Ravens, Lamar Jackson have issues closing out games،
BALTIMORE – With the Baltimore Ravens’ lead in the AFC North reduced to half a game, there will be questions about whether this team can close out the second half of the season with a division title.
The Ravens’ immediate goal is simply to finish games, especially with the Cincinnati Bengals coming to Baltimore on Thursday night. Over the past two seasons, Baltimore has gone from the best closer in the game to one of the worst.
The Ravens’ 33-31 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday was their seventh after leading in the fourth quarter since the start of last season. That’s tied with the Indianapolis Colts for most in the NFL over that span.
“I think I can speak for everyone, when [the Ravens jumped out to 14-0 lead] no one thought of that [the Browns] “We were going to win the game, and that’s what happened,” Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike said. “So it was really shocking and frustrating.”
The Ravens (7-3) held a 31-17 lead with 11:34 to play, giving them a 98% win probability and putting them in a situation in which they thrived. From 2008 to 2021 under the leadership of Coach John. Harbaugh, the Ravens were 79-0 when leading by 14 or more points at any time during the second half. Baltimore was the only undefeated NFL team in this particular situation during this span.
Now, Sunday’s collapse against the Browns was the Ravens’ second after leading by 14 or more points in the second half since the start of last season. The only teams with multiple such losses during this period are the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys.
“We’re talking about putting teams down when they’re down [and] we should have done it,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “But even though it comes close at the end, it’s about doing our job, not making mistakes and playing the best we can. football possible, because we are a tough team. beat.”
Sunday’s game came down to quarterback play. In the fourth quarter, the Browns’ Deshaun Watson was 7 of 7 for 88 yards and a touchdown, while the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson was 1 of 5 for 11 yards and an interception, which came on a deflected pass and returned. 34 yards for a touchdown.
Jackson’s 6.4 total QBR in the fourth quarter was the third worst of his career.
“We just have to finish the game,” Jackson said.
Baltimore has generally shown resilience in games following these fourth-quarter collapses. In the previous six losses after leading in the fourth, the Ravens followed up with a victory five times.
A defeat on Thursday night would see them lose first place in the AFC North, behind the Browns (6-3) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3).
“It’s definitely frustrating, but we can’t really put our heads down,” Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens said. “We have a short week. Our mindset is still [to] improve who we are, so we’re going to have the same mindset on Thursday and be ready to play.
