corey graham

Instead of trying conventional methods against a stout Jets defense led by Muhammad Wilkerson, the Ravens got creative.

A week after Ray Rice rushed for a season-high 131 yards in an overtime loss to the Chicago Bears, the star running back found himself in a timeshare with backup running back Bernard Pierce in Sunday's 19-3 win over the New York Jets.

With their inept offense, the New York Jets proved to be just the opponent that the struggling Ravens needed to see.

No matter where New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith tried to throw the football Sunday, he was rarely able to elude Ravens cornerback Corey Graham.

Embracing a smash-mouth approach due to sloppy field conditions, the Ravens revitalized their running game to exploit a shoddy run defense.

All but labeled a bust and given up on through the first couple of games, Ravens third-year cornerback Jimmy Smith has been one of the defense's best and most improved players.

As NFL games ebb and flow, they are usually decided by a handful of plays. For the winning team, they are joyfully relived in the locker room after the game. For the losers, those plays linger in their heads beyond the 24-hour rule. This season, the Ravens have been on the losing end more than they are accustomed to.

Ravens find running game, but don't have answer for Bears' Julius Peppers

Baltimore Sun reporters, columnists and editors give their thoughts on the Ravens' game against the Chicago Bears in Week 11 of the NFL season.

The Ravens' secondary played arguably its best game of the season last week against the Cincinnati Bengals but they have a bigger challenge ahead this week.

Baltimore Sun reporter Matt Vensel highlights five stats that really mean something for the Ravens this week, including the play of the Ravens cornerbacks against the Bengals, the team's stingy run defense and more.

Despite their struggles and their 4-5 record, the Ravens are actually in decent playoff positioning, a reality that they can attribute to a favorable schedule coming up and a really mediocre AFC.

Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones has now played four games since returning from a knee injury last month, but the veteran wide receiver has yet to overtake rookie Marlon Brown on the depth chart based on their playing time.

Ravens cornerback Corey Graham had already witnessed just how dangerous Cincinnati Bengals rookie running back Giovani Bernard can be during the fourth quarter Sunday.

A game that the Ravens thought they had won about 30 minutes earlier was finally won, thanks to the right leg of Justin Tucker.

Ravens strong safety James Ihedigbo is active for today's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after injuring his to in practice Friday during a one-one-one drill when he got tangled up with a receiver.

Heading into Sunday's game at M&T Bank Stadium, one of the few things A.J. Green hasn't done in two-plus NFL seasons is star against the Ravens. In three career games, Green has nine receptions for 122 yards and no touchdowns. He played briefly in a meaningless regular-season finale last season and caught two passes for 26 yards.

Ravens strong safety James Ihedigbo was added to the injury report as questionable today after injuring his toe during practice while operating in pass coverage and getting tangled up with a receiver, according to a source. Ihedigbo was listed as limited in participation.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec breaks down Sunday's game between the Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium.

Several of the Ravens' top defensive players were not participating in today's practice ahead of Sunday's showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The cornerback position was expected to be a strength for the Ravens this season, but they have gotten inconsistent performances from that group, Lardarius Webb and Corey Graham, in particular.

Ravens starting cornerback Jimmy Smith isn't practicing today during the early portion open to reporters as he recovers from a strained groin suffered Sunday in a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell has embraced a pass-centric approach, transitioning firmly to spread looks as the base offense.

By most measures, the Ravens have one of the better defenses in the NFL. They are currently ranked 10th in scoring defense and 10th in yards allowed. They are seventh in the league with 28 sacks. And only the Kansas City Chiefs have defended better in the red zone. What's missing? Besides the wins? Takeaways.

Baltimore Ravens fullback Vonta Leach played a season-low two offensive snaps, inside linebacker Jameel McClain took on a larger role and more playing time observations from Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The Ravens are forcing themselves to be escape artists even more often this season. But their straitjacket straps have been too tight, their chains unshakable.

Ravens cornerback Corey Graham buried his face in his hands in the locker room Sunday night, occasionally shaking his head in apparent sadness and bewilderment following a 24-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Looking at which Baltimore Ravens got a lot of playing time and which Ravens rode the pine in the first seven games of the 2013 season. Only five players, including middle linebacker Daryl Smith, have played every snap.

Because of injuries and other roster decisions, the Ravens' special teams have featured a revolving door of players, many thrust into roles that they've never occupied.

After being sidelined for more than 10 months with a spinal cord injury, Ravens weak-side linebacker Jameel McClain returned to the field Sunday. And he didn't just play. McClain started and played a major role in the 19-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Each week, Baltimore Sun reporters Aaron Wilson and Matt Vensel will look back at the Ravens' previous game and that of their next opponent.

One positive development from Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers was the return of injured wide receiver Jacoby Jones, who returned kickoffs and made an 11-yard touchdown reception. The Ravens limited his usage, though. Jones played just 17 offensive snaps and six snaps on special teams. More on that and other snap count observations.

Heading into Sunday's game at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens regard Rodgers and a stacked group of offensive weapons as just as dangerous if not more so than a Denver Broncos offense headlined by quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Baltimore Ravens know they have to account for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb at all times Sunday. Whether he is lined up in the slot, the backfield or somewhere else, Cobb is a playmaker that the Packers use all over the field to create mismatches.

Each week, Baltimore Sun reporters Aaron Wilson and Matt Vensel will look back at the Ravens' previous game and that of their next opponent.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tandon Doss got the start in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Miami Dolphins and he played a career-high 50 snaps in the victory.

uarterback Joe Flacco, who threw a career-high five interceptions against the Buffalo Bills, has traditionally responded to poor performances.