Lamar Jackson's MNF wizardry puts him on the brink of NFL immortality

After a dazzling performance on Monday Night Football, it’s time to make this clear: Lamar Jackson should be at the forefront of the MVP conversation. Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to a 41-31 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, showcasing why he remains one of the most dangerous players in the league.

Against the Bucs, Jackson was unstoppable, delivering his most efficient game of the season. He completed 17 of 22 passes for 281 yards, a jaw-dropping five touchdowns, and a near-perfect 158.1 passer rating.

His accuracy was on full display, connecting on 77.3% of his passes and averaging an impressive 12.8 yards per attempt. Tampa Bay’s defense simply had no answer for Jackson’s arm or decision-making.

What made the performance even more impressive was how he spread the ball around. Jackson’s five touchdown passes went to four different targets:

• Rashod Bateman hauled in a 59-yard score on his way to 121 yards receiving.
• Mark Andrews found the end zone twice, continuing his reputation as one of the most reliable red-zone threats in the league.
• Justice Hill and Derrick Henry each caught a touchdown pass, further emphasizing Jackson's ability to get all his playmakers involved.

Lamar Jackson is the clear front-runner for MVP

Jackson’s season stats reflect his case for MVP. Through seven games, he has completed 68.2% of his passes for 1,810 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. He’s posted a 118.0 passer rating, making him one of the most efficient passers in the league.

But Jackson’s MVP argument isn’t limited to just his passing numbers. His dual-threat ability continues to be unmatched, as he’s also rushed for 455 yards and two touchdowns this season.

He’s averaging 65 rushing yards per game, giving the Ravens a dynamic element that makes their offense a nightmare to defend. When you combine his passing and rushing production, Jackson has accounted for 2,265 total yards.

Baltimore’s offense has been a wagon this season, averaging over 31 points per game. Much of that success can be credited to Jackson’s playmaking ability and leadership. The addition of Derrick Henry in the offseason was supposed to help take some of the load off Jackson’s shoulders, but it’s clear Lamar is still the engine driving this offense.

Henry’s impact has been felt, but Jackson’s ability to excel both through the air and on the ground is what makes this unit the most balanced in the NFL.

Against the Buccaneers, Henry had a strong rushing night with 169 yards on just 15 carries (11.3 yards per carry), but it was Jackson’s pinpoint accuracy and decision-making that carried the Ravens to victory. He dissected a Tampa Bay defense, while struggling this year, came into the game hoping to contain him. Jackson quickly put that hope to rest with big plays and efficient drives.

The Ravens are now 5-2, riding a five-game win streak, and looking every bit like a legitimate contender in the AFC. With Jackson leading the way, Baltimore has the top offense in the league, averaging 456 yards per game.

He’s not just valuable - he’s indispensable.

Lamar Jackson would etch his name in NFL lore with third MVP

Jackson is well on his way to winning back-to-back MVPs and his third overall. He'd join a group of former players who were transcendental at their positions and solidify his status as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

• Peyton Manning (5x MVP)
• Aaron Rodgers (4x MVP)
• Tom Brady (3x MVP)
• Johnny Unitas (3x MVP)
• Brett Favre (3x MVP)
• Jim Brown (3x MVP)

Nobody is doing more for their team than Lamar Jackson.

More Ravens news and analysis