Ravens Zero In on Ball Security as Turnovers Threaten AFC North Lead
The Baltimore Ravens have hit a rough patch offensively - and not just by their standards, but by any standard you’d expect from a team led by Lamar Jackson. Over the last three games, the Ravens haven’t scored a single passing touchdown. Jackson has struggled with accuracy, completing well under 60% of his throws, and he’s tossed three interceptions during that stretch.
But the issue runs deeper than just missed throws. The Ravens are tied for fourth in the NFL with 18 giveaways this season - a mix of eight interceptions and a staggering 10 fumbles. And while the interceptions are starting to pile up, it’s the fumbles that have become a recurring and costly theme for this offense, stretching back beyond this season.
Take Derrick Henry, for example. The veteran running back had a brutal start to the year, coughing up the ball three times in the first three games - two of those in the fourth quarter of tight contests. He’s since steadied the ship, but the fumbling bug hasn’t stopped spreading.
In Week 13’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, it bit hard. Jackson fumbled deep in his own territory.
Tight end Isaiah Likely lost the ball just before crossing the goal line. And wide receiver Zay Flowers fumbled away what was likely the Ravens’ final real shot at mounting a comeback.
Three fumbles in one game, each more crushing than the last.
That kind of turnover trend doesn’t just lose you games - it derails playoff hopes. And with the Pittsburgh Steelers on deck in Week 14, the Ravens don’t have time to dwell. They need solutions, fast.
The coaching staff clearly got the message. At Wednesday’s practice, the first of the week, the offense opened with a focused ball security drill - a not-so-subtle sign that fixing the turnover issue is priority number one heading into Sunday.
And it needs to be, because the Steelers are the worst possible opponent to face when your team can't hang onto the football. Pittsburgh leads the league in forced fumbles (16) and fumble recoveries (12).
T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig have been nightmares off the edge, each forcing three fumbles so far this season.
Watt, in particular, has a history of wrecking games against Jackson with his strip-sack prowess - and he’s facing a Baltimore offensive line that’s struggled mightily in 2025.
The formula is simple, even if the execution hasn’t been: protect the football, or watch the season slip away. The Ravens’ defense has done its part, consistently keeping them in games. But the offense has to stop giving opponents extra possessions, especially in high-leverage moments.
Sunday’s showdown with Pittsburgh isn’t just a rivalry game - it’s a battle for control of the AFC North. If Baltimore can clean up the turnovers and play complementary football, they’ll be in prime position to stay atop the division. But if the ball keeps hitting the turf, the Steelers have the tools to capitalize - and the Ravens could find themselves chasing instead of leading.