Former NFL MVP is flipping narrative
With his second-half performance in the Baltimore Ravens’ 34-31 overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9, quarterback Lamar Jackson continued to rewrite the narrative surrounding him during the first three seasons of his career.
Jackson shook off struggles that plagued him and his team for the better part of two quarters, bringing Baltimore back from a 14-point deficit to win the game.
It marked the third time this season that Jackson has directed a double-digit comeback, a marked improvement from the 0-6 record that Jackson owned from 2018-20 when trailing by 10 points or more.
The game was the fourth overall this season for Jackson. As he moved Baltimore in position for a Justin Tucker field goal to secure the victory, the MVP candidate directed the eighth game-winning drive of his career.
“I’d rather not be behind,” he told reporters afterward. “I’d rather just step on the gas and just keep going, just keep scoring.
“But our team, we’re fighters. We believe in each other. We’ve got faith. We were just talking about that in (the locker room). We’ve just got to keep it going. Hopefully we won’t be in any more overtime games.”
Jackson’s teammates, however, credited the quarterback, his effectiveness and the confidence he exudes for the faith they share.
Jackson is playing with a strong resolve and a greater feel for the game and how his opponents try to attract him. That growth has led to better execution in the passing game. After years of being described as deficient when having to rely on his arm or when having to play from behind, Jackson is getting the job done both as a rusher and as a passer.
On Sunday, he rushed for 120 yards on 21 attempts and passed for 266 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions after opening the game with just 65 passing yards, a touchdown and interception in the first half.
The Vikings join the Chiefs and Colts as foes that saw their fourth-quarter leads erased by the quarterback this season. Jackson also beat the Lions after facing a fourth-quarter deficit.
“He’s a fighter, and he’s a finisher,” Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen said. “They try to label him. They try to just say everything they can about him, because they know what type of person he is. They know how good he is and how scary he is. ... So, hats off to him controlling our offense, getting the ball to the guys and just making plays.”
“I’d rather not be behind,” he told reporters afterward. “I’d rather just step on the gas and just keep going, just keep scoring.”
Lamar Jackson