HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "OK, [that was a] great win against a tough opponent who was ready to play. [The Jets are a] very well-coached, very hard-playing and very talented team, and you saw it out there today. So, [I am] really proud of our guys. The message this week – the verse message – was from Psalms 23, 'And yea, though I walked through the valley of shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me.' And I feel like that's the way the story of the game went. It's the way the story of the season has gone, in a sense. The first half was tough. They did a really good job, and our guys kept fighting even to the end of the second quarter. And then we got the lead, and we were – nobody flinched. [And then] we came out, and we had three straight scoring drives. We took the game over in the third quarter and into the fourth quarter, we played really well. But, a couple of things that jump out at me right away is the punt team. [Let's] start with Jordan Stout and the punt coverage guys; that kept us in the game, probably, because we were backed up field-position wise. We had averaged [starting] at the 20 [-yard line]; we were backed up inside the 10 [-yard line] once or twice, too. [The Jets] had done a good job with their punt team, the kickoffs and all the different things. They moved the ball a couple times, and we were backed up offensively, and that made it tough against that defense. And then our punt team would bail us out and pushed them all the way back inside the 20 [-yard line], a couple times inside the 10 [-yard line], and even at the five [-yard line] late [in the game]. That punt [by Jordan Stout] at the end of the game was unbelievable. So, I think our punt team, in a lot of ways, kept us in and was the difference-maker in the game. And [special teams coordinator] Chris Horton deserves so much credit for that. Chris Horton has done a great job. This is a young group [on the Jets], that was the No. 1 ranked special teams [unit] in the league coming in here, and Chris Horton had those guys ready. He had those guys ready in every phase, and you could see how good they were, how dangerous they were in kickoff return and everything else. We had the big kickoff return to Keaton [Mitchell] that got that scoring drive started in the second quarter. So, I am really proud of that. I just wanted to make sure we mentioned what a great job Chris has done with those guys. And then, those young guys [on special teams]. There are bunch of young guys that compete, get after it, fight and practice hard every day. So, I am proud of those guys. Alright, what questions do you have?"
How does it feel, after starting off 1-5, now having five straight wins and with the Steelers losing today, you're tied atop of the AFC North? (Jamison Hensley) "Well, it feels great. It feels great, but it's just halfway done; it's not over. The season is not over. The game wasn't over, and the season is not over. And we play four – we play the Steelers twice, and we play the Bengals twice in the next few weeks. So, that's going to be it right there. And it's starting Thursday night, we have no time, really, to rest. We've got to go to work on the Bengals and we know what that's like – how challenging that is – so we'll be ready to go."
Speaking of the short week, we saw S Kyle Hamilton limp off to the locker room. Do you have an update on him? (Bo Smolka) "Kyle [Hamilton] is not a serious injury. Taven [Bryan] also limped off – we'll have to evaluate that one, and we'll know more tomorrow."
It's another week of – QB Lamar Jackson is such a high-standard guy – but it's another week where he's not played the way we are used to seeing him play, at the MVP level. Being close to him, do you characterize this as sort of some things he's working through? What's your confidence level that he'll get back to the level we've seen of him over the years? (Kyle Goon) "I have such – thanks for asking that, that's a great [question], and I like the way you asked it, too. I appreciate it. [I have the] utmost confidence in Lamar Jackson; I always will. He's my guy; he's our guy; he's our quarterback. Lamar is doing what he needs to do. He is winning football games. It's not always pretty. I don't know how many times in the last however many years where we've had wins like this where we've gotten up here and have said, 'It's not pretty, it's not perfect, but it's us. It's competing and fighting.' And that's what Lamar is doing. The pretty games will be there. They'll be there for Lamar Jackson; you can bet on that. But I'm proud of him right now. I'm really proud of him and the way he's fighting to win football games."
How big was the fourth-and-2 stop in the third quarter to kind of shift momentum? (Brian Wacker) "[That was] so big. They went after Nate [Wiggins with] a little hitch stop there, and he just played it perfectly, technique-wise. You [can] challenge a young corner sometimes [because of] his technique or his eyes – those kinds of things – and he played it beautifully."
