Winning two games in five days makes a huge difference, and things are looking up for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson returned to the lineup after missing three games and placed himself back into the MVP race with a four-touchdown performance. Overall, Jackson was 18-23 passing for 204 yards (8.8 avg), four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 143.2 QB Rating. Dolphins embattled quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was 25 of 40 passing for 261 yards (6.5 avg), zero touchdowns, one interception, two sacks, and a 70.9 QB rating. For Baltimore, the balance was evident, as Derrick Henry logged 19 carries for 119 yards (6.3 avg).
John Harbaugh’s team has battled injuries and inconsistency through the first eight weeks, but the tide is starting to turn. Tasked with one of the most demanding early-season schedules, Baltimore will begin to face less challenging competition. Harbaugh’s team is squarely in the AFC playoff chase and 3-5 after a 28-6 win over the helpless Miami Dolphins (2-6) on Thursday night.
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With the team set to start preparation for Week 10 against the Vikings, we’re looking at the Baltimore Ravens‘ best candidates to win major NFL awards from the Associated Press in 2025.
MVP: QB Lamar Jackson
In his first game back from injury,  Jackson completed 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards with no interceptions and a 143.2 rating. Baltimore has discussed signing Jackson to a contract extension, and after missing three games, the two-time MVP exploded for four early touchdown passes, sending a message to the rest of the AFC. Jackson has six games with 4+ TD passes since 2024 — 2 more than any other player in the NFL. On the season, Jackson is 86 of 118 passing for 1,073 yards, 14 touchdowns, one interception, and a 136.7 rating.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Derrick Henry
After a slow start, Henry (629 yards) is 221 yards behind the Colts‘ Jonathan Taylor for the rushing lead (850 yards), and a big second half of the season could set the Ravens star up for more awards.
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Defensive Player of the Year: DB Kyle Hamilton
Myles Garrett has this award all but wrapped up, but Hamilton has been dominant since Alohi Gilman joined the Ravens. Hamilton has 49 tackles, two tackles for loss, two passes defended, and one forced fumble, while his 81 grade from PFF is tops among all NFL safeties. His six pressures are fifth among all NFL safeties.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: N/ADefensive Rookie of the Year: Teddye Buchanan
The reigning AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month made his presence felt in the fourth quarter, jarring a fumble loose in the win over Miami. Buchanan finished with eight tackles on the night. Overall, Buchanan has a team-leading 63 tackles, one half a sack, four tackles for loss, and seven pressures.
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Comeback Player of the Year: N/AAssistant Coach of the Year: OC Todd Monken
With 4,035 passing yards and 3,189 rushing yards in 2024, Baltimore became the first team in NFL history with 4,000 yards through the air and 3,000 yards on the ground in a single season. Entering Week 8, Baltimore was 21st in Total Offense 315.7 ypg, eighth in rushing offense (133.4 yards per game, 28th in passing offense 182.3, and 14th in points per game 24.9.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens’ leading contenders for major NFL awards in 2025