What's wrong with Lamar Jackson? ESPN insider reveals 4 problems with Ravens' QB

Billy Heyen

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What's wrong with Lamar Jackson? ESPN insider reveals 4 problems with Ravens' QB image

The Baltimore Ravens are in the midst of an odd dichotomy.

On the good side, they're on a five-game winning streak that has pulled them into a tie for first place in the AFC North at 6-5 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On the bad side, Lamar Jackson hasn't really been playing like Lamar Jackson.

In Sunday's win over the New York Jets, Jackson was held under 200 yards passing. It was his third consecutive game with sub-200 yards through the air, the first time that has happened in five years, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.

Hensley added that it's the first time Jackson has gone two games in a row without a touchdown pass in six years.

The Ravens are winning, but Jackson isn't shining. What's going on?

MORE: There's a Lamar Jackson fantasy football problem

What's wrong with Lamar Jackson?

ESPN beat reporter Jamison Hensley lists four things going wrong for Jackson:

  • Injuries
  • Lack of a run game
  • Dropped passes
  • Poor pass protection

Jackson missed time earlier this season with a hamstring injury. And he has missed practice time in the last couple weeks for knee soreness and an ankle problem.

"Heading into Sunday, he said injuries haven't affected his performance.," Hensley wrote on Monday. "Offensive coordinator Todd Monken also indicated that his playcalling hasn't been impacted by Jackson's injuries."

If it's really true that injuries haven't been the problem, then it's either on Jackson or on the rest of the offense. 

Derrick Henry has been better lately, but he's not his usual dominant self either. And injuries and ineffectiveness elsewhere on the offense haven't helped.

If Baltimore keeps winning, that will cover up a lot of the concern. But there's definitely a bit of reason to worry here.

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Senior Editor