It was after the two-minute warning in Dallas, where the Baltimore Ravens needed one more first down to secure a 28-25 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, that quarterback Lamar Jackson decided to work his magic.
Lined up in the pistol formation, Jackson gave such a convincing fake handoff to wide receiver Zay Flowers on a sweep to the left that Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson flew past Jackson to tackle Flowers. Dallas linebackers Marist Liufau and Eric Kendricks chased Flowers, leaving an open inside lane for Jackson to run 10 yards and seal another win against another stumped NFC team.
“I was looking in the wrong direction a couple of times,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh later acknowledged.
The fake one for the first time!
Lamar Jackson seals the @Crows win in Dallas.
📺: #BALvsDAL in fox
📱: pic.twitter.com/TMyQhkVhz8-NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
If Harbaugh, who has seen all 5,457 snaps of Jackson's career, is still fooled, imagine what it feels like for defenses that have never or rarely faced him. When the Ravens play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN), Jackson brings a flair for unpredictability and an aura of dominance over the NFC that has made NFL history.
Jackson's 22-1 (.957) record against the NFC is the best of any starting quarterback in interconference play since 1970, when the AFC and NFC were created, according to ESPN Research. Bob Griese, who quarterbacked the Miami Dolphins in the 1970s, has the second-best interconference record at 21-4 (.840).
Last year, he put his hands over his ears when a reporter asked him about his near-perfect record against the NFC. He wanted to avoid the curse at all costs.
But earlier this week, the two-time NFL MVP offered an explanation for why he's had the advantage in the NFC.
“It's probably because we see each other [every once in a while]so it's hard for us to game plan,” Jackson said.
The level of difficulty increases for NFC teams, which typically face him once every four years and are unfamiliar with his dual-threat ability. Defensive coordinators spend hours of film trying to find ways to contain one of the few quarterbacks who is as threatening throwing a 30-yard pass as he is running for the same distance.
Teams use wide receivers and running backs as the scout team's quarterback to try to mimic Jackson's speed in practice. In 2019, which was Jackson's first full season as an NFL starting quarterback, the Pittsburgh Steelers flew former South Dakota State quarterback (and current ice fisherman) Taryn Christion 874 miles away. Sioux Falls to assume Jackson's role for three practices.
But until a defender takes the field against Jackson, he doesn't really understand the challenge of stopping him. He can beat teams in many ways: from designed runs to deceptive run-pass options to elusive maneuvers and inside-the-pocket throws after a play fake.
“It's the wow factor of his ability when the ball is in his hands, whether he throws it or runs it,” said former All-Pro safety Eric Weddle, who was on the Los Angeles Rams team that lost to Jackson and the Ravens, 45 years old. -6, in Week 12 of the 2019 season. “It's so electric.”
Since Jackson entered the league in 2018, he is the only quarterback to produce 30+ completions of 25+ yards and 25+ runs of 15+ yards against the NFC. In the Week 2 win at Dallas, Jackson ran for 87 yards and a touchdown while completing 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards. In a Week 6 win against the Washington Commanders, he threw for 323 yards keeping the defense off balance with play-action fakes and converted a third down in the third quarter with a 33-yard run.
The only NFC team to defeat Jackson was the New York Giants, who had an advantage that others did not. In that 24-20 win two years ago, New York's defensive coordinator was Don “Wink” Martindale, who faced Jackson every day from 2018 to 2021 when he was the Ravens' defensive coordinator.
What's the best advice Martindale can give to NFC teams about to face Jackson?
“Good luck,” he said.
ON A CROW In the 31-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals last season, Cardinals outside linebacker Cameron Thomas tackled Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley toward Jackson. It looked like it was going to be a catch before Jackson quickly thought on his feet – well, technically, off of it too.
When a backpedaling Stanley accidentally placed his left foot on Jackson's left leg, Jackson lifted him into the air and threw a 5-yard, one-legged touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews.
“Lamar Mark Andrews evens things up in AZ”.
📺: #BALvsAZ on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MBrddBbhT9-NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
Jackson seemed to have an answer every time the Cardinals tried to make him uncomfortable.
