No team won more games this season than the Baltimore Ravens. Can Lamar Jackson put last year’s disappointing playoff showing behind him?
Flashback to one year ago. Then-rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, the final selection in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, finished the season as the Baltimore Ravens; starting quarterback. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Louisville would actually play in all 16 regular-season games and was the main man behind center for John Harbaugh’s club the final seven contests. The team responded with six wins over that span, finished 10-6 and captured the AFC North.
There would be a playoff match-up with the Los Angeles Chargers. It would prove to be a forgettable afternoon for Jackson, despite playing better in the fourth quarter of what eventually turned into a 23-17 setback. In the game, he fumbled three times, losing one of those miscues, and was sacked seven times – dropped six times in the second half. By games’ end, he would connect on less than 50 percent of his throws (14-of-29) for 194 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one interception in the six-point home loss.
Then came 2019 and now this weekend. And the team with the best record in the NFL that amassed a league-high 531 points takes on the upstart Tennessee Titans on Saturday night. The Ravens have won 12 consecutive games since a 2-2 start. Harbaugh sat many of his starters for the final Sunday of the regular season, including Jackson.
As for the Ravens’ young signal-caller, it’s safe to assume he’s one of the most improved players in the league. He finished his year with 3,127 yards through the air, completing 66.1 percent of his throws (up from 58.2 percent in ’18). That was good for a league-high 36 touchdowns compared to only six interceptions. He also set a new NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,206) on 176 attempts and racked up seven scores on the ground. And he managed all of this in 15 games. Is it little wonder that he’s been all the buzz when it comes to NFL MVP honors>
It’s been a remarkable year for the 23-year-old pro (who celebrated a birthday earlier this week) and the Ravens. But now comes the second season and a whole new set of challenges. Fortunately for Jackson, he already has one postseason experience under his belt. Last year’s loss to the Bolts saw him with a classic case of the playoff jitters. He was able to settle down late in the second half and nearly brought the Ravens all the way back from a 20-3 deficit.
Of course, this Baltimore attack is a major upgrade from a year ago. This offseason, the organization promoted Greg Roman to offensive coordinator. He built a scheme that catered to Jackson’s amazing talents and the franchise added some key veterans during free agency in running back Mark Ingram, who finished with 1,453 yards from scrimmage and a team-best 15 touchdowns. The Ravens broke a league record that had stood since 1978 (New England Patriots) by rushing for 3,296 yards as a team. Baltimore’s offense produced 58 touchdowns – 21 on the ground and 37 through the air.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the team starts on Saturday night against the upstart Tennessee Titans. The last time the club had some substantial time off was Week 16 at Cleveland when the club was coming off a Thursday night clash with the Jets and had not taken the field in more than a week. That was also the last time Jackson saw any action. Will there be a little rust early on, as well as any kind of playoff jitters in his second postseason start?
All told, this is a Ravens’ team unlike any other in franchise history. It’s carried primarily by its offense and its extraordinary second-year quarterback. Yes, the team does have a pair of Lombardi Trophies in its possession. The 2000 team featured one of the great defensive performances in one season in league annals. Seven years ago, Harbaugh’s club got hot at the right time, quarterback Joe Flacco enjoyed a memorable four-game playoff stretch and an opportunistic defense helped get the job done.
As for this version of the Black, Purple and Metallic Gold, it’s safe to say that it’s been constructed for the talented Jackson to come up big. And he has more than answered the call this year, quieting many critics along the way. He’s been a shining star in the National Football League’s 100th season. Baltimore’s defense is better than it was earlier in the season but make no mistake where this club’s strength lies. It’s right in front of Jackson, who can now put a big-time stamp on one of the greatest seasons ever by a quarterback if he and his team can win three more games.