Lamar Jackson broke a substantial record in the Baltimore Ravens 31-2 win on Christmas day. Jackson surpassed Michael Vick and now has the most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history. The record further cements Lamar as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his era. The two-time MVP could win the award for the third time this season, and his dominant performance against the Houston Texans helped build his case. Lamar Jackson completed 10 of 15 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 87 yards and another touchdown. This win gave the Ravens the division lead in the AFC North with an 11-5 record.
Lamar Jackson’s Performance
While the box score numbers of 168 passing yards are not eye-popping, Lamar Jackson’s fingerprints were all over this game. Jackson’s speed and mobility not only make him a rushing threat but also make him nearly impossible to sack. He is one of the best in the NFL at navigating the pocket, knowing when to step up and when to evade defenders. Then, once he gets out of the pocket, he is even more dangerous. Jackson can make the best defenders in the NFL look silly, and he did so against the Texans multiple times.
One of Lamar Jackson’s touchdown passes came off an excellent scramble in the second quarter. Jackson rolled out of the pocket on a play-action bootleg, but with a defender on his heels, Jackson avoided the hit, buying time to throw across his body to Isaiah Likely in the endzone. Then, in the third quarter, Jackson put his legs to use again. On a read option, Jackson ran 48 yards for a Ravens touchdown. This long run helped Lamar Jackson surpass Michael Vick to break the all-time quarterback rushing record of 6,109 yards. He made more spectacular plays throughout the game, like a wheel route throw to Mark Andrews, and another touchdown pass.
Lamar Jackson’s performance gave the Baltimore Ravens a massive 31-2 win. The only points the Houston Texans scored came from a safety, meaning they scored zero points on offense. CJ Stroud threw an interception, and the Texans turned it over on downs multiple times. This win makes the Ravens 11-5 this season with one more game against the Cleveland Browns. If they win, they will clinch the AFC North after spending most of the season trailing the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Lamar Jackson’s MVP Case
Lamar Jackson’s recent streak of excellent games against the Texans, Steelers, and Giants. Over this three-game stretch, Jackson has 10 passing touchdowns to one interception. He has 3,955 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and four interceptions this season. Jackson has built an MVP case, and after a mediocre performance from Josh Allen against the New England Patriots, he could be the frontrunner. Allen is the current favorite for the award, but Jackson has more passing yards, touchdowns, and fewer interceptions. Allen’s biggest case for MVP was his team success with the Buffalo Bills and his highlight plays, but Lamar Jackson has been playing excellent football on primetime TV and the Bills cannot get the one-seed in the AFC.
These final weeks of the NFL regular season will determine the MVP and Josh Allen has his work cut out for him. After an excellent game from Lamar Jackson on Christmas day, the pendulum is swinging back to the two-time MVP. Jackson already has the statistical edge, and without the one-seed in the AFC, team success is hard to argue. So, Allen will need to play very well in his final two games, meaning no bad turnovers or “arm punts.” Lamar Jackson will face the Cleveland Browns in the final game, and if the Ravens win and Jackson plays well, he could make himself a three-time MVP.
