OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens are not off to a consistent start offensively, but it’s not because quarterback Lamar Jackson isn’t doing his part, according to coach John Harbaugh.
The Ravens are 0-2 for the first time since 2015 when they finished the season 5-11. After two games, Baltimore ranks No. 7 for rushing yards per game (168.0) and is ranked No. 5 for passing yards per game (249.5).
That production has not translated to wins, but Harbaugh doesn’t fault Jackson.
“I’ll say this, the most consistent player we have, consistently executing and consistently playing is Lamar on offense,” Harbaugh said. “Lamar is playing very well. He’s making good decisions, he’s taking charge of the offense, he’s making throws, he’s moving around when he has to, [and] he’s running the ball. Sometimes when it’s a run-pass option, he’s throwing the ball when he should on a run-pass option. I feel really good about the direction that way.”
The Ravens opened the season with a 27-20 loss to the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. On Sunday, the Ravens squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter in a 26-23 home-opening loss to the Raiders.
Jackson has thrown for 520 yards with two touchdowns and an interception over the two games. However, Jackson was under a lot of pressure behind an inexperienced offensive line with three new starters.
“When you put a young group of guys out there, young players at any position, especially it the offensive line, there are going to be growing pains,” Harbaugh said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
Jackson took two sacks from Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who created matchup problems for the Ravens throughout the game.
“[Crosby] was just being an impactful player – the high motor guy [that] he was – and he got two sacks,” Jackson said. “He was just doing what he was doing.”
Harbaugh said the main challenge is creating a more consistent offense and it’s taking time, which does not work in the Ravens’ favor. Only 9 percent of the teams since 1970 that started 0-2 made the playoffs — 407 teams lost their first two games and only 39 made the postseason.
After the Ravens play Dallas on Sunday, they return to M&T Bank Stadium for a game against the Buffalo Bills and then play an AFC North road matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s not the easiest of schedules for a struggling team.
“Our job is to keep pounding [and to] not get discouraged, not think all is for nothing, and continue to work, and our reward will be out there in the future if we continue to do that,” Harbaugh said.
