Lamar Jackson

Mason Crosby was the hero with a match-winning field goal, though his successful punt came on the back of three misses, not to mention the Bengals' Evan McPherson twice clipping the post with efforts in both regulation time and overtime.

The win took the Packers to 4-1 for the season, and next up are old rivals the Chicago Bears on Sunday. 

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens (also 4-1) will look to build on their Lamar Jackson-inspired comeback against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday by beating the similarly in-form Los Angeles Chargers, and the Arizona Cardinals will look to continue their perfect start to the season as they travel to Cleveland.

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears

One of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL rears its head in Week 6, with Green Bay travelling to Chicago. The foes share 22 championship titles between them, and this divisional contest in the NFC North is sure to serve up a treat.

The Packers are 21-5 in regular-season games against the Bears since 2008, when Aaron Rodgers became Green Bay's starting quarterback - indeed, Rodgers has started 25 of those meetings and is 11-2 in the 13 games he has started against Chicago since 2014, throwing 33 touchdown passes and no interceptions in 11 wins. There are three other matchups in which one team has beaten the other 21 times since 2008: Baltimore over the Cleveland Browns (22-4) and the New England Patriots over the New York Jets (22-5) and the Buffalo Bills (21-5).

This is the Packers' first road game against a division rival this season. Green Bay won all three of their away games against NFC North rivals in each of the past two campaigns.

Chicago are 3-2 for the season, though they have a league-low 728 passing yards. The Saints, with 904, are the only other team below 1000. If the Bears are to get anything from this game, they may well rely on the defensive prowess of Khalil Mack, who led the team with seven tackles in Week 5's 20-6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Rodgers will be looking to pick out Davante Adams, meanwhile. He caught 11 passes for 206 yards in the win in Cincinnati. It was the third time since 1997 that a Packers player had 200 or more receiving yards in one game. 

Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens

This will be the first meeting between the Chargers and Ravens since the 2018 Wild Card round – Los Angeles claiming a 23-17 win on that occasion.

The Ravens are 3-1 in the regular season at home against the Chargers, though the last three games have been decided by seven points total. Baltimore go into the game on the back of a brilliant comeback win over the Colts. They trailed by 19 points with less than one minute remaining in the third quarter but came back to win 31-25 in overtime - their largest second-half comeback victory in franchise history.

Quarterback Jackson threw for 335 of his 442 passing yards in the second half and overtime, while completing 90.6 per cent of his passes (29/32). Over the last 30 seasons, there have been 635 quarterbacks to attempt at least 30 passes in the second half/OT of a game – he is the only one with a completion percentage over 90 per cent.

Los Angeles QB Justin Herbert, meanwhile, accounted for five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) along with 427 total yards in just his 20th career start in the Chargers' 47-42 win in Cleveland. For any quarterback in his first 20 career starts, Herbert ranks first in completions (535), second in pass yards (5912) and third in total touchdowns (50).

Arizona Cardinals @ Cleveland Browns

The Cardinals' dream start to the season continued with a 17-10 triumph over the San Francisco 49ers. Arizona is the only unbeaten team in the NFL. This is the fifth time the Cardinals, an original NFL franchise, have won their first five games but first time since moving from St. Louis in 1988.

Arizona have won their last four games against the Browns, dating back to 2007. Before this streak, they had never won more than two consecutive games versus Cleveland. The Browns lead the all-time series, 33 wins to 15, with three ties.

The Browns, however, have won their last six games against NFC teams, including wins against the Bears and Vikings this season. Cleveland’s last loss against an NFC opponent was to the Cardinals in Arizona in 2019 (38-24).

Cleveland's Nick Chubb has 4080 yards rushing in his 49-game NFL career, and will likely become the third active player who had at least 4000 rushing yards through his first 50 games in the NFL, joining Ezekiel Elliott (4881) and Le'Veon Bell (4225).

Elsewhere...

The Patriots have endured a difficult start for the season, going 2-3 through the opening five games. The 4-1 Cowboys are next up, though New England have history on their side, having won six straight games against Dallas, a run dating back to 1998.

London calls for the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars, as the Florida rivals go head-to-head at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Jaguars' 37-19 loss at home to the Tennessee Titans last week extended their losing streak to 20 games. It is just the second 20-game losing streak in NFL history (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 26 straight between 1976 and 1977).

