The 2019 NFL MVP has not played since sustaining a knee injury against the Denver Broncos on December 4, with Tyler Huntley starting in his absence.
Jackson missed a 13th straight practice on Wednesday raising concerns about his playoff availability for the Ravens, who are 10-6 and guaranteed of an AFC Wild Card ahead of their regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
"I'm just probably going to leave all that stuff alone," Harbaugh told reporters.
"I'm going to focus on the game and just get ready to coach our guys and have our guys get ready to play the game."
The Ravens offense has averaged 12.3 points and scored only three touchdowns in the past four games since Jackson's injury, yet have won two of those games on the back of their defense.
Baltimore have been held to 17 or fewer points in five straight games, the first when Jackson was injured.
"They're not challenges that we're going to sit here and say we can't overcome or we can't win games with," Harbaugh said about his offense.
"We've got to try to do everything we can to make those plays in the next game. That's all you can do in this league."
Huntley is also dealing with soreness in his right throwing shoulder ahead of the Cincinnati game, which could determine who wins the AFC North, pending the decision made on the suspended Bengals-Buffalo Bills game.
The Bengals would have clinched the AFC North with victory against the Bills on Monday, but the game was suspended after Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest. If the game is resumed and the Bengals lose, the Ravens could still claim the AFC North with victory on Sunday.
Griffin suffered a hamstring injury during the first half of Wednesday's 19-14 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, though he remained in the game until the fourth quarter of the contest.
McSorley eventually replaced him, going on to team up with Marquise Brown on a 70-yard touchdown pass that gave depleted Baltimore a late glimmer of hope.
It was one of two completed passes out of six attempts for the 25-year-old, who was a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Now McSorley is the only quarterback left on the 53-man roster ahead of the game with the Dallas Cowboys.
Starter Lamar Jackson remains on the Reserve/COVID-19 list having reportedly tested positive for coronavirus, though the reigning MVP could yet be available in time to feature next Tuesday.
Running back J.K. Dobbins, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and offensive linemen Patrick Mekari and Matt Skura have all been activated from the list, however, boosting Baltimore as they bid to get their season back on track.
The Ravens have lost four of their previous five outings to own a 6-5 record, leaving them behind the unbeaten Steelers and the Cleveland Browns (8-3) in the AFC North.
Next up is Dallas, whose defense has given up an average of 382 yards to opposing teams this season, including a league-high 156.4 yards on the ground.
Jackson suffered an ankle sprain in Baltimore's 24-22 NFL defeat to the Cleveland Browns last week, having been doubtful heading into the contest.
The former MVP threw only four passes for 17 yards before taking a hit in the first play of the second quarter and being replaced by Tyler Huntley.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has been bullish all week about Jackson's availability to face Aaron Rodgers' high-flying Packers, despite not practicing and offered an update on Wednesday.
"It's day-to-day right now. We've just got to see how it responds," Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday. "He's not going to practice today, but we'll see going forward how that goes."
Jackson's injury is not a high ankle sprain, offering hope of a quick recovery and Harbaugh had said on Monday that "the plans are right now, in my mind, for Lamar to be out there."
Harbaugh confirmed if Jackson was declared fit, the Ravens would not rest him with a view to their crunch divisional Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I would say that factors zero percent [into the decision]," Harbaugh said. "We're trying to win this game. Every win right now is… you want every win you can get."
Jackson is enjoying a strong season for the Ravens, completing 242 of 378 passes for 2,865 yards with a 64 percent completion rate for 16 touchdowns. He has also allowed 13 interceptions, having only committed 18 across his previous three seasons.
Baltimore lead the AFC North with an 8-5 record, narrowly ahead of the Bengals (7-6) and Browns (7-6) with four regular-season games remaining.
The Ravens have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, losing by one point against the Pittsburgh Steelers and by two points against Cleveland. According to Stats Perform, it is the first time in franchise history Baltimore have lost consecutive games by two points or fewer.
Two of the Ravens' first three possessions Sunday ended with Jackson being picked off by Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu, who returned the first of those interceptions 34 yards for a touchdown.
