Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is having an incredible season.
But how dominant has the two-time MVP truly been? He’s been in this conversation for a while now, but he might slowly be locking up the award with his ascension above the rest of the competition.
Let’s face it: the MVP is a quarterback-heavy award because of how essential the position is. And with that said, Jackson leads all quarterbacks in nearly every statistical category.
Even aside the typical MVP narrative, Jackson has proven his worth to the team. Unlike last year, he doesn’t have a top tier defense to lean on. Most of the Ravens’ wins have come from the arm of Jackson, making spectacular plays to will his team to victory.
How Does This Year Stack Up Against His Previous MVP Seasons?
| Year | PASS YDS | PASS TDS | INTS | PASSER RATING | CARRIES | RUSH YDS | RUSH TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3,127 | 36* | 6 | 113.3 | 176* | 1,206* | 7 |
| 2023 | 3,678 | 24 | 7 | 102.7 | 148 | 821 | 5 |
| 2024 (so far) | 3,053* | 27* | 3 | 117.9* | 103 | 599* | 3 |
Jackson is already outdoing his 2023 campaign, and is on track to replicate his 2019 unanimous MVP year. He is on track to have career highs in touchdowns, completion percentage passing yards and passer rating, while posting a career low in interceptions.
Who is Jackson’s Biggest Competition for the Award?
Josh Allen has been instrumental in his team’s success but hasn’t had the same caliber of play as Jackson. Plus, Jackson has the advantage in the head-to-head from the Ravens’ blowout victory against Buffalo in Week 4.
Saquon Barkley
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has entered the conversation after his 302-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Los Angeles Rams. If he continues this production, he could very much be in the conversation. Still though, he would need a 2012 Adrian Peterson-esque year to edge Jackson.
Patrick Mahomes leads a Kansas City team boasting the best record in the league. But…let’s be honest. This is arguably his worst season statistically, throwing for 2,673 yards, 18 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 93.2 passing rating. Kansas City is winning in spite of him, not necessarily because of him.
Some argue that Derrick Henry’s impact to Baltimore was larger than Jackson’s. Henry had a legit argument when he and Jackson were trading off AFC Offensive Player of the Week accolades. However, a few below-average performances have put him below Saquon Barkley for the league leads in several rushing categories.
