How Ravens can shape offense for Lamar Jackson

The Ravens could be going with Lamar Jackson this Sunday. Here is how they can make it work:

Lamar Jackson might just get his first start, when the Ravens host the Bengals this Sunday. Funnily enough, Joe Flacco got his first career start against the Bengals.

The first thing the Ravens should do is incorporate the tight ends in the passing game. In a very small sample size, Jackson has thrown two touchdowns to Hayden Hurst (One in the preseason and one against the Panthers). If there is one player that Jackson has something built up with its Hurst. Relying on tight ends will give Jackson big targets in the middle of the field.

Secondly, the Ravens must utilize the fact that Jackson is a duel threat passer. You can’t force him to be a pocket passer. That’s not who he is yet. The Ravens should use RPO (Run-Pass-option) heavily in the offense. That is an element Jackson is set up to succeed in. More than that though the Ravens have to make sure that Jackson’s running ability is an ever dangerous threat. Bootlegs and passes that get him rolling out of the pocket should be encouraged.

The third element to the offense is running the football. A strong running game helps any quarterback, especially Jackson. The Ravens never have fared well when the offense gets too pass happy, but it’s hard to see a pass happy offense being a good thing for a rookie. The running game has to take some pressure of Jackson. He can’t feel like he has to do it all by himself.

Running the football hasn’t exactly been the Ravens strength this season. The Ravens usually use Jackson as the spark plug for their rushing attack. While Jackson will have to make plays with his legs, the Ravens will need to get creative on the ground. This is a great week to pull out the jet sweeps, reverses and shovel passes. Between that and a few designed runs for the quarterback, the ground game may be able to be at least functional against a Bengals team that can’t stop the run all that well.

Ultimately it boils down to Jackson. There are things the Ravens can do to help him in his first start, but he will have to be on his game. Jackson will have to keep his composure. The coaches should tell him to just go out there and play football. Jackson has the talent, he just needs to go out there and play. If he’s in his head too much, that won’t go well. Jackson can’t be afraid to make mistakes, he has to be able to let it rip.

This is a huge moment for the Baltimore Ravens. If Jackson ends up delivering and becoming the Ravens franchise quarterback, this will be the beginning of that journey. If Jackson makes this start, it will be the story of the game. Hopefully for Jackson and the Ravens, Jackson will begin with a win.