Simulating Jackson a challenge for unbeaten Patriots

unbeaten New England Patriots (8-0) face Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens BALTIMORE — In his 25 years (5-2) tonight. as an NFL head coach, Bill Jackson’s speed and agil- Belichick has prepared his ity make him a threat to run team for all kinds of quar- from a set play or when corterbacks and a myriad of nered in the pocket. The sec- offensive schemes. ond-year quarterback is the

None of those past expe- focal point of a run-oriented riences were of much help attack that utilizes his quick- this past week to the six-time ness and the power bursts of Super Bowl winner, whose running backs Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards.

Trying to emulate Jack- son’s quickness in practice is virtually impossible because the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is a one-of-a-kind star.

“We don’t have a guy. I don’t know if anybody else in the league has a guy, either,” Belichick said. “He’s a very talented player with a great skillset that’s unique.”

Jackson leads the NFL with 6.94 yards per carry and ranks 10th with 576 yards rushing. He is the only quar- terback in NFL history to pass for at least 1,600 yards and run for 500 through the first seven games of a season.

“I’ve never seen a player like this at the quarterback position,” Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty said. “Obviously his speed (and) the way he’s able to throw. … You watch some games where he’s moving around the pocket, he’s close to run- ning, he sees a guy down- field and all of a sudden he flicks his wrist and it’s 50 yards down the field easily.”

Miami stacked the line and dared Jackson to pass in the season opener, and he responded with five touchdown passes and a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating.

“We take advantage of what the defense gives us,” Jackson said. “If they give us the opportunity to pass, we’re going to do that.”

Make a choice, New England, and hope for the best. “His ability to do both things at such a high level makes it tough, and then it’s the scheme that they run,” said McCourty, who leads the NFL with five interceptions.