Ravens Rally for Victory, But Concerns Linger Over Lamar Jackson’s Performance
After a hard-fought comeback that saw the Baltimore Ravens outscore the New York Jets in the second half, the team secured a 23-10 victory, extending their winning streak to five games. However, the triumph did little to quell the worries surrounding the Ravens’ offensive struggles. National analysts have noted that while the Ravens are on the right track, significant issues persist, particularly regarding quarterback Lamar Jackson’s performance.
Power Rankings Reflect Mixed Opinions
As the NFL approaches Week 13, various power rankings reflect a range of opinions on the Ravens’ standing in the league.
Sports Illustrated: 12 (Last week: 10)
The publication highlighted Jackson’s ongoing evolution, noting, “One overlooked part in the Lamar Jackson injury postmortem we’re all conducting: For years he was lambasted for having an inconsistent throwing platform. Now, the skill sets he’s developed from said platform are more valuable than ever given that Jackson can’t rely on his legs, but just enough of his mobility to gain separation to throw.”
ESPN: 17 (Last week: 15)
The network reminded fans of the Ravens’ historic Thanksgiving matchup, recalling a controversial play from years past. “With the Ravens leading 13-7 in the third quarter, Jones was running back a kickoff when he was slowed down by Tomlin, who stood in a restricted area. It’s just one of those unfortunate moments of life,” Tomlin said five years ago, reflecting on the play that led to a significant fine.
The Ringer: 11 (Last week: 14)
This outlet expressed cautious optimism for the Ravens, stating, “Now that the Ravens are back above .500 and the bad vibes of October are in the rearview mirror, all Baltimore has to do to win the AFC North is keep it together until the end of the regular season. Easier said than done?” They pointed out that the Ravens only needed to perform for one strong quarter against lesser opponents but called for a more consistent and dangerous team as playoffs approach.
NFL.com: 13 (Last week: 13)
Analyst Eric Edholm raised alarms about Jackson’s recent struggles. “Lamar Jackson hasn’t looked quite like himself since returning from injury in Week 9,” he noted. Edholm pointed out that Jackson averaged only 174 passing yards with a completion rate of 57 percent in his last three games, alongside a lack of impact in the run game. He suggested that Jackson’s ongoing health issues, including ankle and knee injuries, might be hampering his performance, despite Jackson’s reassurances.
Sporting News: 16 (Last week: 17)
In a more positive light, this publication praised the team’s resilience, stating, “The Ravens got a huge win over the Jets with Derrick Henry and the defense taking a key burden off Lamar Jackson. The reward was rallying from a 1-5 start to first place again in the AFC North.”
Looking Ahead
As the Ravens prepare for the final stretch of the regular season, the questions surrounding Jackson’s performance and the team’s overall consistency remain at the forefront of discussions. The balance between their strong defense and an offense that has yet to find its rhythm could be critical as they aim for playoff positioning.
