Lamar Jackson

One reason each AFC team could disappoint their fan base: Will offensive line let down Lamar Jackson?

The 2026 NFL season is officially here, and every fan base believes they have a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy (except maybe the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals ). It's all happiness and butterflies for football fans as we enter opening week, but have you ever stopped to wonder if all this optimism is unwarranted? Let's get pessimistic and talk about one reason why every team in the AFC will disappoint its fan base in 2026. If your team fails to meet expectations this season -- whatever those are -- what will be the reason? From awful offensive lines to questionable quarterbacks, to shaky secondaries and pathetic pass rushes, there are reasons to be wary of every team in the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens have three new starters on the interior of their offensive line: John Simpson at left guard, Ethan Pocic or Jovaughn Gwyn at center and first-round pick Olaivavega Ioane at right guard. If this group can't stop pressure up the middle, Lamar Jackson is going to be scrambling for his life. Now, the two-time NFL MVP is pretty good at scrambling, but if he suffers any kind of injury, the Ravens are toast. Jackson missed four games with a hamstring injury in 2025, and while he eventually returned, the Ravens quarterback accounted for just 12 touchdowns compared to eight turnovers in the final nine games of the season. Anyone who watched the Ravens knew something was off, as Jackson's rushing yards per game dropped from 41.5 to 20.3. So, can this offensive line keep Jackson upright and healthy? The Cincinnati Bengals defense is expected to be "better" in 2026 given the additions of players like Dexter Lawrence II, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook . But how much better? This unit ranked third-worst in scoring defense (28.9) and dead last in yards per play allowed (6.2) last year. The Bengals have now missed three straight postseasons after back-to-back AFC title game appearances, largely because of the defense (along with Joe Burrow's injuries). Can Cincinnati generate any pass rush with Mafe, Myles Murphy , Shemar Stewart and Cashius Howell ? Will linebackers Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr . perform better in Year 2? The secondary looks solid on paper, but this group gave up 7.0 YAC per reception last season -- the most by any team in the last 20 years! The Bengals will have to prove their issues on defense are fixed. Andrew Berry put together the best draft class in the NFL last season and appears to have another solid group coming in with Spencer Fano , KC Concepcion , Denzel Boston and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren . This Cleveland Browns defense is going to be effective, even without Myles Garrett . The problem is that they still don't have a quarterback! Whether you were surprised by the decision or not, Deshaun Watson did not earn the job over Shedeur Sanders in the preseason. He's been statistically the worst starting quarterback in the NFL since that infamous trade back in 2022 and will surely be on a short leash this season. Sanders definitely energizes the fan base, but he was also statistically one of the worst quarterbacks in the league since his NFL debut in Week 11 last year. Personally, I'd roll with Sanders. But the quarterback issue may set up another season-long nightmare for our friends up in Cleveland. Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers moved on from Mike Tomlin and replaced him with Mike McCarthy, I view this team exactly the same as I did last year: a fringe playoff team that is competitive but won't win the Super Bowl. The Achilles' heel of this team could be the offensive line or the secondary. This Steelers pass defense ranked fourth-worst in the NFL last year. They did add Jamel Dean , who is a legitimate starter at corner, and safety Jaquan Brisker , who loves to mash the hit stick but has struggled in coverage and with concussions. We also don't know if Joey Porter Jr . will be in the fold. He's finally been activated from the PUP list, but he hasn't been practicing with the team. Porter is seek [... truncated ...]