Early in the game, you guys had fourth-and-inches, and you brought the punt team out, you called timeout, and then you brought the offense back on. Was that a case where QB Lamar Jackson talked you into it, or was that a plan all along? (Bo Smolka) "Well, I did see [Lamar Jackson's] facial expression – I will have to admit to that – but really what it was, it was shorter than we thought. It seemed a little longer, for whatever reason, on the spot, we thought. And it was really a situation where you were probably punting everything unless it was inches, and it turned out to be about – well then it looked like about three inches, but then they spotted it right before the snap, and I'm like, 'That's like a half of a yard. I think they moved it back again.' But, we got it, and so I thought that was awesome. That was big [for us]."
On fourth down, was it a hard decision to make the call to go with it on the RB Derrick Henry run, to go for that situation versus kick a field goal? (Garrett Downing) "It was. It was a tough call. We just decided that the downside of leaving them backed up there would be OK, [that] we'd be OK, but that was a tough call – not taking the points – the sure points."
Especially with CB Marlon Humphrey coming off the finger surgery, given that game situation, how big was the forced fumble thrown inside the five? (Luke Jones) "Marlon [Humphrey] – and then of course, 'Lo' [Alohi Gilman] coming up with the ball – but Marlon, to get that ball out, I don't know how he did it. We were reeling a little bit; they had us on our heels. They were running the ball, they had made some plays, and we'd missed some tackles. And then he comes up – he comes up just huge. To me, that's the lion spike right there. That's the lion spike of the game right there. And then the pass rush; how about the pass rush? I thought those guys bringing it on the pass rush was good. Now, I'm disappointed in the fact that Tyrod [Taylor] got out, but we knew that, he is a hard guy to get down. That was pretty much a lot of their offense, was him scrambling around and making plays on the run. But, we got him down, and we got some pressure, especially at the end, in the fourth quarter. The fourth-quarter pass rush was a big deal."
You caution that the season is not over yet, but to get back to this point, even before Thanksgiving where everything is still in front of you from where you were at 1-5. What sort of stands out to you about your ability to do that? (Mark Maske) "I think it's what we talked about before. I think that faith, guts and the idea that guys are – you walk through all these things, and it makes you stronger and builds you into what you need to be. And hopefully, that's the type of team that we are becoming. And we still have a whole bunch of games left to fight through, and they're all going to be tough games. Every single one of them will be like this. The rest of the season is going to be tough, so we're going to have to be tough also. We're going to have to be tough enough to deal with it. But the pass rush – how about 'Dre' [Dre'Mont Jones] on the two sacks? [He had] two sacks. Coming up with those sacks and getting them on the ground late; that was huge."
To kind of follow up on what you were just talking about, I know you're a one-game-at-a-time type of guy, but with that being said, when you look at the schedule for the next three weeks; Bengals, Steelers and Bengals, is there sort of a different juice to the portion of the schedule you're getting into where these division games are going to be really tough? (Kyle Goon) "I don't know if I'd say different juice, because I think the juice has been there every single week. You couldn't underestimate or under-calculate the juice that's gone into these games. And the fact that our guys have what it takes to come to bring it again. 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] was talking to the team in the locker room in the final break about that very thing this week against the Bengals. And it's just the Bengals, it's the Bengals on Thursday night. That's it."
With RB Derrick Henry, I think he's now up to 12th on the all-time rushing yards list. I think he passed former NFL RB Marcus Allen and former NFL RB Edgerrin James. I know you're not thinking about it at the time, when you're watching him run, but is it kind of interesting to see a guy where, with every yard he's moving up, kind of, in NFL history? (Jamison Hensley) "It is. It is. You start running out of game balls – how many game balls can you give [Derrick Henry]? Maybe we'll wait until he cracks the Top 10, I don't know. But he's going to get more yards. And then having players like that on your team – and the a guy sitting right here [Roquan Smith] is in the same category or DeAndre Hopkins, who is going after his 1,000th catch. I thought about trying to get him his 1,000th catch there, too, but he won't have to do that. It's coming. It'll be there Thursday night. So, seeing those guys play and being a part of that – their careers – is really cool."
