The Baltimore Ravens entered Thanksgiving night riding a five-game winning streak, their defense suffocating opponents and Derrick Henry bulldozing through defensive lines. But something felt different about this team.
The victories hid a troubling trend that analysts whispered about in pre-game shows. Thursday’s primetime collapse against Cincinnati finally exposed what everyone feared, but nobody wanted to say out loud.
Lamar Jackson’s historic slump raises serious questions about Ravens’ future
Three turnovers on Thanksgiving night. Two fumbles and an interception that gifted Cincinnati easy opportunities in a 32-14 tear-down. But the real story isn’t about one bad game.
Jackson completed just 53 percent of his passes against the Bengals, marking his fourth consecutive start below 60 percent completion. That’s never happened before in his career. The zero touchdown passes extended an even more alarming streak to three games, another career first for the two-time MVP.
We’ve never seen Lamar play this bad…
Since he returned from his hamstring injury he has not looked the same.
What is going on with him?? 😬
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 28, 2025
The numbers tell a brutal story. Over his last four starts, Jackson has thrown just one touchdown pass against three interceptions while averaging under 200 passing yards per game.
His 56 percent completion rate during this stretch looks nothing like the dynamic quarterback who dominated the league in previous seasons.
Defenses have figured something out. They’re collapsing the pocket from the interior rather than worrying about edge containment.
They’re forcing Jackson to beat them as a pure pocket passer, knowing his usual escape routes aren’t available. The threat that once terrified defensive coordinators has become manageable.
Multiple lower-body injuries explain part of the decline. Hamstring, knee, ankle, and toe issues have piled up since Week 4.
Jackson publicly denies these injuries affect his play, but his rushing numbers don’t lie. Just 84 total rushing yards over four games at 3.2 yards per carry represents a shadow of his former explosiveness.
The offensive line shares responsibility too. Twenty-seven sacks in eight starts this season exceed his entire 2024 total. Protection breakdowns force quicker throws, reducing Jackson’s time to scan the field and creating predictable offensive patterns.
Baltimore won games recently despite Jackson’s struggles because their defense and Henry carried the load. That formula failed against Cincinnati’s high-powered offense. When Jackson needed to match Joe Burrow’s production, he was unable to do so.
Heartbreaking: Lamar Jackson threw his helmet after throwing his first interception on the night.
That was his third total turnover of the game.
Something isn’t right with Lamar…😔💔
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 28, 2025
The Ravens remain playoff contenders, but this slump raises uncomfortable questions about whether their franchise quarterback can return to elite form while battling persistent health issues.
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