Lamar Jackson on Ravens' new offense: Defenses aren't prepared for what's in store

The Ravens have a new head coach in Jesse Minter, and a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, and quarterback Lamar Jackson says opposing defenses don’t know what’s going to hit them when the season starts. Jackson told Adam Schein that he’s excited to unleash an offense that hasn’t been seen before. “I just can’t wait to showcase it,” Jackson said. “I don’t believe a defense is prepared for what’s in store for them.” Doyle was the Bears’ offensive coordinator last year, but in Chicago, head coach Ben Johnson implements the offensive system and calls the plays. Minter has a defensive background, and this is Doyle’s first opportunity to run an offense. Jackson said it’s an exciting scheme. “It’s a lot of moving parts, it’s guys flying around,” Jackson said. “Everything you need in an offense, play action, dropbacks, run game, everything you need in an offensive system.” Jackson didn’t play at all in the preseason, so we haven’t seen what the new offense looks like in his hands. We’ll see it in Indianapolis next Sunday, when the Ravens open the regular season against the Colts

Eric DeCosta "optimistic" about a deal for Lamar Jackson before March

The Ravens quarterback has two seasons left on his deal, with a cap hit of $84.340 million for 2027

Eric DeCosta "optimistic" about a deal for Lamar Jackson before March

The Ravens have talked about signing Lamar Jackson to an extension since January. The quarterback, who serves as his own agent, has made it clear he wants a new deal. Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta said Wednesday that he’s “optimistic” about getting a contract extension completed with Jackson before March. “I’m optimistic. I feel good about it,” DeCosta repeated, via video from Jamison Hensley of ESPN. DeCosta declined to reveal further detail, citing the unique negotiations with Jackson, who doesn’t have an agent. “I really don’t like to get into details,” DeCosta said. “I’m not going to talk about it specifically. I think Lamar and I have a pact. As you all know — I’ve said it probably 50 times — we’re not going to talk about business publicly. It’s a different type of negotiation, because it’s a different type of negotiation with Lamar.” Jackson’s five-year, $260 million contract has two years remaining, with an $84.340 million cap hit for 2027. The two-time MVP was the highest-paid player in the NFL when he signed his deal in 2023. His annual average of $52 million now ranks 11th in the NFL

Trade: Jayden Daniels, Matthew Stafford, George Kittle +3 more

Derrick Henry Has Shown No Signs of Slowing, Fully Capable of Another League-Winning Season

Derrick Henry, at 32, continues to defy age with eight consecutive double-digit touchdown seasons and the second-best odds to lead the league in rushing scores. Despite a minimal receiving profile, he has been an RB1 in six of the past seven seasons. With a new offensive coordinator expected to feature Lamar Jackson more, and with no significant changes to Henry's workload anticipated behind him, he remains a potent fantasy asset and a potential bargain at his current ADP

12 NFL teams did not play their starting quarterbacks in the preseason

More than one‑third of starting QBs missed the entire preseason, with teams ranging from the Chiefs to the Saints keeping their starters on the sidelines

Football 301 predicts AFC North win totals where Lamar Jackson and the Ravens return to prominence, Joe Burrow's Bengals bounce back and the Steelers and Browns miss the playoffs

It's Lamar Jackson 3.0 in Baltimore. Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, will the Bengals truly commit to more under-center play-action to unlock explosive plays for Joe Burrow?

The Ja'Kobi Lane hype is real: Ravens rookie could quickly become Lamar Jackson's WR2