Last year there were struggles with special teams and penalties. This year through 12 weeks, you guys are probably in the Top 5 or Top 10 in both those categories. Just how helpful can that be to a team like this, that was going through some ups and downs? And just, what is it like to see it come out on the field today? (Jonas Shaffer) "That is such a good observation, because that's a difference maker. We are – I don't know how many penalties we had today, [but] it wasn't very many. And I think we're fourth or something like that, in least amount of penalties. I'm really proud of our guys for that. [Officiating liaison] Tony Michalek [on our staff] has done a great job for us, but everybody has done a great job. Today was a big challenge for the special teams [unit]. It was a 'red letter' game, the old 'red letter' game. Michigan used to have 'red letter' games. Ohio State was one of them. And this was a 'red letter' game for our special teams [unit], and they really came up big."
Going back to P Jordan Stout, he did have a career-long punt today, and he's talked about how he just feels more comfortable, and he's flowing out there. How have you seen him progress, now that he's in Year Four? (Carita Parks) "That's such a good question. [Jordan Stout] has made a big jump. He's made a big jump this year. I think he's kind of found himself. Sometimes you have to figure out, what type of a punter am I going to be? And I think he's really punting to his strengths. [He has a] 61.5 average, [that's the] sixth longest since 1960."
P Jordan Stout's 74-yard punt tied former Baltimore Ravens P Sam Koch for the longest ever by a Raven. (Bo Smolka) "By the Ravens, right? Sam [Koch] had a 74-yarder? Sam is going to see – Sam, right now, you're still No. 1 – you're tied for No. 1, Sam."
But P Jordan Stout – you said that over the four years you've just seen ... He was under a lot of pressure, following former Baltimore Ravens P Sam Koch, right? How has he handled that over the time – over the last four years? (Bo Smolka) "I think that's exactly right. And Sam [Koch] deserves credit, too, because Sam's been working with [Jordan Stout]. He worked with him for his first couple years here and still talks to him all the time. So yes, it's cool to see."
WR ZAY FLOWERS
On how he thought the offense played throughout the game: "[It was a] slow start, but we had a couple plays that sparked it to get it going. We knew what we had to do to get those plays, so we came in at halftime, we got right and went back out."
On if there was specific messaging at halftime: "No, there was no message, for real. We already knew what was going on, and we knew what we needed to do. We knew we started slow, and we weren't playing at our best. [There were] couple of drops. I had a drop, [and there were] a few more drops from people, so we just knew we had to lock in and get right."
On if QB Lamar Jackson not running as much has affected the offense: "I don't think it's a challenge, because [Lamar Jackson] can do it. He can pass, and he can run, so I wouldn't just say his running opens up the offense. His scramble ability does, but we just have to keep running our routes, getting open and hold blocks for a little bit longer, and we going to be all right."
On winning today and preparing for Thursday's game: "We're just going to keep trying to execute and get things better every day in practice. I feel fresh, so I didn't really do too much today, and [there were] not too many tackles [on me], so we'll be all right."
On if he's noticed any trends for why the offense starts slower and then gets into a rhythm: "No, not really. I feel like everybody plays us differently, so I wouldn't say it's really a common theme. We just have to get the run and the pass going at the same time."
On how it feels to be tied with the Steelers for the lead in the AFC North: "We aren't really paying attention to them if I'm being honest, but it is nice. We just want to keep stacking our wins and keep going."
On if it is motivating that the team is on a 5-0 win streak: "Absolutely. Absolutely, we have a lot of room to grow in every part of the offense, so it's encouraging that we are getting wins. It definitely is."
On if it felt good to see RB Derrick Henry get two touchdowns in the red zone: "Yes, the past few weeks we haven't finished, but we're just looking every week to get better and finish in the red zone."
S ALOHI GILMAN
On the forced fumble at the 2-yard line: "Shoutout to Marlon [Humphrey]. He's a baller, one-handed. That was the play of the game in my opinion. It just flipped the momentum back. I missed a tackle earlier in that series that I was pissed about, but everyone just kept fighting, and I think everyone has that internal belief that we are going to make a play and get the job done. To get that going and [for] the defense to make a couple of takeaways and flip the game, it was great."
