In many ways, the Baltimore Ravens could be classified as a “Cinderella” type of team in 2021 after losing so many key players. They lost their top-two running backs in J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards as well as veteran cornerback Marcus Peters before the year even began. It hasn’t gotten any better for Baltimore as the season has progressed, as they also lost players such as offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley, defensive lineman Derek Wolfe and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Despite the injury woes, the team enters Week 14 boasting a 8-4 record and leading the tight AFC North division .
On Wednesday, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson spoke with the media. While on the podium, Jackson expressed his feelings on the adversity that the team has faced and where they stand as the regular season draws to a close in just over a month.
“I don’t know. I don’t know. But all I know is, right now, we’re in control of our own destiny, right now. We’re sitting 8-4. We’ve just got to go grind it out and get ‘Ws.’ But I don’t know. I don’t know right now.”
Jackson also spoke about not focusing on the playoffs until the regular season is complete.
“I’m taking it a game at a time; that’s all I can do right now. I can’t focus on the playoffs right now. How many games are left? We’re 12 games [in] … We’ve got five games left. We’ve just got to try to win these out, and then we can talk about playoffs. But for sure, that’s our goal.”
The Ravens have five games remaining on the season, with three of those matchups coming from within their division. If Baltimore continues to “grind it out,” the team could find themselves competing in the postseason.