The NFL’s usual powerhouses have taken a step back this season, and the Baltimore Ravens are no exception. Entering the year with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, Baltimore now finds itself barely alive in the playoff race heading into the final week, with Lamar Jackson emerging as one of the season’s biggest disappointments.
Much of Jackson’s regression can be traced to lingering health issues, which even sidelined him in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. The Ravens won that game behind backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, and the result has sparked a surprising debate about whether Baltimore should consider sticking with him for the season finale.
Shannon Sharpe Makes the Case for Benching Lamar Jackson
Jackson looked like an MVP candidate early in the season, while Derrick Henry’s ball-security issues were the primary concern. But since suffering a hamstring injury, Jackson hasn’t looked like the same player.
Outside of a shutout win over the Bengals, there’s been a legitimate question over whether Jackson or Huntley has given Baltimore a better chance to win over the past two months. After Huntley guided the Ravens to a victory against the Packers’ 17th-ranked defense, Shannon Sharpe shared his controversial stance on social media.
“Some might see this as a hot take, but IF* I’m the Ravens. I’m going with Huntley as my starter. King Henry getting at least 30 carries more IF* needed. ##RavensSteelers #WinnerTakeAll,” he wrote on X.
Baltimore’s playoff hopes were boosted Sunday when the Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, setting up a winner-take-all showdown in Week 18 between the AFC North rivals for both the division title and a playoff berth.
However, Huntley only started against Green Bay because Jackson’s back wasn’t healthy enough to play. And while Huntley earned the win, the game was overwhelmingly decided by Henry, who carried the ball 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns.
Sharpe’s argument centers on replicating that formula, leaning heavily on Henry while minimizing risk at quarterback. But Jackson is fully capable of executing the same game plan while also offering far more upside as both a passer and a runner.
The Steelers will almost certainly sell out to stop Henry in Week 18. If they succeed in limiting him, Baltimore will need a quarterback who can create plays under pressure and threaten defenses through the air, something Jackson does far better than Huntley.
Unless Jackson’s health prevents him again from playing, it’s difficult to envision the Ravens benching their franchise quarterback outright. However, given his recent struggles, it wouldn’t be surprising if Baltimore has a shorter leash or mixes Huntley into certain packages if the offense stalls.
Either way, the Ravens face their biggest decision of the season with everything on the line in Week 18.