On Jets QB Tyrod Taylor: "My rookie year, I was with Tyrod [Taylor] with the [Los Angeles] Chargers, and he was one of the veterans who mentored me. I followed him, saw his routine. He was a great veteran, a pros pro, so it doesn't surprise me the way that he plays. He's had a great career, and I wish him the best."
On what it says about this team to go from 1-5 to 6-5: "It's part of our journey. Obviously, I came in at a weird time, and I am just happy to be a part of that journey. From 1-5 to 6-5 is a great feeling, because you understand that everyone is buying in. Everyone is sacrificing, committing to the process, and every week, we have to earn it. That's just part of our journey this year, and I'm grateful to be a part of it, and we still have a lot of work to do."
On if he feels the impact that he has had on the defense: "I don't know what it felt like before, so I can't compare it to anything, but yes, for sure. I have existing relationships with guys like Kyle Hamilton. Kyle Van Noy, I played with him, as well. But just coming in here and bringing a veteran presence, to be able to communicate well, provide great energy, being around the ball and finding ways to make plays. I just want to be a consistent guy back there helping to hold down everything that needs to get done. We are doing a great job. I think everyone has just rallied behind that energy. Whether that is from me or from the team, I don't know. I'm not going to take full accountability for that. I think it's a team effort, but it's been great. It's been fun."
On a short turnaround for the Cincinnati Bengals game on Thursday: "I talked about it with the guys the last Thursday night game that we had. It's like a pickup basketball or football game. You have a few days until you play. We are going to obviously enjoy this one, but obviously your mind is going to look ahead to your next opponent. But it's pickup football, and when you are a kid playing in the park, this is what you live for. You go and play pickup ball. You go and play hoop with the guys. We are going to go hoop and see what happens."
On being at home for the Thursday night game: "For me, it's my first Thanksgiving game, so it is pretty significant. Baltimore Ravens, the energy here is great. Obviously, I've been in California my whole career, but the Ravens environment, the stadium, who doesn't want to come out here and watch some great football? The guys are coming out here, flying around and playing some great football, so it's been fun."
On if he has any Thanksgiving traditions: "I'm from Hawaii, so [eating] Hawaiian food is what we do traditionally. I haven't been back to Hawaii in a while – just playing ball and what not – but I do have some family here this week that flew down from Hawaii, [like] my little brother [and] my older sister, so they are going to experience this East Coast Ravens environment, Ravens experience, and I'm happy to be a part of it. They are going to enjoy it, as well, and [I'm] just grateful for everything."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On how it feels being tied for the AFC North lead: "It's good. We won. I'm looking forward to Thursday. [It was a] great win [against a] great team."
On having success inside the 5-yard line: "We got in the end zone. We scored. [We did] what we needed to do to be able to put points up. Great execution by everybody on the offense."
On FB Patrick Ricard blocking for his touchdown: "We scored, so it worked. [Patrick Ricard] did a great job."
On what role FB Patrick Ricard plays in those situations: "That's something [Patrick Ricard] has been doing before I got here, so it's no surprise to anybody. He goes in there, he blocks and does a great job and [helps] us to be able to have big runs or be able to score."
On the feeling knowing the offense didn't play up to their capability: "I think you know. You just answered the question. We didn't play the way we feel like we should, and we have to be better."
On the importance of the fourth-down goal-line touchdown and if the team was lobbying to go for it on fourth down: "We just want to give ourselves a chance to be able to go score, and I'm glad that we executed to be able to get it in there. Yes, we just got to be better on offense overall."
On what the offense needs to do to execute the way they want: "Play better. Execute. I don't know what else to say. We just need to play better, and everybody just has to do their job. All 11, it takes all 11 to be able to execute, put plays together, put drives together and put up points."
On how QB Lamar Jackson not running the ball as efficiently impacts the offense's approach: "My approach is the same. When I get the ball, [I] try to make plays and do my job. I can't speak for 'L' [Lamar Jackson]. You have to ask him that. We won today, so that's a plus, but let's focus on being better."
WR DE'ANDRE HOPKINS
On the offense's performance during the current win streak: "I find satisfaction in the win. It's the NFL, and the other team gets paid as well. Of course, you want to go out there and blow a team out, but a win is a win, so it doesn't matter."
