Imagine a world where you couldn’t watch Lamar Jackson be the most electric player in the history of the NFL. Who would want to live there? That would be a sick and twisted place. Well, unfortunately, it’s the one football fans are living in—for now.
The NFL released its full 2025 schedule Wednesday night, and while there are some fun quirks in the Ravens’ layout (mainly the whole "The Ravens might be turning into the Orioles), there’s one glaring oversight: Baltimore has only four primetime games. Four. That’s right—just four chances for a national audience to watch a two-time MVP do things no quarterback has ever done.
If that feels like a slight and a major bummer, it’s because it is.
Lamar Jackson’s primetime dominance deserves a bigger stage
Let’s just say it: that is not enough Lamar. Not even close.
The Ravens will play on Sunday Night Football to open the season in Buffalo, host the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football in Week 3, travel to Miami for Thursday Night Football in Week 9, and host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving Night. That’s it. Only one of those games is a home night game. And somehow—somehow—the Ravens-Chiefs game in Week 4 didn’t make the cut.
That would be baffling for any top-tier quarterback. But for Lamar Jackson? It’s downright disrespectful. There's definitely room for a flex game. There's no way the league ignores a tight AFC North divisional game late in the season or the Week 17 contest in Green Bay. There will be opportunities for more Lamar. Phew.
Jackson has a 19-5 career record in primetime, including 11 wins in his last 12 appearances. His .792 winning percentage under the lights is the best of any quarterback with 15-plus primetime starts since the 1970 merger. At home, he’s 8-1. On Monday nights, he’s 7-2. That's absolutely, positively crazy. And people still throw shade because he doesn't single-handedly win playoff games.
This time last year, Baltimore was booked for eight nationally televised games and ended up playing seven. That felt about right. Jackson had just won his second MVP and helped carry the Ravens to the AFC title game. His playoff resume may still be the subject of tired talk-show fodder, but when the lights are on, there’s nobody better.
And yet... here we are. Four games. One at home. One fewer excuse to appreciate one of the most dynamic players this league has ever seen. The guy jukes defenders into different universes. Like, what a miss.
The league can still flex the Ravens into a few more primetime games later in the year. But honestly? Lamar shouldn’t have to wait to be flexed into the spotlight. He should already be there. Let’s just hope he leaves them no choice.