Ravens need Lamar Jackson, receivers to improve
If the Baltimore Ravens are going to fulfill their promise, they need MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and his weapons to step up.
Let it be said at the top: the Baltimore Ravens are 5-2. They’re one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl, even if they rank third on most AFC lists behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. Nothing wrong with that in a vacuum.
However, considering Baltimore went 14-2 last season only to be rudely bounced for a second straight postseason without a victory, the standard is difference in Charm City.
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At 5-2, Baltimore sits two games behind the Steelers, who they lost to last weekend due in large part to Jackson’s four turnovers. Heading into an important game with the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, the microscope is on Jackson to get rolling.
Of course, team struggles are exactly that. It’s rarely one man who is the sole issue, something certainty true of Baltimore’s middling passing attack.
For his part, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talked about Jackson during Friday’s press conference, citing a few reasons why 2020 has looked different than his MVP campaign of 2019, per ESPN:
“He still has a lot to learn, but the great thing about Lamar is he recognizes that. He understands that people are making him the focus. He’s got to find a way to tighten up his game and beat those things with precision and accuracy and his mind. They’re doing everything they can with a lot of smart and talented people to stop Lamar Jackson the week that they play him.”
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Harbaugh is correct, but Jackson’s own team did him little favors this offseason.
Baltimore traded away tight end Hayden Hurst and didn’t add a meaningful weapon on the outside. The result is only receiver Marquise Brown being on pace for 1,000 yards. No other wideout is a good bet for 500 receiving yards, while star tight end Mark Andrews has been severely limited with defenses cracking down on him. Thus far, Andrews has 23 catches and 275 yards (with five touchdowns) through seven games.
If the Ravens are going to reach their full potential, Jackson must do a better job of hitting on more shot plays and medium-range attempts, while his weaponry finds ways to get open in the schemes of offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Right now, Baltimore is far too reliant on its menacing defense and punishing ground attack. Both are awesome, but without the aerial component, and the Ravens’ march will be short in the playoffs.
