Lamar Jackson Could Be Headed for 'Best Season in History'
With a resume that includes three Super Bowl rings and two league MVP awards, Patrick Mahomes has earned his status as the measuring stick for active NFL quarterbacks.
There's still a lot of football to be played this season, but the growing consensus is that right now Lamar Jackson is second to none.
Jackson, who is the favorite to win his second MVP award in a row and third overall, has knocked Mahomes out of the No. 1 spot in The Ringer’s quarterback rankings for the first time in 24 months. The rankings are based on a quarterback's accuracy, arm talent, creativity, decision making, pocket presence, and timing.
"Jackson is on pace to become the league's inaugural member of the 4,000/1,000 club. That's over 4,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards in a season," The Ringer's Steven Ruiz wrote. "He's also sporting a 15-2 touchdown-interception ratio and averaging over 9.1 yards per pass attempt. And only his teammate Derrick Henry is averaging more yards per run than Jackson's 6.2 figure.
"This is unlike anything we've ever seen at the pro level. Jackson didn't even hit these statistical benchmarks during his Heisman-winning campaign at Louisville. We're watching one of the best seasons in the history of the sport. There's an argument that it could go down as the best if Jackson can keep it up for the next 10 weeks. That's what knocked Mahomes down to second place."
Ruiz said Jackson has taken his game to another level as a passer in his second season in Todd Monken's offense.
"Jackson's command of the pocket has been excellent, which is rare for a scrambling quarterback," Ruiz wrote. "And he's so much more than a QB who scrambles — and happens to be exceptionally good at it. Jackson doesn't run himself into sacks, and he generally gets the ball out on time. When he holds the ball, it's typically for a good reason, whether he's evading an unblocked pass rusher or has already worked through his progression and is looking for an exit from the pocket.
"Jackson's accuracy has also improved. That was never necessarily a weakness in his game, but it is now a strength, and that precision combined with Jackson's dynamic arm makes him one of the top pure throwers in the NFL. His decision-making has improved as well. He's taking more ownership of Baltimore's offense."
Jackson also took over the No. 1 spot in The 33rd Team’s quarterback rankings, which are based on a grading system combining the skill set rankings (how good a quarterback is in a vacuum) and production (based on a composite of EPA per play and success rate) for the 2024 season.
"What's made Jackson's 2024 season so impressive is that everything is currently available to him," The 33rd Team's Dan Pizzuta wrote. "The run is more explosive than it's been. The middle of the field has been opened up better through the scheme. His deep ball is hitting. There aren't weaknesses."
Ravens Predicted to Stand Pat at Trade Deadline
ESPN looked at where each team stands heading into the Nov. 5 trade deadline. Here's what they said about the Ravens:
Adding, subtracting or sitting it out?
"Sitting it out. Baltimore is primed for a playoff run and has a stable roster for the most part. It doesn't feel like GM Eric DeCosta wants to ship off players, but he's always prudent with opportunities. (Remember Roquan Smith?) Davante Adams in Baltimore would have been an intriguing pairing, but the team seems comfortable with its current receiver setup." – Jeremy Fowler
Who could be on the move?
"Safety Eddie Jackson. The Ravens likely won't be dealing away players at the trade deadline, but Jackson would potentially be available if teams are looking for experienced safety help. Jackson hasn't made the expected impact as the Ravens' No. 3 safety, recording 20 tackles and no interceptions or pass breakups. Jackson's playing time has decreased recently because Baltimore has used Ar'Darius Washington more at deep safety." – Jamison Hensley
Which player should they target?
"Panthers edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney totaled 9.5 sacks rushing opposite Kyle Van Noy in Baltimore last season, and now he's twiddling his thumbs in Carolina on a one-year deal. With Yannick Ngakoue already back in the fold, why not continue the run on Ravens reunions at pass rusher? Clowney can be a rotational player, helping to keep both himself and Van Noy fresh -- and once he gets healthy from a shoulder injury, he should pick up right where he left off." – Ben Solak
Pundit Says Henry Deserves More MVP Consideration
While the MVP award almost always goes to a quarterback, Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano said Henry, who is on pace to set the single-season rushing record, deserves to be in the conversation.
"Henry is making life easier for Jackson and his pass catchers, a testament to how valuable he is to the Ravens and why this postseason could be different in Baltimore," Manzano wrote. "Henry also has the numbers to support an MVP campaign, with a league-high 873 rushing yards while averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
"This is not to say Jackson isn't an MVP candidate again, but Henry definitely needs more consideration for the award that tends to go to quarterbacks. Henry rushed for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2020 and still wasn't good enough for the MVP, but it at least got him the Offensive Player of the Year award."
On a sidenote, ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote that left tackle Ronnie Stanley has played a significant role in Henry's success this season.
"Henry's best runs have often been to the left side of the field, where tackle Ronnie Stanley is having a wildly impressive bounce-back season," Barnwell wrote. "After a serious ankle injury cost Stanley most of 2020 and 2021 and prevented him from playing on an every-down basis as recently as last season, I didn't expect to ever see the Stanley who was a first-team All-Pro in 2019 again. He is the only tackle with more than 50 pass-blocking opportunities who hasn't allowed a sack this season. He's having a spectacular year. So is his new running back."
One Category in Which the Ravens Offense Is Surprisingly Thriving
The Ravens offense has been nearly unstoppable this season, as it leads the NFL in yards per play (7.2) and explosive-play rate (15.7%).
The Baltimore Banner's Jonas Shaffer looked at the factors that are contributing to the offense's success, and he said the most surprising is how productive receivers have been after the catch.
"They're averaging 7.1 yards after their receptions, third best in the NFL and just fractions of a yard behind the league-leading Detroit Lions (7.1)," Shaffer wrote. "Since 2006, the first year for which such data is available, the Ravens have never averaged even 6 yards after the catch over a full season; their best YAC campaign in that span came last year, when they averaged 5.6 yards.
"In this Ravens passing game, almost every skill position player is an open-field threat, especially when every teammate turns into a willing blocker. Running back Justice Hill, who gave the Ravens their first lead Monday on an 18-yard screen pass score, is averaging a team-high 11.6 yards after the catch. On wide receiver Rashod Bateman's 59-yard reception in the second quarter, he tacked on 27 yards after the catch. Wide receiver Zay Flowers (6.6 yards after the catch) and tight end Isaiah Likely (6.3 yards) are both averaging at least a yard above the league average (5.3 yards)."
