John Harbaugh is paying close attention to the trainer’s room this weekend as the Baltimore Ravens depth chart is tested. The Cincinnati Bengals visit the M&T Bank Stadium. They’re looking to add to their week two win over the Ravens.
Could RGIII Start As The Baltimore Ravens Quarterback?
The season is getting to the point whereby keeping a healthy roster can be the difference between victory and defeat. The Ravens may have to utilize their depth chart in their week 11 matchup against the Bengals. Starting quarterback Joe Flacco has had a difficult season. The one-time Super Bowl winner is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. A quarterback struggling to complete passes is going to have a hard time of it, especially when he’s carrying an injury to his right hip. Flacco opened the season hot. He was 25-of-34, passing for 236 yards and three TDs in the week one victory over the Buffalo Bills. Since then it’s been downhill for the 33-year-old who has a passer rating of 84.2.
Lamar Jackson was drafted by the Ravens with the No.32 overall pick. The Ravens have experimented with schemes to include both Jackson and Flacco simultaneously on the field of play. Jackson’s speed and mobility is a threat but has a way to go before he develops an arm capable of consistently moving the chains in pro-football. The rookie doesn’t seem to be getting much benefit from playing as an auxiliary back. A stomach issue has forced Jackson to sit out training this week. There are question marks as to whether he’ll be healthy for Sunday’s AFC North showdown.
It may not be good news for the Ravens but it may be good news for Robert Griffin III. NFL Insider Ian Rapport has reported that RGIII is preparing to start on Sunday. The former first-round pick has not played since 2016. He may give Harbaugh the best chance to get back to playing .500 football. The week 11 matchup is a winnable game for Baltimore against an average Cincinnati football team. RG III sums up the current Raven’s quarterback conundrum.
Seen a lot in this league but never had to run an entire practice as the only QB before #FirstTimeForEverything #AlwaysReady #RavensFlock
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 15, 2018
Looking for Ravens Postives
Andy Dalton is one of three quarterbacks to have thrown 10 picks. New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is the only signal caller to have thrown more picks going into week 11 (14). The Ravens defense is tied at seven for the most sacks in the league (28). Harbaugh is 8-2 when coming off a bye and that’s a positive as the Ravens are looking to stop a three-game skid.
“If Joe’s in there, we’re ready with Joe. You’ve seen what we can do with Joe. And if Lamar’s in there, everybody is ready to see what Lamar can do.” (Willie Snead to Ravens.com)
Last Word
The Ravens will be hoping that they are not subject to a discussion by the fork committee on Monday morning. All may not be lost for the Ravens, especially if Don Martindale can call the right plays and disrupt Dalton and the Bengals. Week 11 could be the time when RGIII grabs the headlines. If so, will those headlines be positive?
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