The Ravens have won 5 straight, but Lamar Jackson hasn’t looked like himself lately

New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood defends Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during the second half of an NFL football competition Sunday Nov in Baltimore AP Photo Stephanie Scarbrough AP Stephanie Scarbrough New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood defends Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during the second half of an NFL football encounter Sunday Nov in Baltimore AP Photo Stephanie Scarbrough AP Stephanie Scarbrough BALTIMORE AP Lamar Jackson insisted his newest injuries aren t holding the Baltimore Ravens offense back The star quarterback doesn t look totally right however and neither do the Ravens even after five straight victories Jackson missed practice time each of the past two weeks with knee and ankle issues He was able to play against Cleveland and the New York Jets but the two-time MVP wasn t as effective as usual running the ball He still evidenced off his elusiveness on occasion but defenders were able to corral him in situations where Jackson normally is a threat to create a big play The Ravens were held to three points in the first half before a strong third quarter lifted them to a - triumph over the Jets on Sunday I feel like we just need to execute a lot better We get in great field position but we re not putting points on the board Jackson disclosed after the battle That has nothing to do with an injury We just need to put points on the board right there On Monday the Ravens listed Jackson on the injury review with a new ailment a toe issue Jackson missed three games with a hamstring injury then returned and threw for four touchdowns at Miami He was solid in a win at Minnesota but then the whole offense struggled in a accomplishment at Cleveland That could be attributed to Myles Garrett and the Browns defensive front but the Ravens didn t move the ball all that consistently against the Jets either Lamar is doing what he requirements to do He is winning football games It s not invariably pretty coach John Harbaugh disclosed The pretty games will be there They ll be there for Lamar Jackson You can bet on that But I m proud of him right now I m really proud of him and the way he s fighting to win football games The conquest Sunday pulled the Ravens - into a tie with Pittsburgh for first place in the AFC North after the unit started - Next up is a Thanksgiving matchup with Cincinnati The Bengals might have Joe Burrow back for that competition Thursday night but Cincinnati s porous defense could also be just what Baltimore s offense necessities at this point even if Jackson isn t I m out there Jackson reported So I feel like I should still be able to do what I do What s working The Ravens have now held six straight opponents under points The competition hasn t been the greatest but Baltimore continues to make big plays on defense like Marlon Humphrey forcing a fumble near the goal line in the fourth quarter when the Jets were driving Shoutout to Marlon mentioned safety Alohi Gilman who made the recovery That was the play of the event in my opinion It just flipped the momentum back I missed a tackle earlier in that series but everyone just kept fighting and I think everyone has that internal belief that we are going to make a play and get the job done What necessities help The blocking both in the running and passing meeting continues to be an issue The Ravens had rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones developing for this contest but he didn t play as the starting five on the OL stayed in for the whole match Stock up After a couple of big mistakes on special teams against Cleveland the Ravens were much better in that department Sunday Jordan Stout was particularly impressive with a net average of yards on four punts He s made a big jump this year I think he s kind of determined himself Harbaugh noted Sometimes you have to figure out what type of a punter am I going to be And I think he s really punting to his strengths Stock down The Ravens have been in the middle of the pack offensively on third down this season but they were worse than that Sunday going for Injuries Star safety Kyle Hamilton ankle was shaken up a couple of different times but Harbaugh noted he did not have a serious injury Key number Jackson averages yards rushing per championship for his career but he has only total in four games since his return Next initiatives The Ravens have a short week to prepare for Cincinnati but after that they ll have a little extra time off before hosting Pittsburgh in their first meeting of the season with the Steelers AP NFL https apnews com hub nfl Source