But Jackson's team-mates encouraged him to keep playing his game, and he turned in a vintage performance to lead Baltimore to a 36-35 victory – his first win in four encounters with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
"I know my team is going to look at me. If I'm out there just messing up, they're going to be like, 'Damn, what are you doing?'" Jackson told reporters. "So, I've got to do it for my guys.
"My guys have my back. The first two interceptions, they were like, 'Man, you're good; you got that out the way. Let's just play.' I was like, 'You're right, I've got to play now. That's over with.' And that's what we did."
Jackson was at his dual-threat best after those early wobbles, passing for 239 yards and a touchdown and rushing for a game-high 107 yards and two more TDs.
Those last two scores came in the fourth quarter as the Ravens completed their comeback against the reigning AFC champions, but there was one last key play Jackson had to make.
Mahomes had the Chiefs moving downfield in search of a game-winning field goal when Ravens rookie Odafe Oweh stripped Clyde Edwards-Helaire and recovered the fumble with 1:20 remaining.
Fifteen seconds later, after Kansas City had used all three of their timeouts, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh faced a decision on fourth-and-one from the Ravens 43-yard line.
He fully intended to go for the first down, but he thought he would ask Jackson's opinion on what they should do.
The quarterback's response was a simple "Hell, yeah," and the Ravens of course put the ball in his hands. He gained two yards to convert and the game was over.
Asked about making that call, Harbaugh made it clear there was no hesitation.
"It says that I have complete confidence in Lamar Jackson to make every play," he said. "I'll just never, ever, not have faith in him to make a play in any situation.
"I'm happy for him. We love each other. All of us have each other's backs."
It was a welcome recovery for the Ravens after a difficult season-opening loss at the Las Vegas Raiders last week and now they can move forward with a bit more confidence after a long-awaited defeat of the Chiefs.
"It feels good to get that monkey off our back," Jackson said. "It just feels good. But we've gotta move on to Detroit now. We didn't win the Super Bowl yet. It's just one game. We just gotta keep staying focused."
Jackson was on the end of some late hits during Baltimore's 23-7 win over the Denver Broncos last week.
Former MVP Jackson was 22-of-37 passing for 316 yards, a touchdown and three sacks on the road in Denver, where the Ravens QB showed no signs of a sore back to snap the Broncos' unbeaten start to the season.
"I just feel we should be protecting all quarterbacks in the league, not just myself," Jackson said Thursday, ahead of the Week 5 clash with the Indianapolis Colts.
"Everyone should be included in that, especially while we're in the pocket – our leg area and stuff like that.
"Football is football. Guys get aggressive sometimes. Stuff happens. Probably don't mean it. I'd like the ref to throw the flag, though, if they catch it."
Against Denver, Jackson had his highest passing yardage total since Week 1 of 2019 (324) – the 2019 Pro Bowler has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 13 consecutive home games.
The Ravens have the chase to break the record for consecutive 100-yard rushing games – Baltimore are currently level on 43 alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-77).
Baltimore have won their last two games against Indianapolis, including a 24-10 road win last season.
The Ravens have never won three straight games against the Colts, the franchise which began in Charm City before moving to Indianapolis in 1984.
The Ravens already exercised their fifth-year option on Jackson's contract, which will see the star quarterback paid just over $23million in 2022, though the two parties are in talks over a contract extension.
It remains to be seen when the former NFL MVP will sign a contract extension, but Jackson is happy in Baltimore, where he was drafted in 2018.
"I would love to be here forever," Jackson said on Wednesday. "I love Baltimore. I love the whole organisation.
"I love everybody in the building. Hopefully, we'll be making something happen pretty soon whenever."
Jackson, who will make $1.8m this season – the final year of his rookie contract – was a unanimous choice as the NFL's Most Valuable Player two years ago.
His performance slipped a bit in 2020 but he remains the NFL's premier dual-threat quarterback, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and scoring seven touchdowns on the ground in each of the past two seasons in addition to his work in the passing game.
Jackson has won more games (30) than any other quarterback since taking over as Baltimore's starter midway through the 2018 season and became the fastest QB in NFL history to reach 30 regular-season victories (37 games).
The 24-year-old is also the first in league history to produce 5,000 passing yard and 2,500 rushing yards in his first three NFL seasons.
