Kyle Hamilton echoes Ravens fans' exact thoughts on Lamar Jackson's tough night

The Baltimore Ravens’ Thanksgiving did not go as planned. While they entered the night with a chance to take the AFC North by the horns, they left with an ugly Week 13 loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals.

The defense did its job for the most part, and while it allowed some big plays late, it was far from the reason for the team’s loss on Thursday. Once more, it was the offense falling short of expectations.

After a 28-yard touchdown run by running back Derrick Henry to put the Ravens in front early, Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s unit fell flat from that point on. The catalyst for it all was the five turnovers, and, stunningly, it was quarterback Lamar Jackson who may have played the worst of everyone.

Obviously, bad nights happen, and the locker room has Jackson’s back in the midst of a tough night.

Kyle Hamilton says what every Ravens fan thinks regarding Lamar Jackson

Following the loss, safety Kyle Hamilton let everyone know that games like these happen, even for Lamar Jackson.

“It’s one of those days that you have, and the defense had a lot of those days early in the year,” Hamilton said. “[Jackson's] on point, on time in practice, and it doesn’t go that way sometimes in game…Even LeBron has an off night.”

Jackson has bailed Baltimore out on countless occasions. His recent stretch of lackluster performances can be chalked up to a combination of injuries and poor offensive line play, and while he looked more explosive against the Bengals, it was clear he and the offense have yet to find a rhythm since his return.

To be fair, some of the turnovers were not his fault. His second fumble of the game could have been called an incompletion; however, the referees made a questionable fumble ruling. His interception, on the other hand, was deflected at the line of scrimmage and likely would have resulted in a touchdown had he had a clean pocket.

Still, Jackson was missing easy throws and must protect the football better. He is the leader and lifeblood of the offense. Simply put, Monken’s group only goes as far as Jackson takes them. Sure, running back Derrick Henry can take the pressure off of Jackson. But Jackson’s dangerous combination of slinging the rock and being a dangerous threat on the ground opens up everything. He did not show up in Week 13.

In his last three games, Jackson has failed to find the end zone and is turning the ball over at a horrific rate. Again, not all of the turnovers are his fault, but it is far from the Jackson performances that Baltimore fans are used to.

The Ravens get a long week of rest before they suit up again in Week 14. However, they do not have any time to ease up. They face the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday in a game that could ultimately decide the division. They will need Jackson fully healthy and back to his usual self if they want to make a run at the playoffs. And if Jackson is anything like LeBron James, he should be ready to put the team on his back in the most meaningful games down the stretch.