Lead
MINNEAPOLIS — On Nov. 9, 2025, in his 100th regular-season start, Lamar Jackson guided the Baltimore Ravens to a 27-19 road win over the Minnesota Vikings. Jackson completed a late touchdown and ran effectively enough while Baltimore’s defense produced three takeaways that were converted into 13 points. J.J. McCarthy, making only his fourth NFL start, committed key errors down the stretch, including two interceptions and a late touchdown drive that came too late. The result moved the Ravens to 4-5 and kept Minnesota at 4-5 as both teams look to regroup.
Key Takeaways
- Baltimore defeated Minnesota 27-19 on Nov. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis; the Ravens improved to 4-5 after beginning the season 1-5.
- Lamar Jackson (100th regular-season start) was 17-of-29 for 176 yards, threw a fourth-quarter TD to Mark Andrews, and rushed nine times for 36 yards.
- J.J. McCarthy finished 20-of-42 for 248 yards and five rushes for 48 yards; his deep throws were intercepted by Malaki Starks and Marlon Humphrey.
- The Ravens forced three takeaways — including a third-quarter fumbled kickoff return by rookie Myles Price — and turned those into 13 points.
- Justin Jefferson was limited to four receptions for 37 yards on 12 targets as Baltimore’s aggressive coverage paid dividends despite some late pass-interference yardage.
- Baltimore’s defense has tightened: after surrendering an average of more than 35 points over its first five games, it has allowed under 15 points per game across the last four outings.
- The Vikings committed eight false-start penalties at home, a disruptive pre-snap problem that compounded their offensive mistakes.
Background
The Ravens entered the matchup trying to climb out of a 1-5 hole created by a difficult early schedule and uneven play on both sides of the ball. Baltimore’s front office added safety Alohi Gilman last month, a move that has allowed defensive coordinator Zach Orr to increase looks with three safeties on the field and to better feature Kyle Hamilton’s range.
That schematic shift coincided with a clear defensive turnaround: the unit that yielded more than 35 points per game through five contests tightened up significantly, giving the Ravens a chance to lean on a complementary offense led by Jackson once he returned from a hamstring absence. Jackson missed three games earlier in the season and this was his second start back.
For the Vikings, the offseason decision to entrust the offense to young quarterback J.J. McCarthy remains under evaluation. McCarthy, in just his fourth NFL start, has shown mobility and some downfield vision, but pre-snap timing issues and turnover propensity have kept Minnesota from sustaining drives. The team also dealt with injuries and depth questions along the defensive front and in secondary personnel heading into the matchup.
Main Event
The first half was a defensive tussle; Baltimore led 10-9 at halftime after Jackson’s offense failed to find the end zone for the first time in 21 starts with him as a starter. Minnesota opened the game with a rushing touchdown by Aaron Jones, his first rushing TD of the season, but otherwise the Vikings struggled to convert consistently.
Baltimore’s defense produced a momentum swing early in the third quarter when rookie Myles Price fumbled a kickoff return, a turnover the Ravens converted. Later in the period, Malaki Starks and Marlon Humphrey each intercepted deep passes thrown by McCarthy, halting two potential Minnesota scoring drives and flipping field position.
Jackson showed patience in his 100th start, taking what the defense allowed and using the run game more in the second half to wear down Minnesota’s front. His late fourth-quarter touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews extended Baltimore’s margin and ultimately created a buffer that Minnesota could not overcome despite a late scoring surge.
In the final two minutes, a potential game-changing sequence saw Jackson’s pass batted in the air; he reacted quickly to swat the ball down and prevent an interception that would have swung momentum. After a punt and a return marred by a holding penalty, Minnesota took over at its 8-yard line and engineered a touchdown to Jalen Nailor with 3:19 remaining, but time and errors had already tilted the game toward Baltimore.
Analysis & Implications
Baltimore’s defensive revival is the clearest trend coming out of this game. The acquisition of Gilman and the increased use of three-safety packages have allowed Zach Orr to mask some front-seven weaknesses while letting Hamilton play center-field coverage and create takeaways. Those strategic adjustments helped hold Justin Jefferson to 37 yards and kept Minnesota’s explosive-play capability in check.
Jackson’s measured performance in his 100th start reinforces his value to the franchise. With 73 wins in his first 100 starts, he ranks fourth in that specific historical list — trailing Patrick Mahomes (78) and both Tom Brady and Roger Staubach (76 each) — and he managed the pocket well against a disorderly Vikings rush plan. The decision to lean on the run game late suggests Ravens staff are comfortable balancing Jackson’s throwing responsibilities with designed runs and quarterback scrambles to limit mistakes.
For Minnesota, the problems are more structural than personnel alone. Eight false-start penalties indicate either communication breakdowns or cadence issues that are fixable but corrosive in the short term. McCarthy’s youth showed in decision-making on deep balls and in handling pressure, and the coaching staff will need to choose which errors to mask with game plans and which to correct through practice reps.
Looking ahead, Baltimore’s upcoming game at Cleveland on Sunday presents a chance to build on this stretch if the defense continues to generate turnovers. Minnesota, hosting Chicago next, must correct pre-snap discipline and protect its quarterback better to avoid falling behind early in games.
Comparison & Data
| Period | Points Allowed (per game) |
|---|---|
| First 5 games | >35 PPG |
| Last 4 games | <15 PPG |
| Lamar Jackson – wins in first 100 starts | 73 (4th-most) |
The simple table above highlights the defensive swing for Baltimore and Jackson’s placement on an all-time list of wins during a QB’s first 100 starts. The defense’s drop from more than 35 points allowed to under 15 in the recent span is what turned losses into close wins and gave the offense breathing room.
Reactions & Quotes
“We feel like we’re finding a rhythm and must sustain it,” said safety Kyle Hamilton, crediting the team’s renewed focus on sound tackling and coverage discipline after recent personnel changes.
Kyle Hamilton, two-time Pro Bowl safety
“There’s work left, but we’re enjoying getting better each week,” said linebacker Kyle Van Noy, emphasizing the locker room’s belief in the process after a three-game winning streak.
Kyle Van Noy, linebacker
“Poise under pressure decided this one for us,” said coach John Harbaugh, noting that the team executed in critical moments and that the victory checked a long list: winning at least once in every current NFL city during his tenure.
John Harbaugh, head coach (Baltimore Ravens)
Unconfirmed
- The long-term severity of Marlon Humphrey’s late finger issue has not been publicly detailed beyond the team listing; its impact on availability is unconfirmed.
- The full extent of Jonathan Greenard’s shoulder injury from his third-quarter landing is not specified; whether he will miss additional games is unconfirmed.
- Whether the eight false-start penalties stemmed primarily from cadence confusion, communication errors, or crowd influence remains unverified.
Bottom Line
Sunday’s 27-19 result underlined two narratives: the Ravens’ defense has found a more consistent identity after schematic tweaks and personnel additions, and Lamar Jackson — back from a hamstring absence — can still steer Baltimore in close games while limiting turnovers. Those elements combined to produce a third straight win and a chance to keep climbing in the AFC North.
For the Vikings, the performance exposed ongoing offensive growing pains and discipline issues. Minnesota must clean up pre-snap penalties, protect McCarthy from forcing risky throws, and find ways to support their defense if they hope to reverse a midseason slide. Both clubs enter the next week with clear corrective items and pivotal divisional matchups on the horizon.
Sources
- ESPN recap (sports journalism)
- AP News NFL hub (news organization)