Campbell, Ngakoue Focused on Win, Not Jaguars Reunion

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue were a dominant force during their time together with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Both players will face their former team Week 15 at M&T Bank Stadium in a game that is critical to the Ravens' playoff hopes.

“This is a must-win, playoff football-type of mentality because we’re in the hunt for the playoffs," Campbell said. "You can’t let a game like this go and expect to go to the playoffs. So, first things first, I want to win to make sure that we give ourselves the opportunity to go to the postseason. But naturally, being a competitor, you play on a team for three years, you know all the guys."

The Ravens made a splash this past offseason by acquiring Campbell in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round draft selection. He later signed a one-year extension with Baltimore.

Baltimore added fellow defensive end Ngakoue from the Vikings at the trade deadline. Ngakoue spent the first four years of his career with Jacksonville.

Ngakoue earned Pro Bowl honors with Jacksonville in 2017 after recording a career-high 12 sacks and leading the NFL with six forced fumbles.

"At the end of the day, I had my time with Jacksonville and that's not a secret," Ngakoue said. "I'm just going to treat it like another game, another Sunday."

The Ravens (8-5) are currently ranked eighth in the seven-team playoff race. Even if the Ravens win their final three games, they will not make the postseason if the teams in front of them, namely the Browns, Colts, and Dolphins, do not lose the rest of the way.

Baltimore is grateful to have Campbell back in the lineup. The Ravens lost all three games when he was sidelined with a calf injury.

Campbell is tied for the team lead with four sacks and has five tackles for a loss and 10 quarterback hits.

“Anytime you have to watch your team play [from] the sideline, it’s frustrating," he said. "Especially when the team loses, knowing that you feel like … I personally felt like I could make a difference. Just the energy and getting guys together in certain situations, the special situations to make sure we’re focused and locked in, that kind of leadership quality that you can’t do when you’re not in pads, it’s kind of hard."

Both Campbell and Ngakoue will be back on the field this week. It will be a familiar sight for the Jaguars.