Lamar Jackson might not be done yet. At least that’s what reports are signaling. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback is expected to miss six to nine weeks with a fractured and dislocated thumb, and Jackson plans to return in 2026.
That recovery timeline could line up perfectly with Baltimore’s end-of-season AFC North gauntlet. It’d have to be the best-case scenario, but the door might be open for the Week 15 battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If Jacoby Brissett can keep the Ravens alive over the next several weeks, Jackson might have the opportunity to play hero. The team faces four straight AFC North foes to end the year — things could change dramatically.
Lamar Jackson’s recovery timeline gives Baltimore Ravens a chance
Everything boils down to what Jacoby Brissett can do as a starter. Let’s say Jackson returns in Week 15 against the Steelers. Brissett would need to go 2-2, or preferably 3-2, in his starts.
And that’s possible. In that stretch, the Ravens face the Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
All of those are winnable contests on paper, but with the defense’s struggles and the offense’s lack of explosive plays, the Houston game could quickly unravel. The others at least have a chance to turn into wins, though.
However it plays out, if Brissett leads Baltimore to 7-6 or 6-7, Jackson’s best-case return would have the team in a decent spot. When your two-time MVP is back on the field, anything can happen, especially when the division may be up for grabs.
From Week 15 to Week 18, the Ravens face the Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Steelers again. Those are four must-win games if this team is somehow in it until the very end.
If they pull it off, Baltimore could finish 11-6 or 10-7 with a 4-2 divisional record. That’s a record that would be right in the thick of the playoff race.
Baltimore Ravens have slim odds even with potential Lamar Jackson return
Of course, the odds are stacked against the Ravens. That’d be a perfect world, and while the team is headed in the wrong direction, rivals like the Steelers and Bengals are headed in the right direction. They’d need to complete a 180-degree turnaround and get some help along the way.
Notably, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are 6-2 and look better each week. They control their own destiny and have a huge window to put Baltimore out of reach of the top spot in the AFC North.
Their schedules are favorable, too. Here’s a look at their final nine games.
Steelers
OPPONENT | RECORD |
|---|---|
Cincinnati Bengals | 6-2 |
Philadelphia Eagles | 2-7 |
Denver Broncos | 7-2 |
Houston Texans | 3-5 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-2 |
Baltimore Ravens | 4-5 |
Carolina Panthers | 3-5 |
Tennessee Titans | 1-7 |
Baltimore Ravens | 4-5 |
Bengals
TEAM | RECORD |
|---|---|
Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-2 |
Washington Commanders | 2-5-1 |
New Orleans Saints | 3-5 |
Cleveland Browns | 5-4 |
Kansas City Chiefs | 6-2 |
Carolina Panthers | 3-5 |
Indianapolis Colts | 2-7 |
Baltimore Ravens | 4-5 |
Cleveland Browns | 5-4 |
Both have two of the 10 weakest schedules remaining. If you’re a Baltimore fan, the hope is the Bengals, Steelers, and Browns beat each other up, and the Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Kansas City Chiefs win their games. And somehow, an upset or two falls into place.
Realistically, it’s just a bleak outlook in Charm City. They need everything to go their way, and it’s far from guaranteed that the Ravens are still in contention by the time Lamar Jackson can suit up again. Simply put, the playoffs are highly unlikely…but you’re saying there’s a chance?
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