Begrüssungsthread » After experiencing misery in each of the

OWINGS MILLS White Lamar Jackson Jersey , Md. (AP) —past two Decembers, the Baltimore Ravens are looking to rewrite the script in their quest to end a three-year playoff drought.In 2016, a loss to Pittsburgh on Christmas night ended Baltimore's bid to reach the postseason. Last year, a defeat at home against Cincinnati on New Year's Eve sent the Ravens home.Now, with three games left, the Ravens find themselves in a familiar position. Baltimore (7-6) has a shot to reach the playoffs as either AFC North champions or as a wild-card team, and there's really only one can't-miss way to make it happen. "The way we look at it, we need to win three games in a row," coach John Harbaugh said Monday. "We've been here before. Let's do it. But all we need to think about right now is Tampa Bay, our upcoming opponent."There's a good chance the Ravens will have quarterback Joe Flacco available for the first time since Nov. 4 when they face the fading Buccaneers (5-8) at home on Sunday. Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP and veteran of 15 playoff games, appears ready to return from a right hip injury that sidelined him for four straight games.Fortunately for the Ravens, rookie Lamar Jackson has done a credible job in his first stint as a starter. Subbing for the injured Flacco White Mark Andrews Jersey , the former Louisville star and first-round draft pick guided Baltimore through three straight wins before Sunday's 27-24 loss in Kansas City on Sunday.Jackson hurt his ankle in overtime against the Chiefs, but the injury evidently was not serious."Should be fine. Looks like it's OK," Harbaugh said.If both quarterbacks are ready to go, Harbaugh must decide who to start and how to play them. Perhaps he already has."I'll just have to let you know — if we want. It could entail anything right now," the coach said. "I know what we want to do. I have a plan. We have a plan. We talked about it. We have to talk to the guys about it, and whether we share that publicly, we'll decide as the week goes on."The plan likely involves using both quarterbacks, just as the Ravens did before Flacco's injury. The difference now is that Jackson has more experience, and the Ravens have played exceptionally well with him at the helm."I haven't had a chance to sit down and talk with all the parties involved, but I think it stands to reason that if Joe's ready to go, he'll be part of the game plan," Harbaugh said. "He's too good a player not to be. We'll just figure that out as we go this week, to what degree and how it works. Everybody will know going in Mark Andrews Jersey 2019 , except perhaps everybody outside."Baltimore currently sits a half-game behind Pittsburgh within the division, thanks to the Steelers' surprising loss in Oakland on Sunday. Harbaugh learned of the defeat shortly before the team charter touched down on its trip from Kansas City."I was happy. Very happy," he said.The Ravens have Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Chargers (10-3) and Cleveland (5-7-1) left on the schedule. Pittsburgh (7-5-1) has New England (9-4), New Orleans (11-2) and Cincinnati (5-8).Baltimore is also the sixth and final wild-card team in the AFC, so if the Steelers don't falter, the Ravens can still reach the postseason for the first time since 2014."It helps, sure," Harbaugh said of having multiple routes to the playoffs. "We just need to win games and let all that take care of itself."NOTES: Although Ravens fullback and defensive lineman Patrick Ricard apologized on Sunday for racist and homophobic tweets made six years ago, Harbaugh said, "I don't care when it happens. … It's unacceptable. He knows that. He's said that." Harbaugh said the team has not decided whether disciplinary action would be taken. … Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (groin) saw limited action Sunday and has been slow to heal. "It's probably something that's he's going to be feeling for a while," Harbaugh said. OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP)As a member of the Alabama football team youth C.J. Mosley Jersey , Marlon Humphrey knew what to expect against non-league foes such as Mercer and Kent State. ”We played a lot of teams that we definitely should easily run over,” Humphrey recalled. Now a rookie starting cornerback with the Baltimore Ravens, Humphrey finds himself in a seemingly similar situation entering Sunday’s game against the winless Cleveland Browns. The Ravens (7-6) are chasing a playoff berth. The Browns (0-13) are trying to avoid becoming the second 0-16 team in NFL history. In addition, Baltimore is 17-2 against Cleveland under coach John Harbaugh, having won four straight and six of seven in the lopsided series. To Humphrey, this must seem like Alabama-Chattanooga all over again. Guess again. ”The difference between then and now is that any team can beat you in the NFL. That’s one of the things I learned pretty quickly,” Humphrey said Wednesday. ”You go into a game and think, `We should beat this team,’ and then you end up coming up short. There’s never a guaranteed win in the NFL. You treat every team the same, no matter what their record is.” It is a lesson the Ravens learned in 2007 under coach Brian Billick. Facing the 0-13 Miami Dolphins on the road, Baltimore came out flat and lost 22-16 in overtime. The defeat probably cost Billick his job. He was fired after that 5-11 season despite guiding Baltimore to a Super Bowl win in 2000. Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was a member of that Ravens team. He vividly remembers the loss, most notably the game-winning TD pass yielded by safety Ed Reed. ”Ed Reed, nine out of 10 times he’s right Stitched C.J. Mosley Jersey ,” Suggs said. ”He was just wrong on that one.” Suggs hasn’t shared his recollection of that embarrassing loss with his current teammates – yet. ”I didn’t bring it up, but maybe it’s something to put in their ear,” Suggs said. ”We’re competitors. We’re expecting Cleveland’s best shot. We’re not taking them lightly.” The Ravens need to win their last three games to be assured an AFC wild-card slot, and Harbaugh couldn’t give a hoot about Cleveland’s desperate bid to avoid finishing winless. ”Their motivation is not really a concern of ours. It’s our motivation that we’re concerned with, and we have a lot to play for,” Harbaugh said. Browns coach Hue Jackson, a former assistant in Baltimore, knows too well that Harbaugh won’t let the Ravens’ 39-38 loss to Pittsburgh last Sunday night – or Cleveland’s record – alter the Ravens’ preparation for this game. ”That’s not John’s style,” Jackson said. ”John’s a week-to-week guy, and last week is over. He knows they’re playing a pro team at our venue, so he’s going to have those guys ready to go.” It’s the playoffs or bust, and the journey begins in Cleveland. ”It would be no different than playing any other team in the league at this point of the season,” safely Eric Weddle said. ”We need a win to keep our playoff hopes alive. It just happens to be Cleveland.” Although Baltimore’s three-game winning streak ended Sunday night White Ronnie Stanley Jersey , the Ravens can’t complain about where they stand with three weeks to go. ”We definitely are fortunate and are very hungry and feel good about where we are,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. ”It could be better for us at this point, but we’re excited about the opportunity.” Alex Collins made his Ravens debut against the Browns on Sept. 17, rushing seven times for 42 yards in a 24-10 victory. He’s a starter now, and wise enough to know that Cleveland is going to give Baltimore its best shot. ”I know they’re going to be coming at us,” Collins said, ”so we’re going to do the same thing.” —