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Jamison Hensley
BALTIMORE — Ravens field general Lamar Jackson voiced that there’s a solitary route to emerge from his career-low performance: dependability.
Following Thursday’s 32-14 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackson declared “dependable” approximately 10 instances during his 4½-minute press interaction, whether or not he was handling turnovers, inaccuracy, or the effect of his mounting arrangement of wounds.
In observing the Ravens’ five-coordinate triumphant run closure, Jackson proceeded with his month-long droop, mishandling twice and tossing one capture attempt. The three turnovers are his most in four seasons.
“I simply must perform dependably,” Jackson expressed.
Jackson dismissed the possibility that wounds are influencing his play. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has been managing knee, lower leg, and toe wounds over the previous three weeks, all of which have driven him to miss no less than one practice each week.
“No, I simply must be more dependable,” Jackson expressed. “I must make those tosses. I don’t miss them in practice, so I shouldn’t be missing them in the game.”
Jackson denied that this has been the most exceedingly awful extend of his career. He moved around superior to escape pressure Thursday, but the results were the same.
This marked the third straight diversion without a touchdown pass by Jackson, which is the longest dry season of his eight-year NFL career. He has moreover been held under a 60% completion rate in four straight diversions for the first time.
“I feel like I’m seeing the field pretty great for the most part,” said Jackson, who was 17-of-32 (53.1%) for 246 yards. “But I simply must be dependable. We all simply must be dependable.”
How can Jackson accomplish this dependability?
“Just be me,” Jackson said. “Just be Lamar. You know, that’s all.”
In Jackson’s first four begins, the Ravens averaged 32.7 points. At that point, he was sidelined for three diversions with a hamstring injury.
Since Jackson’s return, Baltimore has averaged 23 points in his five begins. Jackson and the Ravens as it were managed 14 points against a Bengals defense that had permitted an NFL-worst 32.7 points per game.
“I have no complaints,” Ravens tight conclusion Mark Andrews said about Jackson. “He’s our fellow, and I have full trust in him. Football is a way of life. Sometimes awful things happen.”
Ravens security Kyle Hamilton said no one is pointing the finger at Jackson.
“He’s a competitor and he’s one of the most excellent two-time MVPs for a reason,” Hamilton said. “So indeed LeBron [James] has an off night.”
Jackson’s first misfortune to the Bengals (4-8) since 2021 put a dent in Baltimore’s interest of repeating as AFC North champions. The Ravens’ chances to win the division dropped from 70% to 57%, agreeing to ESPN Analytics.
Baltimore (6-6) fell a half-game back of the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5), who host the Buffalo Bills (7-4) on Sunday.
“Lamar is out there battling with us,” Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers said. “As long as he is battling, and we are battling with him, we will be alright.”
