The Baltimore Ravens have, understandably, looked like a much different team without Lamar Jackson running the offense. His absence has exposed problems that were harder to spot when the two-time MVP was healthy and making plays.

Thursday’s loss to Jacksonville gave analysts and fans another reason to question how much Baltimore depends on him. Their reactions also turned the focus toward Jackson’s value to the franchise.

NFL World Firmly In Lamar Jackson’s Corner After Ravens’ 33-10 Loss to Jaguars

Baltimore’s offense struggled throughout Thursday night’s 33-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley both on injured reserve, undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano started at quarterback. He finished with 60 passing yards, two interceptions, and no touchdowns as the Ravens fell to 4-5.

The offensive decline has been difficult to ignore, with the team currently sitting at 26th in PFN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric%20assigns,red%20zone%20and%20third%20downs.).

Jonas Shaffer, a reporter for The Baltimore Banner, highlighted the difference on X,writing, “Over their past 8 quarters, the Ravens have 346 yards of total offense. Over their first 3 games, the Ravens averaged 398.7 yards per game. This is a Lamar Jackson tweet.”

Baltimore, in fact, managed only 371 total net offensive yards across its losses to Buffalo and Jacksonville, highlighting how significantly the offense has struggled without Jackson.

Fox Sports 1 personality Kevin Wildes made the financial argument even clearer. He believes Jackson’s importance should leave little doubt about his worth to Baltimore, posting, “This is why Lamar deserves a blank check.”

Pittsburgh Steelers influencer Kevin Adams took a different approach, using the result to celebrate his team’s position in the AFC North. “Ravens are going to be absolutely terrible without Lamar. lol. Ya hate to see it. Anyway, Steelers are 6-2 and first in the North,” Adams wrote.

ESPN associate producer Sam Block focused on Baltimore’s declining record. The Ravens began the season 4-1 before losing four straight games, prompting him to write, “Ravens were 4-1. Then 4-2. Then 4-3. Then 4-4. Then 4-5. Lamar Jackson should get MVP votes.”

Ravens analyst Pedro H. Rhormes also questioned the team’s ability to compete without Jackson. “I had such high hopes for this season. It only takes one injury, and boom, our season is over. This team without Lamar Jackson is simply mediocre in every aspect. The number of issues he resolves just by starting is astonishing,” he wrote.

Fantasy football analyst Russell Clay shared a similarly bleak assessment, posting, “This Ravens offense without Lamar is pure doom and despair. Ugh.”

Jackson has won the NFL MVP award twice, in 2019 and 2023. His 2019 campaign also made him the second unanimous MVP in league history. His ability to threaten defenses as both a passer and runner has helped Baltimore overcome weaknesses elsewhere.

The Ravens now have somewhat of an extended break before hosting the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10.

With Jackson on injured reserve and expected to undergo surgery on his injured right thumb, Baltimore faces considerable uncertainty at quarterback despite trading for Jacoby Brissett as a stopgap.