It has been a difficult week for the Raiders, whose coach Jon Gruden resigned due to the emergence of offensive emails. Las Vegas take on the Denver Broncos, who they have more wins against than any other opponent in their history.

Cincinnati will look to bounce back from their defeat to the Packers when they take on Detroit. They have won six consecutive games against the Lions, going back to 1998, and a win on Sunday would see the Bengals equal a team record for the most successive victories against a single opponent, matching seven-game streaks against the Houston Oilers (1981- 1984) and the Browns (2014-2017).

The quarterback agreed a deal reportedly worth $503million with the Super Bowl champions, with $477m in guaranteed mechanisms, keeping him tied to the franchise through the 2031 season, when he will be 35.

The NFL MVP in 2018 and Super Bowl MVP in 2019, Mahomes was always expected to reset the QB market when he signed a new deal this offseason.

But for him to sign the richest contract in North American professional sports history on such a long contract was a huge development.

While it will likely see him sit top of the league's salary chart for many years to come, his new deal would have been music to the ears for some of the other QBs nearing a negotiating window.

Here, we look at those who also could be in line for a huge payday.
 

Deshaun Watson – Houston Texans

The man drafted just two spots below Mahomes at number 12 in 2017, Deshaun Watson, has ended years of quarterback woe in Houston.

Two consecutive AFC South crowns and a first playoff win last year have highlighted his credentials, with Mahomes and the Chiefs ultimately stopping the Texans in the divisional round in 2019.

Mahomes is second all time for yards-per-attempt among quarterbacks with at least 1,000 attempts and Watson is an impressive fifth on that list, averaging over eight YPA.

Dual threat Watson has 71 touchdowns to 29 interceptions in 38 career games, plus 1,233 yards and a further 14 scores on the ground.

The Texans are desperate to retain him and Mahomes' deal means the price-tag just went up, although the loss of number one target DeAndre Hopkins means the new season may prove to be more challenging.

Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott is in the midst of a long contract negotiation with the Dallas Cowboys which dates back to last year.

He has signed the franchise tag which is due to see him play the 2020 season on a one-year pact worth $31m, unless a long-term deal can be struck before the deadline. 

Prescott enjoyed a superb statistical season in 2019, throwing for 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns to just 11 picks.

The 26-year-old will be eyeing similar production this year after the team retained wide receiver Amari Cooper and added CeeDee Lamb to the mix.

But whether he deserves top-tier QB money is a subject that divides opinion, as the Cowboys have only won one playoff game since he was drafted in 2016, while his career record in games decided by three points or fewer is just 7-7.
 

Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens

One player who may be on a similar trajectory to Mahomes is Lamar Jackson, who has been revolutionising the QB position with his rushing ability.

He won the NFL MVP in 2019, rushing for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns in addition to 3,127 yards, 36 touchdowns and just six picks through the air as part of an offense that is tailored to his strengths.

Having only played two seasons, he still is one year away from being eligible to receive a contract extension on his rookie deal.

After the Baltimore Ravens were shocked by the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs, Jackson will be aiming to follow the path of Mahomes in winning the Super Bowl the year after being named MVP.

If he does that, a life-changing deal surely awaits, though the standard he set last year will be very hard to repeat.
 

Baker Mayfield – Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield was picked atop the same 2018 draft that saw the Ravens get incredible value to land Jackson at number 32.

The Cleveland Browns QB faces a huge third season in the NFL, one which will determine whether or not he will be seen as the franchise's future.

An excellent rookie season saw him earn a 93.7 QB rating, prompting the Browns to surround him with talent including receivers Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry, plus Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb.

But a sophomore slump saw him throw 21 picks as the team failed to live up to high expectations, slumping to 6-10, with Mayfield's QB rating dropping to 78.8.

In response, the Browns fired their head coach, bolstered a poor offensive line and assembled another impressive array of weapons around him for 2020.

Mayfield therefore has the opportunity to bounce back and earn a big contract, but if he does not produce, there will be fewer excuses available this time around.

Jackson's future with the Ravens remains uncertain ahead of Tuesday's franchise tag deadline, with the quarterback yet to sign a long-term contract.

The Baltimore signal-caller, who represents himself rather than employing an agent, reportedly wants a fully guaranteed deal, but the Ravens are reluctant to offer that, meaning talks have been deadlocked.

