Lamar Jackson May be the Greatest Rushing Threat Yet This Season
The Giants have managed to start off the season 4-1 by corralling some of the best running backs in the league but now face Lamar Jackson, the league’s most prolific rushing quarterback. Doesn’t sound that threatening until you realize he is 8th in rushing among all positions and leads the NFL with 7.6 yards a carry.
The Ravens bring the best passing attack and the most balanced offense of the Giant’s opponents thus far. Unlike Daniel Jones, Lamar has a 12th-ranked passing offense to complement the seventh-ranked rushing attack which together has the Ravens sitting 3rd in overall scoring.
Giants May Need to be More Concerned With Rush Defense Than Pass Rush
Mixed Bag
Jackson has the same amount of rushing attempts as running backs J.K Dobbins and Kevin Drake combined where they have found themselves better serving the offense as lead blockers or decoys. The Ravens mix up zone, gap, and read option plays, which become a wildcat formation with a “running back” than can throw really well. The Ravens make use of an H back and in-motion wide receivers to create a wall for Lamar to run behind on the outside.
In two close losses, they managed to run for over 150 yards on both Miami and Buffalo, two stout run defenses. This week the challenge level moves up another notch for Wink Martindale’s defense, yet this is Wink’s old team, so if anyone can design a scheme to stop the Raven’s run game it is him.