Baltimore Ravens face quarterback dilemma after multiple scratches
The Baltimore Ravens face a difficult situation at quarterback this week, following multiple reports on the availability of Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. After the team’s star left Week 13 with an ankle injury, Huntley stepped up with a record-setting performance in the 31-30 loss against the Green Bay Packers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Huntley tested positive for COVID-19 this morning while Jackson did not make the flight after failing to practice this week.
Veteran journeyman Josh Johnson is now in line for Sunday’s start as the only quarterback making the trip to Cincinnati this week.
Johnson has appeared in three games this season, all for the New York Jets. He has completed 29 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Prior to this season, his last NFL game experience and start came with the Washington Football Team in 2018. Before that stint as an emergency option at quarterback, his last NFL game came in 2013. With two unusually long gaps in his NFL resume, Johnson has accumulated a 1-7 record as a starter over the past 12 seasons.
NFL playoff scenarios
As the NFL enters the home stretch, many teams are looking towards their futures. Two teams has clinched their spot already. First, the Green Bay Packers have already locked up the NFC North. Then, the Dallas Cowboys got good news on their day off — clinching their spots on Thursday due to a San Francisco 49ers loss. For everyone else, more still needs to happen for them to guarantee their spot in the playoffs.
The AFC has been begging for a team to rise to the top. Evidently, it’s going to be a familiar face, as the Kansas City Chiefs now look like the top team.
For the Chiefs, their playoff clinching scenarios are easy — just get a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Chiefs clinch their ticket to the post-season with a win, if the Los Angeles Chargers lose as well they’ll win the AFC West.
Continuing, Bill Belichick looks to be back on his way to the playoffs. The New England Patriots can clinch the AFC East with a win and a Dolphins loss on Monday. Additionally, the Patriots can clinch a berth in the playoffs — but they’ll need to win plus receive help from the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and the aforementioned Colts.
Finally, the Titans got the first victory of Week 16 by defeating the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Now, they can clinch the AFC South, if they receive some help from the Cardinals by virtue of a Colts’ loss.