Despite their four-game winning streak, the Baltimore Ravens’ offense is enduring some struggles. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is still leading winning efforts, but the fire that was once ignited under the offense is nearly all gone.
The protection up front has limited Jackson’s ability to uncork big plays, and it has also significantly hurt the rushing attack between the tackles. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s unit is still grinding out drives and putting points on the board, but it is clear every drive is a bit of a struggle.
Jackson has been one of the best at protecting the football in the last few seasons. The 28-year-old makes smart throws, and the big play usually opens up later in the game. Not this year, though, and against the more competitive teams, Jackson and the rest of the offense will need to start taking risks. The perfect option to target in those risk-taking moments is clear: veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Lamar Jackson says what every fan is thinking about DeAndre Hopkins
In his press conference on Thursday, Jackson spoke about the impact Hopkins has had in his first year in Charm City, and it is clear that bigger things are on the horizon for the three-time All-Pro.
"[His reliability] is why he's gonna be a Hall of Famer," Jackson said. "The way he handles his business, he's not loud, complaining that he's not getting targets. When his number's called, he's making plays for us. And hopefully his number gets called a lot more because he's got big play ability at all times."
Jackson hit the nail on the head with his last statement. Baltimore needs to find a way to get Hopkins the ball more. The offensive line has failed to hold up in pass protection on countless occasions, and at times, Jackson has nowhere to go with the football. Hopkins poses the perfect solution to those problems.
Hopkins has long been one of the best 50-50 ball wideouts in the league. His strong hands, physicality, and athleticism at the catch point make him a reliable option to come down with the football. While in his age-33 season, he is not as dominant as he once was, he is still showcasing that he can be trusted consistently in those moments.
In 2025, Hopkins has seen just 199 snaps, and before the team’s Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns, he got more than 20 reps in a game just twice. With wide receiver Rashod Bateman out in Cleveland, Hopkins saw a season-high 42 snaps.
While Jackson targeted Hopkins four times last Sunday, which was the second-most on the team, the 13-year veteran only came down with one catch for 11 yards. It was a huge contested catch, though, that set up the crazy 35-yard touchdown run by tight end Mark Andrews to seal the game.
Hopkins has had a ton of success in one-on-one opportunities this year, and more of those need to come if the offensive line does not improve. If their red zone troubles continue, as well, they should look to Hopkins in goal-line fade concepts to get the unit back on track.