Between the Lamar Jackson injury concern and Atlanta’s statement win on Monday night, the Ravens are suddenly looking at Week 5 from an unfamiliar spot: as underdogs.
Baltimore opened as the favorite for its trip to Atlanta right after beating the Titans on Sunday afternoon. But the Falcons’ 45-24 rout of the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football changed the picture fast, and Tuesday morning’s negative update on Jackson pushed the line the other way. Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the Ravens are now three-point underdogs for the first time this season.
That’s a notable shift for a Ravens team that was outscored 14-0 by Tennessee after Jackson left the game in the second half. Tyler Huntley has pulled off gritty wins before, but the setup this time looks far less forgiving: a battered offensive line, no top blocking tight end Durham Smythe, and a Falcons defense that has been excellent against the run.
Atlanta, meanwhile, comes in with an offense that looked comfortable moving the ball at will against New Orleans. Bijan Robinson has been unstoppable so far this year - and, for that matter, so was Brian Robinson Jr. in New Orleans.
Baltimore’s injury concerns may not stop there. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey exited Sunday’s game with a calf injury, and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson could need more time after finger surgery.
Put it together, and this feels like a difficult spot for the Ravens. At this point in the season, simply getting out of Atlanta healthy might matter more than the result itself.
A 3-2 record is manageable. More hits to key players are not.
In Other News...
Steelers Fans May See Joey Porter Jr. Trade Very Differently Now
The Cowboys acquisition of Joey Porter Jr. came with the usual instant questions about what comes next, but the early read on his approach may ease some of that anxiety. Rather than pushing immediately for a new deal, Porter is reportedly willing to play out his current contract, which gives Dallas some breathing room as it sorts through the longer-term picture around one of its newest defensive additions.
For Steelers fans, that detail may change the way the move is viewed from afar. Porters market value is estimated at around $27.4 million per year, so the price tag is still substantial, but the bigger issue now appears to be how much security and how many years the Cowboys want to offer when the time comes. The contract conversation is not going away, but the early signs suggest this may be more about fit and timing than any urgent showdown over money. [Read more 🡒]
Missing Steelers Fan Case In Cleveland Just Took A Disturbing Turn
A trip to Cleveland for a football game has turned into a search that now carries real weight. Phoenix Phillips, a 24-year-old from Maryland, was last seen downtown after attending the game, and police have said his disappearance is concerning. His phone was found, adding to the unease around a case that has quickly moved beyond a simple missing-person report.
Authorities have also recovered an unidentified body near the area where Phillips was last known to be, though they have not confirmed any connection. The investigation remains active, and online chatter has added another layer of noise around Phillips, with unverified allegations tying him to unauthorized trading and scamming. For now, though, the only thing that matters is the unanswered question of what happened after he left the game. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers LB Cole Holcomb Shares A Feel Good Life Update
For a Steelers defense still trying to settle in through a 2-2 start, Cole Holcomb has had a more personal milestone to celebrate away from the field. Holcomb and his wife, Casey, welcomed their second child this week, a baby boy named Drew Jarrett, or DJ, adding a bright spot to a season that has already had its share of on-field grind for the veteran inside linebacker.
Holcomb has continued to be part of Pittsburghs mix in the middle of the defense, even as the early weeks have brought a little bit of everything, including an NFL fine for a blindside block on a special teams play in Week 3. The newborn news, though, is the kind of update that can reset a players week in a hurry, and it gives Holcomb and his family a memorable moment as the Steelers move deeper into the season. [Read more 🡒]