The Baltimore Ravens are outside the AFC playoff picture at 6-7 and haven’t been bailed out by their two-time MVP quarterback like they have in past seasons.
“[He just] doesn’t look the same,” an NFL executive said about Lamar Jackson in a Tuesday report from Jeff Howe of The Athletic.
A coach said, “He looks off with his timing,” while another executive pointed out, “He’s just not as explosive as in the past.”
The lack of explosive plays has stood out.Â
Howe noted Jackson doesn’t have a single run of 20 or more yards this season, which would mark the first time in his career he didn’t have at least one for an entire campaign. He had 55 total from 2018 through 2024, including eight last season alone.
What’s more, his average of three plays of at least 20 yards per game this season is the second-lowest of his career. And those plays have all come through the air, undercutting his ability to impact the game since he has been so dangerous with his legs since entering the league.
It should be noted Jackson missed three games with a hamstring injury and has also missed practice time with ankle and toe setbacks. He likely isn’t at 100 percent, and his health could be impacting his overall production.
Still, the Ravens are going to need him to rediscover his old form if they are going to make a late-season charge and be a factor in the AFC playoffs.
In the last five games, Jackson has two touchdown passes to four interceptions through the air. He also has just one touchdown run in that span, which came in Sunday’s loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Baltimore finishes with games against the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Steelers. Only Cincinnati is outside the playoffs from that group, and it is far more dangerous with Joe Burrow back in the lineup.
The Ravens are looking at an uphill battle to even reach the playoffs, but the challenge will be much more reasonable if Jackson plays like the superstar he has been for much of his career.