Jackson had 242 completions for 2,757 yards – at 64.4 per cent – 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 15 appearances for the Ravens last season.
In total, Jackson has tallied 606 completions, 7,085 yards, 68 touchdowns and 18 interceptions since entering the league.
"I'm really focused on the season, and I'm focused on trying to win," Jackson said midweek. "I'm not really worried about if it gets done this year or next year. We're going to see. We don't know yet."
Jackson's meeting with fellow quarterback Justin Herbert was pegged as a battle between MVP candidates as the Ravens hosted the Los Angeles Chargers, and it is the Ravens star who has the stronger case after their dominant 34-6 win in a clash of 4-1 teams.
Brandon Staley was appointed as Chargers head coach on the back of his excellent performance in his one year as defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams.
His Rams defense allowed the fewest yards per play in the NFL last season, however, the Chargers have struggled mightily against the run in 2021, making them an enticing matchup for the league's premier dual-threat quarterback in Jackson.
As it happened Jackson was able to lighten the burden on his shoulders in terms of running the ball, Latavius Murray and Le'Veon Bell each going in for rushing scores to put the Ravens 14-0 to the good in the second quarter.
Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert responded late in the half with a one-yard touchdown throw to Jared Cook after a Jackson interception, though the Chargers still trailed 17-6 at the half.
But a 12-play, 52-yard drive ended with Jackson hitting Mark Andrews for a nine-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and there was never a hint of a Chargers comeback thereafter.
Jackson's stat line, 19 of 27 passing for 167 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions with 51 yards on eight rushes, was pedestrian by his standards, but it was enough to give the Ravens the best record in the AFC as he claimed his 35th win, breaking Dan Marino's record for the most by a quarterback before his 25th birthday.
Chiefs remain unconvincing
Plenty wondered whether it was time to panic for the Kansas City Chiefs following their Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills in primetime last Sunday, which dropped them to 2-3.
Concerns about the two-time defending AFC champions were furthered after a first-half performance against the Washington Football Team that saw them trail 13-10 at the half.
Patrick Mahomes threw two interceptions, one off the hands of Tyreek Hill and another with an inexplicable decision to toss the ball up for grabs after fumbling the snap.
However, a touchdown pass to Hill and Darrel Williams' second rushing score of the game put Kansas City in command before Mahomes found Demarcus Robinson in the endzone to secure a 31-13 win that moves them within striking distance of the Chargers in the AFC West.
Five in a row for Packers
The Packers are far from the finished product at this stage of the season, but it is now five wins in a row for Green Bay after their 24-14 victory over NFC North rivals the Chicago Bears.
Aaron Rodgers averaged 8.5 yards per pass play and threw for two touchdowns, with the Packers quarterback reminding the Bears' fans at Soldier Field of his hold over the division after running for a score that effectively put the game to bed.
The Los Angeles Rams are also 5-1 after Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes in a 38-11 rout of the New York Giants.
The AFC North match-up was moved from Thanksgiving Day to the weekend after several Ravens players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
However, further cases followed, including a positive test for reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, widely reported on Thursday.
Coach John Harbaugh then told ESPN the team would not be able to return to their training facility - shut down earlier in the week - until Monday at the earliest, putting the Steelers game in serious doubt.
And the second postponement of the game followed on Friday, also affecting next week's Thursday night fixture between Baltimore and the Los Angeles Rams.
Jackson would appear a major doubt to play in either match due to the recency of his positive test.
Back-up quarterback Robert Griffin III appeared to confirm Jackson had contracted the virus as he posted on social media.
Griffin wrote on Twitter on Thursday: "Praying for my brother @Lj_era8 and every player, staff member and their families dealing with COVID-19.
"Ensuring the safety of the entire organisation is important. Handling this outbreak within the team is bigger than football."
Jackson has had a more testing campaign in 2020, throwing for 15 TDs but six picks - already matching his total interceptions for 2019.
He has added three rushing scores, yet the 23-year-old has been sacked 24 times - one more than last year - for 138 yards and has had six fumbles.
However, the news still represents a blow to the Ravens, who can ill afford a third straight defeat after losing to the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans.