"You can't win in this league without a strong quarterback. I mean, that's been proven," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said.

"We want Lamar here. We think he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He's certainly one of our best players, and we want him back.

"We understand that living in a world without a quarterback is a bad world to live in."

DeCosta voluntarily said that few teams have made more trades than the Ravens since he became GM four years ago but had no plans to offload Jackson.

"I covet great players. I covet quarterbacks. And I love Lamar," DeCosta said. "That has not factored in one time with me. We want to do what's best for the club. We try to do what we can for Lamar. We want to make everybody happy."

The Ravens can place the franchise tag on Jackson before Tuesday's deadline, but would have to create more room in their salary cap to fit the QB's tag under the cap.

The exclusive tag is projected to cost Baltimore $45.2million, while a non-exclusive tag would be around $32m, but the latter opens him up to offer sheets from rival clubs.

"Both understand the urgency of the situation," added DeCosta, before reiterating he remains "positive" on agreeing a new deal.

"I've seen a lot of deals happen when things look bleak, or I haven't seen deals when I would've thought it was a slam dunk," he said. "It takes two people to do it. I remain positive. I have no reason not to remain positive."

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he was "200 per cent" that 2019 MVP Jackson wanted to remain with Baltimore.

"He's my quarterback, he's my guy," Harbaugh said. "I love him. As a coach, I'm looking forward to seeing it get done but it's not easy. It's the business part of it but I'm fervently hopeful and excited.

"We've been texting back and forth here and there ever since the season was over. I feel like 'Mar is doing really well. It's just part of the business, it's what you expect when you have a great quarterback."

Jackson threw 17 touchdown passes with a 62.3 per cent completion rate across 12 starts in the 2022 regular season, which was cut short due to a knee injury. His 2021 campaign was also impacted by an ankle injury, Jackson again making only 12 starts.

The Ravens already exercised their fifth-year option on Jackson's contract, which will see the 24-year-old paid just over $23 million in 2022, and have since been in talks about an extension.

Jackson had indicated he wants to remain with the Ravens long-term, saying in May he "would love to be here forever".

The situation has now been complicated after the Buffalo Bills handed quarterback Josh Allen one of the richest deals in NFL history, with a six-year extension worth $258m.

"There’s really not a hurry for us," Harbaugh said about how Allen's deal may impact talks with Jackson on an extension.

"He’s going to be our quarterback for years to come."

Jackson, who was a unanimous choice as the NFL's Most Valuable Player two years ago, 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 Ravens have reached the NFL postseason for the past three seasons with Jackson, although they have only won one playoff during that span, failing to progress to any Championship games.

Jackson's output slipped 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.

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. He had 242 completions for 2,757 yards – at 64.4 per cent – 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 15 appearances for Baltimore in 2020.

In total, Jackson has tallied 606 completions, 7,085 yards, 68 touchdowns and 18 interceptions since entering the league.

Jackson missed the Ravens' 31-30 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 due to an ankle injury that he sustained in the December 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The Ravens QB did not train at all last week before missing the Packers' game, having been carted off against the Browns.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh would not be drawn on Jackson's availability, simply stating he was "wait and see" when asked about the star quarterback.

“I’m hopeful for him, and I know he’s doing everything he can to get back and play for us,” Ravens receiver Marquise Brown told the team website.

Jackson has thrown 16 touchdowns this season on 246-of-382 passing for 2,882 yards and a career-high 13 interceptions. The 24-year-old has also rushed for two scores – the lowest of his career – on 133 carries in 2021.

Baltimore, who have lost three games in a row, are second in the AFC North behind the Bengals with both holding 8-6 records with three regular-season games remaining.

Baltimore have been ravaged by a coronavirus outbreak, with star quarterback Lamar Jackson among the players absent from Wednesday's NFL loss to the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers.

Running back Ingram, defensive linesman Campbell and fellow DL Ward also missed the Week 12 clash, which was rescheduled multiple times before taking place midweek, but the trio are now set to return for Tuesday's meeting with the Cowboys.

Campbell – a five-time Pro Bowler – has not played since injuring his calf on November 8, while Ward has not featured since October 18.

Ravens president Dick Cass also released a statement on Saturday, addressing the COVID-19 outbreak within the franchise.

