Ravens OC Todd Monken says Lamar Jackson is 'just scratching the surface'
Lamar Jackson nearly won his third MVP award last season, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken believes the best is yet to come for his All-Pro quarterback. While a guest on the Ravens-produced "The Lounge Podcast," Monken said Jackson was "just scratching the surface" of his enormous potential.
"The year that he had, I think he's still just scratching the surface of where he's headed," Monken said on "The Lounge Podcast." "It may not statistically show up that way, but I know he's only the scratching the surface."
"Lamar is an unbelievably humble superstar," Monken said. "That doesn't mean he's not competitive, doesn't want to be great. Lamar just wants to win. But he also knows that him playing well … your chances of winning go up exponentially if you have a great quarterback."
Last season, the 28-year-old Jackson set career highs in touchdown passes (41), passing yards (4,172), and quarterback rating (119.6) while throwing just four interceptions. Monken is entering his third season coaching Jackson and expects the quarterback's growth to continue and reach another level as he enters the prime of his career.
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Chicago Tribune
2 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Michael Phelps shares his Olympic mindset — and swim lessons — with Baltimore Ravens
The most decorated Olympian in history made a special appearance at the Under Armour Performance Center on Tuesday. For a team chasing its own championship dreams, Michael Phelps' visit was more than a celebrity cameo. It served as an opportunity for the Ravens to absorb unique insight from a local legend who truly understands what it takes to sustain greatness over decades. And for this particular team, his message might be more relevant than ever. Baltimore last year produced one of the most productive seasons in NFL history … only to choke when it mattered most, with the Ravens committing an uncharacteristic three turnovers in its infamous loss to the Bills in the divisional round. Phelps, who grew up in Rodgers Forge and trained at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center throughout his prolific career, talked about perfecting preparation during his post-practice speech to the team. 'It was great having a legend here, he is the best swimmer of all-time,' Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. 'As an Olympic gold medalist, regardless of sport, Michael Phelps — you have to speak his name. It was neat having him talk to us because the message … that's one thing when you listen to the greats, you wonder how do they do such great things in the highest-tense moments? It all leads back to the work that nobody sees. That's what Michael Phelps talked about: preparation. 'It's great for our guys to hear that because it's one thing to hear it from somebody, a quote or book you read. But to physically see and hear that person up close, and to know all the things that person accomplished is great, man. I can't thank him enough for coming to talk to our team.' Phelps' mindset, one that features a special type of preparation so thorough that any outside noise can't rattle you, is something that the Ravens need to take with them throughout the expected grind of a strenuous season. Coach John Harbaugh has long believed in off-the-field activities and its effect on team chemistry and culture. Harbaugh previously has hosted barbecue dinners at his home, invited other guests to speak with his team and visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Team bonding doesn't only happen in the huddle, but it also can occur through special messages like the one the Ravens received from Phelps. Visits like these help break the regiment of training camp. They help spark conversations that aren't about coverages or protections, but rather mindset and resilience. It was fitting that Phelps' drop-in fell on what Harbaugh described as a 'mental practice.' Phelps, sporting a Ravens cap and a pair of Nike 'What The Kobe' 8s, observed most of Tuesday's practice while seated from the 10-yard line with his son, Beckett. His attendance was sparked by an outcry on social media from veteran defensive back Marlon Humphrey, who playfully invited Phelps to teach players to swim in the team's new recovery pool (safety Kyle Hamilton estimates that only one-third of the team knows how to swim). After Tuesday's practice, Phelps led the Ravens in a team-bonding activity that featured swim lessons and a dive contest at nearby Loyola University. The competitive natures came out 😂 — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 12, 2025Lessons aside, Phelps' presence should provide a lasting impact across the team's locker room. Throughout his storied career, Phelps, 40, understood that even in a sport as solitary as swimming, individual talent could only take him so far. He notably relied on his team of coaches, nutritionists and relay mates. Similarly, the Ravens are fully aware that it takes a full-team effort to push forward — or fall short — when it matters most. For Phelps, the margin between gold and silver was often a fraction of a second. Yet he earned his status as the most decorated athlete in history by claiming 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds, over five Summer Games thanks to his preparation, composure and mental fortitude. His frequent presence on the podium is where the Ravens aspire to be — not drowned in repeated playoff heartbreak. If the Ravens can carry that Phelps mindset into the 2025 season, they might finally stop letting their moment slip away.
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
After Statistical Downturn, Is Patrick Mahomes No Longer the NFL's QB1?
