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Jamison Hensley, ESPN writer
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After Sunday’s 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson took the podium twice when asked if there were more opportunities for him to run the ball.
“My mom just told me that,” Jackson said of his mother, Felicia Jones, who acts as his manager. “She just cursed me.”
Jackson’s mother is not the only one who enters the bye week with a certain advantage. Showing more fire than frustration, Jackson had his most animated postgame press conference of the season and let out a handful of expletives.
Jackson was upset that Baltimore didn’t play its best against the best, which is what happened earlier this season against the Super Bowl defending Kansas City Chiefs and the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. He was upset at how the NFL’s No. 1 offense came up short.
But Jackson has never seemed more eager to right the Ravens’ mistakes.
“I’m angry,” Jackson said after hitting his hand with his fist. “I’m not going to lie to you; we’re going to get after this. I can’t wait for this goodbye.” [week] to move forward. We have the Giants ahead of us. I’m ready to go. “I’m ready to go.”
A year after taking first place in the AFC, the Ravens (8-5) are expected to return to the postseason, but they don’t control their destiny when it comes to an AFC North title. Baltimore’s chances of winning the division fell to 29.8%.
With four games left, the Ravens are currently 1.5 games behind the Steelers (9-3).
“We don’t need to worry about the Steelers. We need to worry about ourselves,” Jackson said. “That’s the first thing; worry about what we need to clean up on this side. Clean up that shit. Forget about all the other teams. We’re beating ourselves. There are opportunities, [but] We’re not going to make them happen. “We need to make those critical situations happen and we’re not doing that.”
The Ravens believe they are still a dangerous team and history shows that Baltimore can contend for the championship. There have been five teams that went from 8-5 to winning the Super Bowl, including the Chiefs last season.
On Monday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh recited a quote from Bill Parcells that the season starts after Thanksgiving.
“Every goal we have is in front of us and we have the team to achieve it.” Harbaugh said. “I’m proud of our guys; I feel like they’ve fought for a lot of things this year. It’s been 13 straight weeks. We’ve had a lot of tough games; we’ve traveled a lot. I’ve faced teams in situations where they were hot, they were at their best moment, they played good football, they were healthy and it’s a challenge, and I think our guys handled that challenge very well, so that strengthens you for what’s ahead.”
Harbaugh emphasized that he is not disappointed or worried about the team. He is excited about what awaits him in the remaining games: at home against the New York Giants, against the Steelers, against the Houston Texans and at home against the Cleveland Browns.
“We can win the division, we can get there as a wild card or we could get eliminated.” [of the playoffs]” he said. “It’s up to us to determine that. “I feel like if we win the games we will be in very good shape.”
In order to make that late push, Baltimore will need Jackson to be at the top of his game. Jackson ranks second in the NFL with 3,290 passing yards, throwing 29 touchdowns and three interceptions.
But Jackson hasn’t had as much of an impact with his legs this season. He has had seven straight games without double-digit carries, the longest stretch of his seven-year career. Through Week 13, Jackson rushed 111 times for 678 yards.
Asked if, like Jackson’s mother, he thought his quarterback had a better chance to run Sunday, Harbaugh said, “I really trust Lamar. I trust his mom, too. His mom is a good judge. “He’s seen more Lamar ball than anyone.” , so I’m sure she handles it very well. Let Lamar and his mom talk about all that. “I trust Lamar to make good decisions.”
Jackson explained that he only rushed eight times for 79 yards against the Eagles because he was going through his progressions in throwing the ball.
“But yeah, she’s right,” Jackson said. “I’m going to do my s—.”
Jackson later apologized for his language, adding, “I’m angry because I feel like we should be winning these games and we’re not getting them.”
