There were positive vibes in the Ravens' locker room following Wednesday's practice, and the upbeat mood was understandable.
Having a new lease on their season felt good. So did having Lamar Jackson back on the practice field.
The Ravens are grateful for the opportunity to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday night's showdown for the AFC North title. After starting 1-5 and all the adversity they've endured this season, the Ravens were stoked to be back in control of their own destiny.
"It got bleak there a little bit, a few times throughout the year," All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said. "We've got to make it all for a reason. We've worked too hard to put ourselves in this position. God's been on our side to give us another shot. Not a lot of 8-8 teams can say they still have a chance in Week 18. We've got to make the most of it."
Coming off a gut-punch loss to the New England Patriots, the Ravens rallied in Green Bay in an elimination game. The Browns' win over the Steelers the next day was a gift that gave them another chance to realize their goals.
"The vibes, the energy after that Green Bay game – not even knowing if we were going to even have a chance – to me, that was encouraging," cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. "I think the guys came out with the energy we played with in that must-win game, not knowing [what the future holds]. It said a lot to me about the leadership of the team, the leadership of the coaches. And hopefully that energy, that same demeanor, that will to win throughout the week will lead into a victory on Sunday."
Starting center Tyler Linderbaum said the buzz surrounding the team is undeniable, with players and coaches knowing they still have a chance to accomplish something special.
"If we knew this was our last game, it'd probably be a different story," Linderbaum said. "It starts this week, preparing our butts off."
Linderbaum said Jackson's presence at practice only added to the positive feeling. The Ravens have full confidence in backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, but Jackson is a one-of-a-kind talent."
"He's the leader of this team," Linderbaum said. "Everything goes through No. 8. It'll be exciting to have him back if he does play."
Ravens Believe in Their Road Mentality
Having won five straight games on the road, the Ravens will travel to Pittsburgh fully confident in their ability to play well in a hostile environment. There's no magic formula for having success on the road, but it's clearly part of this team's DNA.
"I think this team's got a lot of character, a lot of grit, a lot of toughness," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "It's really required in any game, but it's especially required on the road. We've been in a lot of tough road environments this year."
The Ravens haven't won in Pittsburgh since 2022, and they know it will be a challenging environment Sunday night. Hamilton believes that the Ravens' road success will help them.
"It might just be a backs-against-the-wall kind of mentality," Hamilton said. "There is something a little different about going into somebody else's stadium.
"At the end of the day, we're in enemy territory. Maybe it's that mentality. I don't know what it is… But yes, I'm glad we're winning on the road, because if we weren't winning on the road, then this game wouldn't matter."
Nate Wiggins Vows to Come Back Stronger
Nate Wiggins hasn't had many games in his two-year career like the one he had in Green Bay, when he was credited with allowing five catches for 111 yards, per Pro Football Focus.
Heading into Pittsburgh this week, Wiggins vows to be better.
Playing cornerback, you're going to have games like that," Wiggins said. "One game isn't going to affect me. I'm going to come back hard the next game, stronger and better and ready to go."
The Steelers attacked the Ravens on the perimeter in their first matchup this season. It will be harder for Pittsburgh to do that this time around without wide receiver DK Metcalf, who is serving the second game of his two-game suspension.
"It makes a huge difference," Wiggins said. "They can't force the ball downfield with explosives now. They're going to have to dink-and-dunk and get the ball downfield."
Ravens Could Close Aaron Rodgers' Career
No matter who the Steelers' receivers are, if Aaron Rodgers plays like he did in the first matchup between the AFC North rivals, the Ravens secondary will be in for a stiff test.
Rodgers completed 23 of 34 passes for a season-high 284 passing yards against the Ravens four weeks ago in his first taste of the storied rivalry. There’s a possibility that this is Rodgers’ last game in his illustrious career, and the Ravens would like to see to it.
"That first game we were like, 'He done turned the clock back,'" Humphrey said. "He hadn't been that spot on, but he threw some great passes. He really etched himself into the rivalry well.
"We have to match that tempo. He's going to come out there and give his guys great opportunities to get the ball and put it in places where it's very hard to defend. It doesn't matter who you're guarding, who's out there, you've got to be on your p's and q's. Great player, but we would definitely like to have his last memory be a negative one."
Humphrey Credits Harbaugh's Positivity for Guiding Ravens
As chatter continues about the futures of Harbaugh and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin heading into Sunday's game, one of the Ravens' longest-tenured players had his coach's back.
Humphrey said Harbaugh's positivity has been a guiding force this season after a 1-5 start, and the veteran cornerback specifically thanked his coach for his encouraging message to the team after the Ravens' loss to the New England Patriots.
"I love Coach Harbaugh as a coach. I also love him as a man, as far as what he's been able to preach to me when he's not even talking about football," Humphrey said.
"Having a leader that, no matter what's going on, [is] staying positive, I think has been huge with what he's been [doing] this year. Even given the circumstances, we have a chance to win it all, and I couldn't be more grateful to have that guy leading us."
Harbaugh looks at the Ravens' turbulent season as good training as they head into Pittsburgh with the division title on the line.
"Whatever we bring to the table on Sunday night is going to be a reflection of all that, and what you become through that adversity," Harbaugh said. "You don't always get to pick your path. And many times, the path isn't what you would have picked, what you would have chosen. But it might be exactly what you needed. I hope that's the case."