"Despite our best efforts, the protocol is only as effective as our weakest link. With a dangerous virus like this, everyone must comply with the protocol to avoid infecting many," Cass said. "We now know that not everyone at the Ravens followed the protocol thoroughly.

"Based on information provided by the NFL, we have learned that we had at least four unique strains of COVID-19 in our facility. Three of the four were stopped and not spread within our organisation. Unfortunately, the fourth was a highly-contagious strain and spread throughout our organisation. 

"We cannot undo what has occurred. But, we can do our best to learn from what has happened and be vigilant moving forward to ensure that it does not happen again. As the recent experience has shown us, this virus does not need a large opening to spread within an organisation, and 99 per cent compliance is not a passing grade when dealing with this virus.

"To our community, our neighbours, our fans and families, we say: Please learn from what happened here. This virus is serious. Very serious. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Let's beat this virus together. Thank you."

The Ravens have lost three consecutive games to own a 6-5 record, adrift of AFC North leaders the Steelers (11-0) and Cleveland Browns (8-3).

Jackson, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, had previously indicated that he hoped to come to an agreement on an extension with the Ravens by a Week 1 deadline.

But the Ravens' season opener is fast approaching, with Baltimore up against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Harbaugh rejected any suggestion that Jackson would hold out on a new deal and insisted he was focused on playing for the Ravens after Monday's practice.

"Lamar has said he's focused on the season, he's under contract and he's going to have the best season he can have," Harbaugh told reporters.

"He's hopeful to get a new contract and we're hopeful to get him a new contract. All the rest of it is business. There is nothing other than coming to something that is mutually agreeable.

"That's the way that all of these deals are done. So, obviously, I'm very hopeful, and I know everyone is really hopeful to get it done."

The Ravens QB, who is representing himself without an agent, is set to make just over $23million guaranteed on his fifth-year option in 2022.

"I don't have any updates," Harbaugh said.

"My interactions with Lamar have been all football. He's been focused and locked in on that, 100 per cent, from a football standpoint."

The 32nd overall pick of the 2018 draft, Jackson is coming off an injury-marred 2021 season, averaging 240.2 passing yards and 63.9 yards rushing in 12 games.

He finished with 16 passing touchdowns, a career-high 13 interceptions and an 87.0 QB rating – eighth lowest among the 30 quarterbacks with at least 350 passing attempts last season.

The Ravens lost four of the five games Jackson missed last season and finished 8-9 to miss the playoffs for the first time in his career.

The quarterback passed for 254 yards, and rushed for a further 89 from 14 carries, but was unable to prevent defeat as the Jags mounted a late comeback to win at TIAA Bank Field.

Jackson subsequently posted and then deleted a response on Twitter to a fan criticising him following his side's defeat, one which included an apparent homophobic reference.

Speaking on Monday, Harbaugh revealed he has discussed the issue with Jackson, and while he did not condone his player's actions, defended his reputation.

"[I] just beg guys to not to get into the Twitter world right after the game, especially after a loss," he said. "It's never going to be positive. It's not going be a nice place, you know?

"That's kind of reflected in Lamar's response because... that's not the way he speaks. It's not the way he talks. It's not the words he ever uses. I've never heard him say things like that before."

Harbaugh suggested Jackson may have been pulled into his online dispute, and spoke of the player's character in his defence.

"Lamar Jackson, you've been around him," he added. "He's got one of the biggest hearts of anybody I know. You all have seen him the way he treats people, the way he treats kids, the way he treats the media.

"You get trapped sometimes by someone that's baiting you just a little bit. You can't live there. I think that's not a place he wants to be and that's certainly not things that he wants to say."

Former NFL MVP Jackson missed the Ravens' 31-30 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 due to an ankle injury that he sustained in the December 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Jackson did not practice at all last week before missing the Packers' game, having been carted off against the Browns.

And it is backup Tyler Huntley who is taking first-team reps again this week, with offensive coordinator Greg Roman acknowledging the missed practice time for Jackson was becoming a concern.

Baltimore, who have lost three games in a row, are second in the AFC North behind the Bengals as both teams hold 8-6 records with three regular-season games remaining.

"We're taking it day-to-day," Roman told reporters about Jackson.

"I'm not sure of the availability at this moment but I think it does become a concern for any player when they miss time. 

"You really want them out there working on their craft, but these things happen. It is a fact of life in the NFL and you have to work through them. 

