Lamar Jackson assumes the risk

You can never assume as a quarterback.

On Saturday night in a critical spot Lamar Jackson assumed. It might cost the Baltimore Ravens a trip to the AFC Championship Game.

Trailing 10-3 late in the third quarter the Ravens were on the move. Baltimore faced a crucial 3rd-and-goal inside the Buffalo Bills’ 10-yard line. The offense lined up with Jackson in the shotgun and three receivers to the left. Buffalo showed blitz, but they dropped into a soft zone coverage.

After taking the snap, Jackson looked to hit his tight end over the middle, working away from the leverage of an inside defender. Everything was fine…assuming that Taron Johnson, lurking underneath, would jump the route.

There’s that word again:

Working from a flat zone underneath Johnson gets to the middle of the field, stepping in front of the throw for the interception. Making matters worse, the defender returned the interception the distance, extending Buffalo’s lead.

As you see the replay, you can see why Jackson assumed the path would be clear. Baltimore was running a pair of curl routes in the end zone and the quarterback believed the outside curl would occupy Johnson. But the defender read Jackson’s eyes, and they took him to the football.

And they might take the Bills, now, to the AFC Championship Game.