The Baltimore Ravens have one of the most special players in the NFL in Lamar Jackson. Every time Jackson steps foot on the gridiron he has a chance to make history.
And on Monday, he did just that.
Jackson put together likely the best game of his young NFL career breaking records and making history in the process. But Jackson’s 504-yard performance didn’t just break one or two records.
He broke seven records, at least by our count. Let’s take a brief look at each record he broke.
- Lamar Jackson threw for 442 yards which broke the franchise record previously set by Vinny Testaverde in 1996 when he threw for 429 yards in a win over the St. Louis Rams.
- Jackson’s completion rate (86%) was the highest of any quarterback in NFL history who’s attempted over 40 passes in a single game. Over 4,000 players have thrown over 40 passes in a game — none of them have completed over 85% of their passes until Jackson.
- Jackson is the first player in NFL history with 400+ passing yards and a completion percentage above 85% in a game.
- Jackson is the first player in NFL history to finish with 400 passing yards, four touchdown passes, no interceptions, and 50 rushing yards in a game.
- Jackson is the first quarterback in the past 20 years to overcome a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter and finish with 400 yards passing and four touchdown passes.
- Jackson generated a career-high 28.4 expected points added on his 45 dropbacks which is the most by any quarterback in a game this season, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
- Jackson helped lead the third-largest comeback in Ravens franchise history (19 points) and the biggest deficit overcome in his career. The team record is a 21-point comeback over the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 that was won on a game-winning Billy Cundiff field goal.
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens made history on Monday night
All of that happened in one game with one performance from one player. Lamar Jackson is truly one of kind in every sense of the phrase.
Jackson is now fifth in the NFL in passing yards, eighth in rushing yards, first in yards per completion, and second in yards per carry. He’s quickly making a strong case for MVP candidacy just on his stats alone.
Then when you factor in just how much he means to this Ravens organization, how he quite literally has carried the team to their 4-1 record, he probably should be the MVP favorite — or at least close to it.
The Ravens may not have made NFL history with a 44th consecutive 100-yard rushing day, but Jackson made sure to make up for it with some history of his own.
That’s just what he does.
Despite the running game being non-existent and the defense being completely overwhelmed on Monday night, Jackson was able to will his team to victory.
It was a superhuman performance for the ages. Lamar Jackson continues to etch his name in the NFL record books.