Getty Image / Greg Fiume
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens fell to the Eagles on Sunday, losing 24-19 and moving 1.5 games behind the Steelers in the AFC North while the Eagles put some much-needed space between them and the Commanders and taking a 2.5-game lead in the NFC East. Following the game, Lamar Jackson told reporters how he got cussed out by his mother due to his shortcomings on the field.
For his part, Lamar actually had a well-executed game. He threw for 237 yards and 2 TDs and tacked on another 79 yards on the ground which was the third most he’s rushed for this season and the most rushing yards he has had since Week 3 against Dallas. But it wasn’t enough for Momma Jackson who gave him a tongue lashing following the loss.
Speaking with reporters after the game, the 2-time NFL MVP was visibly angry and hit the podium several times. He then shared:
“My momma just told me that. She just cussed me out. I’m mad. We’re going to get after it. I’m not going to lie to you, we’re going to get after it. I can’t wait for this bye to get on. We got the Giants coming up, I’m ready to go.”
“She said there were lanes I should have taken and ran. I was just trying to let guys develop routes. We had developing routes. I was just trying to go through my progression, but yeah, she [was] right.”
Ravens editorial intern Matt Ryan (side note: that’s an incredible name for someone working in NFL media) astutely pointed out that it was during garbage time when the game was essentially over that Lamar Jackson peeled off a 39-yard run, his longest of the game, and a run which highlighted his lack of aggression during the game.
So far this season, Lamar Jackson is averaging 49.9 yards/game on the ground according to Statmuse. That is slightly down from his 2023 average of 51.3 yards/game. And is considerably below his career-high of 80.4 yards/game on the ground in 2019.
Does Baltimore *need* Lamar to rush for 80 yards/game in order to win? Definitely not. The Ravens are firmly ‘in the hunt’ according to NFL.com’s projections and have a 97% playoff probability with 5 weeks left to play. But do the Baltimore Ravens *absolutely benefit* when Lamar goes off on the ground? Of course, they do. His ability to create plays on the ground stifle’s opposing defenses and the Ravens will need more of that down the stretch.