Which struggling QB can turn things around in Steelers-Ravens: Lamar Jackson or Aaron Rodgers?

Things haven’t gone swimmingly for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. And Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is pulling his usual stunts. But which of these struggling quarterbacks can turn things around in the Steelers-Ravens matchup in Week 14?

Both teams enter with vanilla records of 6-6. Neither team is viewed as a significant playoff threat. Unless … one of these quarterbacks turns on the jets down the stretch.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson should get rolling

It’s the easy take: Choose Jackson to answer the title question. He’s still in his prime, and we saw the MVP-quality of his play in the 2024 season.

Yes, injuries may still be limiting Jackson. But there’s still a quarterback monster waiting to break loose if he can get things back in order.

Former Ravens defensive back Rod Woodson said Jackson can get the job done down the stretch, according to Glenn Clark Radio via baltimoreravens.com.

“Obviously, he can shake out of it,” Woodson said. “I think there’s a version of that he can get to again, and I think [Offensive Coordinator] Todd Monken can help him. But I think he has to help himself by doing the little things right. Because at the end of the day, when you’re not playing your best football, it’s not the big things that are messing you up. It’s the little bitty things that are messing you up.

“I think he needs to get back to the foundation of playing at the quarterback position. What does he need to do better, week in and week out, with his footwork, with his arm movement, but also what the defense is giving him? If it’s giving him a 5-yarder, throw the 5-yarder. Don’t try to look for a 15-20 yarder down the field and then take a sack.”

Jackson’s numbers don’t look all that bad in some respects. He’s completing 64.8% of his passes. And his touchdown-to-interception ratio is OK at 15-to-4. But in nine games, he has thrown for only 1,841 yards and 15 scores. That’s an average of 205 yards and 1.7 touchdowns per game. Last year, he averaged 245 and 2.4. So, it’s easy to see he’s not the same guy.

And what makes things worse is that Jackson hasn’t had a rushing or passing touchdown in three straight games. In fact, he has just one rushing touchdown all season. Whatever is going on, Jackson isn’t the same player.

But it’s crunch time. It’s put up or shut up. And Woodson says that matters.

“I know when it’s crunch time, and there’s critical drives or critical plays that have to happen, Lamar likes to be that guy,” Woodson said. “So, I know that’s in him still.”

Yes, but … Lamar may like to be that guy. But has Lamar been that guy when it really matters? He’s 3-5 in the playoffs. In those eight games, he has averaged 219 yards and 1.25 touchdowns, and 0.9 interceptions. Those numbers don’t suggest a player who gets it done in crunch time.

But when the comparison is Aaron Rodgers …

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have enough around him — just ask him

It’s comical to hear Rodgers say, “I need to be better,” shortly after blasting a teammate for not doing their part. That’s been his approach for most of his career. Throw out the fake accountability, but make sure everybody knows it’s not really his fault. Look at this from NBC Sports.

“When there’s film sessions, everyone shows up,” Rodgers said. “When I check to a route, run the right route.”

How about when you throw one into the ground, Rodgers? Whose fault is that?

One thing you can say in Rodgers’ favor is his toughness. At his age and bank account, he could be sitting in a studio, criticizing players from every team in the league. But he’s out there getting knocked to the ground on a fading team.

After having started the season with a 4-1 record, the Steelers are 2-5. Still, Rodgers played with a fractured left wrist Sunday, wearing a cast on it. He didn’t really help his team at all, going 10 of 21 for 117 yards. Yuck.

Rodgers is averaging 189.6 yards passing per game. It’s the lowest mark of his career, by far.

The chances of him suddenly finding his old self are next to zero. He just turned 42 years old. And he ain’t Tom Brady.

But the good news is Rodgers gets one last chance to prove people wrong. If he throws for 250-plus and three touchdowns — and the Steelers win the game — he will have an opportunity to be smug once again. It just doesn’t seem likely it will happen.

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