Lamar Jackson Vents Frustration After Another Tough Loss to Steelers: ‘That S–t is Annoying’
The Baltimore Ravens might be one of the most successful franchises in recent history, but their fanbase has become all too familiar with frustration when it comes to key divisional match-ups. And this was just an all-too-recurring nightmare. In a tense and grinding game against their bitter rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens suffered yet another gut-wrenching setback. Although Baltimore had chances to win, they fell short with a painful 17-10 loss in Week 5 of the 2023 season. This time, quarterback Lamar Jackson wasn’t holding back his frustration—both with the game and with himself.
Another Frustrating Loss for Jackson
Lamar Jackson has been outspoken about the highs and lows of his career, but after this loss to the Steelers, he wasn’t mincing words. In a candid postgame interview, Jackson didn’t hold back. “That s–t is annoying,” he stated, expressing his disappointment after the game. His frustration was palpable, and rightfully so. Jackson has been at the heart of the Ravens’ success since coming into the league, but lately, victory against the Steelers has become a tough mountain to climb. Pittsburgh seems to have the Ravens’ number.
Jackson wasn’t just upset about the rivalry loss, though. He was also critical of his own mistakes. “I feel like we got to lock in,” Jackson said. He knows that the Ravens had multiple chances to come out of the game on top but failed to capitalize after a series of missed opportunities.
Missed Chances Cost the Ravens
The game was filled with missed opportunities for both sides, but it was the Ravens who will be kicking themselves over what they left on the field. Baltimore could not convert in the red zone, scoring only one touchdown the entire game. Their last-minute scoring drives were stopped cold, adding to their woes. On the stat sheet, the Ravens looked like they should have owned the game, outgaining the Steelers in total yards and time of possession. The problem, though, turned out to be turnovers, dropped passes, and critical decisions that backfired.
A clear example of those missed chances: Jackson fumbled in the second quarter, giving the Steelers a momentum-changing turnover. There were also five dropped passes from Raven receivers, one of the most glaring mistakes coming from rookie Zay Flowers. But what really twisted the knife was a red zone interception thrown by Jackson late in the game. It’s those little mistakes in timing and execution that continue to hound the Ravens, putting wins just out of their reach.
Pittsburgh Defense Steals the Show Again
Pittsburgh’s defense deserves massive credit for making Jackson’s day absolutely miserable. The Ravens quarterback had only 236 passing yards and failed to throw a touchdown. The Steelers have long been known for their smash-mouth defense, and Sunday was no exception. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith dominated the Ravens’ frontline, contributing to Jackson struggling to find his rhythm. Highsmith stripped Jackson for that critical fumble and also had a defensive touchdown—sealing the win for Pittsburgh late in the game.
Even Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave recognition to his defensive unit, saying, “We were far from perfect, but we made timely stops when it mattered most.” That’s the type of gritty performance that keeps the Steelers hanging around even when their offense sputters.
Jackson Wants More Consistency from Himself and the Team
Jackson owns up to his mistakes, but he’s clearly ready for the Ravens to find some consistency before it’s too late. “We’re nearly there, but we need to be better,” Jackson insisted postgame. For the game, Jackson went 22-of-38 passing, which included no touchdowns and an interception. Those aren’t the kinds of stats you expect from a former MVP candidate, and that’s likely adding to Jackson’s frustration.
What’s Going Wrong for Jackson and Co.?
The Ravens have been puzzling this season. At moments, they look like the dominating AFC force many expect them to be. Their blowout wins, like their 28-3 domination over the Cleveland Browns just a week earlier, show what Baltimore is capable of when things click. But then there are games like this matchup with the Steelers, where the pieces just don’t fit.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s been going wrong with Baltimore:
- Turnovers: Jackson has struggled with ball security this season. His two turnovers in the game (one fumble, one interception) cost the Ravens dearly. So far this season, Jackson has given away the ball six times, a concerning trend if Baltimore hopes to find success later on.
- Drops: The Ravens’ wide receivers have let Jackson down repeatedly, with five dropped passes against the Steelers. That’s not the kind of help an offense needs in a tough divisional rivalry game.
- Lack of Red Zone Efficiency: Baltimore stalled repeatedly within scoring range. They managed only 10 points overall, a figure that isn’t going to win many close games in the NFL.
Are the Ravens in Trouble?
Despite the recent woes, it’s important to keep some perspective. The Ravens are still a strong 3-2 team. They had an excellent chance to win this game—even with all of their mistakes. But these problems, if they aren’t corrected soon, could snowball as the season progresses.
Opposing teams know Baltimore is dangerous when clicking, but they’ll also notice these vulnerabilities. Jackson’s somewhat erratic play thus far might continue adding pressure on an already stressed offense.
What’s Next for the Ravens?
It’s not all doom and gloom. The AFC North has proven to be a battleground, but the Ravens aren’t out of the fight yet. Games against weaker teams—or even more challenging ones—will give them a shot to realign and get back on track. The consistency that Jackson spoke of is key, and the upcoming schedule gives them a chance to find that rhythm.
But one thing is clear: Baltimore has to figure out how to right the ship once and for all if they want to live up to their Super Bowl potential. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills will eat them alive if they make the kinds of mistakes they did against the Steelers.
Jackson On His Own Mentality
When asked about the mentality it takes to bounce back from games like these, Jackson remains focused. “Every loss is tough, man. But you can’t let it get to you. You have to learn from it. We’ve been here before,” Jackson said with determination. For a quarterback who has faced his fair share of ups and downs, Jackson’s ability to still look ahead says something about his resilience.
Looking Ahead
The Ravens will now need to pivot and get ready for the rest of the season. The rest of their schedule offers an eclectic mix of playoff contenders and easier opponents, meaning they’ll need to bring their A-game more consistently.
- Next up for Baltimore is the Tennessee Titans.
- They face the Detroit Lions shortly after.
- A critical AFC North rematch with the Bengals looms in November.
Let’s face it, Ravens fans: the sky isn’t falling, but the ceiling may start to crumble if the team can’t hit its stride soon. For Jackson and the rest of the team, it’s all about locking in and ensuring those frustrating losses transform into valuable lessons to set them up for success down the road.
Final Thoughts
So, where do the Ravens go from here? It’s evident that mistakes are taking their toll, and Jackson is growing desperate to turn things around—not just in terms of wins and losses, but in bringing more consistency to an often dazzling but unreliable offense. With key divisional games still ahead of them, it’s vital for Baltimore to put it all together quickly. A season can change in an instant, and the Ravens don’t want to fall out of contention in an extremely competitive AFC.
While the sting from their latest letdown against the Steelers will linger, Lamar Jackson has proven time and time again that he can bounce back strong. The Ravens just have to make sure their star QB, and the rest of the team, smooth out the wrinkles before any more winnable games slip through their fingers.
Originally Written by: Cody Benjamin