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ja'Kobi Lane has been one of the biggest stars of training camp league-wide and the biggest star of Baltimore Ravens camp. That continued Wednesday during Baltimore's joint practice with the Washington Commanders. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound rookie out of USC looks the part. He can win 50-50 balls, make spectacular catches outside his frame and provide the type of size-skill combination Baltimore has long sought for Lamar Jackson . Just as importantly, Lane isn't only making plays against backups. He is earning extensive work with the first-team offense. Still, I left Wednesday's practice with one question: How seriously should we take Lane's rapid rise? So I asked CBS Sports NFL reporter Matt Zenitz, who said the Ravens' enthusiasm surrounding Lane is very real. Within the first week of training camp, a Baltimore source told Zenitz that Lane was already a starter in 11 personnel and the team's No. 3 receiver alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman . "They're obviously very enthusiastic about what they've seen from him so far, and he's clearly had a great offseason," Zenitz said. There was one important caveat from a team source: "It is camp. We'll see what he does when the season starts." That is a fair warning. Every August produces a breakout star or two whose regular-season role never matches the training camp hype. Lane hasn't taken an NFL snap that counts, and Bateman remains ahead of him in Baltimore's pecking order. That was evident Wednesday, too. With Flowers sidelined, Bateman had a big day. He beat Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson twice during one-on-one drills and added several catches in team periods. Bateman hasn't lived up to his first-round billing through five NFL seasons, but he remains a talented player who could benefit from Baltimore's new offense -- and perhaps from the added competition created by drafting Lane (No. 80 overall) and Elijah Sarratt (No. 115 overall). "I would definitely say I could benefit from the situation that I'm in," Bateman said last week. So no, Lane is not Baltimore's No. 2 receiver right now. But there is a plausible scenario in which the Ravens need him to become one. Bateman was arrested in June in Georgia and faces charges of family violence battery , reckless conduct and first-degree criminal damage to property stemming from an alleged incident involving the mother of his child. According to court records obtained by ESPN, police alleged Bateman damaged a vehicle carrying the woman and their 3-month-old daughter and that the woman sustained injuries during the incident. Bateman's attorney, Jordan Siev, said the family situation had been "taken completely out of context" and that the facts would emerge through the court process. The case remains pending. The Ravens said they have been in direct communication with Bateman, notified the NFL and are cooperating with the league. Coach Jesse Minter declined to comment beyond the team's statement. In addition to the court proceedings, Bateman could face discipline under the NFL's personal conduct policy. The league's baseline discipline for a first offense involving assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault is a six-game suspension, although the circumstances and eventual findings of each case can affect the outcome. That uncertainty matters when evaluating Lane's potential role -- both for the Ravens and for fantasy managers. Baltimore has spent much of Jackson's career searching for consistent outside receiving help. Flowers has emerged as a legitimate top option, but the depth behind him remains largely unproven. Flowers was the only Ravens wide receiver last season to record more than 22 receptions or 330 receiving yards. Lane, a third-round pick, is currently positioned as the third receiver in an offense that will still flow through Jackson, Flowers and a deep group of tight ends and running backs. That may make it difficult for him to command a significant target share immedia [... truncated ...]

Mark Andrews Looking to Overcome Poor 2025 Campaign

Mark Andrews looking to bounce back after poor 2025 season

Lamar Jackson: Ja'Kobi Lane is like Odell Beckham Jr., DeAndre Hopkins with his hands

Ravens' rookie receiver Ja'Kobi Lane impresses with his hands, drawing comparisons from Lamar Jackson

Commanders offense called 'worst I've ever seen' in years vs. Ravens: Fact or fiction from joint practice

