OWINGS MILLS — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is admittedly having the best season of his career.
However, he’s telling the fans and pundits to pump the breaks on any talk of winning a third MVP. There is still a of football to be played this season and anything can happen in the topsy-turvy NFL
“I know how it feels to be 0-2. I really don’t care about the hype – not just being 0-2 – I just know how the NFL works,” Jackson said. “It’s ‘Any Given Sunday.’ So, I’m not going to dwell on an MVP trophy or anything like that – I never have. Even when I won it, I never dwelled on it. It was just about me trying to win each and every game I’m in, and [it’s the] same thing now. I’m still trying to win these games to get to February and win in February.”
Jackson has produced several highlight-reel plays over the first six games of the season.
In Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackson could not handle a snap by center Tyler Linderbaum midway through the fourth quarter. He picked up the ball from the turf, stiff-armed Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard twice and then, as he was drifting toward the right sideline, threw a touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely.
Hubbard crouched to his knees and just shook his head in disbelief. Those who saw it were shaking their heads as well. The Ravens won the game 41-38 in overtime.
Overall, Jackson has completed 118 of 176 passes for 1,529 yards with 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Jackson is also second on the team with 403 yards rushing with two scores. Jackson feels more comfortable running the offense than any other time in his career.
“I just feel like everything is slowing down even more just from the [seven] years I’ve been in the league and seeing all types of defenses, seeing all types of blitzes – everything is just second nature right now,” he said. “So, I’m just trying to be a better player myself each and every year, so I’ll just say everything is slowing down. That’s what’s helping it.”
Last week against Washington, Jackson (5,661) surpassed Cam Newton (5,628) for the second-most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history, behind only Michael Vick (6,109). Heading into Monday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jackson is 22-1 record as a starter against NFC opponents ranking as the best interconference mark by a quarterback in NFL history.
Coach John Harbaugh has lauded Jackson’s performance throughout the season. When asked whether Jackson is playing the best football of his career, Harbaugh replied: “The honest answer is probably yes, just because he is the most far along as he’s been, just as a player and development-wise – he’s steadily, steadily always.
“He’s that guy that kind of epitomizes what we’re talking about there – he’s always seeking to improve. He’s very much a perfectionist. He wants every play to be perfect. He chases perfection in his football. I’d say, yes, but I think his focus is on the next play [and] the next game.”