Already a two-time MVP, Lamar Jackson is playing as well as ever.
His new teammate in the Baltimore backfield, Derrick Henry, has been excellent, too.
The combination of Jackson and Henry has turned what was already a strong offense into an even more dominant one. This has helped the Ravens overcome some struggles on defense. Baltimore has scored at least 35 points in four of the last six weeks, and their season average of 446 yards per game leads the NFL.
“Lamarvelous,” wide receiver Zay Flowers said after Jackson posted a perfect passer rating in a 41-10 win over Denver on Sunday.
Jackson leads the league with a rating of 120.7, having thrown 20 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Henry, in his first season with Baltimore, leads the league in rushing yards and has already passed 1,000 yards. With Flowers thriving in his second season, the Ravens have many weapons, and a rebuilt offensive line has been solid.
“It’s a pick-your-poison offense, so based on what the defense is giving me, certain guys might have a day,” Jackson said. “It’s really based on the defense of how they are feeling. ‘Who’s this offense tilting towards?’
But all of the great guys we have, it could be the tight ends one game, it might just be the running backs one game. You really never know.”
Where the Ravens (6-3) have had trouble is on defense. Linebacker Patrick Queen and pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney left in free agency, but the bigger issue has been the secondary, despite star safety Kyle Hamilton’s presence. Baltimore ranks last in the NFL against the pass.
The Ravens also lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald in the offseason when he left to become Seattle’s new coach. Two other defensive assistants also moved on to coordinator jobs elsewhere, which might be part of the reason for the defense’s struggles this year.
Jackson may very well compete for another MVP, but this team isn’t as complete as the one that had the best regular-season record in the league last season. If the Ravens can improve on defense, this could be the year Jackson breaks through and leads the team to the Super Bowl.
