The Baltimore Ravens faced a tough setback last weekend, falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in a tightly contested matchup.
Despite the loss, star quarterback Lamar Jackson is keeping his eyes on the prize: a deep postseason run. In the wake of the defeat, Jackson delivered a direct message to his teammates, emphasizing the need to clean up their own mistakes rather than worrying about their AFC North rivals, particularly Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers.
“We don’t need to worry about the Steelers. We need to worry about us,” Jackson stated during a press conference. “That’s the first thing: worry about what we need to clean up on this side. Clean that (expletive) up. Forget every other team. We are beating ourselves out there. There are opportunities, [but] we’re not making them happen. We need to make those critical situations happen, and we’re not doing it.”
Jackson’s candid remarks come at a critical point in the Ravens’ season. With an 8-5 record, Baltimore finds itself in second place in the division, trailing the Steelers, led by Russell Wilson. While the loss to the Eagles stings, Jackson’s focus remains on ensuring his team takes care of business as the postseason approaches.
Harbaugh Rallies the Troops
Head coach John Harbaugh echoed Jackson’s sentiments, maintaining confidence in his squad despite recent challenges. “Every goal that we have is in front of us, and we have the team to do it,” Harbaugh said. “I’m proud of our guys; I feel like they’ve fought through a lot of things this year.”
The Ravens’ grueling schedule, marked by 13 straight weeks of action and extensive travel, has tested their resilience. However, Harbaugh believes the adversity has prepared his team for what lies ahead. “We can win the division, we can make it as a wild card, or we could be out [of the playoffs],” Harbaugh added. “It’s up to us to determine that. If we win the games, we’ll be in really good shape.”
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A Bye Week to Regroup
Fortunately for Baltimore, the timing of their Bye Week couldn’t be better. With time to recover and recalibrate, the team will look to return refreshed for their Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. The Ravens will need to capitalize on this break as they prepare for a tough stretch of games, including divisional showdowns against the Steelers and Browns.
Jackson’s Performance Draws Attention
Despite the loss to the Eagles, Jackson’s performance continues to be a focal point of discussion. The quarterback’s dual-threat capabilities have been a cornerstone of the Ravens’ offense, but some—including Jackson’s mother—have pointed out that he could have utilized his running ability more during the game.
Harbaugh weighed in on the matter, expressing his trust in Jackson’s decision-making. “I really trust Lamar. I trust his mom, too. His mom is a good judge,” Harbaugh said. “She’s seen more of Lamar ball than anybody, so I’m sure she has a great handle on it. Let Lamar and his mom talk through all of that stuff. I trust Lamar to make good decisions.”
The Road Ahead
The Ravens’ path to the postseason remains in their hands. Following their game against the Giants, they face a pivotal divisional clash with the Steelers on December 21. With the AFC North race tighter than ever, this matchup could have significant implications for playoff seeding.
Later, the Ravens will take on the Texans and Browns, two teams eager to make statements of their own. For Baltimore, it’s not just about winning games—it’s about finding consistency and capitalizing on opportunities when they arise.
A Focused Lamar Jackson
Jackson’s leadership will undoubtedly play a crucial role as the Ravens navigate these challenges. His message to the team—“We are beating ourselves”—highlights his awareness of what needs to change for Baltimore to regain its footing.
As the Ravens head into the most critical part of their season, the focus is clear. It’s not about what their rivals are doing; it’s about executing their own game plan. With Jackson at the helm and Harbaugh’s steady leadership, Baltimore remains a team to watch in the AFC playoff race.