This was always going to be an interesting season for Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens. It was his first year with Todd Monken as the offensive coordinator and with all kinds of new pieces there were expectations for ups, but also the possibility that downs would come as well.
What are some of the key stats to follow for Jackson through three weeks to make sure that the downs do not continue?
3. Lamar Jackson is hurting the Baltimore Ravens under pressure
Lamar Jackson has often been one of the better passers under pressure. He has been able to stay calm and create in those situations, but that simply has been the case this year. So far, he is 6-16 under pressure with an interception, per PFF.
That comes with an 8.3% turnover-worthy play rate and not a single big-time throw. For comparison, last year he had a 5.4% big-time throw rate and a 2.9% turnover-worthy play rate. The year before he was at 5% in big-time throws and 4.8% in turnover-worthy plays.
He had a 48 passing grade under pressure in 2021, a 52 grade in 2022, and this year that is down to 35. He is not performing under pressure. This year, his pressure-to-sack rate is 26.7%. That is up from his career rate of 20.2%
What is causing Jackson to struggle under pressure right now, and what can he do to improve? Is it a lack of trust in the new system or the shuffling of injured players like Odell Beckham and Mark Andrews missing games? Whatever the case is, he needs to improve.