Lamar Jackson on Baltimore Ravens Offense: 'We're Trying To Figure It Out'
The first three games of the 2023 season have put the Baltimore Ravens offense to the test.
With a new offense under offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the unit never seeing the field during the preseason, growing pains are expected. Lamar Jackson noted that it's early in the season, and the offense is still finding its way.
"It’s September,” Jackson said. “One of our guys just got there that week, not even a month. He hasn’t been around. We’re just trying to figure each other out right now. We didn’t really play [in] the preseason, so we’re trying to figure it out."
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The injury bug, which seemingly bites the Ravens yearly, hasn't helped the offense find any consistency with the constant shuffling of healthy players. Injuries to left tackle Ronnie Stanley, center Tyler Linderbaum, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and running back Justice Hill led to them being out in Baltimore's 22-19 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. Running back J.K. Dobbins is also out for the season with a torn achilles.
Even with the offense not firing on all cylinders, Baltimore had jumped out to a 2-1 start and was a play away from starting the season undefeated.
"Every game is not perfect, but if we clean it up in Cleveland, I feel like the sky is the limit for us,” Jackson said.
Jackson has gotten off to a strong start, completing 63 of 86 passes for 608 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He has also run for 193 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came against the Colts.
However, Jackson and the Ravens offense will be in for a stiff test when they face the stout Cleveland Browns (2-1) defense. Through three games, Cleveland is allowing the fewest points (10.7) and yards (163.7) per game. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is third in the lead with 4.5 sacks as well.
If the offense can get on track against the Cleveland defense, it'd be a promising sign for the rest of the season.
Baltimore heads to Cleveland Browns Stadium to face the Browns at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
