Ravens and Bengals quarterbacks are off their prime-time peaks

BALTIMORE — In a season once they’ve each been examined by accidents, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow look to show they’re nonetheless among the many NFL’s greatest quarterbacks, similar to they did throughout a Thursday night time recreation at M&T Financial institution Stadium a yr in the past.

In a wild 35-34 victory by the Ravens final season, Burrow threw for 428 yards and 4 touchdowns — solely to be outdone by Jackson’s three landing passes within the fourth quarter. Flashing their completely different kinds and strengths, they went back-and-forth to dazzle a nationwide tv viewers, from Burrow hitting Ja’Marr Chase in stride for a 70-yard landing to Jackson delivering a game-winning, 5-yard landing toss with a follow-through that resembled a floating bounce shot.

Because the Ravens (6-5) put together to host the Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) on Thanksgiving night time (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), Jackson and Burrow now face questions on whether or not they’ll attain those self same prime-time heights. Jackson is mired within the worst droop of his eight-year profession as accidents proceed to mount, and Burrow is surprisingly able to return after being sidelined two months following turf toe surgical procedure.

Burrow, a two-time NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr, is suiting up sooner than anticipated after injuring the massive toe on his left foot in Week 2. Initially anticipated to be out till mid-December, he stepped on the observe area two weeks in the past, setting the stage for this high-profile return to a reeling Bengals staff that has misplaced six video games in a row.

“Joe’s extraordinarily necessary to this staff, this metropolis, to all people,” Bengals working again Chase Brown mentioned. “Seeing him come again, will probably be loopy.”

Brown added, “All people’s making it seem to be it is this huge ‘The Darkish Knight Rises’ return. It might be.”

Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Beneficial Participant, has his sights on a comeback of his personal. He’s attempting to get out of a rut whereas coping with a toe harm, which is his third completely different ailment in three weeks.

Despite the fact that Baltimore has gained 5 straight video games, Jackson has been off his mark by lacking receivers within the passing recreation and exhibiting a reluctance to run the ball. He has been held under a 60% completion fee and 200 yards passing for 3 consecutive video games, his longest such streak since he was a rookie in 2018.

“He is a tricky man,” Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard mentioned. “He has performed by means of accidents earlier than and nonetheless is. And even when he is not 100%, he is nonetheless going to be a fantastic quarterback in any case. So we’ll take him at 50%.”

It will mark the primary Thanksgiving matchup since a minimum of 1950 between two beginning quarterbacks who’re former Heisman Trophy winners, in accordance with ESPN Analysis. Nevertheless it’s been a lopsided rivalry up to now.

Jackson has a powerful 6-1 document in opposition to Burrow, profitable the previous 5 conferences. Burrow’s solely victory over Jackson got here in 2021.

“These video games imply so much to every staff,” Ravens offensive sort out Ronnie Stanley mentioned. “I am not shocked that [Burrow] got here again for this recreation.”

GAMES AGAINST THE Ravens have at all times represented key inflection factors in Joe Burrow’s profession.

As a rookie in 2020, Burrow needed to take his lumps in lopsided defeats. A yr later, Burrow threw for a career-high 525 yards because the Bengals went on to finish a 31-year drought of no playoff wins and ultimately went to the Tremendous Bowl.

However that was from an period that feels very distant. After the Bengals gained back-to-back AFC North titles, Cincinnati has missed the playoffs in every of the previous two seasons. A promising 2023 season was lower brief when Burrow tore a ligament in his proper wrist, ending his season. And whereas Burrow performed exceptionally nicely final season, the Bengals’ protection struggled.

This season, as Burrow labored by means of his restoration from surgical procedure to restore a turf toe harm in his left foot, he had a selected goal date in thoughts — Thanksgiving night time in opposition to Baltimore.

Burrow mentioned it might be “very” significant if he might play in opposition to the Ravens. And he did work over the previous 10 weeks to make that occur.

“He seems to be like he is in fine condition proper now and he may be able to go,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned on Monday.

Earlier than Burrow suffered the harm on Week 2, he was primed to construct on a large 2024 season. He led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, was an MVP finalist and was named the Related Press Comeback Participant of the Yr for his season following the wrist harm. He joined Chad Pennington because the second individual to win the consideration twice.

Then he damage the toe on a routine play — a fast throw that by no means materialized and as an alternative was Burrow being piled onto throughout a sack, his huge left toe hyperextended as a result of it obtained trapped within the turf.

