The Baltimore Ravens’ heartbreaking 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills came down to one fateful decision—and Lamar Jackson says his own body had a say. Asked why the Ravens punted on a pivotal fourth-and-3, deep in their own territory late in the game, Jackson cited painful cramps. “I was cramping, so that’s why I pretty much jogged off the field,” he revealed after the game, suggesting that without the discomfort, he might have pushed to go for it.
Head coach John Harbaugh defended the team’s defense amid growing criticism of the call. While analytics experts estimated that going for the conversion could have increased Baltimore’s odds, Harbaugh maintained that punting was a reasonable choice—especially when considering the risks of allowing a fiery Josh Allen extra time and favorable field position.
The cramps offer context for what many saw as a conservative call from a coach known for boldness. Still, nothing can sidestep the sting: the Ravens were a field-goal away from sealing what felt like a surefire win, only to watch it slip away.
—
Photo Credit: Steve Jacobson / Shutterstock.com