"Before the Denver game, he missed Wednesday and Thursday, and I thought he played a great game. So, he has the capability to do that. We have all the confidence in him and Tyler."

Roman added he was preparing a flexible gameplan in case Jackson is able to play in a more limited capacity than usual.

"If he can't move very well, then we'll certainly lean on other things than trying to have him move too much," the OC said.

Jackson has thrown for 2,882 yards and 16 touchdowns this season along with a career-high 13 interceptions. The 24-year-old has also rushed for two scores – the lowest of his career – on 133 carries in 2021.

The Ravens have won five of their seven meetings with the Bengals since 2018, although they were crushed 41-17 by their rivals in Week 7 this year.

Each of the Ravens' three consecutive losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns and Packers have come by either one or two points. 

Per Stats Perform data, only two other teams in NFL history have lost three consecutive games by two points or less - the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002 and the Chicago Cardinals in 1932.

Jackson was doubtful pre-game with an ankle sprain and managed only four of four passes for 17 yards before taking a hit and making way for Tyler Huntley.

The former MVP left Baltimore's locker room in a protective boot.

Baltimore lead the AFC North with an 8-5 record, narrowly ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) and Browns (7-6) with four regular season games remaining.

"Lamar has an ankle sprain. We'll look at it more [Monday] and we'll see where we're at," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said at the post-game news conference.

"We'll see how he responds [Monday], we'll see how it responds."

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 also allowed 13 interceptions, having only committed 18 across his previous three seasons.

In Jackson's absence, backup Huntley almost pulled off a comeback victory for the Ravens against the Browns, offering hope they can still fire without their star quarterback.

"Tyler showed a lot of grit, and I felt like the whole team did that," Harbaugh said. "That's who we are and that's why we have a chance to still win the championship in the AFC North and go on from there. That's what we'll be fighting to do in the next four weeks."

Jackson fuelled the Ravens, who rallied past the Browns 47-42 in a see-sawing contest on Monday that boosted Baltimore's NFL playoff hopes.

Justin Tucker converted a 55-yard field goal with two seconds remaining after star team-mate Jackson – who missed most of the final quarter having exited the field due to cramps – inspired the drive during the closing stages.

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.

"I was still coming out no matter what," reigning MVP Jackson replied when asked if he would have returned had backup quarterback Trade McSorley not been injured.

"It was crunch time. It's win or go home for us right now."

"I was trying to come back," Jackson said. "I was stretching… I was getting ticked off cause I seen it wasn't going our way . . . then I seen my guy [Trace McSorley] go down. I was ready to come back on the field, I got ticked off, and there it was."

"I had everything in me," Jackson, who was 11-of-17 passing for 163 yards and a touchdown, while he rushed for 124 yards and two TDs on nine carries, said. "I got back to myself. I was cramping. I got that right.

"I was cramping, and I had to get some IVs in me."

It marked the first game in NFL history in which both teams rushed for four-plus touchdowns, per Stats Perform.

Baltimore's five rushing touchdowns and Cleveland's four combined for the equal most in a single game in league history, according to NFL Research. The only other two games with nine combined rushing touchdowns happened in 1922.

On Tucker's last-gasp heroics, Jackson added: "Making my job a lot easier and the offense's job a lot easier. We don't have to score a touchdown.

"Some coaches don't trust their kickers, we put all our faith in ours. We just had to get him in position to kick the field goal and then automatic Tuck -- he did the rest."

Head coach John Harbaugh called Jackson's effort "one of the greatest performances I've ever seen" after Jackson led four straight touchdown drives to erase a 19-point deficit. 

Jackson's career-best 442 passing yards set a franchise record and with 62 additional yards on the ground he accounted for all but 19 of Baltimore's 523 yards of total offence. 

It was a breathtaking effort that left team-mates in awe. 

"He's amazing," said Marquise Brown, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime after hauling in a 43-yard TD to start the comeback.

"I think he's just 24 years old? It's crazy what he can do," said veteran defensive end Calais Campbell. 

A significant part of Jackson's allure stems from his ability to get the team out of jams, as he did once again Monday with Baltimore down 22-3 late in the third quarter and 25-9 with 12 minutes remaining in the fourth. 

"It wasn't easy," Harbaugh told reporters. "I mean, it wasn't like we came out up and down the field. We had to overcome and fight through some things.

