The fun and games are over for the Baltimore Ravens amid a 2-5 start to the season.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson said on Tuesday that he was the player who had the ping-pong table and other games removed from the locker room to help Baltimore regain its focus.
“We had to focus,” Jackson said. “I wouldn’t say people don’t take the job serious, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t feel like it was the time for that, you know. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
What do the Ravens need to do to get their games back in the locker room?
“Keeping winning,” Jackson said.
Baltimore started the season 1-3, and things got worse after Jackson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens lost their first two games without Jackson, but managed to get back in the win column with their victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Luckily for Baltimore, its star quarterback should be back in the fold this week. Head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the Ravens expect to have Jackson on the field for Thursday’s contest against the Miami Dolphins.
“I feel very confident about it,” Harbaugh told reporters.
Before his injury, Jackson had thrown for 869 yards, 10 touchdowns and an interception, adding 166 rushing yards and a score on the ground in four games. He’ll look to pick back up where he left off if he’s able to suit up this week.
The Ravens’ offense struggled tremendously without Jackson, scoring just 10 points in a loss to the Houston Texans and just three points the following week against the Los Angeles Rams.
But even if Jackson’s return reignites the offense, there’s nothing he can do for Baltimore’s defense. The Ravens have given up the fifth-most yards per game (379.6) and the third-most points per game (30) this year.
No matter how well Jackson plays, that kind of defense isn’t going to be enough to get Baltimore into the playoffs.
Luckily for the Ravens, their upcoming slate is manageable. After facing the Dolphins this week, they’ll play the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals.
If they can win those five games, perhaps Jackson will consider bringing back the locker room ping-pong table.