From the Baltimore Sun (TNS), by Childs Walker
This statistic sticks out among the numerous intriguing and amazing ones that chronicle Lamar Jackson’s seven NFL seasons.
In 24 games versus NFC opponents, he has started and lost just once.
In a 26-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in December of his rookie season, he threw for 125 yards and ran for 75. Jackson only made 17 of 32 passes and threw an interception in a 24–20 road defeat to the New York Giants on October 16, 2022, which was the only negative play.
However, those 23 victories include some of the best moments for the two-time NFL MVP: defeating the Los Angeles Rams with five touchdown passes and 95 yards on the ground in a 2019 Monday Night Football rout; setting up Justin Tucker’s record 66-yard game-winning throw in Detroit in 2021; passing for 357 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s 38-6 thumping of the Lions; and defeating the San Francisco 49ers, who were headed to the Super Bowl, with 252 yards and two touchdown passes on Christmas Day.
The Ravens, who have won seven straight games and are led by the league’s best defense, which hasn’t given up even 300 yards (the Ravens average 426.7) in a game since the last weekend of September, will put Jackson’s mastery of the NFC to the test on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Jackson hasn’t faced such a threat from the unfamiliar conference since the Yuletide matchup with the 49ers over a year ago. This season, the Ravens have defeated three NFC opponents at an average of 33 points.
Jackson has frequently been questioned about his outstanding record versus the opposing conference, which is the best for any quarterback since the AFC and NFC were established in 1970. He typically responds with a similar response. He doesn’t find any significance in the statistical oddity, which appears to be a compliment to the special planning challenges he poses.
Wednesday, he added, “probably because we don’t know each other as well.” Since I’m actually thinking about something else, I’m just going to give you that.
Over the years, opponents have discussed how impossible it is to replicate Jackson’s physics-defying pocket escapes, which allow him to prolong plays for valuable extra seconds.
Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator for the Eagles, told reporters in Philadelphia that he was unique. Michael Vick is the only other player that has been similar to him in the past fifty years. I mean, the quintessential quarterback is one who can be played in a variety of ways. Because everyone would do it if there was.
The Ravens have heard it all and don’t see the point in rejoicing about their prior victories over NFC powers.
Coach John Harbaugh praised the Eagles’ merits without even mentioning his quarterback’s near-perfection during the interconference.
He stated, “I believe we have a really difficult game against a really good team on Sunday.” This football team has a lot of different players. Each of the three stages is on par with the best in the league. They perform admirably in the front lines on both sides of the conflict. That is a significant obstacle for us. They are also capable of running the ball, of course. It can be run by the quarterback. It can run in the back. Down the field, they push it. [run-pass options] is what they run.
According to Harbaugh, his club has already played a number of well-known matchups this season, including the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, Sunday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills, and Monday’s game against his brother’s Los Angeles Chargers.
Big games are always fascinating to play. He stated, “This is another big game for us.” Because of the way they’re playing, some people believe they could be the league’s best squad.
Although they defeated the Green Bay Packers in Brazil to start the season, the Eagles, who have the third-easiest schedule so far according to DVOA, have not been put to the test in as many glamorous games.
They respect Jackson and the several playmakers on the league’s best offense, regardless of how great they’re playing.
Fangio remarked, “I’d rather play Swarthmore,” when asked if he was looking forward to the test. (The football squad at the academically demanding Pennsylvania institution has not played since 2000.)
According to Jackson, the key to defying the best is simply being authentic. Stay loyal to yourself. Keep your thoughts about the opponent to a minimum.
When questioned about the dangers posed by Philadelphia’s front, he yelled out great defensive tackle Jalen Carter. With Saquon Barkley on one side and Derrick Henry on the other, he added some excitement to the running back clash.
When they were both prospects in a high school all-star game, Barkley blew Jackson’s youthful mind by jumping above a defender’s head.
Regarding Henry, he stated that as soon as the Ravens signed the outstanding running back in the summer, he saw the success they were experiencing—second in scoring, second in rushing, and first in total yards and yards per play.
He said, “I knew what it was going to be.” I was excited because of this. Something exceptional will happen every week, especially with that backfield player. It simply makes my work much simpler. I’m unable to give him enough praise. I’m not able to.
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The Ravens may have an early opportunity to gain an advantage on Sunday. It wasn’t until their ninth game of the season that the Eagles failed to score in the first quarter.
After Monday’s victory over the Chargers, in which the Ravens ruined their opening two drives with 15-yard penalties, Jackson voiced his displeasure with his offense’s slow starts.
When asked what needed to change, he replied, “Just stay on schedule.” as opposed to needing to reroute.
Four times this season, including in their most recent triumph over an NFC opponent, the Ravens have fought back from double-digit deficits. They trailed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-0 before scoring 34 points in a row.
As he attempts to improve his record versus the NFC to 24-1, Jackson is aware that a comparable mountain would be more challenging to climb against Philadelphia’s well-balanced defense.
Do you have any news? Childs Walker may be reached at 410-332-6893, x.com/ChildsWalker, or [email protected].
Baltimore Sun, 2024. www.baltimoresun.com. Tribune Content Agency, LLC is the distributor.
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