Baltimore have fallen to 6-4 and third in the division, a game behind the second-placed Cleveland Browns and four back of rivals the Steelers.
Heading into this game, Pittsburgh are the only remaining unbeaten team in the NFL, top of the AFC North with a 10-0 record.
Griffin has taken just 17 snaps across three games this season. Jackson had built a big lead on all three occasions, with Griffin completing only one pass this year and also throwing a pick.
Griffin's last regular season start came against the Steelers in 2019, when Baltimore ran out 28-10 winners but the QB threw 11-of-21 for no touchdowns and an interception.
Jackson will play for just over $23million on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. Earlier this week he said he would not continue to negotiate during the season.
"Despite best effort on both sides, we were unable to reach a contract extension with Lamar Jackson," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement.
"We greatly appreciate how he has handled this process and we are excited about our team with Lamar leading the way.
"We will continue to work toward a long-term contract after the season, but for now we are looking forward to a successful 2022 campaign."
While talks will resume next offseason, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Jackson is likely to receive the franchise tag in 2023.
Dak Prescott played the 2020 season for the Dallas Cowboys under the franchise tag before the sides agreed to a four-year, $160m deal before last season.
The quarterback market has been booming this offseason, with Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson each signing contracts with an average annual value of at least $46m and with total guarantees over $165m.
Watson's $230m contract with the Browns is fully guaranteed, and Jackson could be looking for something similar.
Watson's contract could further complicate the Ravens' situation, with his scheduled $55m cap hit for next season inflating the value of the franchise tag, which is the average of the top five salaries at the position.
Even if no other quarterbacks sign lucrative deals in the meantime, tagging Jackson would cost the Ravens $45.4m in 2023 and $54.4m in 2024.
Jackson was not part of Thursday practice due to illness, having been sent home from the team facility on Wednesday morning.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh clarified the illness was not COVID-related, easing doubts about Jackson's availability for Sunday's game, but Thursday's practice was the fourth time he has missed a session this season.
"I don't really think it's that big of a deal," Ravens center Bradley Bozeman said on Jackson's absences. "I know Lamar is doing his things at home that he needs to do. He's watching plays. He's getting everything right at home.
"When he comes back in, he's not going to miss a step. Week in and week out, he's continued to build on that and step up to the plate when he needs to. I don't see that being an issue."
The Ravens quarterback is enjoyed an MVP-like season, ranking eighth in the NFL in passing (2,447 yards) with 14 touchdowns and seventh in rushing (639 yards) with two touchdowns.
Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman added: "I think he's feeling better."
There has been speculation over Jackson's future in Baltimore, where he was named the NFL's MVP in 2019 – the year after Baltimore selected him with the final pick in the first round of the draft.
Baltimore's delay in making a move on Jackson's contract led to reports claiming the Ravens might draft a quarterback and allow the star QB to depart following this season, rather than pay the $23million option for 22.
But on Tuesday, Harbaugh ensured the Ravens will pick up Jackson's fifth-year option by the May 3 deadline.
"His fifth-year option will be picked up. Guarantee it," Harbaugh said on The Rich Eisen Show.
"He's definitely going to be our quarterback. That's the plan, absolutely."
Jackson, who will make $1.8m this season – the final year of his rookie contract – was a unanimous choice as the NFL's Most Valuable Player two years ago.
His performance slipped a bit in 2020 but he remains the NFL's premier dual-threat quarterback, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and scoring seven touchdowns on the ground in each of the past two seasons in addition to his work in the passing game.
Jackson has won more games (30) than any other quarterback since taking over as Baltimore's starter midway through the 2018 season and became the fastest QB in NFL history to reach 30 regular-season victories (37 games).
He is also the first in league history to produce 5,000 passing yard and 2,500 rushing yards in his first three NFL seasons.
Jackson had 242 completions for 2,757 yards – at 64.4 per cent – 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 15 appearances for the Ravens last season.
In total, Jackson has tallied 606 completions, 7,085 yards, 68 touchdowns and 18 interceptions since entering the league.
That all-around excellence has Harbaugh excited to continue building around the 24-year-old.
"The thing he talks about all the time is, he wants to win a Super Bowl, then go from there. That's the kind of mindset you want to have," Harbaugh added. "I think he's a very unique guy. He's a guy that's different in a lot of ways than any quarterback, probably, that's ever played.
