On him not being familiar with NFC teams either: "Yes. Yes." (laughter)
On his favorite Thanksgiving dish: "I don't know, man. I love sweet potato pie. It depends who cooks it though, because some people can't cook. My people can cook, though, so if my people are cooking it, yes, I'm going with that."
On the Eagles using a "Ronnie Stanley" audible in their last game: "It's just something that everyone can [get in] sync at the same time, like, 'Ok, this is what the play's going [to be],' or, 'It might be a dummy here,' or something like that where everybody can be on the same page, basically."
On if he's ever had an audible based on another player or something funny: "No, nothing funny."
On the reason he hasn't had as many scrambles over the last few games: "I'm just playing football. That's all. It's nothing to think about. I'm just playing football."
On if he remembers his initial thought when the Ravens signed RB Derrick Henry: "No, I don't even remember where I was when it happened. I was excited about the situation though, but I don't remember what I was thinking."
On if how it's going with RB Derrick Henry has been what he expected: "I knew what it was going to be. That's why I was excited." (laughter) "Yes, man. It's going great. Any given week, it's going to be something special, especially with that guy in the backfield. It just makes my job a lot easier. I can't give him enough credit. I really can't. He's that guy."
On what it means to see WR Rashod Bateman growing in his game and his chemistry with him: "I expect that out of [Rashod Bateman]. I look at him as a receiver [No.] 1. I don't care what anybody else thinks. I know what I believe in, what he believes in, so he knows I'm always going to be on him, all my receivers. I'm on all my receivers, tight ends, too. That's just what it is here. We're trying to win. They hold me accountable as well, so it all works together."
OLB ODAFE OWEH
On the challenges playing against Eagles RB Saquon Barkley: "[Saquon Barkley]'s a great player, so [we'll] play it honest. But also, we're trying to take it to him as well. It's going to be fun. Obviously, he's a Penn State alumni like myself and a few guys on this team, so it's going to be fun. It's going to be like practice back in Beaver [Stadium]."
On the Eagles' offensive line: "[They have a] good offensive line. We've played a lot of good offensive lines this year, but we have the same mentality – try to take it to them. We're going to take it to them and try to dictate it as much as we can and not let them do that."
On if he approaches pressuring Eagles QB Jalen Hurts any differently: "No, I feel like you can't think about it like that. You got to just try to, like I said, play it honest, but also shoot your best shot and let the odds drop where they should."
On if the Ravens' defense has turned a corner: "Yes, I'll say that. I feel like we're doing a real good job of communicating, doing the little things well, holding on to details and just following the plan for that week."
On DL Michael Pierce returning to practice: "It's big. We call [Michael Pierce] 'The Juggernaut' for a reason. He's stout in there. Travis [Jones] has been doing a good job. Other guys like Josh [Tupou], 'Worm' [Chirs Wormley] [and] 'Broddy' [Broderick Washington] have been doing good, but it's always good to have 'Mike' [Michael Pierce] back out there. It's a little bit more artillery for us."
On if matchups against top teams in the NFC are fun: "Yes, it's fun. Obviously, NFC – they play kind of differently than the AFC. It's just fun to see how you stack up with how they play. Like I said, we carry it like any other game. Just try to dominate the people in front of us. Whatever look they give us, we'll play our technique and then let the chips fall."
On if the Eagles have the best offensive tackles the Ravens will play this season: "I mean they said that last week. Like I said, we'll take it how we do every week and just try to compete and dominate every week. They're a good group. They have a lot of good history. I know [Jordan] Mailata, he's pretty good as well. But like I said, we [are] carrying it like every other week."
On if he's been doing anything differently with his recent success in pressuring quarterbacks: "Just letting it come to you. Like a good balance between letting it come to you and then being aggressive. I feel like that's helping me. A lot of times if I miss it's because I'm being a little bit more aggressive, or if I miss, I'm not being more aggressive. So, trying to find that blend helps, and it's helped this year."
On what challenges Eagles QB Jalen Hurts with his strong lower body creates: "Nothing too crazy. I know that [Jalen Hurts] does a lot of the read options, so just being disciplined with your reads. Then like you said, he has a stout base and stuff like that. Like I said, just playing it honest, having eye discipline, and like I said, everything we do every week – just being more disciplined in what the coaches are telling us to do, and then we'll be good, [and] we'll be straight."
On what it's been like to watch his brother Otega play for the Kentucky men's basketball team: "Oh now this one's good. [Otega Oweh]'s worked so hard coming from Oklahoma and Blair [Academy]. He's been doubted, so just to see him have the opportunity to showcase who he really is and what he can do – it's crazy. I was watching him [play] against Duke, and he's going against Cooper Flagg – big implications and stuff like that – and he's doing good [and] he's dominating, and I shed a tear, just because I just know how hard he works, and he's doing well. I just hope [Kentucky] makes it deep in the [NCAA] tournament, and he continues to impress and put on for the last name."
