<
>

As QB decision looms, Lamar Jackson feels he hasn't done enough

play
Saturday says Jackson made the most of his opportunity (1:06)

Jeff Saturday expresses his thoughts on Lamar Jackson's performance vs. the Raiders and how the Ravens allowed him to play in rhythm. (1:06)

BALTIMORE -- Lamar Jackson contributed a couple of touchdowns, set another NFL record and helped put the Baltimore Ravens back in the playoff race.

So, if Joe Flacco is healthy enough to return this week, does Jackson feel he has proven he should remain the starting quarterback?

"I don't feel I've done enough," Jackson said after Sunday's 34-17 win over the Oakland Raiders. "There's always room for improvement."

Jackson is ticked off about his two interceptions. He wasn't efficient in the passing game (14-of-25) after hearing all week about the questions concerning his throwing ability.

Still, Jackson is 2-0 as an NFL starter, leading the Ravens to their current spot as the No. 6 seed in the AFC. His 190 yards rushing are the most in a quarterback's first two starts in the Super Bowl era. And he threw the Ravens' longest pass of the season, a 74-yard toss to tight end Mark Andrews.

"He's got a winning spirit," wide receiver Michael Crabtree said. "Everything he does, he does well. He practices hard, you can't beat that. He's only going up from here. I am just a witness and a receiver, at his disposal."

After Jackson's first start, the major storyline was that he ran 27 times, the most by a quarterback in the Super Bowl era. In the first half Sunday, it seemed like Jackson was determined he can win with his arm instead of his legs. He threw 18 times (one fewer than his entire game last Sunday) and was picked off twice.

Jackson forced a pass over the middle, where the twice-deflected throw was intercepted. And, when he needed only a few yards for a field goal late in the first half, Jackson threw a deep pass to Crabtree that was again tipped and picked off.

"I was ticked off. I was like, 'Man, we have to throw some more. You all have to let me make up for that and get the ball to those guys,'" Jackson said. "And I felt like I missed open passes that I should have hit."

After halftime, Jackson and the Ravens showed they are at their best when keeping it on the ground. In the second half, Baltimore ran for 178 yards, including 60 on Jackson's nine carries.

As a result, the Ravens controlled the clock for 21 minutes, 41 seconds in the 30-minute second half.

"In a way it reminded me of college, when we used to play Air Force all the time," Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said. "They are going to run the ball as much as they can and keep you off the field. They will not throw the ball 50 times and give you a lot of possessions. Their job is to kill the clock, and you're not going to get too many plays on offense."

There were times when Jackson seemed more indecisive than his first start. On plays on which he would've taken off running last week, Jackson chose to throw the ball.

Could the pressure to pass be in the back of Jackson's head?

"It's probably part of it," Harbaugh said. "It shouldn't have to be, because I think he has proven himself in college and all that kind of stuff. Just because you can run really well doesn't mean you can't throw. It probably is an added layer for him, I would say. That's the best way I could say it. But, if anyone can handle it, he can. He just has a great mindset for that kind of thing. I'm not worried about it at all that way."

It was a step forward for Jackson in terms of throwing the ball. A week ago, Jackson essentially apologized to Crabtree for not getting him the ball. This time, with Ravens up 20-17 in the fourth quarter, Jackson didn't run the ball on third-and-goal. Instead, he delivered the ball to Crabtree as the Ravens won consecutive games for the first time since September.

"I thought he threw it well," Harbaugh said. "I have to see the tape, I guess, to know for sure, but he threw the ball well, I thought. Hopefully, that talk will go away at some point in time."