Time is a significant theme for the Baltimore Ravens over the next month of the season. In the 2026 season, time is running out with just three regular-season games left.
For the John Harbaugh era, time could be running out as well, with how the end of the season finishes likely having an impact on his future in Baltimore. And for Lamar Jackson, time almost ran out on him, making the Ravens’ team flight to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Jackson arrived 15 minutes late on the Ravens’ team plane on Saturday due to traffic, but instead of the tardiness being an omen of the misfortune about to occur in the game, it was quite the opposite.
Lamar Had a Good Feeling
On a frigid day in Cincinnati, where both the run game was effective, and the defense dominated, Lamar Jackson didn’t have to throw much, but when he did, he was efficient. Jackson went 8-of-12 for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Ravens’ 24-0 victory.
Jackson, despite being late for the team’s flight on Saturday, had a good feeling entering the game. Justin Robertson, in his December 14 article for Ravens.com, wrote about Jackson’s mood heading into the game.
“I feel like every time I’ve been late, we’ve had good games,” Jackson said with a grin. “… When I was late to the airport, I felt like it was going to be a good game. I didn’t want to tell [the team] that, but the cat is out of the bag now.”
Jackson got back on track after having just two total touchdowns, compared to four interceptions in the Ravens’ last four games. The Ravens’ playoff hopes hinge on Jackson returning to MVP form, and Sunday’s game was a step in the right direction.
The Plane Wasn’t Leaving Without Jackson
While Lamar Jackson, along with several other players, was running late to the team plane due to traffic, the reality is that Jackson could have been two hours late, and the plane still wouldn’t have taken off without him.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh discussed in his post-game press conference that the team might have had to take a bus instead if Jackson hadn’t arrived before inclement weather started. Ravens.com provided the transcript.
“Well, I knew [Lamar Jackson] was going to get there. I knew the plane wasn’t going to leave. We did have a dilemma, because the weather was coming in – there was a problem,” Harbaugh said. “If we didn’t get in at a certain time, we were going to have to go to Louisville and bus up. So, you had to make a decision. Are we going to take a bus from Louisville and put Lamar [Jackson] on a plane?”
Harbaugh then discussed how President Donald Trump’s attendance at the Army-Navy game in Baltimore was a significant factor in the traffic being so backed up.
“‘President [Donald] Trump is coming to Baltimore [for the Army-Navy Game]. The Secret Service is going to close down the city, and they’re not going to let you out,” Harbaugh said. “‘You have to leave by 1 p.m.,‘ we told them. Well, they thought that they knew better, and they left like 1:15 p.m., and next thing you know, we have four guys trapped in the city by the Secret Service.”
Luckily for the Ravens, everything worked out travel-wise, and they hope that luck continues as they need some help to make the playoffs and win the AFC North.
Lamar Jackson’s Near Missed Team Flight Gave Him a Positive Premonition