By Robert MarviShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberMany people were picking the Baltimore Ravens to reach the Super Bowl, if not win it all, when this season started. But they started 1-5, and while they went on a five-game winning streak afterward, they have had no margin of error.
They faced a crucial game on Thanksgiving against the Cincinnati Bengals, who welcomed starting quarterback Joe Burrow back from a toe injury that had sidelined him since September. But the Ravens lost by 18 points and were able to muster just 14 points against a Cincinnati defense that has been extremely porous.
With a 6-6 record, Baltimore's chances of making the playoffs are in deep peril. Sports commentator Skip Bayless said on "The Arena Gridiron" show that star quarterback Lamar Jackson simply isn't right physically and that it is holding the team back.
"I'm not going make excuses for Lamar," Bayless said. "I will just tell you what my eyes tell me. He ain't right, something is wrong physically with him.
"... He's just beat all to hell. He's taken too many hits. He's not right, and I don't know if he's going to be able to get back right."
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Jackson has dealt with multiple injuries this season, and he missed three games in October due to a hamstring ailment. While he hasn't missed a game since, he has nursed knee, ankle and toe injuries over the last few weeks.
Versus the Bengals, he completed just 17 of 32 pass attempts and had no touchdown passes, and he hasn't thrown any touchdown passes in his last three games. Overall, his numbers are down this season, especially when it comes to passing yards per game and QBR.
...Perhaps the best indication that Jackson isn't feeling spry is the huge drop in his rushing production. Last season, when he narrowly lost in the MVP balloting to the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen, he ran for 915 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per rush attempt. This season, through nine games, he's at 264 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown and 5.1 yards per carry.
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The Ravens' schedule won't exactly do them any favors the rest of the way. They will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are currently in first place in the AFC North, next Sunday, and after that, they will play the Bengals, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. Baltimore will then visit the Steelers in Week 18 to close out the regular season.
For more on the Ravens and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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