THE BACKSTORY
The first thing you need to understand is that Joe Flacco and the Ravens are struggling. Baltimore has dropped four of their last five games and currently sit third in the AFC North at 4-5. Over that span, Flacco has as many turnovers as he does touchdown passes (4), and the team has averaged 18 points per game.
The next thing you need to understand is that the Ravens have struggled for a while. John Harbaugh’s squad hasn’t made the playoffs since 2014, which is probably why the franchise felt compelled to trade up in the draft for a quarterback. Baltimore selected Lamar Jackson after completing a deal to acquire the last pick in the first round from Philadelphia. If the Ravens miss the playoffs for the fourth-straight year, its likely Harbaugh will be searching for a new job this winter.
THE INJURY
According to Harbaugh, Flacco injured his hip when he landed awkwardly during the third or fourth play of Baltimore’s week nine matchup with Pittsburgh. Despite being able to finish the game, Flacco’s injury is significant enough to put this Sunday’s contest against the Bengals in question. Here are some telling quotes from Harbaugh on the subject.
“It’ll be based on the health of Joe (Flacco). If Joe (Flacco) can play, he’ll play,” John Harbaugh.
This sentiment suggests the potential change at quarterback is strictly injury related. Many initially wondered if Flacco’s hip injury was being used as an excuse to start the rookie, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
“Joe does not have to practice to play,” John Harbaugh.
Unfortunately, we might not know who will start for the Ravens until Sunday morning. This will not only drive fantasy owners nuts, but Cincinnati as well.
“I’m kind of appreciative of the reports to be honest with you. It makes it tougher for the Bengals, you know, to prepare,” John Harbaugh.
Flacco and the ultra-athletic Jackson have drastically different playing styles. The uncertainty over who starts only complicates things for the Bengals, who are desperate for a win themselves.
Lamar Jackson
“I could not believe the things he was able to do. He was a spitting image of me and the only thing that came to my mind was this kid is five times better than I was when I was at Virginia Tech,” Michael Vick on Lamar Jackson.
Jackson is a freak athlete. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner amassed over 4,000 rushing yards in three seasons at Louisville, and his passing stats are nothing to scoff at either. At 6’2”, 216 lbs, Jackson doesn’t have the size deficiencies Vick did, but he does boast a strong arm. Like Vick, Jackson can launch the ball 60 yards with the flick of his wrist. You won’t find any combine numbers on Jackson because he refused to participate in drills. Similar to how Kevin Durant fudged his height so that he wouldn’t be pegged as a center, Jackson didn’t want coaches to see his unique athleticism and force him to play wide receiver.
With such outstanding physical gifts, Jackson was never forced to learn the intricacies of the quarterback position. Consequently, he left college a tad raw when it comes to the mental side of the passing game. However, the 21-year-old has had an entire summer and 10 weeks of the regular season to develop. Assistant head coach Greg Roman has had success with “running quarterbacks” Tyrod Taylor and Colin Kaepernick in the past and knows how put Jackson in a position to excel.
There is no doubt in my mind that if Flacco can’t play Jackson will get the start over Robert Griffin III. RG3 hasn’t played a regular season game since 2016, when he went 1-4 with the Cleveland Browns.
The real question here is whether or not Jackson gets his chance. Should Flacco sit, Jackson will start his first NFL game at home against a Bengals defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The Saints torched Cincinnati so bad last week that they fired their defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. If Jackson lights it up against Cinci, it’s hard to imagine Harbaugh turning back to Flacco even when the vet is healthy. Such a move could cost the coach his locker-room and more importantly his job.
Fantasy Upside
Don’t go dropping quality starters for him, but Jackson is worth a stash in all leagues because of his immense upside. Think Deshaun Watson before he got hurt last season. Because rushing production is worth almost double the points passing production is, rushing quarterbacks are virtually a fantasy cheat-code.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Ravens’ next five games are against the Bengals, Raiders, Falcons, Chiefs and Buccaneers, all of whom rank in the bottom 11 in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. IF he gets an opportunity, there’s a good chance Jackson takes the starting job and never looks back. Between his rushing ability and his cakewalk of a schedule, Jackson could be the boost you needed just in time for the playoffs.
