ESPN analyst pushes back on the notion that Lamar Jackson should be benched

1 week ago 2

We've all lost a few hair follicles this season. They either fell out or were pulled out in frustration. The Baltimore Ravens' 30th anniversary certainly didn't go as planned.

This was supposed to be a revenge tour, a correction for past failures. Consecutive seasons ended in immense heartbreak. You all watched. You all remember what happened.

Two years ago, we watched in horror. They lost to the Kansas City Chiefs at home in the AFC Championship Game. Last January, they took a step backward, losing to the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, so you can understand why a loss to those identical Bills in Week 1 and a 1-5 start would be deflating.

They have tested every emotion, but here we sit. Baltimore is 8-8 with one game remaining. Wouldn't you know it? The hated Pittsburgh Steelers stand between them and a postseason berth, and that brings us to the ongoing criticism of Lamar Jackson.

Marcus Spears has a strong message for Lamar Jackson's detractors.

So, there we were, the football junkies that we are. Monday Night Countdown was on television. As it often does, ESPN's conversation shifted to Lamar Jackson.

Hats off to Tyler Huntley for leading the Ravens to a must-win road victory over the Green Bay Packers, but that has sparked debate. Should Baltimore ride the hot hand and roll with Huntley even if Jackson is healthy and ready to go on Sunday?

ESPN's Marcus Spears detests the idea:

Truth be told, Jackson is 6-6 as a starter this season. This hasn't been his best campaign, but he's a two-time MVP. That guy is still in there somewhere.

One must believe that Baltimore's best chance of winning comes with Jackson at quarterback. The Ravens need his best effort, but to Spears' point, they also need the best effort of his offensive teammates.

Here's the bright side to all of this. After everything we have seen from the Ravens this season, this is phenomenal news. They can put all of this behind them and gain a new lease on life with a division-determining win over the hated Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18 on Sunday Night Football.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: ESPN analyst disagrees that Ravens should bench Lamar Jackson

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