NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Baltimore Ravens are on the clock. Not in terms of a No.1 pick, but they are on the Lamar Jackson ticking clock. Jackson is a rare talent as far as skills, but his non-winning resume is far from rare.
With 2 NFL MVPs to his name, Jackson has yet to lead his team to the Super Bowl or even the AFC Championship Game. Last season, the Ravens were the favorites in the AFC. Even with the struggles of the Kansas City Chiefs, the injuries to the Cincinnati Bengals, and the inconsistency of the Buffalo Bills, the Ravens were at home watching the big game like everyone else. Something has to change.
This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens believe they found their missing link in Derrick Henry. Well, let me be the bearer of bad news. Henry is not the answer. The ground game was never the issue in Baltimore. According to stats, they finished the regular season as the leading rushing team. Remove Gus Edwards and replace him with Henry and what changes?
Where the Ravens fell short was in the passing game where they ranked 21st in Passing Yards per game, and 31st in Passing Attempts. Jackson doesn’t need another runner, he needs pass catchers who can stretch the field. Last offseason that title fell to Odell Beckham Jr which turned out to be a bust.
This offseason, with receivers changing teams as much as running backs, the Ravens let them fall through the cracks leaving them with the same core that fell short, again.
Will Lamar Jackson Ever Win A Super Bowl
As good as Lamar Jackson is, he’s on the verge of being labeled “not being able to win the big game.” Is it fair? Yes and no. The QB position is viewed as the most important in the game and wins and losses often fall on their shoulders. Jackson is no different. He’s being paid like the best, couple that with 2 MVPs, and has a team labeled as one of the elite teams in the NFL, and yet, they have no AFC Championship win or appearance to show for it.
Time is not running out, the window is still open but for how long? The Baltimore Ravens can look no further than the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen if they need a blueprint. Each year they’re right there and each year, they fall short.
Jackson has done some remarkable things on the field but winning the one that matters most still has eluded him. Yes, it’s a team sport and while he doesn’t deserve all the blame, how can he get all the praise when things go right? Signing Henry was a solid move but it still leaves them where they were in 2023. A great running team but his signing does not move the needle as many believe it will.
For all the heat that Allen takes, he has led his team within a game of the Super Bowl. Sadly, we can’t say the same for the 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.
