News Summary
The Baltimore Ravens are struggling this season as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams without their starting quarterback, Lamar Jackson, for a second week due to a hamstring injury. The Ravens’ record stands at 1-4, matching their worst start in franchise history, and they have lost five straight games without Jackson. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush will start again, following a disappointing performance against the Texans. The team’s defense has also been shaky, and they are in dire need of a win to avoid a four-game losing streak.
Baltimore is facing a significant challenge as the Ravens prepare to play against the Los Angeles Rams without their starting quarterback, Lamar Jackson, for the second consecutive week. Jackson has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury he sustained during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 28.
Starting the season with a disappointing record of 1-4, the Ravens are matching the worst start in franchise history. Jackson’s absence has been particularly detrimental, as the team has a poor record of 4-11 when he does not play since he became the starting quarterback in 2018. Notably, the Ravens have lost their last five games without him, failing to score more than 17 points in any of those matches. This places additional pressure on the team, which seeks to avoid a four-game losing streak—something they have not experienced since the conclusion of the 2021 season when Jackson was sidelined due to another injury.
Backup quarterback Cooper Rush is set to start again in place of Jackson. In his first start against the Houston Texans, Rush threw for 179 yards but also recorded three interceptions, tying his career worst. The Ravens’ offense suffered significantly, managing only 207 total yards against the Texans—this marked their lowest output in eight years. Consequently, the Ravens have averaged a mere 15 points over the last two games and currently rank 23rd in the NFL for total yards this season.
Despite the struggles on the field, there are some signs of improvement in the health of the team. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (groin), offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), and cornerback Marlon Humphrey are returning for the game against the Rams after having missed the previous match due to injury. However, middle linebacker Roquan Smith will also be absent because of a hamstring injury, marking his second game missed in a row. Overall, the Ravens will still be without five key players, including Jackson, for this upcoming game.
Looking at Jackson’s performance this season, he has recorded 869 passing yards, completed 71.6% of his passes, and thrown 10 touchdowns against just one interception in four games. This data underscores his importance to the team and the impact his absence may have on their chances of success.
After the game against the Rams, the Ravens are scheduled for a bye week, which may offer Jackson an extra week to recover before their next matchup against the Chicago Bears on October 26. As the team approaches this critical game, the Ravens must not forget the challenging statistics surrounding teams that start the season with a similar record; only four teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after beginning a season 1-5. This statistic highlights the importance of this upcoming game for the Ravens’ season.
The Ravens’ defense has also struggled in recent outings, conceding 81 points over the last two games, putting them at a disadvantage against the Rams, whose passing attack is led by quarterback Matthew Stafford. In light of these circumstances, the Ravens will be eager to make a statement and regain momentum despite the absence of their star quarterback.
As the Ravens gear up for a crucial matchup against the Rams, the hope remains that they can rally together and secure a much-needed victory, despite the challenges presented by injuries and a challenging season thus far.
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Houston Texans Dominate Ravens in Historic Victory
Ravens Suffer Devastating Loss Against Texans
Ravens Struggle with Disappointing Start to 2023 Season
Ravens Suffer Heavy Defeat Against Texans, 44-10
Ravens Prepare for Texans Without Lamar Jackson
Additional Resources
- USA Today: Lamar Jackson Injury Update
- Wikipedia: Lamar Jackson
- CBS Sports: Lamar Jackson Injury Update
- Google Search: Ravens Loss Statistics
- Pro Football Rumors: Jackson Out Until Recovery
- Google Scholar: NFL Injury Reporting
- ESPN: Lamar Jackson Ruled Out
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Football League
- Baltimore Ravens: Injury Report vs Rams
- Google News: Lamar Jackson Injury News
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
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