Jackson needs help for Ravens to reach their potential
Hot take: I'm not ready to jump off the Lamar Jackson train.
To be sure, the 25-year-old Baltimore Ravens quarterback has made some critical errors this season. And those errors have come late in games, as we saw Sunday when he threw an interception and lost a fumble against the New York Giants that effectively sealed Baltimore's 24-20 loss.
Here's the good news: During the first three quarters of games this season, Jackson's QBR (64.1) ranks fifth in the NFL. He's been magical at extending plays and dazzling with a bevy of big-time throws.
"The good version of Lamar is still a great player," an NFL scout told me. "He's beating teams earlier in games and then making a few key mistakes that have cost them."
Jackson's fourth-quarter QBR of 28.0 slots him 29th in the league, and four of his six interceptions have come in the fourth quarter. While the cynic might say Jackson has played too much football to excuse such mistakes, the optimist suggests taking a broader view of the current situation.
Case in point: The 2019 MVP hasn't played a single game this season with his No. 1 wide receiver (Rashod Bateman), No. 1 running back (J.K. Dobbins), and All-Pro left tackle (Ronnie Stanley) all in the lineup. The lack of synergy has compromised the Ravens at the worst moments, such as when Jackson forces plays or his receivers fail him.
"You have to catch them, that's your job," head coach John Harbaugh said following the Giants game. "Those guys are catching balls in practice. You have to make those catches in a game when it counts, right? No doubt. They know that."
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens - still tied for first place with the Bengals in the AFC North at 3-3 - have surrendered 552 yards and six touchdowns through the air in the fourth quarter. The veteran-laden defense has been middling across the board, and losing star safety Marcus Williams for several weeks because of a dislocated wrist will only make matters worse.
"They need a spark, someone to make a play on third down when it matters," the scout said. "It's as simple as: You're not going to win when you can't get off the field."
Sarah Stier / Getty ImagesJackson has proven he can win games the Ravens have no business winning. He's that special. Thus far in 2022, however, he has also proven he can lose games the Ravens should win. Ultimately, he needs more help - a fact recognized by running back Kenyan Drake, who went for 119 yards and a score on just 10 carries against the Giants.
"We're going to need (Jackson) in any and every aspect that he provides for this team," Drake told reporters after the Giants game. "Leadership, his physicality, his game-breaking ability, obviously - that goes without being said. So, he's going to obviously put a lot on his shoulders, but at the same time, we're a team. He can't do it by himself."
Short yardageBailey Zappe is pretty quickly proving he's not your typical third-string quarterback. After a 38-15 win at Cleveland, the Pats' fourth-round rookie from Western Kentucky improved to 2-0 as a starter, with nearly 600 yards, four TD passes, and just one pick in 11-plus quarters of work. He's accurate (73% completion rate) and very calm in the pocket. Equally important, he understands what's being asked of him and doesn't appear overwhelmed - even when the play breaks down. To quote an AFC executive I spoke with: "Same story, different week. Nothing is too big for him. He competes. He's tough, he knows how to make plays, and he delivers a good ball."
It's no secret that Tom Brady and the Buccaneers' offense have struggled. Things reached a boiling point near halftime of Sunday's 20-18 loss to the hapless Steelers when Brady reamed his offensive linemen for their blocking woes. Through the first six weeks, Tampa Bay ranks 20th in points per game, problems exacerbated by its lack of first-half production: The team has managed three first-half TDs all season.
The Bucs are averaging 20.2 points a game and scoring touchdowns on only 50% of their red-zone drives - tied for 20th in the NFL. Last season, they hit pay dirt on 65.8% of their red-zone drives. They're also generating one fewer red-zone possession per game this season (3.0 vs. 4.0 in 2021).
"I think guys who are living off the Super Bowl are living in a fantasy land," head coach Todd Bowles said after the loss to the Steelers.
Harry How / Getty ImagesBig-ups to Chargers kicker Dustin Hopkins, who injured his hamstring during his first kick Monday night but battled through it to record a perfect game of kicking versus the Broncos. He hit all four of his field goals, including the overtime game-winner from 39 yards.
"Before every kick, you knew that it was going to feel like somebody stabbed you with a knife," Hopkins told reporters. "I was just kind of committed to swinging and dealing with the pain after the kick."
Following each kick, the 32-year-old was visibly in pain and momentarily fell to the ground.
"I'm aware I was doing it, but it wasn't a conscious thing," Hopkins said. "It was just my body doing it."
Don't look now, but Kirk Cousins and the Vikings are 5-1 - the only NFC team above .500 not in the East Division. Cousins has been steady, while superstars Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson continue to assert their place among the league's best playmakers. Cook broke free for a 53-yard touchdown to ice the game, and Jefferson finished with yet another 100-yard performance and leads the league in receiving.
"It's good seeing Cook healthy, because he's one of the real difference-makers at running back," the scout said.
"He's always had that strong lower body with short-area quickness and breakaway speed."
We're seeing some terrific football in New York - or New Jersey, to be technical, as fans west of Manhattan often remind me. The Jets and Giants are a combined 9-3 after compiling a 22-59 record over the past five years.
For Brian Daboll's G-Men, it's all about controlling the clock with the rejuvenated Saquon Barkley and closing games with a vastly improved defense under new coordinator Wink Martindale. In the second half, the Giants have outscored opponents 87-49. For Robert Saleh's Jets, it's about the defense. Buoyed by corners Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed - as well as rising superstar defensive tackle Quinnen Williams - Gang Green allowed just 47 points during their current three-game winning streak.
Jordan Schultz is theScore's NFL insider and senior NBA reporter. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
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