Emily: Tyler Huntley just threw for nearly three hundred yards, yet the Ravens lost by twenty-two. If Lamar Jackson isn't back by Sunday, does Huntley keep the job? And who is actually winning the battle at guard right now?
Chris: It’s not just about Huntley throwing passes anymore. It’s about whether the offensive line can stop Joe Burrow from picking them apart like we saw against Cincinnati. The depth chart is shifting.
Emily: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Emily.
Chris: And I’m Chris. We are live on October 29th, 2026.
Emily: We have a lot of ground to cover today as we look at the Baltimore Ravens sitting at 4-3 and eighth in the AFC. Coming up, we’re breaking down the most critical position battle on this team right now, two other depth-chart wars that matter, and our predictions for who makes the final roster cut before the season gets real.
Chris: Exactly. And honestly, with Lamar Jackson listed as a full participant in practice, the timeline for his return is the biggest variable in all of football right now.
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Emily: Let’s start with Segment One: The Quarterback Battle. It feels like every week this conversation changes. Tyler Huntley went 23-for-34 for 298 yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati. Statistically, that looks fine.
Chris: Statistically, sure. But look at the context. He had one interception. That turnover killed drives. Against Buffalo, you cannot afford that kind of inefficiency when the defense is giving up points like they did last week. Joe Burrow threw four touchdowns.
Emily: Right. And remember our prediction from Thursday? We said Huntley would need smarter decision-making. That INT was costly. But here is the thing: Lamar Jackson is practicing fully. Does Huntley even get another start if Lamar plays?
Chris: That’s the million-dollar question. If Lamar is healthy, Huntley stays backup. Period. But what worries me is the run game. Derrick Henry only had 17 carries for 45 yards. That is not Derrick Henry production. That is stifled.
Emily: 45 yards. For Derrick Henry. That’s absurd. So, is the issue purely the quarterback play, or is the offensive scheme struggling to open lanes?
Chris: It’s the scheme and the protection. When Huntley holds the ball, he needs a clean pocket. We saw Boye Mafe get sacks and pressure. Without Lamar’s scrambling ability to extend plays, the defense knows exactly where the ball is going. Zay Flowers had 137 yards, which is great, but he’s carrying the load alone.
Emily: Flowers is definitely the most reliable weapon, as we’ve said. But if Lamar returns, does the offense suddenly click? Or is the line so bad it doesn’t matter?
Chris: I think Lamar fixes half the problems instantly. His presence forces defenses to respect the run more. But if the interior line isn’t moving defenders, even Lamar struggles. This brings us directly into Segment Two: The Guard Room War.
Emily: Okay, let’s talk about the trenches. We know Olaivavega Ioane has been dealing with injuries. On the injury report, John Simpson was questionable. What does that mean for the starting lineup against Buffalo?
Chris: This is a massive battle. Michael Jordan and Andrew Vorhees are the names we talked about last time. If Ioane can’t go, one of those two starts. And honestly, neither of them has the same experience as Simpson or Stanley.
Emily: So it’s a toss-up between Jordan and Vorhees? Who do you trust more to handle Ed Oliver and A.J. Epena in Buffalo?
Chris: Jordan has the size. Vorhees has the technique. But against a pass rush as good as Buffalo’s, you need someone who can slide protections quickly. I’m leaning toward Jordan simply because he’s been around longer, but it’s close.
Emily: And what about Cam Jurgens and Ethan Pocic at center? Are they holding up?
Chris: They’re getting beat sometimes. The communication issues we saw against Cincinnati were evident. When Burrow was able to hit Tee Higgins for 148 yards, that’s partly because the linebackers were leaking out of the box unblocked. The guards aren’t sustaining blocks long enough.
Emily: It’s frustrating because we have Ronnie Stanley at left tackle. He’s an elite player. But if the interior collapses, Stanley is isolated. Do you think the coaching staff makes a change at guard, or do they ride it out?
Chris: I think they ride it out unless there’s an injury. You don’t want to shake up the line too much before the Bills. But if Justin Tucker wasn’t available, maybe they’d call for help. Wait, no, that’s the Chiefs news. Sorry, got distracted by headlines. Back to the Ravens.
Emily: [Laughs] Okay, good catch. Let’s move to Segment Three: Roster Cuts and Trending Players. With the trade deadline approaching, who is on the bubble?
Chris: The running back room is interesting. Rasheen Ali, Justice Hill, Derrick Henry. Henry is the bell cow, but Ali is showing flashes. If Henry gets hurt, who steps in? Hill has been solid in special teams, but Ali might be the better fit for the passing game.
Emily: What about the wide receiver corps? We have Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester, and Ja’Kobi Lane. Who is trending up?
Chris: Walker is trending up. He’s big, he’s fast, and he’s making contested catches. Bateman is steady, but Walker provides that deep threat that Huntley hasn’t been able to utilize consistently. If Lamar comes back, Walker could see more snaps.
Emily: And on defense? Roquan Smith was questionable, Kyle Hamilton was questionable. How deep is this secondary?
Chris: Hamilton is the heart of that defense. If he’s out, Jaylinn Hawkins has to step up significantly. The coverage schemes rely on his ability to read the quarterback. Without him, you’re vulnerable to tight ends like Dawson Knox.
Emily: Alright, let’s wrap this up with our final thoughts. We’ve got the Buffalo Bills coming up on November 1st. It’s a tough road game. What’s the key to victory for Baltimore?
Chris: Protect the quarterback. If Huntley stays clean, they can move the ball. If Lamar is in, they can control the clock. But mostly, they need to stop the run. Chase Brown only had 39 yards, but that’s because Cincinnati played keep-away. Buffalo will try to run on Baltimore.
Emily: So, the defense has to step up. Roquan Smith needs to be around 10 tackles again. And the offensive line needs to win the battle at guard. Who wins the guard battle in your mind, Chris?
Chris: Michael Jordan starts. He gives them the physicality they need against the Bills' defensive front.
Emily: And if Lamar plays, does Huntley lose the job permanently? I doubt it. He’s proven he can manage the game. But the competition is fierce.
Chris: Competition is good. It keeps everyone sharp. But for now, the focus is on fixing the interior line and getting Henry involved.
Emily: Well, that’s all the time we have. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Go Ravens!