Lamar Jackson is coming off of a season where he won his second MVP, made an All-Pro team, and had his best playoff performance. Unfortunately, the season ended in his home stadium to the Chiefs as he saw a golden opportunity for his first ring slip away. This offseason, Jackson committed himself even more than before. He lost weight to become slimmer and faster. Now, with another year of OC Todd Monken, Jackson is thriving more than ever before. He is at the peak of his powers to this point, and the Ravens seem primed to make another run, perhaps even better than last season. Now, how has Lamar been doing it?
In terms of passing the ball, this is the best version of Jackson we have seen. Even without a true dominant X-receiver, Monken has drawn up favorable schemes and concepts for Lamar to make decisive reads and move the ball downfield. Baltimore has scored on 63% of their last 40 drives dating back to Week 4. Lamar prior to this season averaged a total of 7.6 adjusted yards per attempt. Now in 2024, that figure has jumped to 10.20. He also has a career-high in passer rating.
Lamar is also at the best he has ever been in terms of avoiding pressure. His P2S% (pressure to sack ratio) is at a career low of 13% and he is getting the ball out quicker than ever (3.03 TTT). Referencing Monken and his advantageous scheme, Lamar has the highest separation rate by his WRs of his career and the lowest percentage of tight-window throws. When Monken has decided to air it out, Lamar has reached a new level in that as well, with a 0.63 EPA/dropback on deep passes downfield.
Of course, the added element of Derrick Henry has allowed Lamar to optimize his game too. Between Jackson and Henry, a Ravens player has won Offensive Player of the Week four weeks running. Henry is on pace for over 2,000 rushing yards and the duo of him and Jackson has kept defenses on their toes all season. The competition has been stiff, too.
The Ravens have faced three teams in playoff position so far in Kansas City, Washington, and Buffalo. In those three games, Jackson has a total EPA of 30. And he’s only gotten better throughout the year. From Week 3 forward, Lamar has the league’s highest EPA/play (0.431), Success Rate (57.4%), and 2nd in completion % over expected (CPOE). If Jackson can continue to maintain this level of play with Monken dialing it up and Henry in the backfield with a solid group of pass catchers, this could be the year for Baltimore.