On the pride he takes in being able to deliver in clutch situations: "I came here because I knew [the Ravens had] Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry here. Those guys are playing for something, and I'm just happy to be a part of it and to be in the game during those clutch situations. When my number's called, you know, I think I've come down with it more than I haven't, so hopefully Lamar and I can keep building off that."
On what it means to know how to win games: "At the end of the day, it's win or lose, so good teams find a way to win however that is and just, Marlon [Humphrey] getting the ball out, special teams, you know, making a tackle when they need to, a lot of little things go into the big stuff that people see."
On how the offense hasn't been playing to their usual standard: "You know, I feel that we're clicking enough to win, and that's all that matters, man. You know, we look at teams around the league, record, you know, who isn't, what ours is. It could be, statistically, the best-ranked offense. I'd rather be in this position than be statistically the best on paper."
On what it takes to bounce back mid-season: "It takes the players just committing to do their job. You know, being in a situation that we're in, 1-5. I don't think anybody thought that we couldn't do what we're doing now in this locker room, but that starts with the veterans, the way we practice, [and] the young guys want to practice the same way. But, you know, really, the practice field, you've got to go out and practice with meaning and execute in the game."
On balancing rest and practice: "Well, you know, you plan this. You've got a lot of time on your hands in this league, so guys like myself who's been around other players just asking what they're doing to recover especially, you know, at this age. I've been around a lot of locker rooms and have been around a lot of vets. I used to ask J.J. Watt and Andre Johnson some things that they were doing to recover especially in shorter weeks and stuff like that, just asking questions when you're young. The NFL has, I feel like, kind of made it where games are a quicker turnaround. Last year we played three games within like a week or a week-and-a-half, so you know, if you want to go out there and be productive, recovery is key."
On how eager he is to get his 1,000th catch: "Oh man, I thought Lamar and I had it on the go-ball. You know, it's all good, and hopefully we can get it next week."
On his reaction to Devontez Walker's big catch: "I'm [Devontez Walker]'s No. 1 fan, so of course I was excited. Hopefully he can go out there and make some more catches for us."
CB MARLON HUMPHREY
On the importance of his forced fumble: "Honestly, I was thinking about the missed tackle I had just had a play or two before. We talk about the more shots you take on the ball, the better the odds you have to get one out, and I took a shot there, and I was able to get it out."
On what OLB Dre'Mont Jones has meant to the team over the last few weeks and today: "I didn't even know [Dre'Mont Jones] got the two sacks today, but it's good to be covering, and the quarterback goes down. I love the way he's just been able to come from a new place, and he's really just fit right into the culture. He's not causing any stir. He's really a pro about the way he goes to work, learning [and] just everything he does. He's fit in really well, and I think, obviously, the trade is really paying off with the sacks he's getting."
On if it's encouraging that the team has won five games but there is still room for improvement in all phases: "Yes, I think it's great. Obviously, the most interesting thing – I think I might've said it this week to somebody – [is] the approach to how we've gone about things. We were 1-5, and now that we're 5-5, It's still the same. That's something that's been really encouraging. There hasn't been a lot of finger pointing. Early in the season, the defense, we were the worst in the league. The offense wasn't finger pointing at us. I think this team is really starting to come together, and it's really just is good. It's a pleasure to be on this team. It's a pleasure to get coached by the coaches. It's good vibes, it's good energy in the building, and it just seems like we're all working towards something. Even when something's not right – when special teams isn't right, defense isn't right [or] offense isn't right – we're still building with one another, and so it's really encouraging."
On the fourth-quarter turnover: "It was huge. Some of the players and the coaches were like, 'Boy, that was major.' It would've been a one-score game. It could have given them some hope. They already kind of had a little bit of success, so it was major to make that play in that moment."
On turning the page to next week's Thanksgiving game against the Bengals: "I want to have the best Thanksgiving of my life, and it'd be great if Joe Burrow just waited another week, but even if he is out there, it'll be great to get the best of the Bengals with Joe being out there. I know the type of competitor he is. He's a really cool guy. In the offseason, we see him at the Pro Bowl and different things, but on the field, he flips that switch on, and you know you're going to get his best, so it'll be a good Thanksgiving matchup."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On how it feels to be tied for the lead position in the AFC North after starting 1-5: "It feels great. [I] wish we were in a better situation. [We are] 5-0 [in the last five games], [and] we have to just keep it going. It's a tough division, tough league. Like I said, we just have to keep going."