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- If a neutral observer only saw the tail end of the Washington Commanders ' joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens , they would have said Washington more than held its own. In the final drill, both teams got one possession, trailing by four with under a minute left. The Commanders' defense got a fourth-down stop when Mike Sainristil intercepted Lamar Jackson . The Commanders' offense followed that up with Jayden Daniels fading away from heavy pressure and lofting a beautiful pass to Antonio Williams for a touchdown. The Commanders' sideline erupted and stormed the end zone. But if said observer had watched the entire two-hour session, they might have thought the two teams didn't even belong on the same field. Baltimore's thorough dominance was both eye-opening and telling of where both teams stand with the regular season two and a half weeks away. Training camp and the preseason deliver us a lot of information at once. Some of it proves to be overreaction, but some of it proves prescient. As such, let's play a game of "fact or fiction" from Wednesday's developments. By far the biggest mismatch was the Commanders' ragtag offense against Baltimore's defense, a unit already loaded with talent and poised to be one of the league's best under new head coach Jesse Minter. Yes, Washington was without three starting offensive linemen -- LT Laremy Tunsil (torn triceps) will miss extended time, if not the whole season; C Nick Allegretti (calf) continues to miss much of training camp; and RG Sam Cosmi (illness) was also out -- and its top two running backs, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White . But at a time when teams are supposed to be building and evaluating depth, Washington looked in disarray. As longtime Commanders beat writer Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic posted ... This is the worst I’ve ever seen the Commanders’ offense in years. Inoperable offensive line. There were multiple miscues on snaps, the most basic aspect of football at any level, as fifth-round rookie center Matt Gulbin got first-team reps. Julian Good-Jones , who had been working at center in Allegretti's absence, shifted to right guard with Cosmi out but hardly fared any better. Tanoa Togiai also worked in with the first team. If the day could be summed up in one play, it was Daniels being forced to field a wayward snap, only to throw an interception to Kyle Hamilton on a play doomed from the start. "I feel like we were just out of sync, a little bit, with our combos," RT Josh Conerly Jr . said . "There was a little bit of a mixup in the lineup as well, so there were some guys next to each other that haven't worked next to each other all camp." Daniels found Terry McLaurin for one chunk gain but otherwise was limited mainly to underneath throws, scrambles and would-be sacks. "Not the best day that I thought we could have had, all-around, from myself to everybody else, but these are the opportunities that you get to learn from," Daniels said. "Good thing about it, man, it's August." He's right. It is August. But August is slowly slipping away, and not in the right direction. In preseason Week 2 -- the only preseason action the starters got -- Daniels was heavily pressured on his first play and sacked on his second. Washington ran a draw on third down to escape any further damage and punted. As such, this joint practice seemed to be a crucial one, and it did not go well. The offensive line is, plainly, a mess. The Commanders were never anticipating Gulbin playing significant snaps (and he still might not). Good-Jones has played two NFL snaps, back in the 2023 season finale. Togiai is an undrafted rookie. They are back-of-roster or practice-squad players. "I gotta do my job at the end of the day," Daniels said. "They have to do their job. I'm never one to go out there and complain about X, Y and Z, because at the end of the day, I can [only] control what I can control. ... Julian, Matt, they're doing a tremendous job up front w [... truncated ...]

Lamar Jackson on running more this season: Whatever it takes to win

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was less of a threat running the ball in 2025 than at any other point in his career and he’s playing in a new offense this season, which is a combination that has led many to wonder about how he’ll approach the game in 2026. Jackson was asked specifically about the running aspect of his game during a press conference on Wednesday and whether he thinks he will get back to the style of play that helped him to a pair of MVPs earlier in his career. Jackson pointed out that he wasn’t healthy last year to open an answer that suggested he’ll be trying to use his legs whenever the opportunity arises this time around. “I really couldn’t do anything like I wanted to ,” Jackson said. “It really wouldn’t put my team in a good position if I was just running hurt — losing yards, things like that would have happened. Whatever it takes to win, that’s what I’m all about. I’ve always been about that too.” Jackson reiterated “whatever it takes to win” in response to a followup and the chance to see what a healthy Jackson looks like in the new system will be one of the biggest attractions in Week 1 of the regular season

2026 NFL betting, odds: 5 sell-high spots for some expected contenders

The article lists 5 teams to sell high on for the upcoming NFL season

Ja'Kobi Lane Continues to Generate Hype

Ravens rookie WR Ja'Kobi Lane impresses in training camp, drawing praise from Lamar Jackson and Declan Doyle

Justin Herbert, Chargers' Starters to Play in Preseason Finale

The plan is for all of the Los Angeles Chargers starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, to play in the preseason finale on Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams, minus safety Derwin James and pass-rusher Khalil Mack, according to Alex Insdorf. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has been effusive in his praise of Herbert as he learns his offense this summer. The 28-year-old former sixth overall pick in 2020 from Oregon had at least 4,000 passing yards in each of his first three years in the NFL, but he is now on a run of three straight seasons with fewer than 4,000 yards. In 16 regular-season starts in 2025, Herbert threw for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions behind a bad offensive line in L.A. If the Bolts' offensive line can protect Herbert better, he will have a great chance to return to the 4,000-yard passing mark in 2026 in his seventh NFL season under McDaniel. RotoBaller currently has Herbert ranked as the No. 7 fantasy QB, behind only Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, and Drake Maye

Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL futures odds, trends: Did Josh Allen miss his best Super Bowl chance last season?

