HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening statement: "Congratulations to our football team [and] to our leaders. It was just a heart-defining win is what that was; the type of win that makes you proud to be a Raven, makes you proud to be with these guys every single day, starting with Derrick Henry and Tyler Huntley and everybody else that led the way to this victory. So, I am very proud of these guys, very grateful for this game [and] very grateful for this win. Derrick talked about it in the pre-game prayer and talked about ... I'm going to make you ask him what he said in the pre-game prayer and what he talked about to the guys, because I just think the belief on this football team is at a level that I've never really seen before, because we've been through a lot. It just makes my heart soar to see that and to see how these guys respond, how they're there for one another, how they fight for one another, how they run the ball for one another; that's what a team should be."
How would you describe RB Derrick Henry tonight? He had 36 carries, 216 yards and four touchdowns. (Jamison Hensley) "It's one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. It was hard, downhill running, but also, a lot of 'make miss.' [Derrick Henry] is making guys miss. He's taking it inside; he's taking it outside. I'd be remiss not to talk about the offensive line and the tight ends, but also the wide receivers. I'm going to tell you, when you watch that tape – you guys go back and watch the tape – you're going to see everybody blocking, including the wide receivers. I have 'Little Zay' [Flowers] out there blocking people. 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman] is blocking people. 'Hop' [DeAndre Hopkins] is blocking people. They all are. [No.] 81 [Devontez Walker] is in there fighting, blocking people. That's what I'm talking about. You talk about a team that cares about one another."
You had to win to keep your chances alive. How important or how intentional was it to sort of be physical and be imposing in that way the way you guys were? (Brian Wacker) "I don't really want to connect those two things, because they're both true, but we're intentional about that every week. We want to play that way every single week, and we are physical every single week. I thought it really expressed itself today, for sure. We were able to move the chains. We were able to stay on the field. We did the things to stay on the field and extend the drives. We've been doing those things all year, but something would intercede and knock us off the field, and we didn't get a chance to express that physicality with more plays. We got the plays today. We got the time of possession today that we hadn't had another game sometimes, so I am just really proud of that. I think that's the difference."
You don't think it was more of a committing more to the run today? It was just that you got more opportunities today? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I do think that. I do think that. We were intentional about committing to the run, for sure. I'm not going to downgrade that. It was like a main deal, but it was [a main deal] the week before, and it was a week before that, and it was a week before that, too, so we probably did a better job of it. I do think that. Maybe we were more intentional. Maybe we didn't get away from it, maybe, but we also had more opportunities, because we got the sticks moving. We weren't in third-and-long very often, so that was good."
With how much stake was in this moment, how do you assess QB Tyler Huntley and the way he responded to the moment? (Bo Smolka) "A+. A+. Give [Tyler Huntley] two pluses on top of that, maybe three. That's how it was. It couldn't have been any better. I just thought [he had] some of the clutch plays – the kind of plays that you have to make. I see Tyler every day in practice, so I'm not surprised. I see him execute every day in practice, but for him to make the third-down conversions, the scramble plays, the throws, the on-time throws [and] the accurate throws that he made to run the offense in Lambeau field – it's loud. In Lambeau field, to run the offense the way he did, make the checks the way he did, get us in the plays we needed to get in, just A+."
Following up on QB Tyler Huntley, how critical was the first sequence, the opening drive, his first pass to TE Mark Andrews and RB Derrick Henry to pick 50 yards and get that early score? (Josh Tolentino) "Probably, [it was] really critical. I would say Tyler [Huntley] can answer that, but I felt good about it. It sure made me feel confident. I was happy to see it. It got us off on the right foot. It got the lead. That was good for us, too. We ended up taking the ball. We don't always do that. We got the lead; that was big."
I was going to ask you; you often will defer. Was it a matter of wanting your offense on the field right away and to set the tone? Why did you do that? (Bo Smolka) "It was twofold; it was to try to get the lead, and I thought we could do it, but also the wind, because that wind was howling in that one direction down there, so the bonus to that was we would have the wind in the fourth quarter at our back for Tyler Loop if we needed it."
