‘MVP’ – Gatecrashing Ravens teammates make ‘LeBron-like’ feelings clear as Lamar Jackson chases down NFL history

We’re quickly running out of superlatives for Lamar Jackson.

On Monday night, ‘Action Jackson’ threw for 281 yards and five touchdowns as the Baltimore Ravens battled back from an early double-digit deficit to claim a 41-31 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Jackson was at his best against the Bucs on Monday Night FootballCredit: AP

Two-time Most Valuable Player Jackson had the Ravens cooking on offense. He was 17-of-22 through the air and once against showcased his dual-threat capabilities to finish with a combined 333 yards.

There have now been five games where a QB has had 5+ pass TDs and 50+ rushing yards since 2000 — Jackson has three of them.

The Bucs jumped out to a 10-0 start but Jackson and the Ravens rallied with 34 unanswered points.

The 27-year-old signal caller found tight end Mark Andrews twice for a touchdown, while Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, and Rashod Bateman each caught their own score from Jackson to extend the Ravens’ winning streak to five games.

Lamar once again looked like the best player in the league and after the game his teammates made their feelings clear.

Ravens kicker Justin Tucker silently video bombed Jackson’s post-game interview and mouthed “MVP” to the camera.

Andrews shared a similar sentiment with reporters.

“Lamar is the ultimate competitor,” the Ravens tight end said. “He lays it all out on the line every game. [He’s] just really awesome, and he’s the best. He’s the MVP.”

“He’s the best in the league,” Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike added. “If people don’t think so, they’re not watching football. They’re just hating.”

Jackson was the league MVP in 2023 and also in 2019 – a third in six years would make him the youngest ever three-time regular season MVP, and he is well placed for that honor at the moment.

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Tucker made it clear he thinks Jackson is the MVPCredit: X@NFL_DovKleiman

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He has his sights set on a third MVP awardCredit: Getty

Elsewhere, Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said the way Jackson plays is ‘LeBron James-like’.

“It’s almost scary to see him getting better at this point,” Hamilton said. “He’s just one-of-one. If I had to equate it to somebody basketball-wise, he is like LeBron out there.”

Jackson became the second unanimous NFL Most Valuable Player in 2019 after leading the NFL in touchdown passes and setting the single-season record in rushing yards for a QB.

Last season the Ravens field general won his second MVP and came just one first-place vote short of becoming the NFL’s first two-time unanimous MVP.

Jackson is 18-5 as a prime-time starter (.783 win percentage), the best by any quarterback since the 1970 merger, and better than Hall of Famers Steve Young (.767 win percentage) and Joe Montana (.733 win percentage).

He is also 23-1 against NFC teams for his career — by far the most dominant interconference record since 1970.

After dropping the first two games of the season, Jackson now has the 5-2 Ravens atop the NFC North.

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Jackson plays best in prime timeCredit: X@Flxmingoz

For the first time this season, he’s favorite to win the MVP award ahead Patrick Mahomes, who has the Kansas City Chiefs a perfect 6-0 to start the season.

Through seven games, Jackson ranks fifth in passing yards (1,810), second in touchdown passes (15) and second in yards per attempt (9.1).

“I’m proud of him. I’m happy for him. He’s a great leader, a great player.” said head coach John Harbaugh. “He’s the ultimate competitor on a level with the greatest competitors I’ve ever seen.”

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