Lamar Jackson's Struggles Demand Scrutiny for the Baltimore Ravens

As the Baltimore Ravens enter the final stretch of the regular season, a once-unthinkable narrative has emerged: Lamar Jackson, the team’s franchise quarterback and 2019 MVP, is mired in a slump that demands honest scrutiny. After a red-hot start to 2026, Jackson has struggled in the past four weeks—throwing 5 interceptions (compared to 3 touchdowns), completing just 58% of his passes (well below his season average of 66%), and failing to lead a fourth-quarter comeback in three consecutive close losses. Lamar Jackson's Struggles Demand Scrutiny for the Baltimore Ravens isn’t about criticizing a player who has carried the franchise for years; it’s about examining the root causes of his slump, how it’s impacting the team’s playoff aspirations, and what the Ravens must do to get their leader back on track. For a team with Super Bowl hopes, ignoring these struggles isn’t an option—scrutiny is the first step toward solutions.

Lamar Jackson's Struggles Demand Scrutiny for the Baltimore Ravens begins with the most visible issue: Jackson’s increased turnover rate, which has shifted momentum in critical games. In Week 14’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackson threw a costly interception in the end zone with 2:30 left, squandering a chance to take the lead. The pick wasn’t an anomaly; in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he fumbled deep in Ravens territory, setting up a Chiefs touchdown that proved decisive. Film breakdowns show a pattern: Jackson is holding the ball too long (his average time to throw has increased from 2.4 seconds to 3.1 seconds in the slump) and forcing passes into tight coverage when under pressure. “Lamar’s usually so decisive, but lately he’s been second-guessing himself,” said former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, an analyst for ESPN. “When he holds the ball, he gives defenses time to sack him or force a bad throw. When he forces passes, he’s playing into what defenses want—they’re baiting him into mistakes.” Jackson himself acknowledged the struggles after the Bengals loss: “I’m not playing like myself. I’m making decisions I shouldn’t make, and that’s costing the team. I have to be better.” This self-awareness is a start, but scrutiny must go deeper than individual mistakes—it must address why Jackson is making those choices.

Lamar Jackson's Struggles Demand Scrutiny for the Baltimore Ravens continues with the contextual factors exacerbating his slump, particularly injuries to the offensive line. The Ravens have lost two starting linemen—left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and right guard Kevin Zeitler (shoulder)—in the past month, forcing undrafted rookies into key roles. Against the Chiefs, Jackson was sacked 4 times and hit 9 times, with defenders often breaking through the line before he could scan the field. “You can’t expect any quarterback to play well when he’s under constant pressure,” said Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris. “Our backups are fighting, but they’re not at the level of Ronnie or Kevin. Lamar’s had to scramble more, and that’s throwing off his rhythm.” Defenses have also adjusted, using more “spy” linebackers to limit Jackson’s running ability—a strength he’s relied on to escape pressure. Teams like the Bengals and Chiefs assigned a linebacker to shadow Jackson on every play, preventing him from extending plays with his legs and forcing him to beat them with his arm. “When you take away Lamar’s running, you force him into situations he’s less comfortable with,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “We made him be a pocket passer, and that’s where we knew we could exploit inconsistencies.” These adjustments aren’t excuses for Jackson’s struggles, but they are part of the scrutiny—how can the Ravens adapt to protect their quarterback and play to his strengths?

Lamar Jackson's Struggles Demand Scrutiny for the Baltimore Ravens shifts to the role of coaching, which must share in the responsibility for his slump. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s playcalling has come under fire for being too predictable: in the past four games, the Ravens have run the same “play-action bootleg” 12 times, with defenses intercepting Jackson twice on that play. Monken has also relied heavily on deep passes (Jackson has attempted 18 passes of 20+ yards in the slump, completing just 4) despite Jackson’s struggles to connect on those throws. “The playcalling isn’t putting Lamar in positions to succeed,” said former Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. “You don’t keep calling deep passes when your quarterback is off, and you don’t keep running the same play when defenses are picking it off. The coaching staff has to be more creative.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this scrutiny of coaching is critical—Jackson can’t fix his slump alone; the staff must adjust the gameplan to reduce pressure on him, incorporate more short passes to build confidence, and find ways to counter the spy linebackers. Head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the need for change after the Chiefs loss: “We have to look at everything—playcalling, personnel, how we’re preparing. Lamar’s our leader, but it’s on all of us to help him get back to his best.” This willingness to accept shared responsibility is a positive sign, but actions—not just words—will determine if the Ravens can turn things around.

Lamar Jackson's Struggles Demand Scrutiny for the Baltimore Ravens delves into fan and media reactions, which have shifted from unwavering support to cautious concern. On social media, Ravens fans have expressed frustration—one viral tweet read, “We love Lamar, but this slump is going to cost us the playoffs if we don’t fix it”—while local sports radio hosts have debated whether the team should consider a “quarterback change” (a suggestion that’s been quickly dismissed, given Jackson’s contract and legacy). National analysts have been more critical: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said, “Lamar Jackson is being paid like a top-5 quarterback, and top-5 quarterbacks don’t have slumps like this in December. The Ravens need answers, and they need them fast.” For the Baltimore Ravens, managing these reactions is part of the scrutiny—how do they protect Jackson from external pressure while still holding him accountable? The team has taken steps to shield him, limiting his media availability after losses, but Jackson has pushed back, saying, “I want to face the questions. The fans deserve honesty, and so does this team.” This transparency is important, but the Ravens must also balance accountability with support—criticizing mistakes without eroding the confidence of a player who has delivered so much for the franchise.

Lamar Jackson's Struggles Demand Scrutiny for the Baltimore Ravens wraps up with the path forward, emphasizing that scrutiny isn’t about condemnation—it’s about improvement. The Ravens have two regular-season games left against weaker opponents (the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals), giving Jackson a chance to rebuild confidence with easier matchups. The offensive line is expected to get Zeitler back this week, which should reduce pressure, and Monken has hinted at a more “balanced” gameplan, with more runs from Derrick Henry to take heat off Jackson. Jackson himself has focused on fixing the small things: he’s added an extra hour of film study each day, worked with wide receivers on timing drills, and even consulted with former NFL quarterback Tom Brady for advice. “I’m not going to let this slump define me,” Jackson said. “I’ve worked too hard, and this team has too much at stake. We’re going to fix this.” For the Baltimore Ravens, the next two weeks will be critical—if Jackson can bounce back, the scrutiny will fade, and the team will reenter the playoff conversation as a legitimate contender. If not, the Ravens risk wasting a strong season and facing even more difficult questions in the offseason. In the end, Lamar Jackson's Struggles Demand Scrutiny for the Baltimore Ravens is a story about growth—for a quarterback, a coaching staff, and a team that must confront adversity head-on to achieve its ultimate goal.