Maurice Jones-Drew Says Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Playing 'Much Better' Than MVP Season
Are the Baltimore Ravens being led by the best version of their quarterback, Lamar Jackson?
It seems ridiculous to say on the surface, considering Jackson was the second-ever unanimous MVP back in 2019. But former NFL running back and now-turned-analyst for the NFL Network Maurice Jones-Drew recently made the case for that belief following the Ravens' playoff-clinching 23-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"He's a much better quarterback," Jones-Drew said of Jackson's play. "First of all, I'd like to give him credit for taking on the role of being the guy and wanting to take control of the offense, and then [Offensive Coordinator] Todd Monken, who allows him to make checks at the line of scrimmage."
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) rushes for yards during the third quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7.
Corey Perrine/USA Today
Statistically, the argument of Jackson being better doesn't exactly hold up, as the former first-round pick threw for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns with just six interceptions while adding 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns as a rusher in 2019, which, aside from passing yards will likely beat his numbers for this season.
However, as Jones-Drew points out, the biggest difference between the player who won the league's MVP and the one who currently has the Ravens atop the AFC with an 11-3 record is his effectiveness in the pocket.
Jackson is completing a career-high 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,105 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions, as he is just 22 yards away from having a new career mark passing.
Yet, even with the improved success passing, Jackson hasn't abandoned what made him special ... his legs. The former Lousiville Cardinal continues to use his legs, as evidenced by his 741 yards and five touchdowns rushing this season, and while those numbers are down from his MVP year, he's proven to be just as effective.
"How many times [Sunday night] did we see a negative gain turn into a positive gain? Or the play to Isaiah Likely where he was sacked and ends up finding a guy? That's MVP-type of play," Jones-Drew said. "Now are the numbers there? No, but his team has 11 wins, and they find a way to win every week no matter who the team is, no matter what the situation is, on the road, at home, rain, sun, it doesn't matter. Lamar Jackson does what it takes to win."
Even without the 3,000+ yards passing and 1,000 rushing, Jackson can win his second MVP, as the Ravens are flying high with just three games left in the regular season.
The Ravens will be in action next Monday when they go on the road to face the San Francisco 49ers. Kickoff inside Levi Stadium is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. (EST).
