It was just a week ago that Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe was lauding the Baltimore Ravens, noting that “they’re the best team in the AFC, and it’s not even close.”
Now, Sharpe is singing a different tune about the Ravens.
The Ravens blew a 15-point second-half lead to the Cleveland Browns in Week 10.
Baltimore’s defense allowed three scoring drives in the fourth quarter, and Jackson threw a pair of interceptions, including one that was returned the other way for a 34-yard pick-6.
Sharpe does not believe that Jackson is deserving of all of the blame for Baltimore’s collapse against Cleveland. However, the former Ravens tight end sees cause for concern with Jackson’s play as of late.
“What you cannot do is turn the ball over,” Sharpe said on ESPN’s “First Take” program. “Do you realize that Lamar Jackson has thrown just as many touchdowns as Mac Jones?
Lamar Jackson has fumbled the ball 10 times. … Do you realize Lamar Jackson has as many turnovers as touchdown passes? But see, when we call that stuff out, ‘Oh y’all hating, y’all want the narrative, y’all trying to bring a brother down.’
“I don’t do conjecture. I don’t do innuendo, and I don’t do speculation. Those are facts; you can look them up at your leisure. Lamar Jackson has been up and down, and it’s been masked because they’re winning. Now that they didn’t win and you see what happened, it’s hard for me to trust him. It is hard for me to trust Lamar; it’s hard for me to trust this team.”
Shannon “Unk” Sharpe froze up when pressed on why he has turnover concerns about Lamar Jackson and not Joe Burrow after yesterdays games.
I’ve told y’all for years what it is with Stephen and Shannon, specifically. Literally, For years pic.twitter.com/XXsDT7ThMg
— nittygrittysportstalk (@nittygritty410) November 13, 2023
Sharpe is a bit off with his statement that Jackson has as many touchdown passes as turnovers. The two-time Pro Bowler has tallied 10 passing touchdowns and 11 giveaways, with six fumbles lost and five interceptions.
Overall, Jackson has fumbled the football a total of 10 times this season, which ranks just behind Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) for the league-lead.
Jackson and the Ravens will look to get back on the right track in their upcoming home matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
