Lamar Jackson Shows Signs of Life in Loss to Steelers, and That Might Be Enough-for Now
For three straight weeks, Lamar Jackson looked like a shadow of himself. No touchdowns, a string of turnovers, and an offense that sputtered more than it sparked. But on Sunday against the Steelers, even in a 27-22 loss, there was a flicker-maybe even a flame-of the game-changing quarterback Baltimore desperately needs him to be.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Jackson’s November was rough. The two-time MVP hadn’t found the end zone with his arm or his legs in three straight games, and his decision-making had become a growing concern.
The Ravens offense, once feared for its unpredictability and explosiveness, had become stagnant. And early on in Week 14, it looked like more of the same.
Then something shifted.
After a slow start that included a floating interception hauled in by James Pierre-a throw that had fans groaning and critics sharpening their pencils-Jackson responded. With just under two minutes left in the first half and the Ravens trailing, he took the field at his own 26-yard line and orchestrated a drive that reminded everyone why he's still one of the most dangerous players in football when he’s locked in.
It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t vintage Lamar.
But it was a glimpse. And for a team clinging to postseason hopes, that glimpse might be the sliver of optimism they need.
The Ravens didn’t come away with the win, and Jackson didn’t light up the stat sheet. He finished 19-for-35 with a touchdown and an interception, and the final play-a sack with nine seconds left-was a gut punch.
But the story of this game wasn’t in the numbers. It was in the way Jackson started to look like himself again.
After opening 4-for-8 and throwing his fourth interception in as many games, Jackson’s demeanor changed. He showed visible fire on the sideline, reportedly getting into a heated exchange with offensive lineman Daniel Faalele. That intensity carried over onto the field, where he led a 60-yard drive that chewed up nearly six minutes and ended with his first rushing touchdown since Week 1.
That score felt like a breakthrough. For weeks, fans and analysts alike had wondered about Jackson’s health and hesitancy to run.
On this play, the Steelers gave him a lane, and he took it-decisively. It wasn’t just a touchdown; it was a signal that maybe, just maybe, the old Lamar wasn’t gone.
From there, he started to play freer. On the next drive, he found tight end Isaiah Likely for a touchdown-this one counted, unlike the earlier one wiped away by a controversial review.
Jackson’s mobility began to influence the defense again, opening up passing lanes and extending plays. Even when he took sacks, he seemed to be navigating pressure with more confidence than he had in weeks.
“I felt like I moved pretty well, kept drives alive,” Jackson said postgame. And for the first time in a while, that felt true.
Still, this was far from a complete performance. The Ravens went just 2-for-6 in the red zone, and the offensive line struggled to protect Jackson consistently.
The passing game had its miscues-Rashod Bateman’s red zone drop loomed large-and Jackson’s accuracy was shaky early on. The final sequence, with the game on the line and the clock winding down, ended in a sack that simply can’t happen in that situation.
But even in the loss, there was something to build on. The Ravens sit at 6-7, a game behind the Steelers in the AFC North, with only two division games remaining.
The margin for error is razor-thin. The offense still has issues, and the team’s ceiling remains capped unless Jackson can tap into something close to his MVP form.
That’s what makes Sunday’s performance so important. It wasn’t about stats or style points-it was about signs of life.
For the first time in weeks, Jackson looked like he might be ready to turn the corner. And if he can carry that into the final stretch-starting with a critical rematch against Cincinnati-Baltimore’s playoff hopes aren’t dead yet.
The Ravens don’t just need Lamar Jackson to be good. They need him to be that guy-the one who can take over games, flip field position with his legs, and make defenses pay when they overcommit.
They haven’t seen that version consistently this year. But Sunday offered a glimpse.
And in a season that’s been defined by frustration and missed opportunities, that glimpse might be the most encouraging thing this team has seen in weeks.
The road ahead is unforgiving. But if Lamar Jackson can build on what he started against the Steelers, the Ravens still have a shot. It’s a long one-but it’s not over.