"No two players are exactly the same, but Lamar is somebody that breaks the mould a little bit, and he does it in a way a lot of people didn't anticipate.
"They didn't see this coming. They didn't think a quarterback would play in this style. They talked about him playing other positions and all that.
"He's very determined, and we're very determined, to prove those people wrong, and also to kind of pave a new path here and show what's possible with a different type of a skill set."
Jackson equalled Hall of Famer Dan Marino's record of 25 wins in his first 30 NFL starts as the Ravens defeated the Indianapolis Colts 24-10 on Sunday.
Reigning MVP Jackson was 19 of 23 for 170 yards and no turnovers, while he rushed for a touchdown in Indianapolis.
"It's pretty cool, I'm up there with a Hall of Famer," Jackson said. "But you still got to win each and every game. So, it's all right."
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh added: "I think that's really something. Wow.
"Lamar will tell you it's a team effort, I think the team will tell you that you couldn't win those games without Lamar."
Jackson also claimed his first career win after trailing at half-time, having previously gone 0-6 from losing positions.
The Ravens improved to 6-2, second behind the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.
Jackson returned late to fuel the Ravens' dramatic 47-42 win over the Browns on Monday, having missed most of the final quarter due to cramps.
The reigning NFL MVP tested positive for COVID-19 on Thanksgiving and made his comeback on December 6.
"Probably. Probably because of the body heat and we're running in the cold," Jackson replied when asked if his cramping was related to coronavirus.
"It was so cold out there. That probably had an effect on that as well. I can't call it."
The Ravens (8-5) surrendered their lead in Jackson's absence, going from 34-20 ahead to 35-34 down before a nail-biting conclusion against the Browns.
Jackson was 11-of-17 passing for 163 yards and a touchdown, while he rushed for 124 yards and two TDs on nine carries.
"I was real-life cramping, like my hand, my throwing arm cramping, forearm cramping, fingers getting stuck together," Jackson added on Wednesday. "I was going through it. I was ticked off."
Jackson and the Ravens are now preparing for Sunday's clash with the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12).
Ravens star Jackson is 10-1 as a starter in the month of December. His only December loss was at the Kansas City Chiefs on December 9, 2018.
Jackson has a 19/2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in December over his career, the best mark in league history among quarterbacks with 250 career attempts in the month, per Stats Perform.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked about the coronavirus-cramp link, and he said: "Who knows?
"Is it that? Is it the nutrition [and] the diet for two weeks? It's kind of a mystery. I think the doctors are trying to figure all that stuff out, too."
Jackson requires 92 rushing yards against the Cincinnati Bengals for his second successive 1,000-yard season in the NFL – no quarterback in league history has ever rushed for 1,000 yards twice in their career.
Reigning NFL MVP Jackson set the single-season rushing record for a quarterback by tallying 1,216 yards in 2019, surpassing Michael Vick.
But as the Ravens (10-5) try to clinch a postseason berth in their regular-season finale, Jackson told reporters: "Being honest, I just want to win Sunday and come out of the game healthy.
"It doesn't really matter about any records being broken. I just want to win to get to the playoffs."
"I did it in college, so I didn't ever doubt myself," Jackson replied when asked if he thought he would be a 1,000-yard rusher in the NFL. "[But] it wasn't really on my mind, to be honest, that I would be running for 1,000 yards."
The Ravens have won four consecutive games to stand on the cusp of the playoffs, scoring an NFL-high 37.0 points per game in the process.
Baltimore have run the ball for 933 yards over the four games, the most in a four-game stretch since the Atlanta Falcons ran for 937 yards in Weeks 1-4 in 2006.
"We're trying to get [to the Super Bowl]. Our job is to focus on the task at hand," Jackson insisted.
"Nobody's peeking or nobody feel like we done did anything because we're still fighting. We got to keep that focus going."
Jackson was also voted team MVP by local media for the second straight season on Wednesday – becoming the first Ravens player to earn back-to-back honours since Ray Rice in 2011 and 2012.