"[Jackson] just came alive like all of our guys did. All of the guys made plays, but it starts with Lamar. He deserves the credit."

The quarterback insisted he never doubted the Ravens' ability to come back in the game. It was just a matter of time before they got their offence going. 

"Our team, we hit that peak that we needed at the right time in the second half," Jackson said. "We just knew it was one play at a time – that's all we kept saying in the huddle."

It was a no-brainer decision for the Ravens, who selected Jackson 32nd overall in the 2018 draft.

Since then he has gone on to establish himself as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL, his dual-threat skill set helping him win the MVP award in 2019.

He has a 30-7 record as a starter and has guided the Ravens to three successive postseason appearances.

Picking up the option will see Jackson paid just over $23million in 2022, though the two parties are in talks over a contract extension.

Jackson has 7,085 passing yards and 68 touchdowns through the air in his three seasons in the NFL. He has thrown 18 interceptions in that time.

In addition, Jackson has compiled 2,906 yards and 19 touchdowns as a runner, with his yards per carry average of 6.03 since 2018 the best in the NFL.

Jackson suffered a sprained right ankle during the Ravens' 24-22 defeat to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The quarterback had been doubtful for the Week 14 game due to an ankle problem and 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 on Monday revealed he hopes Jackson can face the Packers, but it is too early to know if he will be available.

He said: "The plans are right now, in my mind, for Lamar to be out there.

"So, we'll see where it goes this week. If he can go, he'll go. If not, Tyler will be the quarterback. That's where we're at."

Harbaugh said Jackson had not sustained a high-ankle sprain and "we'll just have to see what it is from there, and how he feels this week going forward."

Baltimore lead the AFC North with an 8-5 record, narrowly ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) and Cleveland Browns (7-6) with four regular season games remaining.

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.

Following Jackson's exit, Huntley almost pulled off a comeback victory for the Ravens against the Browns.

The Ravens also confirmed on Monday that safety Tony Jefferson is back after being signed to the practice squad.

Jackson was listed on the Ravens injury report as limited, after he exited early to receive treatment from a trainer on Wednesday.

The Ravens QB also did not address reporters in his usual spot on Wednesday, having not spoken publicly since his since-deleted vulgar social media reply on Sunday.

Following Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jackson posted and then deleted a response on Twitter to a fan criticising him following his side's defeat, one which included an apparent homophobic reference.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was unable to provide an update on Jackson's status on Wednesday, ahead of Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.

The 25-year-old has only missed four games due to injury in his five-year NFL career. The Ravens are 7-4 and lead the AFC North.

Ravens quarterback Jackson is in doubt to face the Bears due to an illness, the franchise announced on Saturday.

Former MVP Jackson returned for full practice on Friday, having missed two days with an illness.

Jackson has only missed two games in his four-year career in the NFL – sitting out the 2019 season finale (rest) and a Week 12 fixture in 2020 (COVID-19).

Baltimore's Jackson rushed nine times for 39 yards in the Week 10 loss to the Miami Dolphins for an average of 4.3 yards, his lowest mark since Week 4 against Denver Broncos. However, his 6.0 yards per carry this season leads the league amongst qualified players, according to Stats Perform.

This season, Jackson has completed 199 of his 309 passes for 2,447 yards and 14 touchdowns with a 93.1 passer rating, while he has rushed for two scores and 639 yards.

The Ravens, who top the AFC North with a 6-3 record, have lost their last two games against the Bears but both encounters have gone to overtime and were decided by a field goal.

Jackson posted his 12th career 100-yard rushing game (including playoffs) – a record for quarterbacks in the NFL – on Sunday.

The former MVP moved past four-time Pro Bowler Michael Vick, who achieved the feat in 11 games across his 13-year career.

Jackson, though, matched Vick in the regular season with his 10th 100-yard rushing game.

"Of course, I respect [Vick's] game. That's cool," Jackson said after rushing for 120 yards on 21 carries at home to the Vikings.

"I don't know what to say. That's pretty cool, though."

Jackson completed 27 of 41 passes for 266 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in Baltimore.

"We just had to do what we had to do to get the victory," Jackson said. "We just ran for a lot today. That's just what it was."