On why the offense had a slower start in the first half: "We need to execute better. A lot of things I feel – we just have to put points on the board. Our defense has played 'lights out' for the last few weeks. [We] started to play well in Miami, but [within] the last few weeks, I feel like we need to put points on the board and execute drives."
On if it's frustrating when the offense is not playing successfully, while defense and special teams units are playing well: "Yes, a little bit because it is our job. I'm an offensive guy. I'm not playing defense. It is great to see our defense playing well, but it'll also feel great and look great when we are playing as well to match their energy. We just need to do that week in and week out because those guys are stepping up. We need to do the same thing."
On since coming back from injury this season, if there has been a game where he's felt fully healthy: "I can't call it, but I'm out there, so I feel like I should still be able to do what I do."
On if his ankle bothered him at all during the game: "No, it was pretty solid for the most part. It was pretty solid."
On if he thinks his injuries are hindering the offense at all: "No. No, I don't think that at all. I feel like we just need to execute a lot better. We get in great field position, but we're not putting points on the board. That has nothing to do with an injury. We just need to put points on the board right there."
On if completing passes to WR Zay Flowers allowed him to get into a passing rhythm: "I feel like we found a rhythm running the ball as well. Derrick Henry was hitting gaps; Keaton [Mitchell] had one even though it got called back later in the game, but I feel like when we are playing how we play on our level, everything looks good."
On what he thinks has held the offense back from executing in the game today: "Some missed opportunities. Sometimes [with] weaknesses in the defense, I feel like we should have taken advantage of that. We just didn't."
OLB DRE'MONT JONES
On his first home game as a Raven: "It was fun. It was lit. The energy was great. Having the fans on the side pregame got me going. It felt like it was an any given Sunday movie."
On the defensive performance today: "We've been [almost] lights out. It's been creating turnovers, getting pressure on the quarterback, getting hits, getting sacks [and] stopping the run. Everybody is doing their part. D-line, we're knocking things back, and the backend is covering, so it's complementary football going on right now."
On the confidence of the defense since he's been here: "It's been through the roof. When I got here, it seemed weird that they lost or had any slipups, because they were just so good. I'm happy to be a part of something like that."
On if he feels like he's where he should be because of his physicality: "I was where I should be the night I was traded, so I definitely feel my confidence growing each and every week. The coaches and teammates, they do a good job of making me comfortable. They're always helping me out [and] overcommunicating. Even when I know it like the back of my hand, they'll still tell me, which is a good thing, because you have slipups sometimes. We just have to keep that up, and [there are] more wins to come."
DL TRAVIS JONES
On how it feels to be tied for first in the AFC North: "[It] feels great. We just have to keep this going, one game at a time, which is exactly how we got here to this point."
On what being 1-5 taught this team: "Being 1-5 was tough for us at the beginning of this season, but we fought our way out of it, kept our focus and really learned a lot about ourselves. This feels good, but there's a lot more to do."
On his improved play over the course of the season: "I just feel much more confident now. At the beginning of the season, I was dealing with a couple of minor injuries, but I am good now. This is actually the best I have felt all season, and it's coming at the right time of the season."
On what S Kyle Hamilton has meant to the defense: "That's the best defensive player in the league. There is no doubt that [Kyle Hamilton] should be Defensive Player of the Year. He's just everywhere and allows us to do so many things on defense."
On acquiring S Alohi Gilman and OLB Dre'Mont Jones during the season: "They are such big parts of this team [and] such big parts of the defense. We have been playing way better with those two in there."
On being 6-5 and tied for first place in the AFC North: "We feel confident. We feel we can keep this going all the way to the end of the season."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
On how he thinks the offense performed in the red zone: "We still need to improve, but I don't know what we were today in the red zone. But especially at the end there, [when] we get the ball down to the 7-yard line, we have to find a way to get it in [the end zone] instead of kicking a field goal. [There is still] room to grow, but I am glad we got the win. The defense played really well today. We have a big one coming up on Thursday."
