The Ravens (10-5) have kept their ship afloat without QB Lamar Jackson, and have now clinched a playoff spot. Can they make a run to the Super Bowl?
ESPN analyst and former Ravens QB Robert Griffin III believes they can after getting back to playing defense and running the football at a high level. "This team primed for a SUPER BOWL RUN when Lamar Jackson returns" Griffin III tweeted.
Two things the @Ravens have done the last 4 weeks is play RAVENS’ DEFENSE and RUN THE DANG FOOTBALL. Trading for Roquan Smith and getting the combination of J.K. Dobbins and Gus “The Bus” Edwards back has this team primed for a SUPER BOWL RUN when Lamar Jackson returns healthy.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 24, 2022
Baltimore's defense is playing very well, ranking third in points allowed per game (18.1) and fourth in total takeaways (24).
The Ravens are hopeful that QB Lamar Jackson will return this week as well. They're entering the fourth week of his PCL sprain, which was supposed to be a one to three week injury.
However, does the fact that they've already clinched playoff spot alter the timeline of Jackson's return?
It may if the team doesn't want to put him in harms way to make sure he's healthy for the playoffs. But Baltimore still has a chance to win the AFC North, which would secure at least one home playoff game.
The Ravens face the AFC North-leading Bengals (11-4) in Week 18. But first, they host the Steelers (7-8) in Week 17, whom they defeated 16-14 three weeks ago.
Whichever way Baltimore decides to go, they've made it to the dance, and it may just have the right pieces to go all the way.
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