The Baltimore Ravens soar into the 2024 season with sky-high expectations. After making it all the way to the AFC Championship game last season, the Ravens will look to exact revenge this season and finish the job. That loss to the Kansas City Chiefs was painful, but 2024 is a new season.
Lamar Jackson played lights out last year. He put the team on his back and led them to a 13-4 regular season record. His heroics earned him his second MVP award. On the year, Jackson completed 307 passes for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdown passes. He ended up completing a new career-high 67.2 percent of his passes.
Alongside his passing feats, Jackson added 821 yards on the ground for five touchdowns. By all accounts, it was truly a remarkable season and deserving of MVP recognition.
Looking ahead to this season, Jackson will need to continue to shoulder the load. This team has Super Bowl aspirations and he needs to prove that he can show up when the moments matter the most. Evan Massey of Baltimore Ravens on SI has outlined four bold predictions for Lamar Jackson this season, and Ravens fans should get excited.
Reaction to SI's four bold predictions for Lamar Jackson this season
Massey outlines four bold predictions for Jackson this season. Needless to say, if Lamar hits any one of the four, fans should be thrilled.
He Tops 4,000 Passing Yards for the First Time
"In 2024, Jackson will surpass 4,000 passing yards. He'll take the Baltimore aerial attack to the next level. Those numbers will make the Ravens' offense even more lethal than it has been in years past."Evan Massey
Credit to Massey, this first prediction is bold. The Ravens have only had two seasons when a QB has thrown for over 4,000 yards. The first was Vinny Testaverde with 4,177 yards in 1996 and the second and last time was Joe Flacco with 4,317 yards in 2016.
While it's not uncommon for above-average QBs to hit 4,000 yards, for players like Jackson who utilize the run game so well it's more difficult. Rashod Bateman will need to step up this season and Zay Flowers will need to become a true WR1. Derrick Henry was added this offseason as well, so expect a lot of running schemes with Henry and Jackson. It's not out of the realm of possibility, but it does seem unlikely.
Verdict: disagree
Over 1,000 Yards and 10 Touchdowns on the Ground
Lamar Jackson has rushed for 5,258 yards and 29 touchdowns in his six NFL seasons. He's eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards twice but has never run for more than seven touchdowns in a single season. Again, the addition of Henry will affect the thought process here. Henry is a red zone beast and should take TD opportunities away from Lamar.
Lamar will have another great rushing season like he always does. However, 1,000 yards and 10 TDs in one season is a lot for featured backs, let alone the starting QB. Expect Jackson to flirt with 1,000 yards but he will fall short of the 10 TDs.
Verdict: disagree
The Ravens Make It to the Super Bowl Behind Jackson's Monster Season
The Ravens have been expected to win in the regular season and make the playoffs. They routinely field a strong unit in the regular season only to bow out in the brightest moments. Last season's AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs will inspire Jackson and Co. this season.
The embarrassment coming from that loss, and the many playoff disappointments before it will disappear like Houdini as the Ravens are handed the Lombardi Trophy this upcoming February. Jackson's play throughout the season will inspire the whole team and they'll be the last ones laughing when it's all said and done.
Verdict: agree
A Second Straight MVP
Even though we're not buying into the 4,000-passing yard and 1,000-rushing-yard season doesn't mean that we don't think Lamar will have another monster season. We do. History just isn't on the side of that likelihood. Only three QBs have ever rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season, Jackson, Michael Vick, and Justin Fields. Among those seasons, the most yards thrown alongside the 1,000 rushing yards was 3,127 passing yards, by Jackson. That season he won his first league MVP award.
That was back in 2019, but expect similar numbers this season. The rushing yards might be a bit lower, but his passing numbers will increase. Regardless, he is going to be a force this year. He's heard the noise, internalized it, and used it as motivation to dominate the competition. After another heartbreaking playoff loss, the focus on championship-caliber play will be more evident than ever. Jackson will dazzle and win back-to-back MVPs, earning his third career trophy.
Verdict: agree