OWINGS MILLS — Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. savors his time with the Los Angeles Rams, where he won a Super Bowl in 2022.
But that doesn’t mean he isn’t looking to dominate them when the teams meet Sunday in Week 14 at M&T Bank Stadium.
Beckham will serve as the Ravens’ captain for the game.
“Two years ago, I was over there, and I scored a touchdown to win the game [against the Ravens],” Beckham said. “Now, I’m over here. Hopefully, I can do the same thing and return the favor to them. Sometimes, I have these Deja vu moments that go on mid-game after you played for so long, [and] you’ve seen so many things. It’s just a team that I have a lot of love and respect for.
“Obviously, I won a Super Bowl with them, so it does feel good to go against them [and] to be able to see these guys. I have a special bond with them. The goal is obviously to win now on this side.”
The Ravens (9-3) signed Beckman to a one-year contract worth up to $18 million in April. That deal reportedly includes a $13.835 million signing bonus, $1.165 million base salary and $3 million in reachable incentives.
So far, it’s been a solid investment.
Despite battling some injuries, Beckham has caught 27 passes for 408 yards with two touchdowns in 10 games.
However, he is fully healthy for the most important part of the season and he is hopeful the Ravens can have the same type of run to the Super Bowl as the Rams.
“Sitting here now at 9-3, [we] definitely know that there’s an opportunity,” Beckham said. “It comes with the same thing that we’ve been doing for the first 12 games. It’s just finding ways to win football games, finding ways to be elite, score points and not allow the other team to score points. It’s definitely a good opportunity we have.”
Ravens look healthy
The Ravens were almost back to full strength at the first practice after the bye on Wednesday. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who was battling an illness, was the only absent player. However, six other players landed on the first injury report: outside linebacker Malik Hamm (ankle — full), linebacker Malik Harrison (groin — limited), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf — full), defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (concussion — limited), linebacker Trenton Simpson (concussion — full) and cornerback Damarion Williams (ankle —full).
Coach John Harbaugh was encouraged by the turnout.
“Our guys are in good spirits,” Harbaugh said. “The time off will be good for us physically and mentally as well. But it’s part of the National Football League. We have a big challenge in front of us Sunday, and that’s what everybody is focusing on.”
Early Pro Bowl voting
In the first round of Pro Bowl voting, several Ravens rank ahead of the rest of the field. Kevin Zeitler is the leading vote-getter among AFC guards. Inside linebacker Roquan Smith, strong safety Kyle Hamilton, and free safety Geno Stone lead their respective positions in the AFC.
The San Francisco 49ers lead all teams in total votes received, followed by the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL did not provide the specific number for those votes.