"I appreciate that," Jackson said. "You know, I always tell you guys I feel like that's a team award. We've been through so much adversity this year and humps and stuff like that. Guys just found a way to pull through and keep fighting, especially for this playoff run."
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh added: "Lamar is a special person. He's a talented guy, of course. He's in the process of proving himself, and making a name for himself, and building a career as a quarterback in the National Football League. … We're proud to be a part of it and we'll help in every way we can."
Jackson has been in self-isolation for 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus – the reigning MVP missed the rescheduled clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week amid a COVID-19 outbreak within the Baltimore franchise.
But Jackson is back in the mix and reportedly set to start in another rescheduled encounter against the Cowboys (3-8).
The Ravens (6-5) – who also activated fullback Patrick Ricard, long snapper Morgan Cox and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike – are looking to snap a three-game losing streak as they eye a third consecutive playoff berth.
Jackson took the NFL by storm last season, but he has struggled to reach those lofty heights in 2020.
Through 10 games this term, Jackson has tallied 175 completions, 1,948 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Jackson ranks 26th for completions, 26th for completion percentage (63.4), 24th for passing yards and 20th for touchdowns.
Drafted by the Ravens in the first round with the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson has amassed 6,276 passing yards for 57 touchdowns during his stint with the team.
And the former Oklahoma pass catcher, who is to be reunited with Kyler Murray, says he told Lamar Jackson the Ravens' run-first offensive system "wasn't for me" more than a year ago.
In one of two significant receiver trades on the first day of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Cardinals parted with the 23rd overall pick in return for Brown and a third-round selection.
Having already secured perhaps the best player in the draft in ultra-versatile safety Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens used their additional first-round pick to bolster their offensive line in front of quarterback Jackson with center Tyler Linderbaum.
Jackson's Twitter activity suggested he was unhappy with the Ravens' business, frustrated by the loss of the wide receiver he has looked to more than any other in his NFL career to date (256 targets, 164 receptions, 20 touchdowns).
The former NFL MVP posted a series of messages, including sharing a post from Brown in which he said to his former QB: "Wish I coulda played with my brotha forever but ima see you at the top."
However, speaking to media on Friday, Brown revealed he was the driving force behind the trade, and his desire to move on could have come as no surprise to Jackson.
"It was just [about] my happiness," he said. "I talked to Lamar about it after my second year, then after my third year leading up to the end of the season.
"He wasn't playing, but I let him know again: I can't do it.
"It's not really on Lamar; I love Lamar. It's just the system wasn't for me, personally. I love all my team-mates, I love the guys, but it was just something I had to think about for myself.
"The Ravens and I both handled it the right way. I didn't go out and make anything public; I just kept it in-house, kept working, and it all worked out."
In the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Jackson's first two as a full-time starter, the Ravens ran on 56.0 per cent and 55.9 per cent of their plays respectively, leading the league in this regard.
Since entering the NFL in 2018, Jackson has recorded 3,673 rushing yards – by far the most among QBs and the seventh-most of all players.
Murray (1,786 rushing yards just since 2019) is third among QBs over that period, but Brown already knows he can effectively link up with the Cardinals star.
In 2018, at Oklahoma, Murray's 4,361 passing yards and 42 passing TDs led the Big 12, with Brown his top receiver with 1,318 receiving yards and 10 receiving TDs.
Murray wrote on Twitter following Brown's trade: "Let's run it back! Hollywood to the desert... Y'all welcome my boy!"
Baltimore went for the two-point conversion and the win after the Ravens scored a touchdown with 12 seconds remaining on Sunday, but Jackson's pass went agonisingly off Mark Andrews' fingertips with the endzone in sight.
The Steelers prevailed in another thrilling AFC North battle to snap a two-game skid after Roethlisberger (21-of-31 passing for 236 yards and two TDs) threw two fourth-down touchdowns to fuel Pittsburgh.
After a scoreless opening period, Devonta Freeman rushed for a TD as the Ravens (8-4) took a 10-3 lead into the final quarter away to the Steelers (6-5-1).
The fourth period came to life, veteran quarterback Roethlisberger started the comeback with an early 29-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson before the pair combined against less than two minutes from the end.
