We are halfway through the Baltimore Ravens season, and the team is sitting at 7-2. They are in a great spot to make a run to the playoffs. There have been plenty of surprises and disappointments in the first half of the season. So, in a great way to look back, we can hand out some awards at the midseason point.
Baltimore Ravens team MVP: Lamar Jackson
This one is pretty obvious at this point. When Lamar Jackson starts for the Baltimore Ravens in the regular season, they are 52-18. The defense is great, and they help him immensely, but this team goes as he goes, and he brings them the ceiling that has Super Bowl hopes.
One of the big differences for Jackson this season is his completion percentage, jumping to 71.5% so far this year. That is up from his career rate of 64.4% and well above 66.1%, which is his career high. One of the bigger differences is that he is throwing a lot more screen passes.
He is throwing a screen 14% this year, which is up from 7% last year and 4% the year before that. His intended air yards are at 7.8 this season, which is below his career-low coming into the year of 8.3. Todd Monken is giving him more layups, and it is giving him more confidence to be a better passer to all areas.
Also, he is running a bit less but working to success a bit more. His five rushing touchdowns is on pace to smash his career-high of seven. This Jackson is slightly more efficient than previous versions and may give them a higher ceiling.
Some candidates for the award would include Roquan Smith and Geno Stone, but the winner is Lamar Jackson.