On the satisfaction of having two touchdowns inside the red zone: "You have to be able to run the ball down in the red zone. If you get inside that 5-yard line, you have to be able to run it, so we're going to keep trying to improve on it and keep trying to execute the play that's called. We have to be more efficient like that."
On if the offense made any adjustments to improve inside the red zone: "I think at the end of the day, it's a mentality. Yes, coaches can get more creative with things, but at the end of the day, whatever is called, we have to find a way to get into the end zone."
On if there was anything that changed in the third quarter to turn the game around: "It is a four-quarter ball game. Yes, ideally, we'd like to start out fast and give our defense some breathing room, but they played a helluva game today. Special teams kept us in the game. Defense kept us in the game. We have talented players on offense that can score some points. I am just glad we got the win. We have a really tough one coming up on Thursday. It's Thanksgiving, so I am excited to see what we can do."
On the defense and offense having each other's backs: "You have to find ways in this league to win ball games each and every way. It certainly helps when you have a really good defense, and they're playing at an extremely high level. Obviously, [on offense] we want to play at a higher level, too, but we're going to keep searching, keep fighting and keep trying to improve."
On having five-straight wins going into a short week against the Cincinnati Bengals: "Yes, we have been fighting, scratching and clawing, trying to dig ourselves out of a hole. We're not even close to where we need to be – where we want to be – but we're on the right path. We're on the right track, and we have a lot of divisional games still coming up. This is still a good division, no matter what the records are. The games are going to be good. Games will be close, hard-fought, and we have to have the right mentality going into them."
On if he is surprised that they are tied with the Steelers for first place in the AFC North: "No, I'm not surprised. Going into the year, we knew what kind of team we had. We struggled in the beginning of the year, but it's a long season for a reason. You have to keep chipping away, keep chipping away and keep fighting. Like I said, keep scratching and clawing your way back to try to compete to get a spot in the playoffs and then make it far."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On what has contributed to the defense's success: "I think it's just a combination of us coming together collectively. [On] defense, I feel like we're playing where we know where each other's going to be play-in and play-out. Hats off to [defensive coordinator] 'Z.O.' [Zach Orr] and the staff – [they] have been making great gameplans. So, I just think it's a combination of that, and just guys just playing together and putting it all on the line for one another."
On if he is proud that the team is now tied for the lead in the AFC North: "You can't really focus on the past. You only can just focus on going forward in the moment right now. And that's something that we've been prioritizing like, 'Hey, it's the moment right now. Forget what has happened. You remember it, but you can't focus on it or dwell on it.' And we just know we control our destiny. But we knew that weeks ago, regardless of the spot that we were in; we knew we controlled our destiny. So, that's what it's all about and we've just got to continue to play our brand of football week in and week out."
On what has contributed to the defense forcing turnovers: "Yes, absolutely. Hats off to Marlon [Humphrey] on that play. That was a heck of a play. He always tends to step up in critical moments, so [we are] glad to have him back out there, obviously. And yes, it's something that the coaches have been preaching as well as the players, and granted, the DBs have been getting a lot of turnovers, and those guys have been doing a lot of punching at the ball as well. So, it's something that we all have to continue just to work on, including myself, linebackers, D-line when we are coming in. More often than not when you're the second man in though, you have those opportunities, and I think that's just something at the forefront, and something that the coaches echo throughout the week. There are some things like 'the bats' [of balls] and things of that nature that we get to get and just how you get recognized for getting those turnovers. So, I think that's something that every guy wants to get on that board for that, and it's something that we just have to keep honing-in on and getting more. We know that turnovers win games, so [we] just have to continue to keep getting the ball in the offense's hands."
On if he senses the defense's confidence growing: "Yes, I think it's just a bunch of dudes that are willing to go out there and put it all on the line for one another. The communication is outstanding throughout the week, and it echoes throughout the game. So, when we're all on the same page – and we have the talent – so the talent is there. Then the communication, once you have that and then when you have the mindset of willing to put your face in [the fan] and defend every single play, and you have those types of guys that's not worried about 'me, me, me' and more like 'us, us us' and when you have that, it's the perfect combination for a really good defense. But I think we're just on our way to where we're going, and it's just another step in the road and [it was a] great win today, but onto Cincinnati."
