Ravens Clinch Crucial Win, Ankle Sprain Scare for Star Receiver

On November 7th, 2025, the Baltimore Ravens managed to escape with a crucial 27-19 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, a win that kept their playoff hopes and season alive. The game's key moment came in the third quarter when Ravens receiver Rashod Bateman caught a pass in the red zone and lunged forward to reach the end zone, only to be pulled down by a Vikings defender in what appeared to be a "hip-drop tackle."

Unfortunately, no flags were thrown on the play, and Bateman suffered an ankle sprain as a result. Speaking on Monday, November 11th, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed his confusion over the lack of a penalty, saying, "What is a hip drop tackle? It's an enigma, apparently, that can't be called during the game."

Despite the injury scare, Harbaugh remains optimistic about Bateman's recovery, stating, "I think he's going to be okay, he's got an ankle sprain. We'll see how serious it is going forward."

The Ravens' win was crucial, as it kept them in the playoff hunt. After starting the season 1-5, Baltimore has now won four straight games and sits just one game behind the 5-4 Pittsburgh Steelers for the division lead. This turnaround showcases the fickle nature of the NFL, and the Ravens have regained their momentum over the past month.

However, the team is not out of the woods yet, with five division games remaining on their schedule. Keeping Bateman healthy will be crucial for the Ravens' offense to function at a higher level, as the veteran receiver has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. The team hopes to have Bateman back in action for their Week 11 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.