After the lead was down to three points, you were facing third-and-9. You give the ball to RB Derrick Henry. He gets third-and-long, and Derrick gets like a 9-yard gain, then gets the big gain down the sideline. That two-play sequence, how critical was that? (Reporter) "It was absolutely critical. I'm proud of [offensive coordinator] Todd [Monken] for calling it. That showed a lot of confidence. Just the run was phenomenal. It was right up our sideline over there. It was an impressive run. He ran through about four guys, and the offensive line came in and put some more muster into that run."
With the Steelers vs. the Browns games, how closely will you watch that game? (Jamison Hensley) "I'll probably be watching that game pretty closely, but it's out of our control. We understand that. We did our part, and we have another game next week that we intend to go win, regardless of what happens, and that's our job. That's what our guys will be thinking about."
Some fans took note of the play sheet that you were holding. I don't know if you normally do that on a week-to-week basis, but did you have any more kind of oversight of the offense tonight? (Jonas Shaffer) "No. No. It's just the same play sheet I always have."
What was the heart or the center of your post-game message, knowing that you don't control your destiny. Will you meet with your staff or anything tomorrow or have company during that game? (Josh Tolentino) "Were you in the post-game message? Did you hear some of that? Oh, OK. There might be some plans perhaps, but we'll see. What was the question?"
What was the heart of your message if you care to share any of that? (Josh Tolentino) "It was just what I shared with you; the heart of the message is just how much I'm proud [of the team]. My dad texts after every single win, and he said, 'This may be your team's greatest win ever.' He says it every week, and every week he's right, and he's especially right this week, too. That's how I started off the [post-game] meeting after we prayed and gave glory and honor to where it belongs. This was probably our greatest win ever. I'd have to quote my dad on that one."
I know obviously that physical play has been this team's signature for as long as you've been here. Do connect the dots at all between how many guys your team is knocking out of games and how well you guys are holding up injury-wise? (Jonas Shaffer) "I am proud of this team and how physical they play. This is as physical a football team as I've ever coached or been associated with at any level. This is a physical football team in all three phases. Look at the kickoff coverage team. I'm proud of that. I'm proud of the way these guys bring it every single day. I'm proud of our brand of football. It means a lot to me to see these guys embrace that. They want to play that kind of football. They're calling for it, and that makes me really happy. It makes me proud."
Just the thoughts on the defense? It was kind of an up and down day, but pulled a win at the end? (Jonas Shaffer) "I thought the defense did a good job of picking themselves up off the mat. There are just too many big plays in the passing game. It was just crazy 'how-did-this-happen' kind of plays. We were a little on our heels. We were a little discombobulated there, and it was shocking, and we were all kind of shocked by it. So, I thought it was led by 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] and Kyle [Hamilton] and those guys; they did a good job of kind of taking a deep breath, took a breath, got it figured out and started playing a little better. I have to give Malik Willis a lot of credit. We had him [under pressure] in the pocket numerous times, and he got out and made plays. That's probably the biggest thing. All those things are things that they had to overcome, and I'm glad we did finally at the end."
TE MARK ANDREWS
On how scoring early on set the tone for the game: "Just trying to be efficient. We talk about that [when] making good decisions, being efficient, moving the ball and being able to put points up on the board, and that's what we did tonight."
On how much the run game was emphasized in practice this week: "I think that's part of our identity is being able to run the ball. We have incredible talent, obviously, in the backfield. The O-line, guys that really move guys out [from] the ball. I think today was just kind of an all-around picture of what we can do in the 'Raven way.'"
On how he would describe RB Derrick Henry's performance tonight: "[Derrick Henry] is a beast. He's a beast. He's one-of-one, and [it's] really just a joy to be able to block for him. He's so good. He's so fast. He's so physical. It's tough to bring him down one-on-one."
On how he would describe QB Tyler Huntley's performance tonight: "[Tyler Huntley] was stone cold. He was stone cold, and we have a lot of trust in him and what he can do. We've seen it time and time again. The dude's a fighter."
