Ravens: When you have Lamar Jackson, you always have a chance

Lamar Jackson the pocket passer has arrived

Through all of Jackson’s early success in the NFL, and even success at Louisville, supporters of Jackson have highlighted his ability to throw.

He has always had a sneakily strong arm, with the ability to deliver accurate passes at every level, from multiple arm angles and throwing platforms, on the move or stationary.

However, even his most ardent supporters must acknowledge his inconsistencies as a passer and how much growth he had to make as a standard drop-back passer.

Monday night’s game was a clinic in quarterback play. It was nothing short of an all-time great passing performance.

Jackson went 37-for-43 for 442 yards, with four touchdowns and zero interceptions, breaking a plethora of franchise and league records.

While his numbers speak for themselves, this performance was about so much more.

It was evident through the broadcast how in command Jackson was. This was far and away Jackson’s best game when it comes to pocket movement, his internal clock, and patience in the pocket.

Mechanically, as a passer, it was such a clean performance. His feet followed his eyes, he processed the field efficiently, and he delivered deadly accurate passes to every portion of the field with ease.

The few times he was pressured or had to move in the pocket, he glided away from the pressure and into space with professional calmness and authority. Not one completion came on scrambles or designed rollouts.

Everything he did was with purpose and kept every possible outcome of a play an option, and virtually always picked the correct one.

It is not hyperbole to say this game was coaching tape for quarterback play. It was as if he was playing against air.

It simply looked like so many of the signature Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes et al. ‘pick you apart’ performances.