OTL: Jackson vs. Burrow for Second Time in Three Weeks

Rewriting Thanksgiving’s Mistakes

The Ravens’ Thanksgiving night battle with the Bengals was nothing short of an embarrassment.

With a season-high five turnovers and yet another “stinker” on offense, Ravens fans left with a sour taste in their mouths, and no, it wasn’t from a bad dinner with loved ones. Lamar Jackson and the offense have hit a complete brick wall in terms of production and creativity. There’s simply no identity, and time is quickly slipping away.

Fortunately for the Ravens, they still play the league’s worst defense this week, despite the Bengals “resurgence” in Week 13. Cincinnati enters Week 15 32nd in yards against, rushing yards, and points, and is coming off a second-half collapse in Buffalo last Sunday. Getting Jackson and the offense going early has been an issue all season, but something that desperately needs to change this week. The Ravens have scored a touchdown on just three opening drives this year (Weeks 3, 4, and 13), and just once since Jackson’s Week 4 hamstring injury.

They may have dropped their last two contests, but if there’s been anything positive to take away from either game, it’s Lamar’s health, which appears to be trending upwards. Jackson hit a top speed of 15+ mph on a first-half carry against the Steelers, according to Next Gen Stats, the first time he’s done so since returning Week 9 against the Dolphins. It’s a factor the Ravens so desperately need back from their 2x MVP, to open up both the run game with Derrick Henry and a passing attack that was so lethal a season ago.

Through 10 games, Jackson has seen dips in completion percentage and average yards per completion, and is projected to throw for almost double his amount of interceptions (7) as a season ago (4). Jackson has recorded just one game with a positive EPA, Week 9 vs Miami( +8.1), after starting the first three weeks averaging +9.6 EPA per pass. Since the Ravens’ TNF matchup with the Dolphins, Jackson averages -10.86 EPA per pass.

Jackson’s receivers haven’t helped him out much this season either. Entering Week 15, Ravens receivers have totaled 15 drops, the same amount they committed the entirety of the 2024 regular season. The Ravens have to win out if they have any chance at winning the AFC North straight up, without any help from around the league.

It’s going to take a lot, and it all starts with the 3x All-Pro under center. If Jackson can heat up and get this offense turned around, the Ravens could shake up the outlook of their remaining season.

Can Burrow and the Bengals Blunder Again?

Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense nearly pulled off their second straight statement win last week, taking the Buffalo Bills to the wire. It wasn’t the 32nd-ranked defense in the league that blew it; instead, back-to-back Burrow interceptions put the Bengals hopes at a miracle run for the AFC North essentially out the window.

Following both the pick-six to Christian Benford and the tipped pass to A.J. Epenesa, the Bengals’ win probability dropped from 83.8% to just 8.2%, according to Next Gen Stats. Benford’s pick-six was the largest win probability swing in the last 10 seasons across the league, according to WGR 550. To make matters worse, the Bengals look like they’ll also be without wide receiver Tee Higgins, yet again. For the second time in the last three games, Higgins has entered concussion protocol, putting his status for Sunday in jeopardy.

Through two games, however, Burrow and the Bengals offense have appeared to be back and firing on all cylinders. Since his return, Burrow and Cincinnati’s offense have averaged 33 PPG, a major improvement from their 22.5 PPG through Weeks 1-12. Following their Week 13 win over the Ravens, everything seemed in the Bengals favor ahead of the Week 15 rematch in Cincinnati.

But after a collapse a week ago and with a crucial weapon on the outside potentially missing the game, Burrow and company will need a performance similar to Thanksgiving night. Both teams are still somewhat alive in their chase for the postseason.

Sunday is yet another “playoff” mindset game for both teams.

The post OTL: Jackson vs. Burrow for Second Time in Three Weeks appeared first on Russell Street Report.