NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
When it comes to the Baltimore Ravens and the QB position, there aren’t many that are better than Lamar Jackson, if any. The two-time MVP (for now) has been on an absolute tear through the NFL the past few seasons and is finally living up to his potential. So why is it that the Baltimore Ravens still haven’t hit on their first Super Bowl title with Jackson at the helm? What is it about the postseason that he just can’t seem to get over the hump?
That’s the $1 million question on everyone’s mind. Surely with how Jackson has been playing, the Ravens should have had a championship by now, so the blame has to be put elsewhere, correct? Not entirely. Jackson will share some of the blame, as all quarterbacks do, but some of the blame has to fall on coaching, the lack of run game, and the Ravens for “not getting Jackson help” as fans and pundits will point out. Yet, we have to go back to the blame Lamar should put on himself.
The problem with Lamar Jackson is, he’s a special player. Not so much a problem until you realize a special player who knows he’s special can be detrimental to the team if not contained. Here’s the thing, at any given time Jackson can take over a football game and he knows it. At any interval during the games, he can change the pace and intensity of the offense to try and take over and wear down defenses, but that’s where the problem is.
Jackson is too good for his own good. At no point with him under center are the Ravens truly out of the game. However, when they get down a score or two, he tries to elevate his game to the next level. That’s when the wheels start to come off, especially in the playoffs. If Baltimore wants to have a chance this weekend against the Buffalo Bills, then Jackson needs to realize he’s already on that level. There’s no next level for him to get to. His number one setback is getting in a position where he tries to do it all in one play. He, nor the Ravens, need that.
If Lamar Jackson can stay poised, slow down, and let the game come to him that’ll be the best way to take the game over. You have the help of Derrick Henry. He can easily scramble himself and pick up the yards. There’s no need to force it to one WR or the next. Slow down and play the elite level of football he’s been playing all season whether he’s down one score or four. It will eventually come back around. By going out and trying to do too much too quickly, that’s where mistakes happen.
Lamar Jackson will get to the “next level” by winning a Super Bowl, and the only way he’s going to do that is to play the controlled game he’s been playing all season long.