“When we took one thing away from them, they did another,” Arizona linebacker Jordan Hicks said. “When they took that thing away from us, they did the other thing. It's part of the chess match.”
One of the biggest adjustments for NFC teams is how Jackson keeps plays alive. Defenses are used to seeing quarterbacks get rid of the ball after taking their third or fifth step on their dropbacks. With Jackson, this could be the start of another memorable moment.
Whether it's lifting a leg, dodging a pass rusher to buy more time in the pocket or stiffening a defensive end's arm as he rolls to the sideline, Jackson's pass plays are longer than those of most quarterbacks. , which puts pressure on defensive backs to stay with a wide receiver or tight end in coverage. Jackson's average time before a pass against the NFC is three seconds, the most all-time for an AFC quarterback since Jackson's first season in 2018.
“It's backyard football,” Weddle said. “Everything is very regulated in the NFL and the ball is coming out right now. [average] time. Well, you lose that when you play against these guys who can extend the play.”
LAST CHRISTMAS, THE The San Francisco 49ers had trouble taking Jackson to the ground unless they had additional help.
On Baltimore's second drive of the game, Jackson ran back so quickly to avoid pressure that referee Alex Moore lost his balance and fell to the ground. Jackson then tripped over Moore in the end zone and threw the ball, resulting in an intentional ground ball and a safety.
Lamar Jackson was penalized for intentional punishment and a safety on this play 😮#BALvsSF pic.twitter.com/zJdeGfFURu
-ESPN (@espn) December 26, 2023
At the end of the Ravens' 33-19 win, the 49ers were the ones thinking about their game plan. When you watched Jackson's previous games, Jackson was sitting in the pocket and not looking to run. As San Francisco's pass rush collapsed around him, he reverted to run mode by finding open lanes to escape and throw passes on the move.
“I think he adjusted the way he played throughout the year,” 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said. “The way he could change the way he played was super impressive.”
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has called Jackson a “two-play quarterback.” When the original play fails due to defensive pressure, Baltimore runs its scramble drill in which Jackson moves with some improvisation and looks to find a receiver down the field.
In that game against the 49ers, Jackson went 10 of 12 for 132 yards and a touchdown when pressured. That was the most completions and second-most passing yards when pressured in a game in his seven-year career.
“There's a certain calm about him now,” Martindale said. “When he fights, he still keeps his eyes on the field and makes great throws. He's my favorite quarterback to watch.”
WAS FORMING Another win was expected for Jackson in 2022, when the Ravens held a 20-17 lead against the Giants with three minutes left in the game. Then, Jackson suddenly stumbled at a time when he normally accelerates.
On third and five, Jackson was not anticipating the shotgun blast, which sailed past him. After recovering the loose ball, he rolled to his right to avoid pressure and threw a pass while running into double coverage. Jackson's interception set up the Giants' go-ahead touchdown.
Any hope of a comeback was quickly dashed when Jackson was stripped from behind by running back Kayvon Thibodeaux two plays after recovering the ball. It was an unusual two turnovers in 90 seconds for Jackson, whose perfect record against the NFC ended with a 24-20 loss to the Giants.
Martindale maintains that the Giants “got lucky.” It was as recently as Week 5 when he saw Jackson turn a fumble into an amazing touchdown pass in Cincinnati.
“I think the most important thing is that your mentality goes against him,” Martindale said. “I was preparing [the Giants defenders] for 'Look, he's going to make plays.' This boy is spectacular. “Just go play the next try.”
Since then, Jackson has won 10 in a row against NFC opponents. He has completed 69.2% of his passes against the NFC, throwing 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.
With Jackson having another MVP-like season, the Ravens (4-2) have won four in a row and once again placed themselves among the top Super Bowl contenders. Jackson remains one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks, ranking eighth in passing yards per game (254.83) and 14th in rushing yards per game (67.17) through Week 6.
Even those close to Jackson don't really know how to beat him, which makes it an even harder task for everyone else.
“I know [playing Jackson has] “It's got to be really tough,” Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “How do you stop it? … I think we're still trying to figure it out. So I couldn't give a valid answer, but I know there's a lot of frustration.”
