Baltimore Ravens: Is Lamar Jackson a Frontrunner for MVP?
Nov 17, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (right) exchanges jerseys with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (left) after the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
The 8-2 Baltimore Ravens beat the 6-4 Houston Texans 41-7 as Lamar Jackson is continuing his case for the MVP award.
MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson, along with their efficient offense and now improved defense, is turning skeptics into believers as the Baltimore Ravens look like the hottest team in the NFL. Even with some great stats, they will not totally capture what his value is to the Ravens but every week, the former Louisville Cardinal quarterback and Heisman winner (2016) seems to make a few splash plays while breaking a record or two each game (rushing and passing records alike). Whether it is the potent and productive offense, scoring in multiple ways through the air or on the ground depending on the defense, or the surging defense that looks improved from a month ago with their new additions; this Ravens team looks like a different breed compared to the rest.
The Ravens have beat three playoff potential teams in the last few weeks (8-2 Seattle Seahawks, 9-1 New England Patriots, and 6-4 Houston Texans).
The run game has been consistently good against any run defense, good or bad. The Houston Texans had the number three ranked run defense (now dropped to 13th) before facing the Baltimore Ravens team that amassed 263 total rushing yards in Week 11. New England had the 2nd ranked total defense at the time (now number one) before encountering Baltimore in Week 9, rushing for over 210 total rushing yards as the Ravens took down the previously unbeaten team. The Patriots did have a weakness in their run defense but the Ravens exploited that completely and have looked dominant in their recent wins so far. If this rushing attack keeps up, their running game will reach historical levels the league has not seen.
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The Raven’s offense is giving NFL defenses fits with their long but methodical drives, along with the aggressive tendencies that lead them to score on more than half of those offensive drives.
They are currently the 2nd best total in the NFL (behind the Dallas Cowboys) and are the top-scoring offense (which averages about 34 points per game). With the top rushing attack in the NFL, the 20th ranked passing game for Baltimore is still enough to sustain success against any team. Mark Ingram was a great free-agent acquisition coming from the New Orleans Saints and he represents the attitude the Ravens want in their run game. Amassing 667 rushing yards on 136 carries and 10 total touchdowns, Ingram (ranked 12th in rushing) has been efficient in this offense (almost averaging 5 yards a carry) and the triple threat (Jackson, Ingram, and Gus Edwards) on the ground has been too hot to handle most of the 2019 season.
Lamar Jackson, on 115 carries, has 788 yards on the ground and is averaging almost 7 yards per carry (ranked 10th in rushing). Just the threat of him running is so influential to the defenses and even if they make the correct read on him, sometimes he is just too athletic and makes the special play to keep the drive alive. Gus Edwards, the former Rutgers running back, was an undrafted rookie gem from last year and still makes his impact with big runs on his own. Even as a rotational running back, he lifts some of the load off of Ingram on the ground.
Jackson is leaps and bounds better in overall accuracy and decision making, along with limiting the hits and turnovers that were a problem in his rookie year.
With a 66.3 completion percentage, 19 touchdowns through the air (ranked 4th), and a 106.3 passer rating (ranked 4th); Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. has been night and day compared to his rookie year. His growth from 2018 with a whole offseason to 2019, leading an offense that caters to his strengths, is incredible at 22 years old. Greg Roman and John Harbaugh adapting the offense around him has helped him tremendously as they scheme up various formations with their versatile tight ends.
Jackson has thrown only 5 interceptions and has fumbled 3 times this season but compared to 12 fumbles and 3 interceptions, he has really cleaned up the turnovers from a year ago. While there is an easy comparison to make with him and Michael Vick, Jackson is simply producing better passing numbers on a game to game basis while potentially breaking the all-time rushing record by a quarterback, previously set by Vick.
Give credit to the Ravens offensive line and the diversity in the passing game that feeds off from the run game with the threat of Lamar Jackson.
What was once thought of as a potential problem, the left guard position filled by Bradley Bozeman has been a good upgrade in 2019. The former 6th round pick last year from Alabama has fit right in and with Matt Skura improving this year, their offensive line has been a major cog for the Ravens offensive success. Ronnie Stanley, Marshal Yanda, and Orlando Brown Jr. make up a core crew of maulers that have kept Jackson relatively clean while opening up lanes in the run game. Let’s not forget about “Project Pat” Patrick Ricard, who has made his impact as a fullback and defensive lineman.
Their three tight end sets (Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst, and Nick Boyle) has also helped the offense blocking along with catching clutch catches and creating mismatches inside the numbers in the passing game. Andrews leads the Ravens in yards and receptions (almost 600 receiving yards on about 50 catches) while rookie Marquise Brown has been a threat when he is in the game despite not being fully healthy. When “Hollywood” is in the game, defenses have to respect the deep passing game, which leaves holes for the Ravens run game. Willie Snead has been the slot receiver Jackson does rely on as well to make those tough catches.
The new additions brought in throughout the season have helped a Ravens defense that has had its issues with pass rush and injuries last month.
The Ravens had troubles at inside linebacker early in the season, with Patrick Onwuasor hurt and the combination of Kenny Young/ Chris Board as starters was not the solution. After the losses against the 7-4 Kansas City Chiefs and 4-6 Cleveland Browns, Baltimore had a wake-up call and signed free agents L.J. Fort and brought back former Raven Josh Bynes.
After trading Kenny Young and a 5th round pick in 2020 to the Los Angeles Rams for cornerback Marcus Peters, the Ravens defense looked to be back to form. The Tony Jefferson and Deshon Elliott injuries hurt the safety position but Chuck Clark has filled in well for them. Earl Thomas, who came over from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason, has played better in the recent weeks and has made plays around the ball (2 interceptions).
Since then and getting guys back healthy, the Baltimore defense rose back up as the 14th total ranked defense. They have stopped the run much better with Brandon Williams back (was out against the Browns) but Michael Pierce was injured last two weeks. The Ravens also signed Jihad Ward, Domata Peko, and Justin Ellis this past month to add to their defensive line depth.
The addition of Peters and Jimmy Smith now back from injury gives the Ravens the best cornerback group in the NFL.
Since Peters was traded to Baltimore, he has two pick-sixes and has been an impact player as the number two cornerback in the Ravens defensive scheme. Marlon Humphrey is having a very good season and is one of the best corners already, with 2 interceptions himself and has 2 forced fumbles (which have led to touchdowns). Brandon Carr, now mainly a depth corner, has given the Ravens some versatility as he plays some safety.
The Ravens pass rush and their blitz scheme has been more productive as of late, as Matthew Judon is leading the team in sacks with 6 (sacked Deshaun Watson this past week twice). Rookie Jaylon Ferguson notched his first sack in his career with the Ravens and Tyus Bowser was involved as well (second on the team with 4 sacks). The Ravens face tough teams next three games (6-4 Los Angeles Rams, 9-1 San Francisco 49ers, and 7-3 Buffalo Bills) but if they can manage wins there and cap off the rest of their division teams at the end of the season, the AFC North division should be all but wrapped up for the Ravens to repeat as AFC North champions.
Write about all things football; including the Baltimore Ravens (my favorite team), College Football, the NFL Draft, and other football related content.
