Skip to main content
Raider Nation, Stand Up
Advertising

What They're Saying: Lamar Jackson, Ravens expecting a physical matchup with 'game wrecker' Maxx Crosby and the Raiders

After an opening-week defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Raiders are facing another tough road test this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Take a look at what the Ravens' players and coaches had to say ahead of Week 2.

On what to expect from the Raiders:

"We expect a very good football team. It's a very physical football team, a hard-playing team, a tough team, lots of speed, a dominant defensive front four and front seven. [They have] an aggressive, fast secondary who can break on the ball and tackle very well. Just a really good defense. And then offensively, a big physical offensive line, a talented receiving corps, an elite receiving corps across the board – tight ends [and] wide receivers, of course. You know who their guys are, and they're great players. We've played Gardner Minshew before, and he's beaten us before. So, we have all the respect in the world for him as a quarterback. We know how talented and good he is. We're looking forward to the challenge, and it will be quite a challenge." – Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh

On the team's mindset entering an AFC matchup with the Raiders:

"Looking forward to this game. [You] know, led by a great coach in [Head Coach Antonio] Pierce. ... And then the defense – I know those guys play well. Excited about the matchup. They pride themselves on physicality, and so do we, so it'll be a good one. It'll be the home opener, so [it's a] great way to open up the season at home." – Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith

On the Raiders offense:

"They have great playmakers. We have to be able to cover their skill and stop the run. I think if we stop the run and cover their skill – obviously you speak about Davante Adams – he's one of the top receivers this league has. They have some good young pieces as well, a good running back, a solid offensive line, so we have to limit the explosive plays, make them have to go down the field and make them have to drive the ball, and then if the ball's in the air [and there's] opportunities for us to take it away, we have to take the football away." - Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr

"They have some talented tight ends. I played with Mike Mayer in college for a couple years – he's a great guy, a great player. Gardner Minshew's a great quarterback; he beat us last year at home. Good running back; good run scheme; great receivers as well." – Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton

On facing QB Gardner Minshew II:

"He is a veteran, been in the league for a while. He's very crafty. I'm excited about the matchup. [I] know he's very elusive in the pocket, can make guys miss, but we've got to stick true to who we are as a defense and apply pressure. And when you apply pressure, [you] can force some mistakes." - Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith

On WR Davante Adams and the Raiders offense:

"He is definitely a top receiver of our generation. ... He's one of the best to do it at his position. The utmost respect to him and everything he's done, and it's going to be a challenge for us going against him and everybody else that they have on their team." - Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton

On DE Maxx Crosby:

"Certainly a game wrecker, no doubt about it. One of the best players in football. A very unpredictable player because of his high level of energy. He brings it every single play. He plays almost every single snap. He's up field, he's underneath, he's into you, he's back around the back side, he's spinning, he's knocking your hands off, he's running to the ball. He's just a game wrecker – to use that word is exactly the right word. We're going to have to do everything we can, but you can't put 11 guys on one guy. You have to handle all 11 of their guys as well. So, we're going to have to do a great job with their whole defense, and definitely, he's the guy you put the dot on and understand that he's the top guy that you need to look out for." – Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh

"He is a great player. He's got a lot of different stuff. Just shutting him down, that's the plan." – Ravens offensive lineman Patrick Mekari

On DE Maxx Crosby and his play in the most recent Ravens-Raiders matchup in 2021:

"High motor. That guy, he's a great edge rusher, man. My hat's off to him. He was high motor. He was just going at it all game. I was like, 'This man here ...' I was laughing with Maxx. He was trying to get after me, and I was talking trash back. He was like, 'But I love your game, Lamar,' and stuff like that. But he's a great edge rusher. He's definitely a great edge rusher." – Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

2024 Download App_2560x1440

Raiders + Allegiant Stadium App

Download our official Raiders + Allegiant Stadium app for team & stadium modes, content, alerts and manage your tickets.

On the challenges DT Christian Wilkins and DE Maxx Crosby present:

"They are good players. Sometimes there's not much you can do but block them. With 98, Crosby, they're going to move him all over the place. It's based on the defense, based on the call, based on what they're in. He does like to play on the right side, and I'd say he's probably over there 75 to 80 percent of the time, but he will be on the left side. [Wilkins] is a good player as well, so we're going to do our best to scheme any way we can get to him to help those guys out." - Ravens offensive line coach George Warhop

As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare for their Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, view past matchups between the two teams.

Related Content

Latest Content

Advertising