On how he plans to watch the Steelers vs. Browns game on Sunday: "[I will] tune in, tune into that game and hope for the best. [I will] pray on it, and hopefully the cards fall where we want them to, and we get an opportunity. That's all we can really hope for."
On what the physicality of the Ravens says about the team in a must-win game: "It's awesome to see. We have a bunch of fighters in this room [and] in this organization that refused to give up. Obviously, this isn't the spot that we wanted to be. We have so much talent on this team, but I'm very proud of these guys."
On how the offense adjusted to five-man fronts from Green Bay: "I think [Green Bay] started the second half with a little bit of a different gameplan and for us just making adjustments and going to the plays that we needed to get to, which I feel like we did. We were able to be efficient with the ball. I think in the second half we continued our stretch from the first."
On how he plans to watch the Steelers vs. Browns game on Sunday: "I'm definitely going to be tuning in and watching and rooting the Browns on, and that's all I can hope for at this point. Wherever the cards may fall, [I am] just proud of these guys."
WR ZAY FLOWERS
On watching RB Derrick Henry tonight: "That's why [Derrick Henry] is one of the greats, because of what he [does] and how he runs the ball. He did it consistently today, and that's what he's been doing since he got here, so I'm not even surprised."
On if there was any conversation about committing to the run: "No. I've just seen [Derrick Henry's] mentality in practice, how he was hitting the hole all week in practice and how he was just focused on the game, so I knew something big was coming."
On if there was anything different from a scheme or blocking standpoint that allowed RB Derrick Henry to have success: "I wouldn't say so. We just came in committed to it today, and we ran the ball."
On how the rushing success makes his job easier: "It makes everybody run down there, and then I get one-on-ones, so I love it."
On if this feels like a turning point for the offense: "Definitely. We know [there are] ups and downs, so today was an up, and we are just trying to stay on that."
On QB Tyler Huntley: "[Tyler Huntley] is balling out. He's balling out. He's always prepared for his moment. Anytime he comes around, I can count on him that he is going to be ready all the time."
On seeing QB Lamar Jackson cheer on QB Tyler Huntley: "Lamar [Jackson] does that on the field, so it's no surprise to me. He does that on the field. He does that off the field. He wants to see everybody be great even if he's not playing, so that just shows you who he is."
On seeing the cheese grater hats: I love the cheese graters. I said, 'We're all lactose intolerant.'"
On doing the Lambeau Leap as his celebration: "That was a dream right there. I was talking to 'Tay' [LaJohntay Wester] before the game. I'm like, ''Tay', they better not let me get in the end zone or I'm Lambeau leaping."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On where this game ranks on his all-time great games list: "Tonight was just really fun. Just like [head] Coach [John Harbaugh] said, I did the prayer before the game, and I just talked about guys just playing free, trusting and believing in each other. We've been through a lot this season. There's no shying away from that. We know what we need to do to be able to still give ourselves a chance, and that's just playing for each other and understanding that the Lord is going to be there with us regardless, and he's been with us this whole time. Hats off to the guys for just blocking [like] the O-line – like 'Coach Harbs' said – tight ends, receivers, fullbacks; the unselfishness of them sacrificing their bodies for us to have success in the run game, dominate the line of scrimmage and dictate the game the way we want to."
On if he expected to have 30+ carries in tonight's' game after last week's performance: "I was just worried about being effective with any opportunity that I got and being efficient in the run game to give ourselves a chance to get into drives, let those drives end in points, run the ball physically and just focus on us dominating the line of scrimmage and establishing the identity in the run game throughout the game; that was just my main focus. [However many] carries it was, [that's what] it was going to be. I just wanted to go out there and make something happen."
On if tonight feels like a normal game or if he's feeling it a little extra: "I feel good. My adrenaline is still going, so I can't give you the exact feeling. I might be a little sore tomorrow, but I'm built for it. This is what I train for. Like I said in the [postgame] interview, my strength comes through the Lord, so I pray to him, and I'll go out there and do what I need to do."
