Ravens yet to make a decision on QB Lamar Jackson’s participation in Week 18 vs Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson have had an incredible season so far this year. While many big teams like the defending champions Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Dolphins went down brutally in the last few matches, the Ravens stood out by surrendering only three losses till Week 18.

With the commanding win over the Dolphins, the Ravens have already secured their playoff spot. They now find themselves in a position where the Week 18 match against the Pittsburgh Steelers offers no tangible rewards in terms of playoff positioning. Ahead of the match, the team has not yet decided about Jackson’s participation in the campaign.

Lamar Jackson’s participation in Week 18 remains uncertain

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has kept the football world on its toes by withholding any definitive decision regarding whether Lamar Jackson and other key starters will take the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Saturday. He emphasized the need to assess injuries before finalizing the roster. The team plans to divulge their decisions once practice sessions start.

“I have not made any decisions on personnel yet. We’ve got to kind of work through the injury part of it first. That’ll take us probably 24 to 48 hours to get a real handle on that, and then we’ll make those decisions. We’re not going to keep it a secret. We’ll let you know what we’re going to do once we start practicing,” he said via Sporting Zealot.

Should the MVP frontrunner sit out Week 18, he would face a notable 19-day hiatus between games. In the event of his absence, the spotlight shifts to backup QB Tyler Huntley.

The Ravens confronted a similar scenario in 2019 when, as the AFC’s top seed, Harbaugh made up his mind to rest key players, including Jackson, in the regular-season finale. As the finale of the 2023 season nears, the choice to prioritize player rest over game participation ultimately echoed their focus on long-term goals. They must weigh the benefits of resting key players against the potential risks of disrupting rhythm and momentum heading into the postseason.

Richard Sherman argues Lamar Jackson is not MVP

Lamar Jackson has been tearing through the NFL by leading the Ravens to a stunning 13-3 record. His performances have once again put him in contention for the MVP title. However, not everyone is sold on the QB’s candidacy for this prestigious award.

Former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman has stepped into the debate, as he offered a dissenting opinion on the Ravens star’s MVP credentials. Speaking on FS1’s Undisputed, the ex-NFL star acknowledged Jackson’s recent impressive showing but contends that when looking at the broader context, he struggles to see the dual-threat as the clear-cut MVP.

“That didn’t move the needle. It was a fantastic performance by Lamar Jackson at a time his team needed it. It was a statement game, late in the season, end of December, you’ve got to give him all the credit in the world. … But when you look at the full picture, I just don’t see it. People argue with me and say ‘Man, you’re just hating.’ I don’t see how I’m hating. I’m just laying out the facts of the matter.”

Sherman’s critique was mainly regarding the statistical aspect, as he mentioned the Ravens QB1’s decrease in touchdown production. He also pointed out that the dual-threat’s numbers this season fall significantly short of his unanimous MVP performance in 2019. The former footballer didn’t merely criticize without offering an alternative perspective, instead, he forwarded his choice for MVP to the San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, like Brock Purdy.

However, unlike Sherman there have been plenty of people who endorsed Jackson as MVP including LeBron James, the NBA icon. Even popular sports personality Colin Cowherd raved about the QB’s unexpected rise to dominance in the league and hailed him as the most dominant player in the NFL poised to clinch his second MVP title.

“Nobody thought this is what you were going to have — the most dominating player in the league who’s going to win his second MVP.”

Analyzing Lamar Jackson’s season statistics, it’s evident why he’s considered a formidable MVP contender. Averaging 229.9 passing yards per game with a total of 3,678 yards, Jackson’s overall performance includes 24 touchdown passes, a 67.2% completion rate (307-for-457), and 821 yards rushing with five touchdowns in 148 carries. Oddsmakers heavily favor him to claim the title this season, with his odds sitting at an overwhelming -20000.