Lamar Jackson's first pass of the preseason set the tone for another positive performance.
Rolling to his right, Jackson saw Chris Moore wide open running down the sideline. Jackson's pass was perfect, the completion went for 30 yards, and the Ravens were off and running.
Playing on the Ravens' first three possessions (16 snaps), Jackson continued the momentum he started on the first day of training camp, completing four of six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars Thursday night. The Ravens scored on two of the three drives led by Jackson, producing a 52-yard field goal by Justin Tucker and a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Willie Snead IV.
Jackson's quarterback rating was 138.2. That works. This is what the Ravens wanted from Jackson against the Jaguars. Give him some action, get positive results, get him out of the game. The Ravens were clean offensively while Jackson was in the game – no turnovers, no penalties and no ball-handling issues. Overall, Jackson was pleased, although he was disappointed to settle for a field goal on the opening drive.
"We were just driving the ball downfield," Jackson said. "We did a lot of good things, we just have to punch it in. It's all about hitting my receivers, hitting my targets, moving the ball downfield, trying not to be stopped and scoring touchdowns."
Baltimore will keep much of its re-imagined offense under wraps during the preseason, not wanting opponents to see the total package. However, Jackson's improvement remains a positive storyline. He didn't run the ball once against the Jaguars, yet the Ravens moved the ball effectively. Meanwhile, Jackson's mobility gave the Jaguars issues. On the touchdown pass to Snead, Jackson rolled to his left to create an easy throwing window, then gave Snead an accurate pass he could work with. Snead made a couple of nifty moves after the catch to reach the end zone, then celebrated with Jackson afterward.
The Ravens hope to see that often this season – Jackson congratulating one of his targets after a touchdown pass.
"Lamar was calm, collected, poised and had great leadership out there," left tackle Ronnie Stanley said. "Just directing the offense, he knows what he wants to do. He has full confidence in himself and in our teammates."
