NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that quarterback Lamar Jackson “has a realistic chance to return” for Sunday’s AFC North showdown against the Cleveland Browns.
Ravens fans and the NFL world as a whole seemed to share the same reaction — why?
The Browns are off to a 3-2 start to the season, and Sunday’s game at Huntington Bank Field will be for first place in the division. But despite some fourth-quarter success, Cleveland’s offense has largely been an inconsistent mess, and special teams let the Browns down in last week’s ugly 17-12 loss to the New York Jets.
The Ravens opened as 3.5-point favorites with backup Tyler Huntley expected to start his second straight game at quarterback. Huntley accounted for three total touchdowns (one rushing) and posted a 111.6 passer rating in the Ravens’ 30-23 win over the Falcons in overtime last week.
The general consensus? Even if Jackson is feeling better, the Ravens should give him one more week to make sure that his ankle is 100 percent.
The fact that Jackson is pushing to play, and the Ravens are seriously considering it, feels like a rare show of respect for the young but talented Browns.
The Browns are no longer an opponent the Ravens can afford to take lightly
While the Browns have been competitive over the first quarter of the season, the Ravens have the superior roster and will be expected to win this one with or without Jackson under center.
What could be driving the decision to bring Jackson back this week is Baltimore's upcoming schedule. Its next three games are home against Cincinnati, at Buffalo, and home against Jacksonville.
The Ravens need Sunday’s game in Cleveland. This one is a lot bigger than it seems with Jackson’s injury and the Browns coming off a clunker against the Jets.
According to ESPN research, the Ravens are 79-32 — winning 71.2% of the time — with Jackson as their starting quarterback, averaging 28.4 points per game. Since the start of the 2019 season, their record without Jackson is 7-11.
Cleveland is no longer the kind of team that would allow opponents to gamble. The Browns rank 12th in the NFL defensively in yards allowed per play, and that includes getting torched in the season opener by the Jaguars. The Browns are also 12th in opponent points per play, per Team Rankings.
This could be one of those mess around and find out situations. If Jackson’s moving well on his ankle in practice this week and is deemed healthy enough to play, the Ravens would be holding him out of the lineup at their own risk.
Cleveland is far from a juggernaut right now, but it knocked off Pittsburgh at home in Week 4 and could definitely give Baltimore problems if Huntley is asked to start a second straight game.
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