On what it does for the defense's mindset when they have a strong performance in a win: "Yes, absolutely. I think you just have to control what you can control. As a defense, the only thing you can control is what product you go out and put on the field. We can't focus on what the offense is doing. I have a lot of respect for our offense. I know our offense is going to continue to keep putting up points, but at the end of the day it's about us on defense. So, it's about us eleven coming together, because at the end of the day, if a team doesn't score, they don't win. [Just] having that mindset right there, but obviously, it's the NFL as well, so guys are going to make plays, but it's about wiping the lens clean. Especially, like myself missing that sack, I hated it. It sucked, but at the end of the day, it's like it happened. It's the NFL. [Tyrod Taylor is] a tough tackle in the pocket sometimes, but I have to make that play and have to just wipe the lens clean. You can't just dwell on plays that you missed, because teams are going to hit plays. It's about just us going out and being who we are, play in and play out. But one touchdown, normally, is not going to win a game. So, it's about just being consistent, play in and play out."
On what he told the team in the locker room about the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals: "At the end of the day, we just have to focus on one game at a time. I just basically told the guys [to] enjoy this for a couple hours. Then, I know myself, it's like I'm going to watch the game, make the corrections, and then tonight I'll be watching Cincinnati in a sense. So, it's about just preparing, knowing that it's going to be a really tough match. It's at home. It is the NFL. Every game is tough. Those guys are going to come out, and [they] have a really good offense, so [I am] excited about the matchup. It's just going to be another opportunity for us as a defense to just go out and show exactly who we are, play in and play out."
On if he has any strong memories watching football on Thanksgiving: "Yes, it is pretty special. It's pretty special. Honestly, shoot, I've been watching football on Thanksgiving [ever] since I was a kid growing up and always watching the Cowboys who always played on Thanksgiving. [Then] the Lions, them being in Chicago, playing the Lions just about every year on Thanksgiving. It is just something that – that's really my Thanksgiving, because truth be told, I don't think I've had a Thanksgiving with family since 17 years old. So, when you think about it like that, that's all I really know – football on Thanksgiving. So, it'll be pretty sweet. [I am] looking forward to it. Obviously, we're going to be [at] home, so we have to protect our home by any means necessary. It's going to be an awesome game. [I am] looking forward to a hostile environment for sure."
P JORDAN STOUT
On his 74-yard and 67-yard punt today: "I feel like that's just [due to] a lot of time, a lot of hard work, just finally paying off. I've had a good year so far. TJ Tampa had an incredible day today. He made a few tackles on my punts, and I told him when I got a game ball today, 'I don't do that without the confidence that they give me,' because I'm hitting like 74 [and] 60-whatever-yard punts. If I didn't think they could get down there, I wouldn't be doing that, but they give me the freedom to be able to do that, so it's awesome. I love it."
On his celebrations after the long punts: "I lost control of my body. (laughter) It just kind of happened, so I wish I could take that part back, but I'm just going to roll with it."
On watching his teammates get down the field after his long punt: "[I] completely black out, hit the ball [and] see it in the air. It's far. I'm like, 'Yes.' And then, I have no idea what happened, so then I walk off the field."
On coming back to the sideline and celebrating with the team: "My 'why' is I want to be the best to ever do it, and I want to set up my family for success in the future, but seeing the smiles on [head coach] John [Harbaugh], [special teams coordinator] Chris [Horton], [assistant special teams coach Anthony] Levine [Sr.], [senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown]'s faces – the coaches and the guys who I'm playing for – it's so rewarding. It's so nice. So, yes, I love seeing those guys smile because of me."
On why he feels like the special teams unit is closer than they've been: "If I'm not mistaken, the Jets were the No. 1 special teams in the country. We knew that, so we all were going out there trying to prove that it was us. Yes, and we're super close, all the guys."
On how the special teams unit got so close this year: "Part of that comes from success. We have [assistant special teams coach] Anthony Levine [Sr.] here. He's doing an incredible job, getting us hyped up. I say a lot of these guys have the screw loose, and that's why they're so good on special teams. I mean that in the best way possible. Levine, too, he's a hardcore dude, and the guys feed off that, and they get that energy. Then they go down [the field], and they're ready to hurt people."
