Ravens News 12/18: Out for Blood and more

Gardner Minshew expects Baltimore Ravens’ Yannick Ngakoue to be ‘out for blood’ vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jamison Hensley

Minshew said he’s not going to trash talk with defensive end Calais Campbell because he’s too nice. But when it comes to pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue ...

“Now Yannick’s going to be out for blood,” Minshew said Wednesday.

After being so vocal all year, Ngakoue was extremely low-key on Thursday in talking about playing the Jaguars for the first time.

“I’m just treating it as another game,” Ngakoue said. “We need the rest of these wins to get to where we need to get to. At the end of the day, I had my time with Jacksonville, you know that’s not a secret. At the end of the day, I’m just going to treat it like another game, another Sunday.”

Ngakoue hasn’t made the expected immediate impact for the Ravens. He has one sack and one quarterback hit in seven games for Baltimore.

“Sometimes, that’s how the game is,” Ngakoue said. “But they come in bunches when they roll in. You got to continue to have a mindset of ‘I can’t give up. I won’t stop. I’ll keep rushing regardless.”

Tyler Huntley ‘Ready to Go’ As Ravens’ New Backup Quarterback - Ryan Mink

“Tyler has been doing great,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s been practicing every day, in every meeting, working really hard. He’s improving. He looks good. So, he’ll be our backup quarterback in this game, and he’ll be ready to go if called upon. So, that’s a good thing.”

Huntley was an impressive prospect coming out of Utah, where he threw for 3,092 yards, 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions as a senior. He also ran for 290 yards and five scores.

“I don’t want to tell you all anything about him. I don’t need you all hyping it up,” Jackson said with a laugh. “I know what he’s capable of doing. We’re trying to keep him under the radar as much as possible. You all are going to have to see for yourselves. He’s like that; he’s definitely like that.”

Ravens’ Greg Roman explains lack of carries for RB Mark Ingram: ‘Things just unfolded the way they did’ - Daniel Oyefusi

Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday that the lack of snaps for Ingram on Monday does not mean he will not be a part of the offensive game plan in the weeks to come.

“Mark’s an extremely valuable leader on our team. Just because he didn’t get a lot of snaps doesn’t mean he won’t get a lot of snaps,” Roman said on a video conference call. “He’s a very productive player in this league. At certain things he does, he’s right at the top of the league. So he’s very valuable to us.

“Things just unfolded the way they did. And it’s an opportunity for him to continue to stay fresh and get ready for a late-season push. As far as his attitude, he’s nothing but a professional. He’s a leader. He does that by example and with his words. So [I’m] very pleased with the opportunity to have Mark as a leader.”

Roman said wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who has struggled with drops in recent weeks, has an “easily correctable” issue. “I think it’s really simple,” Roman said. “It’s just basic fundamentals and focus through the catch. He’s got tremendous tracking skills, we saw that on the touchdown against the Cowboys. I think it’s just a great learning opportunity for a young player.” huge part of what we’re doing going down the stretch here, and I think he’s a real pro.”

The biggest offseason need for every NFL team - Michael Renner

BALTIMORE RAVENS: WIDE RECEIVER

Marquise Brown has had his flashes this season but is nowhere near complete enough to be a consistent No. 1 option. He’d be far better suited as a No. 2, with a do-it-all option leading the way.

After accumulating only 206 receiving yards on 213 routes this season, it’s clear that the physically gifted Miles Boykin isn’t that option. They could certainly use interior line help, as well, but the lack of any passing attack this year looms large.

NFL Week 15 game picks: Chargers nip Raiders; Saints defeat Chiefs - Gregg Rosenthal

Baltimore Ravens 33, Jacksonville Jaguars 24

1 p.m. ET (CBS) | M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore)

The Ravens’ deteriorating defense is a problem. Their cornerbacks aren’t healthy enough to leave in man coverage, which limits their blitzes, which ruins the pass rush from a banged-up defensive line. Gardner Minshew could also be a problem this week, but the Jaguars’ run defense is too soft to hold up despite this being Baltimore’s third straight game playing on a short week.

NFL picks, predictions for Week 15: Eagles upset Cardinals; Chiefs win thriller vs. Saints; Bears boost playoff hopes - Bill Bender

Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens (-13)

The Ravens have little room for error in the AFC playoff race, but the key will be keeping the running game going against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed 200.3 rushing yards per game the last three weeks. Baltimore rolls again.

Pick: Ravens 30, Jaguars 20