John Harbaugh reveals his strong message to Rashod Bateman before Dolphins game
Eight different players caught at least one pass from Lamar Jackson during the Baltimore Ravens’ home win over the Miami Dolphins, including Rashod Bateman. Bateman had a career day against the Dolphins, tallying season highs in both receptions (four) and receiving yards (54). All four of the wideout’s catches in the contest went for at […]
Eight different players caught at least one pass from Lamar Jackson during the Baltimore Ravens’ home win over the Miami Dolphins, including Rashod Bateman.
Bateman had a career day against the Dolphins, tallying season highs in both receptions (four) and receiving yards (54). All four of the wideout’s catches in the contest went for at least 10 yards.
Overall, Jackson posted a 95.1 passer rating when targeting Bateman in Week 17.
Bateman’s standout performance against the Dolphins came as no surprise to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
"He’s been through so much adversity, personally, with basically the injuries," Harbaugh said during a press conference on Monday. "A high pick, high expectations, and then fighting through injuries. Then, this year, that settled out kind of early season. Then, grinding every single day, going to work, stacking practice. … Disappointing sometimes after games, you know? Maybe he didn’t get as many balls as he wanted, or maybe he didn’t make a catch he wanted to make, yet not letting that get him down and knowing a big day was coming.
"I don’t know if he wants me to tell you this, but I told him. He came to me — I saw him Friday — I said, 'Big game 'Bate.' It’s going to be a big game for 'Bate,'' and he came up with some massive catches for us. He kept some drives going. That’s just a prelude to what’s coming."
The Ravens sure will need Bateman to continue to be a go-to wideout for Jackson, especially as the playoffs are just right around the corner.
The Ravens will close out their regular season schedule with a home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18.