“I used to be actually proud of the place I used to be at,” Burrow mentioned on Nov. 10. “In order that half was clearly extremely disappointing, the quantity of labor you place into it after which that to occur in that spot, it is robust. However that is life on this enterprise.”

For the previous 9 video games, the Bengals have used Jake Browning after which Joe Flacco to spice up the offense. Whereas it has labored at instances, Cincinnati hasn’t been in a position to play nicely sufficient to win video games. The Bengals have misplaced eight of their final 9 video games and had a 1% probability of constructing the playoffs after final Sunday’s video games.

However Burrow has been decided to return again, even when it doubtless could have no impression on the staff’s playoff probabilities.

Had Burrow stayed wholesome, the Bengals may need had a shot of derailing the Ravens’ bid to win the AFC North for the third straight yr. As a substitute, Baltimore is surging after a gradual begin whereas Cincinnati is looking for some midseason momentum.

The Ravens have loads of respect for Burrow.

“I will anticipate his greatest,” Ravens security Alohi Gilman mentioned. “The way in which he is in a position to course of the sector and make each throw is elite. And for me, I’m actually excited. As a competitor, you wish to go play the most effective. So Thanksgiving, what a greater night time to do it. So I welcome it.”

When requested concerning the return of Burrow, Ravens extensive receiver Zay Flowers initially replied, “It’s what it’s.”

Flowers then added, “They obtained their quarterback again, so there most likely will not be any extra excuses. You possibly can say that.”

DURING A RECENT media session, Jackson was requested concerning the hit from Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner, which resulted in a roughing-the-passer penalty and a few residual trauma.

Jackson instantly winced and grabbed his decrease again along with his left hand.

“God, he obtained me proper there,” Jackson mentioned. “I wasn’t anticipating that in any respect.”

When it comes to variety of accidents, this has been probably the most painful season of Jackson’s profession. After being sidelined three video games in October with a strained hamstring, Jackson has watched the variety of points along with his banged-up physique improve every week in November.

Two weeks in the past, he missed a observe with knee soreness. Final week, he sat out a observe with an ankle harm. Now, he did not take part in Monday’s walk-through due to a toe harm.

Jackson insists accidents haven’t prompted his struggles, however his uncharacteristic play says in any other case. He has gone back-to-back video games with out producing a landing for the primary time in his profession. He has been held beneath 200 yards passing for 3 straight weeks for the primary time in 5 years.

Requested if accidents have affected Jackson’s play, Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned, “I can not actually say. I am at all times pleased with him. He is enjoying profitable soccer. He is working actually laborious each week to be ready and be able to play, and [he’s] doing every little thing he can do to win the sport.”

Jackson has been out of rhythm within the passing recreation, which might stem from the elevated hits. He is been sacked 24 instances in eight begins this season, which is yet one more sack than all of final season. He has confronted a stress fee of 35.6%, which is on tempo to be the best of his profession.

In consequence, Jackson has appeared rushed and out of sync. His common time to throw this yr is 2.88 seconds, which is his quickest in any season.

Flowers mentioned he “cannot actually inform” if Jackson seems to be wholesome throughout video games.

“I really feel like he would not put himself in a nasty place if he wasn’t wholesome,” Flowers mentioned. “You recognize what I imply? I do not suppose he’d jeopardize it.”

Jackson, who holds the document for many speeding yards by a quarterback, has lacked the explosiveness and the need to run. He is averaging a career-low 29.6 yards speeding per recreation, and he hasn’t damaged a run longer than 13 yards within the 4 video games since he returned from a hamstring harm.

Final December, Jackson recorded his quickest pace at 21.25 miles per hour on a 48-yard landing run in Houston. This season, his quickest timed run was 19.39 mph, which got here on a (a lot shorter) 17-yard sprint off a read-option play within the season opener.

Jackson would not imagine his decreased speeding makes an attempt is what’s lacking from Baltimore’s sputtering offense.

“When my quantity will get known as, we’ll see,” Jackson mentioned.

If the Ravens wish to win a 3rd straight AFC North title, they’ll doubtless want greater than only a wholesome Jackson. If Baltimore desires to make a Tremendous Bowl run, it’ll most likely want the MVP model of the quarterback.

“He appeared like the identical outdated Lamar,” Jets defensive lineman Jowon Briggs mentioned after Baltimore’s 23-10 win over New York on Sunday. “Belief me, I noticed him on the harm report, however from being on the Browns final yr, we performed him twice, and I’ve seen him do some loopy, , expletive. So, that is the bar.”