4 players who must step up for the Ravens to make the playoffs

1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens

No player holds the key to the Ravens’ future more than Lamar Jackson, because of course he does. Jackson is the engine that makes the Ravens organization run, but unfortunately, that engine has run into a few mechanical issues as of late.

The former MVP has struggled in recent weeks and his deficiencies have held back the Ravens’ offense and the team as a whole. He’s forcing passes, making poor decisions, and ultimately just trying to do too much.

Given how beaten down this Ravens roster is and how depleted they are at various positions, they need Jackson to be at his best. They need him to play like how he did early in the season.

It wasn’t long ago that Jackson was viewed by many as a potential MVP favorite. He was setting records on a weekly basis, busting narratives, and looked like one of the best quarterbacks in football.

But that isn’t the Lamar Jackson the Ravens have seen recently. Jackson has thrown just three touchdowns as compared to six interceptions in his last three starts including a meltdown of a performance against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12.

In his last seven games, Jackson has just eight touchdowns and a whopping 10 interceptions. The Ravens need him to take better care of the football over the final month of the season.

The Ravens’ postseason chances rest on the shoulders of Lamar Jackson. If he steps up down the final stretch of the year, they should be able to make it in despite their numerous injuries.

If not, they might just be left on the outside looking in.