Will Lamar Jackson be able to salvage the Ravens playoff hopes?

To preface: Lamar Jackson’s heroics alone will not send the Baltimore Ravens to the playoffs. Many other pieces have to fall into place, but Jackson’s return is a good and important start.

Even if Jackson returns and blows out the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, the Ravens’ postseason hopes hinge on four other NFL outcomes, as detailed in this article.

The Ravens may not be able to fully control their destiny, but they can control part of it come Sunday against the Steelers. And having Jackson back would dramatically increase their odds.

Week 17’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams showed Tyler Huntley’s flaws — Huntley threw for 197 yards and one interception, failing to score a touchdown all game.

His offensive line didn’t do him any favors, but Huntley never was as good as Jackson when it came to weaving in and out of defenders’ tackles or leading a methodical drive down the field.

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Monday that “there was a chance” Jackson could play on Sunday, but that, of course, delivers no guarantees.

Should Jackson return to the starting lineup, though, his presence will do wonders for team morale and offensive efficiency.

Lamar Jackson can’t save the Baltimore Ravens by himself, but he can do his best

So far in 2021, Huntley performed admirably in Jackson’s absence, but make no mistake, Jackson is QB1.

Jackson has achieved what Huntley could never: he’s broken franchise and league records, won league MVP, and pound for pound he’s simply a more complete quarterback.

He can also nearly singlehandedly wins games, as shown in Baltimore’s victories against the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts earlier this year. Huntley rides on momentum; Jackson creates it.

In Week 18, Jackson will have his chance to end his season on a high note by defeating the Ravens’ division rivals in a super high-stakes matchup.

Whereas Huntley’s performance under pressure has yet to be consistently tested, Jackson has been the paragon of poise. He’s been in a bit of a rut lately throwing six interceptions in his last four games, but there’s no one the Ravens should want under center more than Jackson.

In their last meeting with the Steelers, the Ravens lost by one due to a failed two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter. If Jackson is healthy enough to suit up, he won’t let the game get that close.