Trailing 20-13, former MVP Jackson (23-of-37 passing for 253 yards and a touchdown) led an eight-play, 60-yard drive for his only touchdown of the game but Baltimore were unable to complete the two-point conversion at the death.
Since the 2016 season, six of Pittsburgh's seven wins against Baltimore have come by seven points or less, per Stats Perform.
Seahawks snap skid by sinking Niners
The Seattle Seahawks needed a victory and they got it after powering past the San Francisco 49ers 30-23.
In a mistake-filled contest, the Seahawks ended their run of three consecutive losses behind Russell Wilson's two-touchdown display in Seattle.
Future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson made his debut for the Seahawks and scored his 126th career touchdown on a one-yard rush. It broke a tie with Hall of Famer Walter Payton and moved the 36-year-old into a tie with Jim Brown for 10th in NFL history.
Jimmy Garoppolo threw two interceptions for the beaten 49ers.
The Los Angeles Rams also snapped a three-game skid, rolling over the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-7 after Odell Beckham Jr., Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson all caught TD passes from Matthew Stafford.
The Ravens defense was at its suffocating best, with Saints only mustering six points until their first touchdown came four minutes from time when the game was already beyond them.
Linebacker Smith, who was traded from the Chicago Bears last week, played a big part, making an impact early on with a tackle on Alvin Kamara to prevent a first down and force a punt.
That was one of five tackles Smith tallied over the game, though he was just one part of a defensive unit that was brutally sharp, with Justin Houston and Marlon Humphrey among the others to catch the eye.
For Smith, the game brought a realisation of just how strong the 6-3 Ravens are as AFC North leaders made it three wins on the bounce.
"It's amazing just being around so many playmakers, guys that make plays all over the field," he told NFL Network.
"I don't see no weaknesses at all. It sucks giving up that last play, that's why we've got to get better, but I'm excited about the direction we're going."
Despite the Ravens reaching an impressive points total, it was not a contest that saw the quarterbacks shine with their throwing.
The Ravens' tactic of shutting down Kamara and the Saints' rushing attack forced QB Andy Dalton to beat them from the pocket, and he largely failed in that regard, with his respectable stat-line of 19 of 29 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown arguably masking his struggles.
Similarly with the Ravens, Lamar Jackson only recorded 133 passing yards from 12 completions, but their ground attack was unstoppable and the quarterback contributed significantly to that.
With starting running backs J.K Dobbins and Gus Edwards missing through injury, Jackson looked to do a fair amount of the work himself, carrying the ball 11 times for 83 yards, and Smith felt the need to salute that effort afterwards.
"It's amazing, it's the reason that guy was the MVP before," he said.
"Man, he's special. I'm happy to be on his team, and I think it's going be a lot of great things coming forward for him and this team."
The defeat for the Ravens, who were without quarterback Lamar Jackson for the third straight game, leaves them perilously close to slipping out of the Wild Card hunt after their fifth consecutive loss.
Justin Tucker's field goal had put the Ravens up 19-14 with 4:33 left but Stafford launched a game-winning 75-yard drive to overhaul the deficit.
Stafford completed a 15-yard pass to Tyler Higbee and a 24-yarder to Cooper Kupp, before finding Odell Beckham Jr twice in a row, with the latter being the decisive TD.
The Rams QB finished with 26 of 35 passes for two touchdowns but also two interceptions, including a Chuck Clark first-quarter pick six, as well as a sack.
Clark's TD was the Ravens' only for the game, as QB Tyler Huntley completed 20 of 32 passes for 197 yards.
Rams running back Sony Michel had 19 carries for 74 yards including a TD along with wide receiver Kupp with six receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown.
Over a month ago the Ravens had been 8-3 and looking good for the AFC top seed but now they are scrapping for a playoffs spot after a series of narrow defeats and desperate for Jackson's return.
Carlson field goal gives Raiders edge in Wild Card race
The Las Vegas Raiders claimed a crucial last-gasp win from Daniel Carlson's 33-yard field goal in the AFC Wild Card race with a 23-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Colts quarterback Carson Wentz cleared protocols for the game but completed 16 of 27 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown, while running back Jonathan Taylor had one TD from 20 carries for 108 yards, with the defeat marking the first this season when he has rushed more than 100 yards.