On if he was aware of the NFL milestones he surpassed or tied after tonight's win: "I'm so thankful and so blessed; God has been so good. Every teammate [and] coach that has contributed throughout my career for me to have those accolades and the success I've had, I'm just very appreciative. As a kid, the names you mentioned, [I was] growing up hearing those names and idolizing those guys. For my name to be mentioned with theirs, it's a surreal moment for me and something that I always cherish."
On if he can tell when he's going to have a game like he did tonight: "Oh yes, for sure. Heck yes. We just had to keep it going, and then once you get in that rhythm, you have to keep that rhythm going. I feel like – not just me, just the whole offense – we were just in the rhythm."
On QB Tyler Huntley getting two wins in his two starts: "'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley] has been ready. I knew whenever his time [came], he was going to deliver. We talked throughout this week. We knew what we had to do, and I told him, 'We need Hallandale 'Snoop' out of high school.' And he was like, 'Let's go.' When we went out, I went, 'Oh, he's locked in.' So, it wasn't [any] surprise to me. 'Snoop' has been preparing for this the whole season, and it just shows that work he's put in."
On how he plans to watch the Steelers vs. Browns: "I'll be watching and praying, for sure. I'm going to pray as soon as I get on the plane, when I get home in the morning when I wake up, and hopefully we get blessed for the opportunity to have to play for something Week 18. But at the end of the day, we're still going to focus on finishing out the season strong, but we do need a little favor from Cleveland, but it is what it is. We know what's at stake, the position that we're in, but we have to enjoy this one, for sure."
On what he's seen from the offensive line over the last three games: "They've been locked in. I'm proud of those guys, because they work hard. It's not easy doing what they do week in and week out, putting their bodies on the line. They just come out and continue to work and continue to trust and believe in each other. I let them know that I trust them believe in them, and let's go get the job done, and that's what they did today."
QB TYLER HUNTLEY
On his performance tonight on a must-win game: "Just like you said, it was a must-win [game], and we got it done, so now, we can get on the plane, kick back a little bit and get ready for the next week."
On when he could tell that RB Derrick Henry was in for a big night: "When [Derrick Henry] touched that ball, I was like, 'Yes, they're not ready. They're not ready.' And he ran straight downhill. Our linemen blocked. Our tight ends, receivers, they blocked, and then everybody executed."
On the touchdown pass to WR Zay Flowers: "I had Zay Flowers manned up against whoever their corner was, and I knew once he ran that crisp route, I could just let it rip, and he made the play that he needed to make."
On how important the drive right before halftime was: "It was key that we got what we did, because a lot of momentum [was] in this game. [There was] a lot of momentum that could swing and stop what we had going on, so getting down there and making it happen, that was key."
On if he came into the game with a plan to also be a runner: "No, once they just gave me the lane, I just pulled it down and made the play that I could make."
On when he knew he would be starting tonight: "I can't even remember right now. I just prepare every day, and I'll just be ready for when they say it's time to go. 'L' [Lamar Jackson] was doing everything in his power to make sure that he was able to play this game, but he couldn't get it done, so I was just ready."
On head coach John Harbaugh's message before the game: "Just really all week, [John Harbaugh had] been preaching that we know what we have to do. We had to go win, so [the message] wasn't [anything in particular]. I wrote that in my notes. We have to go win this week, and that's what we did."
On he and Packers QB Malik Willis having great games and what that shows about backup quarterbacks: "Yes, [Malik Willis] had a great game. We just have to be ready to play at any time. Then coming down to the end of the year, a lot of dudes are banged up, so you have to be ready to step in, and he had a great game, for sure."
On if he's sent a message to the NFL with how well he's played when he had the opportunity: "I just appreciate the opportunities when I get to get on that field. It will show for itself. I just want to win."
