Why can’t Lamar Jackson and the Ravens finish off games?
Ben Wilson and Mike Pritchard attempted to answer that question on Tuesday’s edition of The Lombardi Line.
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It wasn’t a double-digit lead in Week 12, but the Baltimore Ravens blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 28-27 loss. The Ravens were in position to win that game at multiple junctures, including the final two minutes after Lamar Jackson took the offense down the field on a six-play, 75-yard drive.
This is a team that blew three double-digit leads in the first six games and led by double digits in each of the first nine games, while only winning three of them by at least 10 points. In other words, the Ravens have had a lead of at least nine points in each of their four losses. Instead of having a commanding lead in the division, the Ravens are tied with the Cincinnati Bengals and would currently be the No. 4 seed in the AFC Playoffs if the season ended today.
AFC North standings and odds (DraftKings)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-4) -280
- Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) +225
- Cleveland Browns (4-7) +3000
- Pittsburgh Steelers (4-7) +5000
Even though the Ravens have squandered opportunities, they are still a heavy odds-on favorite to win the AFC North. One double-digit lead that they didn’t blow came in Week 5 against the Bengals in a 19-17 win, but they certainly tried, needing a Justin Tucker 43-yard field goal at the last second to prevail.
The Ravens are still +1600 to win the Super Bowl, but their odds would be a lot lower without the late-game struggles.
Baltimore Ravens schedule
- Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos
- Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 15: at Cleveland Browns
- Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 18: at Cincinnati Bengals
See updated NFL odds and NFL betting splits.
The Ravens only play one more team with a winning record this season. Will that Week 18 game against the Bengals be for all the marbles in the AFC North?
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