Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has two regular season MVP awards and is considered by most to be an elite NFL quarterback, but critics say he cannot win a big game in the playoffs.
Perhaps some of that inability to do so hasn’t been his fault, as the Ravens have lacked enough offensive firepower over the years to get over the hump.
But this season, they will have future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry, and wide receiver Zay Flowers, who was a rookie last year, will be a year older and wiser.
After Baltimore agreed on a contract with safety Eddie Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowler, on Friday, former QB Robert Griffin III said they have the best roster of the Jackson era.
The Ravens have the best roster they have ever had in the Lamar Jackson Era. Time to take advantage of it. https://t.co/hBhHqROpWC
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 19, 2024
Jackson spent the first seven seasons of his pro career with the Chicago Bears, and in 2018, he had two pick-sixes, 15 passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Flowers, meanwhile, caught 77 passes for 858 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 and got some consideration for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
While the Ravens may not have a prolific passing game, they are an old-school pound-and-ground team, and they should be able to excel in that regard even more this season.
Henry may not be quite the threat he used to be when he ran for over 2,000 yards in 2020, but he should still give them one of the NFL’s best ground attacks, especially when combined with Jackson’s dynamic ability to move the chains with his own legs.
Baltimore was tops in points allowed, forced turnovers and rushing touchdowns allowed, and there is little reason to think that defensive prowess will change much this fall.
