Jackson, Ravens Get Back on Track

The Ravens entered Monday night in desperate need of a win, following an underwhelming and familiar performance in Pittsburgh just a week ago. The storylines were seemingly unlimited entering Week 12’s matchup against the Chargers. From a plethora of former Ravens players and staff taking the trip out west to join the Chargers to just the second regular season head-to-head battle between John and Jim Harbaugh.

From the opening drive, it was obvious how tough it’d be for either team to grind out a win. It was a major disappointment for the Ravens out of the gate punting on their first two drives after gaining a total of just 20 yards combined. After the slow start, the foot never came off the gas pedal for Jackson and the offense, scoring on their next five drives, including four touchdowns. Lamar showed off his duel-threat ability when needed Monday night, finding the end zone for his third rushing touchdown of the season on a 10-yard designed run. Despite a limited need for Jackson to extend plays with his legs, the Ravens leaned heavily on the run game throughout Monday night, running the ball 37 times 212 total rushing yards.

Jackson’s development in the pocket this season has been a major key to his potential run at a third MVP award. Jackson was given time to throw in the pocket Monday night, averaging 3.43 seconds according to NextGenStats, his third longest of the season. The numbers weren’t extremely eye-popping for Jackson, totaling just 177 passing yards on the night, his 2nd lowest of the season and third game under 200 passing yards on the year. The efficiency however continues to shine, as Jackson finished his 7th game north of 70% completion percentage and his 9th game with a passer rating above 100 this season.

The win improved Lamar Jackson’s record to 4-0 when facing the league’s number 1 scoring defense, per to NextGenStats. Entering the matchup, Lamar was 3-0 with a 111.0 career passer rating when entering the week against the league’s top-scoring defense.

Not only did the Ravens improve to 8-4 on the season, but Jackson also improved to 7-2 on Monday Night Football. In those nine starts, he’s thrown 25 total touchdowns and zero interceptions. Just more proof that when the lights get brightest, Jackson just won’t collapse.

An underappreciated aspect of the offense this season has been the obvious connection built between Jackson and wideout Rashod Bateman. The former first-rounder spent his first few seasons riddled with injuries, leaving fans questioning if we’d ever see the talent worth a first-round pick. Bateman’s elite route running was on full display last season, despite a lack of utilization in the offense. Monday’s performance was just another display of the progression Jackson and Bateman have built on this year. Rashod’s 40-yard touchdown Monday Night was his 2nd touchdown grab of 40+ yards this season and helped build on what has been a career season for the young wideout this year.

With Jackson and Bateman on pace for career years, it’s easy to realize how important of a weapon Bateman has become to the Ravens this season.

Is the North Still up for Grabs?

Ravens fans need to come to terms with the improbabilities of claiming the 1 seed this season. The AFC North title, however, is certainly within reach, despite two divisional losses already this season.  Cleveland played the hero role for Baltimore fans in Week 12, knocking off the Steelers in a winter wonderland, allowing the Ravens to control their own destiny in regards to claiming their second-straight divisional title.

The Ravens win over the Chargers Monday night infused more life, improving their chances at the AFC North title to 63%, according to Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner. Entering Week 13, the Ravens hold the second spot in the division and the fifth seed in the AFC with three current playoff teams remaining on the schedule. Baltimore will need some help, and with the strength of the schedule upcoming for Pittsburgh, Thursday’s blunder to the Browns may have officially opened the door. The Steelers still have both matchups with Cincinnati on the schedule, a battle with the AFC-leading chiefs, a red-hot Eagles squad, and a rematch against the Browns and Baltimore in Week 16. If the offensive struggles in Pittsburgh continue, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers leaving that stretch of games above .500. We can sit here and pick apart the issues with Pittsburgh holding the top spot in the division, but regardless, all signs point to a battle for the divisional title in Week 16 at M&T Bank Stadium.

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