Nov 25, 2018; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium. Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
BALTIMORE — Rookie Lamar Jackson is not overly concerned about style points.
Instead, he is fully focused on leading the Baltimore Ravens to victories either by throwing or running the ball.
Jackson played well enough to win his second straight start for the injured Joe Flacco, helping Baltimore roll past the Oakland Raiders 34-17 on Sunday.
Now, the question is whether Jackson will take the reins again in Week 13 against Atlanta or will Flacco be able to resume his starting role.
“It’s the coach’s decision,” Jackson said.
Flacco still has to be cleared to practice this week.
The Ravens improved to 6-5 and tightened their grip on the sixth and final wild card spot. Baltimore is above .500 for the first time since mid-October.
“You got to get on a roll at a certain time of the season,” said Harbaugh, who picked up his 100th career win. “It’s hard to win a game in the National Football League. It’s a .500 league and it’s built to be a .500 league. You have to find your way to make a run somewhere, to win three, four, five, even six games in a row to separate yourself. You can do that at any time during the season. It’s what we’re shooting for, but the focus is one game at a time.”
Jackson was 14 of 25 for 178 yards with a pair of interceptions (58.4 passer rating). One week after running 27 times, Jackson ran for 71 yards on 11 carries, including a 39-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.
“There always room for improvement,” Jackson said. “We’re in a good spot right now. That was a key win. My confidence has always been there.”
Gus Edwards finished with 118 yards on 23 carries. The rookie became the first Ravens player to have consecutive 100-yard games since Justin Forsett in 2015.
Oakland lost for the sixth time in seven games, falling to 3-8.
“They’re a good football team,” Raiders coach John Gruden said about the Ravens. “Very good defensively. Credit the young quarterback and credit the coaching staff for making some great adjustments. And modifying the offense to suit the kid. Very disappointed obviously with the loss.”
Jackson ran for a 5-yard score that gave the Ravens a 20-10 lead early in third quarter.
The Raiders pulled to with three points with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr to Jared Cook with 5:09 left in the third quarter.
Baltimore continued to run the ball effectively and the Raiders began to wear down. Baltimore held the ball for 15:43, compared to 2:31 for the Raiders to open the second half.
The Ravens finished with 242 yards on the ground.
Edwards helped carry the load and had six carries that helped set up a 8-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Michael Crabtree, increasing the Ravens lead to 27-17 with 11:16 remaining in the game.
Matt Judon had a strip-sack on Oakland quarterback Derek Carr and Terrell Suggs picked up the loose ball and ran 43 yards for the score. It was the first time Suggs scored off a fumble in his 16-year career.
“That was a good way to close out the game,” Suggs said. “We played well. It’s a good feeling.”
Judon became the first player to register a sack on three straight plays since Cullen Jenkins accomplished the same feat for the Packers in 2006.
“We just have to keep winning,” Judon said. “It can’t get discouraged. It’s a tough league to win in. We’ve played some tough teams.”
Carr was 16 of 34 for 195 yards with a touchdown.
He orchestrated a 12-play, 81-yard drive on the game’s first possession. The Raiders took the lead on a 1-yard plunge by Doug Martin that was initially ruled a fumble before being reviewed.
Cyrus Jones’ first career touchdown gave the Ravens their first lead 10-7 on a 70-yard punt return. It was also Baltimore’s first touchdown off a punt return since Oct. 15, 2017.
Jackson threw a 74-yard pass to fellow rookie Mark Andrews that set up a 28-yard field goal by Justin Tucker.
