Baltimore Ravens: Can Lamar Jackson Win The Big Games?

The Baltimore Ravens have found their success in Lamar Jackson. With the ability to attack in both the passing and run game, Jackson has changed the dynamic in the Ravens offense. Despite the ability to make play after play, Jackson seems to struggle with adjusting during the big games. More often than not in these situations, he’s in his own head.

One of the biggest strengths a quarterback can have is poise. To stay on their “A-game” despite the struggles and come up with big plays no matter the tempo of the game can be game-changing. So far, if defenses can get Jackson off his game, that’s when Baltimore seems to struggle most. Take for instance the game against the Miami Dolphins this year.

The Dolphins were not a good team at the time they beat the Ravens. In the four weeks prior to their matchup, the only team Miami beat was the equally struggling Houston Texans. On game day, the Dolphins threw every disguised look they could at Baltimore and Jackson couldn’t adjust. Now the majority of that falls on game-planning by the coaches. It’s no secret Miami loves to run Cover 0 and they did it to perfection which took Jackson off his game.

More Baltimore Ravens: 2020 Draft Class Making An Impact

But it’s not the only game we see him struggle in. More often than not the Baltimore Ravens will have a hot streak going when a tough divisional matchup comes up on their schedule. In today’s NFL, it’s hard to defeat opponents twice in the same year. They’ve seen your strengths and weaknesses more often than any other team. But there’s more to it than just wins and losses. Battling back and forth in tough matchups is part of the game. Jackson needs to shake off the struggles in these games and put faith in his talent to get them the win.

Lamar Jackson has no problem dialing up his game, but the Ravens need him to find that next level. We’ve seen him come up with big plays time and time again. However, we haven’t seen much of the career-defining moments that take a player from the grey area between good and great. There’s a moment that happens in every player’s championship run where everything seems to fall into place. Jackson hasn’t had those moments yet and the struggles seem to happen in the big matchups. Not all of it falls on his shoulders, but as a leader, he has to take ownership and take over and push his limits.

Lamar Jackson has all the talent in the world, but if he can’t manage his frustrations and struggles on game day, the Baltimore Ravens will never overcome.