OWINGS MILLS, Md. — In a season when it feels as if Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has had all of the solutions, the reigning NFL Most Precious Participant was stumped Wednesday.
Heading into Sunday’s street showdown in opposition to the Steelers, Jackson primarily shrugged his shoulders when requested why he struggles in opposition to Pittsburgh greater than another staff.
“I do not know what it’s, man,” he mentioned. “Final 12 months, we [were] speculated to [beat] them, however issues simply did not go our manner; the soccer gods weren’t on our facet. Nevertheless it’s an entire different 12 months, it is a new 12 months, [and] I am trying ahead to the sport.”
Lamar vs. the Steelers
2018: Ravens performed Steelers twice earlier than Jackson turned starter2019: Jackson beat Steelers as soon as in Week 5 (26-23 in OT). He did not play in finale as a result of Ravens wrapped up No. 1 seed2020: Jackson misplaced to Steelers in Week 8 (28-24). He missed second assembly as a result of COVID2021: Jackson misplaced to Steelers in Week 13 (20-19). He missed second assembly as a result of ankle injury2022: Jackson missed each video games as a result of knee injury2023: Jackson misplaced to Steelers in Week 5 (17-10). He did not play in finale as a result of Ravens wrapped up No. 1 seed
Jackson is 1-3 in opposition to the Steelers and 17-5 in opposition to the opposite AFC North groups (Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns). Pittsburgh is the one staff in opposition to which he has thrown extra interceptions (seven) than landing passes (4).
In Jackson’s solely recreation in opposition to Pittsburgh final season, the most important challenge was holding onto the ball. The Ravens had a handful of dropped passes, together with two in the long run zone, in a 17-10 street loss at Pittsburgh in October 2023.
“We do not stay prior to now recreation; we do not stay prior to now file,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned. “None of that issues. It is the following recreation. However we’ll take a look at it scientifically; you return and watch all of the video games and attempt to be sure that we’re doing the issues that we have to do to win this specific recreation.”
On the subject of rivalries, Jackson talked about how he hated dropping to the Lauderdale Lakes Vikings in youth soccer in South Florida. However Jackson mentioned he does not really feel in a different way concerning the Steelers than another staff on Baltimore’s schedule regardless of Pittsburgh successful seven of the previous eight conferences.
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“I hate each staff within the league after I’m going in opposition to them,” Jackson mentioned. “I haven’t got [any] coronary heart for a staff after I’m going in opposition to them — I am making an attempt to win — as a result of they do not have a coronary heart for me, once they’re going in opposition to me. In all probability, after the sport, it is all love, however on that area, no.”
Jackson is quarterbacking an offense that ranks first in complete yards (440.2) and factors (31.8), which is why he is the front-runner for one more MVP award. In his previous eight video games, he has thrown 22 touchdowns and one interception.
By relying extra on his arm than his legs, Jackson has performed in a different way than prior to now. He says he believes everybody should wait till Sunday to see if that produces a distinct outcome in opposition to Pittsburgh.
“Now we have totally different guys who convey various things to the desk for us to assist us out on the offensive facet of the ball,” Jackson mentioned. “However I am unable to name it.”