Take a peak around the Internet and you'll see a clear consensus: Patrick Mahomes is the No. 1 quarterback in the NFL. I'm here to tell you that picking the NFL's best QB is not so simple. I understand that sounds like clickbait. I promise this will be a nuanced examination. Bear with me, OK? Because when you consider that Mahomes has played in the past three Super Bowls, he has a clear-cut case for being No. 1. Not to mention that, back in 2022, he threw for more than 5,200 yards and, back in 2018, he threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. And still, if you look at who was playing quarterback at the highest level last season, it's fair to point to … someone else. To be clear, I ranked Mahomes No. 1 in my QB rankings this offseason. That was more of a projection, though, with the thought that his past two years have been outliers. And that, with the addition of a strong left tackle and an improved pass-catching core, Mahomes could reclaim the throne. But based upon his recent play? His recent stats? His recent film? The case for Mahomes gets more complicated. Mahomes himself admits that he didn't play up to his own standards last season. "There's plays on the football field that I didn't make last year that I've made in previous years," Mahomes told USA Today. "At the end of the day, I'm going to do whatever it takes to win, whether that's passing for a lot of yards, not passing for a lot of yards. But I think if I play better, that's going to make it better for the team." There was no talk of Mahomes in the MVP discussion last year. That was a neck-and-neck race between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. Joe Burrow was in the mix, too, but he fell out because his Bengals couldn't make the playoffs (due to one of the league's worst defenses). If you want the league's most dynamic dual threat, it's Jackson. If you want the strongest arm, it's Allen. If you want the league's best passer, it's Burrow. Even the Madden ratings have shifted. In Madden 26, Allen and Jackson got their usual 99s. Burrow checks in at 97, up from 93 in Madden 25. But after six straight years in the "99 Club," Mahomes dropped to a 95 rating this year. Over the past two years, the case for Mahomes as the league's QB1 rests upon three things: 1) Super Bowl appearances; 2) career winning percentage (79.5%; second all time); and 3) clutch performances. We often use championships to measure the greatest. (Think: Tom Brady.) And we often use counting stats to measure the best. (Think: Peyton Manning.) There's no question that Mahomes is the greatest QB of his generation. But there's nuance to the discussion of who is currently the NFL's best quarterback. It's fair to question whether Mahomes is still the league's QB1. His counting stats have regressed in the past three years. I mentioned his incredible 2022 season: 5,250 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions. In 2023, however, those numbers fell off a cliff. Those watching closely saw that Mahomes had a way of managing games that wasn't exactly elegant or eye-popping. But it got the job done. In 2024, it was more of the same. The Kansas City Chiefs went 15-2 during the regular season and made it to the Super Bowl. But Mahomes' 2022 season was in an entirely different league from his performance last season. His total EPA (expected points added) was 213.2 in 2022 but only 78 in 2024, per Next Gen Stats. He posted a success percentage of 53.3 in 2022 and 49.9% in 2024. His completion percentage over expected was -.2% in 2022 and -1.8% in 2024. His sack percentage was up to 6.2% in 2024 from 3.5% in 2022. Mahomes said it. The stats confirm it: He isn't converting the same number of game-changing plays as in past years. In the case of EPA and EPA/dropback, these last two seasons were the worst of his career. And it's not just a slump by Mahomes' standards. In 2024, Jackson (173), Allen (153.3) and Burrow (82.7) posted better EPA totals. Heck, so did Jared Goff (140.8), Baker Mayfield (99.6) and Jayden Daniels (98.2). Mahomes wasn't dominant last season, not like we're accustomed to seeing from him. And not like his peers. That's why he wasn't in the MVP conversation, not just because of voter fatigue. It's also because he wasn't lifting his team in the same way as Allen or Jackson lifted theirs. So here's the next question: Does EPA tell enough of the story? Because the counterpoint — that, likely, many Chiefs fans are wishing they could convey to me — is that Mahomes didn't need any additional points in all but two games in which he played: the loss to the Bills in the regular season and the loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. And the Chiefs beat the Bills in the playoffs so, really, it was just the Super Bowl where Mahomes needed the higher EPA. In that case, it might seem like nitpicking to criticize Mahomes' low EPA. Last year, the Chiefs won an incredible 17 games, with 10 one-possession wins. But those 10 one-possession games have become a Rorschach test, where the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Mahomes' detractors would argue that, had he played better, the Chiefs wouldn't have had to be cardiac kids. It didn't need to come down to a blocked field goal in Week 10 against the Broncos. It didn't need to come down to an off-the-upright field goal by Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright in Week 14. Mahomes should have been better — and not left it up to the special teams. There's some truth to that. Mahomes' camp will contend that he got just enough points — and through clutch play, not luck. And further to that point, in terms of clutch moments during the regular season and postseason last year, Mahomes is third in the NFL in total EPA (54) on third and fourth downs — and he's also third in total EPA (23) in third and fourth downs in the fourth quarter. That's what you see on film: a guy who steps up in the biggest