Former Ravens WR Qadry Ismail: There Are Plays To Be Made For Lamar Jackson

The Ravens have struggled for the past month, but former Ravens wide receiver Qadry Ismail believes the team can weather the storm in time to make the playoffs.

After a 20-19 loss to the Steelers Dec. 5, the Ravens sit at 8-4 and atop of the AFC North. Even though Baltimore is the AFC’s No. 3 seed entering Week 14, Ismail says there are things the Ravens need to fix regarding quarterback Lamar Jackson and his play. However, Ismail also believes the Ravens can make a deep postseason run in a wild NFL season.

Jackson has been less than stellar in his last four games, completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 922 yards and six touchdowns. During that span, Jackson has also thrown eight interceptions.

“It’s as simple as the plays are there to be made, he’s simply not making them,” Ismail said on Glenn Clark Radio Dec. 6.

Jackson has started three games against Pittsburgh, throwing for 622 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions. Most recently, he completed 23 of 37 passes for 253 yards, one touchdown and one pick against the Steelers. Jackson is 1-2 as a starter against Pittsburgh.

“You talk about Kansas City being the kryptonite, if you will,” Ismail said. “… I think now it’s the Steelers for Lamar personally because he’s played and turned the ball over. Maybe if they win here and there, that’s one thing, but just him personally and how he’s played, he hasn’t quite figured out the way in which he needs to have just a breakout, kick-butt, take-names-later-type game against the Steelers.”

Things went from bad to worse in Pittsburgh Dec. 5. Star cornerback Marlon Humphrey came down with a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the remainder of the season. Humphrey becomes the seventh starter to land on injured reserve for the Ravens this season.

Ismail says there’s a chance that injuries will hold the Ravens back from making a strong playoff run.

“You have to look at the stark reality of talent and the depth of talent has whittled,” Ismail said. “… You’re constantly trying to tweak the bottom half of your roster so you can have the correct amount of balance week to week.”

However, Ismail also feels that there is a way for Baltimore to capture this year’s Lombardi Trophy. Ismail says that if the Ravens can play their best football in the coming weeks, there is a good chance they will win their division.

With five games remaining in the regular season, the Ravens will face all three AFC North rivals once more and two tough NFC teams in the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams.

“We don’t know what Pittsburgh’s going to be doing. We don’t know Cincinnati’s going to be doing,” Ismail said. “Last I checked when Cincinnati beat the Ravens, they lost to the Jets and last I checked, they whooped off Pittsburgh only to lose to the Chargers.”

Ismail explained that this is the reality of the NFL and nothing is certain week in and week out.

“Right now, all I know is they’re in first place in the AFC North at 8-4,” Ismail said, “and there’s a lot of football left to be played.”

For more from Ismail, listen to the full interview here:

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