On QB Lamar Jackson placing the cheese grater hat on his head: "It was dope. [Lamar Jackson] went and got it for me and brought it right when I came to the sideline. He put it on me. I was like, 'That's gas.'" (laughter)
On if he will watch the Steelers vs. Browns game tomorrow: "No, I'm trying to make it out of here, so I can call [Browns quarterback] Shedeur [Sanders] really quick and make sure he gets it done." (laughter) "I'll probably just be just watching it and get some rest."
On how long he's known Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: "Just when we got to the Browns. I knew of [Shedeur Sanders], and he probably knew of me, but once we got to the Browns, we linked up a little bit. He's a cool dude."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
On when he realized that they were dominating the Packers on offense: "We kind of set the tone pretty early with the run game the first couple drives. We've done that at certain points this year, but all four quarters, I don't think we've done that all year, and today, I am just proud of the guys. It's a 60-minute ball game. Things are going to happen, but we just kept pushing through, trying to be physical [and] assignment-sound, and I think we did that today. I am just proud of the guys, and then obviously, we're blocking for the greatest running back to play the game, so it's fun."
On how fun it was to lift up RB Derrick Henry for a "Lambeau Leap": "It's fun. I grew up a Packers fan, so to kind of get to be on the opposing side of it and Lambeau leaping, it's pretty cool."
On if he knew before the game that it was going to be a big game for RB Derrick Henry: "I have that feeling every week. I know Derrick [Henry] does, too. He practices hard every week. [He is a] very attention-to-detail [oriented] player, and that's why he's one of the best to ever play."
On when he realized it would be a big night for RB Derrick Henry: "The first couple of drives. [We were] setting the tone earlier with the run game. I am just proud of [the fact that] it was a collective group. It was O-line, receivers, tight ends and fullbacks. [It was] good ole Ravens football."
On what he has to say about QB Tyler Huntley: "[Tyler Huntley was] tremendous, holy smokes. We have all the trust in the world in 'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley]. The way he came out today and the way he performed, he got us out of some really critical situations and made a lot of plays. That's what you need. When 'L' [Lamar Jackson] is down, we have to have someone step up and fill that role. 'Snoop' did a tremendous job tonight, and we have the most confidence in him."
On what they did to counter the Packers' large defensive players: "They throw big people at us; we throw big people right back at them. It just comes down to who wants it more."
On if there is any part of him that wants to try a "Lambeau Leap": "I don't know. I might get fined by the O-line, so don't let that get out. But Derrick [Henry] did a Lambeau Leap. I don't know if I did. You'd have to find video footage."
On if there is any part of him that wishes they ran the ball more earlier in the season: "Like I said, I think we've had moments of a successful run game like that, but then it's just not carrying over to four quarters of consistently doing that. At the end of the day, whatever they present, we have to be able to run the ball and pass the ball. Obviously, as an O-lineman, you want to run the ball every single time, and we have Derrick Henry back there. But whatever they give us, at the end of the day, if a run play is called, we have to impose our will. If a pass play is called, we have to protect our balls off."
On if there was a message going into today's game: "Just [that this was] an opportunity. Obviously, [it was] a tough loss last week. [It's] just an opportunity. We have to get this win to even still have a chance to be in the playoffs, but I'm just proud of the guys. There would be a lot of teams that could have just went out there and not have the performance that we had tonight, but I'm just proud of the guys, how we responded and played tonight."
On how he plans to spend the Steelers vs. Browns game: "I don't know. I'm sure I'll watch it. Just hoping for a Brown's win."
T ROGER ROSENGARTEN
On if he felt like there was an extra commitment to getting the ball in RB Derrick Henry's hands tonight: "I don't know if it had anything to do with last week or this week, but we knew we had that gameplan, like I kind of mentioned. If we ran it, and they can't stop it ... We knew in kind of the first couple of drives, they couldn't stop it at all, so once that happened, we just kept on going, and we had a good result."
On if he saw a difference in the way RB Derrick Henry was running the ball in practice this week: "Yes, absolutely. We just executed. We executed all game, and Derrick [Henry] ran his heart out. We blocked our heart out, and receivers and tight ends did an awesome job on the perimeter as well, and good results happened."