Jackson also registered his 22nd career 75-yard rushing game, surpassing Vick, while he tied Cam Newton for the most games with at least 250 passing yards and 100 rushing yards (three) in league history.

With his ninth career performance with at least 200 passing yards and 75 rushing yards, Jackson tied Russell Wilson for the most in NFL history, while his 15th consecutive game with a touchdown pass matched a franchise record he set in 2019-20.

"There are no long-term sustainability observations. That's not even relevant," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh when asked whether Jackson's running game was sustainable.

"Would you rather not run 21 times and lose the game? It's crazy to even suggest that."

As expected, Jackson's contract status was a main topic of conversation when he met with reporters following Thursday's final day of mandatory minicamp.

The dynamic quarterback is entering the final season of the five-year, $32.5million deal he signed as a rookie in 2018.

Jackson, who is representing himself in negotiations, said he and the Ravens have had discussions about an extension, but stopped short of saying for certain if he will attend training camp or play Week 1 without a new deal.

"We're having a conversation about it," he said. "I don’t know."

Jackson still remained optimistic he will remain a Raven past this season and beyond, though, adding when asked: "I expect so. Yes, I do."

Jackson did attend mandatory minicamp after skipping Baltimore's voluntary offseason training activities last month, though said his absence was not contract-related.

"I just wanted to stay away and just grind. I just wanted to come back and just see how it felt. [And] I feel good," he added.

Extension talks between Jackson and the Ravens have moved slowly, with general manager Eric DeCosta saying in March negotiations had gone on "at Lamar's urgency."

With a league MVP to his credit and being the only quarterback in NFL history with two 1,000-yard rushing seasons, the 25-year-old is in position for a big second contract – perhaps one that could exceed the record $230m in guaranteed money the Cleveland Browns gave quarterback Deshaun Watson on a five-year deal agreed to in March.

Jackson insisted the Watson contract would have no bearing on his situation, saying: "I'm a man of my own. I don't worry about what those guys get."

Jackson also responded to comments made by Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti earlier this offseason, which suggested the star signal-caller may not think he was worthy of such a lucrative long-term contract until he wins a Super Bowl.

"I still want my Super Bowl, though, but I think I'm worthy," Jackson stated. "Yes, sir, I do."

Jackson will undergo tests on Monday, and the team will have an idea by Wednesday on the severity of the injury and how much time he will miss – if any.

"It's going to be a number, days-to-weeks. We'll see," Harbaugh said after Sunday’s 10-9 win over the Denver Broncos. "We'll see if you can go back this week. If not, it'll be sometime after that shortly."

The 2019 league MVP was injured on the final play of the first quarter, when he landed awkwardly while being sacked from behind by linebacker Jonathon Cooper.

He was then evaluated in the sideline medical tent and sent to the locker room, leaving backup Tyler Huntley to run the offense.

The Ravens' offense struggled mightily Sunday, managing 268 total yards over the final three quarters and didn’t reach the endzone until 28 seconds left in the game, when Huntley scored on a game-winning two-yard touchdown run.

If Jackson’s injury is deemed serious and he ends up missing time, it could not only be detrimental to Baltimore’s playoff hopes, but also factor into Jackson’s next contract.

Jackson, who will be a free agent after this season after contract talks with the Ravens broke down over the summer, hadn’t missed time since suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 14 of 2021, which ultimately cause the Ravens' season to unravel.

Baltimore was 8-4 and atop the AFC North after 13 weeks last season, but ended up losing the last five games after Jackson went down and missed the playoffs.

The Ravens entered this week tied with the Cincinnati Bengals atop the AFC North, and improved their record to 8-4.

Jackson has been in self-isolation for 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus on Thanksgiving, with the Ravens' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers having been pushed back due to a raft of positive results in the Baltimore camp.

After three postponements, the game was played on Wednesday, with the Steelers maintaining their winning start with a 19-14 triumph.

However, the Ravens are now expecting Jackson – the reigning NFL MVP – to play from the off against the Cowboys (3-8), in another rescheduled fixture.

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.

Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman this week confirmed that the 23-year-old remained "engaged" with the team by watching videos of practice while in isolation.

"Lamar is fully engaged in these virtual meetings and can watch all the film," Roman told reporters on Saturday.

"He's really lockstep, each and every step through. The only thing he can't do is, obviously, be here at the facility and actually take part in it. But, mentally, he's right on it."