In his case for a third NFL Most Valuable Player award, Lamar Jackson is clearly a triple threat now.
In addition to throwing five touchdown passes and rushing for 52 yards Monday night, Jackson showed off another side of his game – blocking for Derrick Henry in a 41-31 Baltimore Ravens win over the Buccaneers from Tampa Bay. With the Ravens leading by 16 points (34-18) in the fourth quarter, Jackson saw Henry change direction and ran upfield to push safety Antoine Winfield Jr. out of the way to help Henry gain 39 yards.
“Lamar is the ultimate competitor,” tight end Mark Andrews said. He puts everything on the line every game. He’s really great, he’s the best. He is the MVP. »
For the first time this season, Jackson has catapulted himself into the favorite for NFL Most Valuable Player, according to ESPN BET. Jackson’s odds to win the title are now +275, which puts him ahead of Patrick Mahomes (+475).
At 27, Jackson could become the youngest player to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award three times. He won in 2019 as well as last year.
But Jackson, who is the only two-time title winner never to reach a Super Bowl, was not interested in discussing his individual accomplishments after that game.
“I’m conquering something right now,” Jackson said. Every match will be the same for me. Every match I try to win. »
Jackson once again took matters into his own hands to lead the Ravens (5-2) to a fifth straight victory. Trailing 10-0 in the first quarter, Jackson led the Ravens to six straight offensive drives that led to points, resulting in a 34-point spurt. During this sequence, Jackson threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to receiver Rashod Bateman, before finding Andrews on four yards for a major on fourth down.
In helping the Ravens score 27 or more points for a fifth straight game – the longest active streak in the NFL – Jackson continues to place himself in a different world. Monday’s game was the third of his career with five touchdown passes and at least 50 rushing yards. No other player in the NFL has made more than one such play.
“It’s almost scary to see him get better,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said. He is unique. If I had to compare him to a basketball player, he’s like LeBron. »
Jackson has always been a dangerous runner, but he continues to improve in his aerial game. He finished the game 17 for 22 with 281 yards and five touchdowns. It was the fifth game of his career with as many or more touchdown passes as incomplete passes, according to ESPN Research.
Through seven games, Jackson is fifth in passing yards (1,810), second in touchdown passes (15) and second in yards per attempt (9.1).
“He’s the best in the league. If people don’t believe that, they don’t watch football. They just hate,” said tackle Nnamdi Mdubuike.
Jackson doesn’t think he plays any differently in prime-time games, but he has elevated his game in front of national audiences. He now has 20 touchdown passes against no interceptions in Monday night games, the longest streak of touchdown passes without an interception on Monday night.
“He will definitely go down in Monday Night Football history and he has more to give,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.