On if the offensive line has taken different approaches the last few games: "As an offensive line throughout a season, you want to get better and better, and I feel like that's exactly what we've been doing. We just have to hone that down to make sure it's at a high level at the start of season, and then like I said, keep stacking games. So, I'm really proud of the boys for how we played today."
On what it's like to see both RB Derrick Henry and RB Keaton Mitchell contribute to the run game: "It's great. Keaton [Mitchell] had a lot of good runs. Derrick [Henry] had a lot of good runs. That's a duo where Keaton's super fast. Derrick's super fast; he also has power, so it's tough to defend, especially when we block how we did today."
On if the offense showed tonight that their identity is the run game: "Absolutely. Absolutely. When we're hitting on all cylinders, there's not a team that could stop our run games, so it felt really good."
On the message and mentality of the team knowing the Steelers vs. Browns game decides the Ravens' future: "Obviously, we got a good win, and let's go Browns. We're going to be watching. The part that sucks is [that the] ball is out of our court. We can't control our own destiny, but we're going to be the biggest Browns fans for a day. So, hopefully they can get the 'W,' and Myles Garret can go get the sack record."
ILB TRENTON SIMPSON
On how well the team executed: "I feel like all of us, as a team, [if] we just continue to build and do what we do and get a little bit of luck from the Browns, I'm excited to see what this team can do. I feel like today was just a glimpse, especially from the offensive side of the ball."
On Packers QB Malik Willis: "[Malik Willis] was a very dual-threat quarterback. I watched him a little bit at Liberty [University] coming out of the Draft. He's just a guy I love to watch ball. Much respect to the guy. I am glad we were able to get to win."
On if he plans to watch the Steelers vs. Browns game: "So, I'm guessing 'Coach Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh] has something at his house at 1 o'clock for a watch party. So, I would love to go watch that, be around the guys, be around my teammates and spend time with the guys."
On how hard it will be to watch the Steelers vs. Browns game, knowing their playoff contention is no longer in their control: "Just believing in God. Just having faith and just knowing that, like you said, today we took care of what we could have controlled. Tomorrow, we will take care of tomorrow and pray it goes our way. God has a plan for this team. I pray that the Browns take care of business, we get another chance at Steelers, and we go handle business."
OLB KYLE VAN NOY
On RB Derrick Henry's performance tonight: "[Derrick Henry] is a baller, but I think what's most impressive about him is that he just gets better as the game goes on and it could be ... He had 36 carries tonight, and it looked like he could keep going for another 36. That's how impressive he is. And I have to give credit and kudos to the O-line; they showed up and balled today. They took the challenge that they needed to protect 'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley] and get the ground game going. So, kudos to Tyler Linderbaum, who kind of spearheads that leadership in there [and] Ronnie Stanley, those two, especially, and then the other guys stepping up and really taking on that role of, if we're going to win this game, it's going to be because of us. So, it was awesome to watch. Derrick is king, and the O-line deserve a lot of credit and kudos tonight."
On the defensive performance tonight, including forcing two big turnovers: "We played OK. We have to play better, and we will next week. We have a high standard, and that wasn't our standard fully tonight. And [we are] grateful the offense was able to do their thing, and we had the stops when we needed them. [I am] grateful that we got the win, but collectively, we all have to get better. [We have to] continue to get better, and we can next week with the last [regular season] game."
On his thoughts on Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis: "[Malik Willis] has gotten a lot better from the last time I played him. I think we played him overseas [in London in 2023] when he was with the Titans, and to see his growth where he's at now, [I am] very, very impressed by him, [he] and 'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley]. I've just been really impressed by those guys, and a couple other backups in the league. Mac Jones is doing a good job when he had that role thrown into there. But Malik Willis is playing really, really good football. I'm sorry, but I'm not sorry he hurt his shoulder. But I mean, he should get a chance to get a starting quarterback job in this league, because the way he's been able to step in [during] his time in Green Bay, and every time he's kind of answered the call, he's done a really, really good job."
On if he plans to watch the Steelers-Browns game tomorrow: "I won't. I'll be hanging out with my family."
