Ravens have plenty of problems even if Lamar Jackson returns soon

The Baltimore Ravens have several issues even if their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, returns to action soon. In a recent 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens were outscored 35-0 in the final two quarters of the game. Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed his third straight game due to an ankle injury.

Not only did the Ravens struggle offensively in the second half, but their defense also faltered, giving Cincinnati a chance to score on their first five possessions of the second quarter. First-year coach Jesse Minter acknowledged that the team might be struggling with handling momentum swings, stating that "there's moments in the game where it's like, 'Who's the guy that's going to grab everybody together and get them together on the sideline?'"

The team's offensive line is another concern, as rookie guard Vega Ioane is dealing with a knee injury and center Cam Jurgens recently returned from missing the first two games. Additionally, the Ravens have been called for numerous penalties, including five false starts in the Sunday game. Linebacker Roquan Smith and cornerback Marlon Humphrey are still valuable players, but Humphrey's age and Smith's upcoming age of 30 may pose problems for the team's long-term success.

The Ravens have outscored opponents by 363 points in the first half since 2022, but their second-half performance has been lacking, ranking 15th in the league with only a 47-point advantage. With the Ravens facing the Buffalo Bills this weekend, there is still uncertainty about when Lamar Jackson will return. Coach Minter expects more clarity on Jackson's status by Wednesday.