Lamar Jackson Cements MVP Case By Dominating NFL in Critical Categories

The Baltimore Ravens’ electrifying quarterback Lamar Jackson isn’t just having another Pro Bowl season—he’s authoring one of the most statistically dominant campaigns in recent NFL history, leading the league in multiple pivotal categories that underscore his evolution as a complete offensive weapon. Through Week 12, the 2019 MVP tops all quarterbacks in completion percentage (71.3%), yards per attempt (8.9), passer rating (112.7), and rushing yards by a QB (741), putting him on pace to shatter personal bests while carrying the Ravens to the AFC’s best record. These aren’t just empty numbers on a rebuilding team; Jackson’s production has come against six top-10 defenses, including masterful performances against the Lions, Seahawks, and Browns that showcased his refined pocket presence and surgical accuracy. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system has unlocked new dimensions in Jackson’s game, transforming him from a dynamic playmaker into the NFL’s most efficient quarterback at a time when Baltimore’s championship window appears wide open.

Jackson’s completion percentage—nearly five points higher than his previous career best—tells the story of a passer who has eliminated the erratic throws that occasionally plagued his early seasons. His connection with rookie receiver Zay Flowers has been particularly lethal, with the first-round pick catching 83% of targets from Jackson for 588 yards. But what separates this season’s performance is Jackson’s downfield precision; his 68.9% completion rate on throws traveling 15+ yards through the air leads the NFL, a staggering improvement from 52.3% last year. This vertical passing threat has forced defenses to abandon the loaded boxes that once dared Jackson to beat them with his arm, creating wider rushing lanes for both himself and running back Gus Edwards. The result? Baltimore leads the NFL in points per game (29.7) and offensive touchdowns despite playing the league’s toughest schedule to date.

The yards per attempt metric reveals Jackson’s mastery of Monken’s aggressive offensive philosophy. At 8.9 YPA, he’s on pace to surpass Kurt Warner’s 2000 mark (8.85) for the sixth-highest single-season average in NFL history, nestled between peak-era Peyton Manning and Dan Marino. This statistic becomes more impressive considering Jackson’s league-high 14.3% dropped pass rate, which suggests his actual efficiency might be even higher if not for receiver miscues. His ability to stretch defenses horizontally and vertically was on full display during Baltimore’s 37-31 overtime win against the Rams, when Jackson completed passes to nine different targets while averaging a ridiculous 11.2 yards per attempt. “He’s seeing the field like a 10-year veteran,” said Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris after the game. “The progression reads, the anticipation throws—it’s all happening faster than we can defend.”

While Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts grab headlines for their high-profile teams, Jackson’s 112.7 passer rating quietly dwarfs both superstars (Mahomes 92.5, Hurts 90.3) and would rank as the eighth-best single-season mark in NFL history if maintained. The Ravens’ signal-caller has been particularly lethal in critical situations, posting a 134.6 rating on third downs (best in NFL) and a perfect 158.3 rating in the red zone over his last four games. This clutch performance has propelled Baltimore to a league-best 52.9% conversion rate on third down, a dramatic improvement from last season’s 38.9% mark that ranked 19th. Jackson’s chemistry with tight end Mark Andrews before his ankle injury was nearly telepathic—the duo connected on 22 of 23 catchable targets—but his ability to maintain elite production without Andrews (85.7 rating in two games since the injury) speaks to his growing command of the offense.

Jackson’s 741 rushing yards don’t just lead all quarterbacks—they surpass 14 teams’ entire backfield production and put him on pace for 1,122 yards, which would break Michael Vick’s single-season QB record (1,039). But unlike his 2019 MVP campaign when scrambles accounted for 63% of his rushing yards, Jackson has become more strategic in 2023, with designed runs making up 58% of his attempts. Monken’s creative outside zone schemes have weaponized Jackson’s speed in ways former coordinator Greg Roman never imagined, particularly on option plays that freeze edge defenders. Jackson’s 6.8 yards per carry leads all players with 50+ attempts, and his 12 runs of 15+ yards are three more than any other QB. This ground threat creates impossible dilemmas for defenses, as the Bengals learned in Week 11 when Jackson rushed for 107 yards while also throwing for 316—just the fourth 300/100 game in NFL history.

Advanced metrics further cement Jackson’s case as football’s most valuable player. He leads all QBs in ESPN’s QBR (78.1), ranks second in EPA (Expected Points Added) per play behind only Dak Prescott, and has been pressured on 38% of dropbacks (third-highest) yet still manages a 97.4 rating under duress. His 22 big-time throws (PFF’s highest-graded passes) are five more than Mahomes despite 45 fewer attempts, demonstrating remarkable efficiency. Perhaps most impressively, Jackson has achieved this while playing the NFL’s toughest slate of opposing defenses—Baltimore’s opponents have combined for a .603 win percentage, with seven currently holding playoff positions.

The Ravens’ supporting cast, while improved, hardly resembles the All-Star ensembles surrounding other MVP candidates. Baltimore’s receivers rank 28th in separation yards per route run, forcing Jackson to make more tight-window throws than any QB except Justin Herbert. The offensive line has used seven different starting combinations due to injuries, yet Jackson’s been sacked on just 5.2% of dropbacks—a career best. Even the running game leans heavily on his threat, as Baltimore averages 5.1 yards per carry with Jackson on the field versus 3.9 when he’s sidelined.

As the Ravens prepare for a brutal December schedule featuring the Jaguars, 49ers, and Dolphins, Jackson’s historic production has positioned him as the clear MVP frontrunner. His ability to dominate both traditionally (passing efficiency) and unconventionally (rushing production) makes him the NFL’s most unguardable player, a nightmare for defensive coordinators who must pick their poison against an ever-evolving skillset. With each record-breaking performance, Jackson isn’t just staking his claim as 2023’s best player—he’s building a resume that could eventually place him among the all-time greats at his position. The numbers don’t lie: right now, no one impacts the game quite like Baltimore’s dual-threat maestro.

For a franchise that once asked Jackson to simply manage games, he’s now rewriting the quarterback playbook entirely. And if these staggering statistics translate to January success, the Ravens might just have the ultimate weapon to capture the Lombardi Trophy that’s eluded them since his arrival. One thing’s certain: at age 26, in the first season of his $260 million extension, Lamar Jackson isn’t just meeting expectations—he’s obliterating them while playing the best football of his career. The MVP trophy may already have his name on it.