Heading into the 2019 NFL season, no one knew what to expect out of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
He was coming off of his rookie season where he started seven games and threw six touchdowns with a 58.2% completion.
But during that 2019 season, everything changed and Jackson looked like a different quarterback.
He led the league in touchdown passes with 36 and rushed for 1,206 yards.
That is the same version of Jackson we are seeing to start the 2022 season.
Through two games, the former first-round pick has 531 yards and six touchdowns and has even added 136 yards rushing.
Dual threat 😤‼️@Lj_era8 has BOTH the longest run & the longest pass this NFL season (and they were in the same game 🤯) pic.twitter.com/ImQyd1GOG2
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 22, 2022
Now in Week 3, the Ravens will face their toughest defense yet in the New England Patriots.
Jackson is 1-1 in his career against the Patriots, and facing a Bill Belichick-led defense is always a tough task.
If Jackson can carry this Ravens team to the playoffs and beyond that will be very impressive.
The Ravens’ two projected starting running backs coming into the year, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, are still out.
Also, Jackson’s number one receiver from last year, Marquise Brown, was traded in the offseason.
But despite missing plenty of key pieces, the 25-year-old QB is still playing at a high level.
New Look Ravens
His new top wide receiver is a second-year pro, Rashod Bateman, who has a touchdown catch in both games this season.
THE RASHOD BATEMAN BREAKOUT IS HERE
pic.twitter.com/nXEc5vEEUg— PFF (@PFF) September 18, 2022
Plus, tight end Mark Andrews is still in the fold and playing as a top three tight end in the NFL.
But the one unit that seems to be holding the Ravens back through the first two weeks is their defense.
Baltimore has always been known for having a stout defense but this year they are getting thrashed by the pass.
Just last week, the Dolphins threw for 469 yards and six touchdowns against them.
That was a big reason why they blew a 28-7 halftime lead.
The Ravens are giving up 379 passing yards per game through two weeks – that is by far the most in the NFL.
Baltimore is giving up far too many big plays in the passing game, including multiple 40+ yard plays.
They need to fix their pass defense fast or this team could be in trouble.
Luckily for the Ravens, New England does not have an explosive offense.
Led by Mac Jones they are more of a controlled offense that prefers to run the ball a lot.
This should be a game the Ravens have no problem winning, even on the road.
The most impressive part about the early part of this season for Jackson is his contract dispute.
After not agreeing to a deal before the season, Jackson will play out the final year of his rookie deal in 2022.
Then he will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason unless the Ravens give him a long-term deal or franchise tag him.
Either way, it would be a surprise if Jackson does not remain in Baltimore for the foreseeable future.
Jackson has a chance to make his price skyrocket if he can put together another MVP season.
He is already looking to be paid as one of the highest QBs in the NFL and he could even command a Patrick Mahomes-type contract if he has success in the playoffs this year.
