Jackson and Ravens have trouble closing games

With the Baltimore Ravens’ lead in the AFC North eliminated in mid-game, there will be questions about whether this team can close out the second half of the season with a division title.

The Ravens’ immediate focus is simply finishing games, especially with the Cincinnati Bengals arriving in Baltimore on Thursday night. Over the past two seasons, Baltimore has gone from being the best closers to being among the worst.

The Ravens’ 33-31 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday was their seventh after leading in the fourth quarter since last season, tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the most in the NFL during that span.

“I think I can speak for everyone… [the Ravens took a 14-0 lead] nobody thought [the Browns] were going to win the game, and that’s what happened,” the Browns defensive tackle said. Justin Madubuike. “So it was definitely shocking and frustrating.”

The Ravens (7-3) held a 31-17 lead with 11:34 left in the game, giving them a 98% chance of winning and putting them in a situation where they normally came out ahead. From 2008 to 2021 under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens were 79-0 when leading by 14 points or more at any time during the second half. Baltimore was the only undefeated NFL team in that particular situation during that span.

Now, Sunday’s collapse against the Browns was the Ravens’ second after leading by 14 or more points in the second half since last season. The only teams with multiple such losses in that period are the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys.

“We talk about finishing teams when they’re down [and] we should have done that,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “But even if in the end things are even, it’s about doing our job, not making mistakes and playing the best football we can, because we are a difficult team to beat.”

Sunday’s game came down to quarterback play. In the fourth quarter, the Browns’ Deshaun Watson was 7 of 7 for 88 yards and a touchdown, while the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson was 1 of 5 for 11 yards and an interception, which came off a deflected pass and was returned 34 yards. . . for touchdown.

Lamar Jackson’s 6.4 total QBR in the fourth quarter was the third-worst of his career.

“We just have to finish the game,” Lamar Jackson emphasized.

Baltimore has generally been resilient in the games following these fourth-quarter meltdowns. In the previous six losses after leading in the fourth, the Ravens followed up with a win five times.

A loss Thursday night would drop them out of first place in the AFC North, behind the Browns (6-3) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3).

“It’s definitely frustrating, but we really have to stop thinking about this,” Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens helped. “We have a short week. Our mentality is to always improve as we are, so we will have the same mentality until Thursday and we will be prepared.”