Though other big teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are winning back-to-back matches, some analysts picked iconic quarterback Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens and Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy’s San Francisco 49ers as the most likely to win the Super Bowl in the 2023 NFL season. The reason is their dominating victories over their rivals.
After witnessing a painful loss against the Cleveland Browns in Week 10, the Ravens are back in their formidable form and have secured two consecutive wins lately. Following the team’s recent performance and Jackson’s superb athleticism, former Ravens star Ed Reed provided his nod in favor of the QB to push the franchise for a Lombardi trophy this season.
Ed Reed back Lamar Jackson to win Super Bowl
The Ravens are storming through this season with an electrifying performance, especially in the red zone. With 48 visits to the red zone while comprising 46 passes and 81 runs, their offensive versatility has played a big role in their success so far this season. Currently ranking third in the NFL for red zone scoring, the team’s prowess owes much to the dynamic playing style of Lamar Jackson.
Ed Reed, a Super Bowl champion himself with the franchise back in 2013, has showcased immense support for Jackson’s ability to lead the team to Super Bowl success. He compared the QB’s play to the excitement he experienced when facing Michael Vick. The ex-NFL star shed light on the special nature of the Ravens QB1’s impact on the field while highlighting the infectious energy surrounding Jackson’s plays.
“I still watch the Ravens. And watching Lamar, it was like when we played against Vick, it reminds me of that. You can hear the excitement, people talking about it, you watching the plays like ‘yeah, Lamar did that’. It is special bro”, he said via SportsKeeda.
Besides acknowledging Lamar’s potential to lead the Ravens to their third Super Bowl victory, Reed stressed the importance of collective effort. He discussed how success requires more than just the QB’s brilliance, as it demands unwavering support from teammates, coaching staff, and even the whole city of Baltimore.
“Since Lamar been there I’ve been excited about the number three coming. But I also know it takes the whole kit and caboodle. I mean, even the city. People don’t understand what it takes to win a championship. It take everything.”
With his phenomenal performance, Jackson undoubtedly stands out in the crowd and has been in the discussion of the MVP race as well. However, besides Reed’s caution, the Ravens QB needs to stay fit, as the season has already witnessed some elite QBs like Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow and Aaron Rodgers go down with potential season-ending injuries.
Lamar Jackson’s performance this NFL season
Lamar Jackson’s dynamic and multifaceted performance in the 2023 NFL season has been nothing short of impressive, as he showcased his prowess both as a passer and a rusher. The signal-caller has already earned the fame of being one of the best dual-threats in the league, and he has proved the notion right once again this season.
In the passing game, the QB has accumulated 2,618 yards and maintained an average of 218.2 yards per game. With 13 touchdowns and five interceptions, he has showcased his efficiency and completed an impressive 68.3% of his passes (228 for 334). Besides that, his 7.8 yards per attempt rank him fifth in the league.
The signal-caller has been a significant asset for the Ravens in the running game as well, amassing 574 yards and five touchdowns on 112 carries. With an average of 5.1 yards per attempt on the ground, he stands fourth in the NFL.
The dual-threat has moonlighted as a hero in the Ravens’ offensive output by contributing to a whopping 50.0% of the team’s 36 touchdowns this season while totaling 18 across passing and rushing plays. His impact in the red zone is noticeable as well, with 32.3% of his passes and an impressive 33.3% of rushing attempts occurring in this critical area.
What’s your take on Lamar Jackson’s performance this season?