The most accomplished active NFL quarterback who has yet to reach a Super Bowl ? Some could argue Baltimore's Lamar Jackson , but I'd counter with Buffalo's Josh Allen . Might Allen have missed his best chance to reach a Super Bowl last season, when neither Jackson nor fellow multiple-time MVP Patrick Mahomes nor Joe Burrow were even in the AFC playoff field? Fans interested in futures betting on the best betting apps need to follow our NFL news page, and bettors can find picks from the SportsLine Projection Model and our experts for the 2026 NFL season. Wager on the NFL with the latest FanDuel promo code and get up to $350 in Bet Reset Tokens when you bet $5 for 7 days: Bettors at DraftKings Sportsbook, one of the best sports betting sites , don't think so. Maybe Bills ownership did, because it allowed the firing of mega-successful head coach Sean McDermott when most Buffalo fans have been putting the blame on GM Brandon Beane for not putting enough talent around Allen, especially at wideout. McDermott owned the second-most wins wins (98) in an NFL head coach's first nine seasons in league history. Yet ownership not only kept Beane but doubled down by also giving him the title of President of Football Operations. The good news is that it should be a pretty seamless coaching transition, with former offensive coordinator Joe Brady now in the top job. Since Brady took over for the fired Ken Dorsey in November 2023 at OC, Buffalo has the NFL's best record (31-10), top scoring offense (29.1 points per game) and most rushing scores (72), while ranking fourth in average total offense per game (380.9 yards). Check out Josh Allen props and more NFL picks at DraftKings, where new users get $200 in bonus bets paid within 21 days after they spend $5+: Allen leads the NFL in total touchdowns in that span with 98 (obviously he rushes for many, as well) and his touchdown-to-turnover ratio of 3.38 is second-best in the league. His ratio of 2.06 under Dorsey was eighth. And Allen is still square in his prime, having turned 30 in May. There's no doubt a bit of a Super Bowl weight is starting to grow – especially after a playoff career-high four turnovers in last season's Divisional Round OT loss in Denver. As a quick aside, perhaps fade the Bills this year if they play in overtime. Allen is now 0-7 in such games including playoffs, the most OT losses without a win in NFL history. Three of those are in the playoffs, tied for most. The 2024 NFL MVP owns 340 total touchdowns including playoffs, which are the most by any player in history before age 30. Allen also owns the second-most quarterback wins (96) and total yards (39,540) before age 30, including playoffs. But also … the most playoff losses (seven) by a starting QB before age 30. Sign up here to wager on NFL futures using the BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS: For this season, Allen is the +600 favorite for a second MVP, +2500 to lead the league in passing yards and +2000 in passing TDs. I don't recommend either of those, simply as Allen runs so much that he doesn't put up video-game passing numbers. But DraftKings is exposed on Allen for the passing TDs prop. His season totals are set at 3,624.5 yards and 24.5 pass TDs. Huge Over leans on both at the book. Allen should have a true No. 1 receiver this season, unlike last, after the trade acquisition of D.J. Moore. Buffalo ranked outside the top 20 league-wide in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns the past two seasons after ranking top two in all categories the four prior to that, when Stefon Diggs was a clear No. 1. To win their first Super Bowl, the Bills are +1000, along with +510 for the AFC and -136 for the AFC East. You can bet their win total at either 10.5 or 11.5, but Over 11.5 (+154) is the most-wagered Over, both via tickets and handle, at the book of any club. Via tickets and handle, DK's two most-wagered Super Bowl matchups are Bills vs. Rams and Bills vs. Bears . Click here to sign up for Caesars Sport [... truncated ...]

