There is no doubt that Lamar Jackson was the MVP of the NFL this season. He led the Baltimore Ravens to the best record in the league while spearheading a dynamic offense.
Jackson and the Ravens marched to the AFC Championship, but the Kansas City Chiefs were the one team that stood in their way of winning a trip to the Super Bowl. The Ravens’ offense couldn’t get anything going for the entire game, and Jackson seemed rattled throughout as well.
The one thing that has made Jackson successful throughout his career is the ability to use his legs. Though it may be his best ability, it can become his greatest downfall when the games get tight. While the Chiefs were leading for most of the game, the Ravens were forced to pass the ball, which most likely fell right into Kansas City’s game plan.
The Ravens were one of the best running teams in the league this season; the Chiefs made sure to keep Jackson in the pocket and make him use his arm. Jackson is a dynamic playmaker, but he’s still an average passer in the league.
For years, the narrative has been that running quarterbacks do not have success at the highest level in the NFL, and Jackson’s loss continues to prove that narrative. Names such as Jackson, Cam Newton, Michael Vick and Jalen Hurts have been some of the running quarterbacks who have been tagged with the story of not being able to win a championship with their playing style. Russell Wilson is the only quarterback who has done so, and he played with the best defense in the league at the time.
To say that Jackson’s style won’t win him a ring could be accurate due to the history, but to say his legacy is damaged is too much. Jackson is just 27 years old and has much time to improve his overall game. This type of experience will also help him get better, and he’ll know what to do next time.
What Jackson did this season was special, but can it lead a team to hoist the Lombardi trophy at the end of the season? There’s the belief that one day it will happen; the biggest question is when will it happen.
