The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 8 at 1-5, with their last win coming in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns.
Offensively, they’ve struggled to move the ball down the field, averaging just 183 passing yards per game (fifth-worst in the NFL), while defensively, they’ve allowed the third most yards (380.8 per game) and the most points (32.3 per game).
The team has struggled in part due to the fact that franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson has appeared in just four games this season and hasn’t played in almost a month, a trend that continued Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Ahead of kickoff, ESPN’s Tedy Bruschi spoke out about the Ravens on “Sunday NFL Countdown.”
“What’s going on in Baltimore?” Bruschi said. “What is all of the confusion? Is he practicing or is he not practicing? … I mean, usually if they can’t go, they’re not even on the field. They got rehab to do, they got tape to watch for the opponent they think they’re going to play. You get him out there, it’s almost like a tease to everyone else.”
“I hope they knew, because if they’re starting the weekend thinking they’re going to have Lamar, and now they don’t have Lamar, I mean, this is just totally deflating if you’re a member of the Baltimore Ravens.”
Jackson has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Week 4; he returned to limited practice midweek but was downgraded and officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bears on Saturday afternoon.
The team has insisted that they’re being cautious with Jackson after he was limited in practice late in the week, with Baltimore electing to start backup Tyler Huntley rather than push Jackson back before full availability was clear.
Nevertheless, his return to practice, even in a limited capacity, led many to believe that he would be ready to go against the Bears, especially given how important the game is for Baltimore to save its season.
In the four games Jackson has appeared in, the 28-year-old QB has been efficient, completing 68 of 95 passes (71.6%) for 869 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, and just a single interception, while rushing for 166 yards and a rushing TD on just 21 carries (7.9 yards per carry).
His availability remains crucial if Baltimore plans on contending for a playoff spot, an outlook that feels a lot less likely if the Ravens fall to the Bears on Sunday.
Chicago enters at 4-2 and on a four-game winning streak, yet, despite Jackson’s absence and the Ravens’ woes, Baltimore is listed as a 2.5-point favorite.
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