The eight milestones Aaron Rodgers could reach during his final NFL season

As Aaron Rodgers enters his final NFL season, he has a chance to reach several notable milestones. He already holds records for touchdown/interception ratio and passer rating, and is tied for the best career passer rating. Rodgers is also on the verge of joining an elite group of quarterbacks with over 70,000 career passing yards, needing 3,726 yards to do so. Despite an Achilles injury in 2023 that likely ended his chance to pass Brett Favre on the all-time passing list, Rodgers is still poised to achieve significant career statistical achievements in his final year

Can Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow avoid the quarterback midlife crisis?

Last season was a down year for the AFC's superstar quarterbacks I like to call the "big four." None of Patrick Mahomes , Josh Allen , Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow made the AFC title game. Mahomes, Jackson and Burrow all missed the playoffs and combined to miss 16 regular-season games. Now, don't get me wrong, confidence is still understandably high in this group. Our experts ranked them as four of the best five quarterbacks in the league entering this season. But, maybe 2025 was more than a fluke. Maybe, just maybe, they are in the midst of, or entering the sports version of a midlife crisis. Think about it. They are getting up there in age. All four quarterbacks are either approaching age 30 or have already turned 30 years old. Could they be questioning their careers? Allen and Jackson still haven't made the Super Bowl and this is the age when mobile quarterbacks start to decline. Burrow had some midlife crisis-type comments last year. Mahomes is coming off a serious knee injury and the Chiefs fell apart last year. What's next? Mood swings and impulsive decisions? Maybe a little jealousy? The next generation of star quarterbacks could be waiting in the wings ( Justin Herbert , C.J. Stroud , Drake Maye , Fernando Mendoza ??) In all seriousness, each future Hall of Fame quarterback is entering the second half of their career with plenty of promise but also some concerns about their Super Bowl windows. That's why I'm looking at a case for and against a midlife crisis for each one with a verdict included. Mahomes is the most fascinating case. He's only 30 years old and is already one of three players all time with three Super Bowl MVPs (Brady and Joe Montana). As he chases Brady for GOAT status, it's actually Brady who provides the blueprint for what Mahomes' midlife crisis could look like. Like Mahomes, Brady tore his ACL in his ninth season. He also went a decade between his third and fourth rings as he competed with the likes of Peyton Manning , Ben Roethlisberger , Joe Flacco and Philip Rivers in the AFC. Mahomes also has plenty of talent to compete with in the AFC who are champing at the bit after he's been ring blocking for years. You can definitely make a case the Chiefs' dynasty is over (at least version 1.0) as players decline and bills come due. Kansas City needed to trade Tyreek Hill a few years ago. They moved Joe Thuney last year. This offseason we saw most of their secondary get dismantled headlined by Trent McDuffie's trade to the Rams . Kelce lost a step (or two) and Chris Jones is beginning to decline. You can see the toll all of that has taken as the Chiefs sputtered last year. They have also been struggling on offense for three years now. We are looking at a 50+-game sample where the Chiefs are below average in scoring. Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Brady never had a 30+-game stretch in their careers where their team was below league average in scoring. There doesn't appear to be a solution in sight as Worthy hasn't lived up to the 4.21 40 hype and Rice can't stay on the field. I was shocked when I found this stat recently. The Chiefs are the only team in the NFL without a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver in a season in the past three years. The lack of playmaking around Mahomes has caught up to them. So has how defenses are playing them. Mahomes has just seven pass touchdowns on deep throws (20+ air yards) since Hill was traded in the 2022 offseason. That's tied for 27th in the league. He had 41 in four seasons prior to that, easily the most in football. We're all waiting for 50-TD Mahomes to walk through that door again. But with all of the above in mind, it's probably going to take some time. Plus, I buried the lede. Mahomes is coming off last year's knee injury. Although he's healthy for the start of the year, we still don't know how this could impact a quarterback who relies on his legs a lot. He leads the NFL in passing first downs (114) and rushing first downs (60) outside the pocket in the pa [... truncated ...]

NFL survivor pool picks, advice, strategy for Week 1, 2026: Avoid the Dallas Cowboys

Week 1 NFL survivor pool picks and advice, including a team to avoid