John Harbaugh shares what he saw in Lamar Jackson’s return

After several days of speculation and judgment about how it is Baltimore Ravens handled Lamar Jackson’s injury status in Week 8, the team and its fans were ready to turn their attention to the field. The superstar quarterback showed no signs of the hamstring problem that has sidelined him for a month as he dominated the Miami Dolphins in his big return on Thursday night.

Considering the rust Jackson had to shake off and the sense of urgency surrounding the Ravens, it would be reasonable to expect some bad decisions or bad throws. The two-time MVP looked incredibly sharp at Hard Rock Stadium, however, completing 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns in a 28-6 victory. Jackson benefited from some Dolphins sloppiness, but he flourished anyway.

Baltimore coach John Harbaugh was impressed, to say the least. “I’m proud of the way he came out and played,” the Super Bowl 47 champion told the media, per Jeff Zrebic of the Athletics. When Jackson is efficient and lethal in the air, this team is downright dangerous.

The tone of the season has changed drastically. Charm City is once again full of hope and enthusiasm.

The Ravens are at it again

Baltimore’s goal for most of October was simply to survive. He scored a combined 13 points in the first two games without Jackson, losing to both the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Rams. As the campaign slipped away, old friend Tyler Huntley stepped up to the team last week, and the defense shined in a desperately needed 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears. The Ravens then kept the momentum going on their trip to Miami, especially keeping the Dolphins out of the end zone.

Harbaugh knows how important that was to his guys step up in this crucial periodand they did not disappoint. “We had two games we had to win in four days, and they were absolutely must-wins,” he said, per Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner. “It takes faith and it takes courage.”

Ravens season is now very much alive heading into November. They will try to overcome a favorable stretch that includes meetings with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals. If Lamar Jackson can stay hot, the AFC North standings could change in the foreseeable future.