moments. "In the biggest moments, you can depend on him the most. That's clear," Brady said of Mahomes on "The Joel Klatt Show" podcast. Mahomes remains elite in just about every advanced statistical category, just like the other three QBs that everyone has come to respect: Allen, Jackson and Burrow. And it helps Mahomes that he seems to beat those guys in every meaningful game. Burrow is the only one of the three with a postseason win over Mahomes. And that might be the category that matters most to everyone at this point. When ranking Mahomes over the other three, it's really that the other three can't seem to beat Mahomes. And what else matters, if not head-to-head wins in playoff games? For a long time, a QB's wins-and-losses record was atop his résumé. Recently, QB evaluation has grown more complicated, with the formula fluctuating around wins, film, counting stats and advanced stats. Each variable's value rises and falls based on groupthink. Quarterback wins, for example, went completely out of vogue about two years ago. But now, given Mahomes' befuddling incongruities, people seem to be valuing wins more. Because Mahomes did not win the Super Bowl last season, and because he was not in the mix for MVP — because he did not elevate his team in undeniable fashion — I'm not sure he's the league's best QB. I'll rank him there because he's trustworthy. Because he's as likely as any of the others to turn back into that guy. The Guy. But if we're looking at last season in a vacuum, I see better cases for Jackson or Allen or even Jalen Hurts. Hurts, after all, reminded everyone that Mahomes and the Chiefs are beatable. In the biggest moments. In the biggest game. And perhaps that's what makes the 2025 season so compelling for Mahomes. It could be the year when he loses that QB1 label. He's as vulnerable as ever, especially if — for example — Allen, Jackson or Burrow wins a Super Bowl. Will Mahomes prove people right — that he's still QB1? At what point will he stop being the safe bet? Might we see another year of good-but-not-best play? Mahomes does seem to have a strong left tackle again. Rookie Josh Simmons appears to have won the starting job based on his incredible play during training camp. The picture at the pass-catcher spot isn't totally clear. Xavier Worthy looked strong at the end of last season, but there are big questions about the others. Travis Kelce is aging, Hollywood Brown is oft-injured, Rashee Rice is returning from injury and likely to serve a four-to-six-game suspension, and Jalen Royals is a rookie. Still, there's reason for optimism. Mahomes is the most successful quarterback we've seen since Brady. But even Brady experienced years when his play dipped. That's what seems to be happening with Mahomes, even with his team making three Super Bowls in a row. The Chiefs might have been as dangerous as ever, but I'm just not sure Mahomes has been. Before joining FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years covering the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
NBC Sports
2 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Cubs at Blue Jays prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 13
Its Wednesday, August 13 and the Cubs (67-51) are in Toronto to take on the Blue Jays (70-50) in Game 2 of their three-game series. Cade Horton is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Kevin Gausman for Toronto. The Jays continued their dominant play at home last night opening the series with a 5-1 win. Ernie Clement went yard with two ducks on the pond in the fourth inning to break open the game. Jose Berrios allowed two hits over 5.1 innings to improve to 9-4 on the season. Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We've got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts. Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long. Game details & how to watch Cubs at Blue Jays Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Time: 7:07PM EST Site: Rogers Centre City: Toronto, ON Network/Streaming: MARQ, Sportsnet Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out. Odds for the Cubs at the Blue Jays The latest odds as of Wednesday: Moneyline: Cubs (+109), Blue Jays (-129) Spread: Blue Jays -1.5 Total: 8.0 runs Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Blue Jays Pitching matchup for August 13, 2025: Cade Horton vs. Kevin Gausman Cubs: Cade Horton (6-3, 3.18 ERA) Last outing: August 6 vs. Cincinnati - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 StrikeoutsBlue Jays: Kevin Gausman (8-8, 3.85 ERA) Last outing: August 6 at Colorado - 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts Cubs: Cade Horton (6-3, 3.18 ERA) Last outing: August 6 vs. Cincinnati - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (8-8, 3.85 ERA) Last outing: August 6 at Colorado - 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type! Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Blue Jays After losing the series opener on the road, the Cubs have a 10-3 record in Game 2 this season This season Kevin Gausman has an ERA of 3.86 With Kevin Gausman starting the Blue Jays are up 0.75 units on the Run Line at Rogers Centre in 2025 The Pete Crow-Armstrong MVP chatter has gone silent as the outfielder has started August with just 3 hits (2 singles and 1 double) in 37 ABs (.081) Vladimir Guererro Jr. is 15-43 (.349) in August If you're looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports! Expert picks & predictions for tonight's game between the Cubs and the Blue Jays Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts. Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager. Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Cubs and the Blue Jays: Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline. Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago Cubs at +1.5. Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0. Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
