Lamar Jackson: Defenses Are Calling Ravens' Offensive Plays at Line of Scrimmage

If anyone is wondering why the Baltimore Ravens offense hasn't been as explosive this season as it was in 2019, Lamar Jackson provided one possible explanation.

During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Jackson said he can hear defenses calling out Baltimore's plays once both sides get set at the line of scrimmage:

Some of the fault lies with Jackson and the passing game. The reigning NFL MVP's completion percentage has dropped from 66.1 to 62.9 and his touchdown percentage is 5.6, down from a league-best 9.0 last season. 

Opposing players have commented publicly about various tendencies they have noticed with Baltimore's offense.

One day after holding the Ravens to 202 yards of total offense over the final three quarters in a 27-3 loss in Week 5, Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates told reporters that Jackson only looks to Marquise Brown or Mark Andrews when he drops back to throw. 

"We know where Lamar wants to go, either No. 15 or No. 89. It showed up today as well," Bates said. "That's all he was really throwing to today was No. 15 and No. 89."

Brown and Andrews have combined for 93 targets out of the team's 216 pass attempts. 

The Ravens still boast the NFL's top-ranked rushing attack (170.1 yards per game) and are eighth in scoring (28.4 points per game), but things haven't looked as easy as they did in 2019. 

Per Football Outsiders' DVOA metric, which adjusts for game situation and strength of opponent, Baltimore's passing offense ranks 23rd in the NFL after finishing first in 2019. 

The Ravens have proved they are still capable of succeeding thanks to their running game and a defense that leads the league with 17.8 points allowed per game. If they want to get over the hump in the playoffs, Jackson and offensive coordinator Greg Roman will likely need to find consistency in the passing game.