Lamar Jackson to Return for Win-and-In Week 18
The Baltimore Ravens have survived a couple of injuries to Lamar Jackson this year, the latest of which seemed to totally doom them. But after backup Tyler Huntley beat the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens remain alive in Week 18. They can get the AFC North crown with a win. And good news: Jackson says he's playing.
Lamar Jackson set to return with playoffs on the line
The Baltimore Ravens have had a really strange year. They were the AFC's top seed in 2023, and they won 12 games in 2024. After a difficult start, the Ravens were 1-5, and Lamar Jackson was hurt. It seemed like a totally lost season.
When Jackson returned, they reeled off some wins. Thanks to a very weak division, they remained alive, but a few crushing losses in the last couple of weeks stung. Plus, losing Jackson a second time in Week 15 seemed to be the death knell.
But they improbably remain alive. The biggest question was whether or not they'd have two-time MVP Jackson back, and the quarterback revealed this week that he is absolutely going to play after suffering a back injury.
When asked, the QB said he will "100%" be out there, according to ESPN. He plans to wear a flak jacket around his midsection to protect his ailing back, but Jackson doesn't envision it impacting his play whatsoever.
The quarterback also insisted that his injury was legitimate. A back bruise doesn't sound like a real injury, but Jackson was reportedly unable to bend over to deal with his cleats at halftime in Week 15. He said, "I never quit on my team. I don't know where that noise came from."
Jackson also addressed some external reports that he was falling asleep in meetings and had a strained relationship with his head coach. "Do you think Harbaugh would let me fall asleep in meetings?" Jackson said. "That's crazy. I'm right in the front. It's just noise... I don't know where the noise came from."
What does this mean for the Ravens?
Every time you can bring a healthy star quarterback into a must-win game, it's a huge boost. It goes without saying that Lamar Jackson gives the Baltimore Ravens the best chance of upending the Steelers and usurping the AFC North lead.
Because of this, and perhaps because the Ravens are more talented overall, The Athletic's playoff predictor gives the Ravens a 59% chance of winning the division. Since this is a winner-take-all game, that essentially gives the Ravens a 59% of winning this weekend. NFL's playoff picture gives the Ravens a 61% chance of winning the North, so they are a little more friendly to Baltimore.
The odds seem to paint a similar picture. Via DraftKings, the Ravens are now 3.5-point favorites over the Steelers. This is despite having to go on the road to face Pittsburgh. The Ravens are also -185 on the moneyline, so while they're not overwhelming favorites, they are definitely favored to win.
This game was flexed into the Sunday Night Football slot, and it will be the final game of the NFL regular season. This was likely done because it could be Aaron Rodgers' final game in the NFL. Otherwise, 49ers-Seahawks, which is for the NFC West crown and the NFC's number one seed, would be in that slot.
There's plenty of drama, though. Lamar Jackson's return is a big thing. So is a storied rivalry. So is Aaron Rodgers' potential final game. The AFC North title being up for grabs is interesting, too. And for the Ravens, they wouldn't want to face all that with a backup. Fortunately, they won't have to.