The Raiders pipped the Colts in the final quarter, trailing 17-13 at the final break with QB Derek Carr hitting Hunter Renfrow on a fourth-down play for a TD, before Michael Badgley squared the game with a 41-yard field goal, only for Carlson to win it with one from 33 yards as time expired. The Raiders improve to 9-7, pulling ahead of the 9-7 Colts in the AFC Wild Card race.
Bengals clinch maiden AFC North title
The Cincinnati Bengals clinched their first-ever AFC North title as Evan McPherson kicked a late 20-yard field goal to secure a 34-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase set an NFL rookie record and franchise record with 266 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches, while QB Joe Burrow threw 30 of 39 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns.
Burrow got the better of opposing QB Patrick Mahomes who completed 26 of 35 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns as the Chiefs, who have already won the AFC West title, moved to 11-5.
Brady cool after Brown meltdown
Tom Brady was cool in a crisis after Antonio Brown stormed off the field as the NFC South-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers rallied to win 28-24 over the New York Jets.
Brady completed 34 of 50 attempts for 410 yards and three touchdowns, including leading them on a 93-yard drive in the final minutes to clinch the victory.
The game was marred after Brown's meltdown, storming off the field in the third quarter with the Bucs 24-10 down, with head coach Bruce Arians confirming "he is no longer a Buc" after the game.
The defeat for the Ravens, who were without quarterback Lamar Jackson for the third straight game, leaves them perilously close to slipping out of the Wild Card hunt after their fifth consecutive loss.
Justin Tucker's field goal had put the Ravens up 19-14 with 4:33 left but Stafford launched a game-winning 75-yard drive to overhaul the deficit.
Stafford completed a 15-yard pass to Tyler Higbee and a 24-yarder to Cooper Kupp, before finding Odell Beckham Jr twice in a row, with the latter being the decisive TD.
The Rams QB finished with 26 of 35 passes for two touchdowns but also two interceptions, including a Chuck Clark first-quarter pick six, as well as a sack.
Clark's TD was the Ravens' only for the game, as QB Tyler Huntley completed 20 of 32 passes for 197 yards.
Rams running back Sony Michel had 19 carries for 74 yards including a TD along with wide receiver Kupp with six receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown.
Over a month ago the Ravens had been 8-3 and looking good for the AFC top seed but now they are scrapping for a playoffs spot after a series of narrow defeats and desperate for Jackson's return.
Carlson field goal gives Raiders edge in Wild Card race
The Las Vegas Raiders claimed a crucial last-gasp win from Daniel Carlson's 33-yard field goal in the AFC Wild Card race with a 23-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Colts quarterback Carson Wentz cleared protocols for the game but completed 16 of 27 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown, while running back Jonathan Taylor had one TD from 20 carries for 108 yards, with the defeat marking the first this season when he has rushed more than 100 yards.
The Raiders pipped the Colts in the final quarter, trailing 17-13 at the final break with QB Derek Carr hitting Hunter Renfrow on a fourth-down play for a TD, before Michael Badgley squared the game with a 41-yard field goal, only for Carlson to win it with one from 33 yards as time expired. The Raiders improve to 9-7, pulling ahead of the 9-7 Colts in the AFC Wild Card race.
Bengals clinch maiden AFC North title
The Cincinnati Bengals clinched their first-ever AFC North title as Evan McPherson kicked a late 20-yard field goal to secure a 34-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase set an NFL rookie record and franchise record with 266 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches, while QB Joe Burrow threw 30 of 39 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns.
Burrow got the better of opposing QB Patrick Mahomes who completed 26 of 35 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns as the Chiefs, who have already won the AFC West title, moved to 11-5.
Brady cool after Brown meltdown
Tom Brady was cool in a crisis after Antonio Brown stormed off the field as the NFC South-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers rallied to win 28-24 over the New York Jets.
Brady completed 34 of 50 attempts for 410 yards and three touchdowns, including leading them on a 93-yard drive in the final minutes to clinch the victory.
The game was marred after Brown's meltdown, storming off the field in the third quarter with the Bucs 24-10 down, with head coach Bruce Arians confirming "he is no longer a Buc" after the game.
