It is only two games, but we are seeing improvement in the way Lamar Jackson plays. He always does well against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Texans' defense has some potential, but it is young. Still, there are differences that you can see in the way Jackson is playing, and Todd Monken is calling plays. What are they?
3. Lamar Jackson is benefitting from the Baltimore Ravens calling more screens
One significant difference from Lamar Jackson is that he throwing more screens than usual. This year, he is throwing a screen 20.3% of the time. Last year, it was 7.7%; the year before, it was 4.9%; and in 2020 it was 6.4%. That is a significant difference.
When you look at Jackson, his time to throw is down from a career rate of 3.09 to 2.86 this year. His average depth of target sits at 7.8 this year; and it is 9.4 for his career and was 9.2 last year. He is getting the ball out quicker and shorter, but that is almost entirely screen-related.
On non-screen plays, Jackson has a time to throw of 3.18, and an average depth of target of 11.1. Last year, his time to throw on non-screens was 3.2, and his depth of target was 10.3. You are seeing that Jackson has that same aggression down the field, Todd Monken is just mixing in some layups for him here and there to keep things moving.
Some of this is because of the addition of Zay Flowers, but in other ways, Monken is using Justice Hill and Devin Duvernay, who have been here. Still, the combination of Jackson being Jackson mixed with Jackson taking a quick screen for a few yards has made him a better passer.
2. Lamar Jackson is completing passes at a high rate for the Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson currently has a 74.5% completion rate. This is for a player who many said was too inaccurate to play in the NFL. Adjusted for drops, his completion rate is 81.1%. For his career, his completion rate is 63.5%, and last year it was 62.3%. Adjusted, it was 73.9% for his career and 74.6% last year.
Both are up significantly. Some of this has to do with the screens. Jackson has an 82.1% completion rate, and it is 100% when you adjust for drops.
However, he also has improved in the deep and intermediate areas as well. Last year, he completed 29.8% of his deep passes and 66.7% in the intermediate. This year, he is 50% deep and 70% in the intermediate. It is a small sample, but some of that is because he is not testing the deep ball as often. However, when he is, he is hitting with accuracy. Per PFF, he has three completions of 20 yards or more, and two of them were graded big-time throws, the best of the best.
The defense being drawn in by the screens opens more up for the deep field passing. Jackson is more accurate in all areas right now, and that could be a problem for the rest of the NFL.
1. Lamar Jackson is not responsible for as many sacks
One of the big issues with Lamar Jackson is that while he can avoid a key sack or two, he also can get himself into pressure situations. Last year PFF said he was responsible for 33% of the pressure he faced. The year before it was 18%, and in 2020 it was 25.3%.
This year, that number is down to 6.3%. That is impressive. Some of that can be due to the screens, but the linemen are not allowing pressure often in these scenarios, either. At this point, Jackson just looks more comfortable in the pocket.
The screens are the quick layups that get him into his mode, and then he can start to mid-range and deeper shots down the field. It also helps him get the ball out quickly and keeps the timer in his head going.
Overall, this could lead to the most efficient we have seen Jackson play. It is only two games, but Baltimore Ravens fans have to be excited by what has happened with the early marriage between Monken and Jackson.