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Three NFL playoff teams destined to take a step back in 2019

By Joel Deering

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans sits on the field after turning the ball over on a fumble during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 32-30. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans sits on the field after turning the ball over on a fumble during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 32-30. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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NFL playoff teams destined to fail in 2019
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled as he carries the ball by linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong #52 of the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson started just seven games in the regular season last year, but he led the Ravens to a record of 6-1 in those seven games. A lot of the credit for the Ravens going 6-1 during Jackson’s starts should go to the Baltimore defense, as they were one of the best defensive units in the NFL last season.

With that being said, Lamar Jackson should get a lot of credit for the 6-1 record too. One of the main reasons why Jackson was able to lead the Ravens to a 6-1 record in his seven starts, is because of his rushing ability. In his seven starts, Lamar Jackson rushed for 556 yards. His lowest rushing total in any of those seven games was 39 yards.

The Baltimore defense allowed Lamar Jackson to be on the field more during his starts, and Jackson used his strengths to help the offense score points. NFL defense’s couldn’t figure out how to stop Lamar Jackson on the ground.

My question is, how long will it take for NFL defense’s to figure out how to stop Lamar Jackson on the ground? It seems like the Los Angeles Chargers have already done that, for the most part. In their two games against Jackson, they held him to his two lowest rushing totals as a starter.

The Chargers forced Jackson to be more of a passer, which is not where he excels. I can almost guarantee that teams who are playing the Baltimore Ravens this season will be watching what the Chargers did on defense against Jackson. If Lamar Jackson is forced to make more plays as a passer, I’m not sure it’s going to go as well as a 6-1 record.

Then there’s the defense of the Ravens. They had some huge losses on the defensive side of the ball. Names like Terrell Suggs, CJ Mosley, Eric Weddle and Za’Darius Smith are all now playing elsewhere. They made some moves to try and make up for their losses, such as signing S Earl Thomas, but I don’t know if that’s enough to keep them up where they were last season.

If Lamar Jackson can’t take a step forward as a passer and the defense can’t play at the same level, there’s a good chance the Ravens won’t be one of the NFL playoff teams in 2019.

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