OTL: Jackson Primed for Second NFL MVP Award

Though there’s still the sting of defeat lingering in the air, and perhaps a somewhat-stale whiff of inevitability as well, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson appears all but certain to claim his second MVP award tonight.

It’s not necessarily the trophy the Flock had in mind this year, and it’s most certainly not the one Jackson had his eyes on, but, still… MVP. It’s a big deal. And it is well-deserved.

A second MVP for Lamar Jackson tonight would put him in elite company: ‘He’s a phenomenal success’ https://t.co/qcymB8tGJD

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) February 8, 2024

The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec said that, despite not posting numbers that will necessarily rock the league’s history books, Jackson earned this recognition — and put the “Valuable” in Most Valuable Player.

“What Jackson did produce this season was more evidence that he’s the league’s single most important player to his team’s success,” explained Zrebiec. “As Hall of Fame quarterback and ESPN analyst Troy Aikman said before a Baltimore Ravens broadcast this past season, there’s no quarterback asked to do more for his team.”

Receiver Nelson Agholor shared Zrebiec’s thoughts.

““It’s not about him. It’s been about the result,” said Ravens veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor, via Zrebiec’s piece. “His mindset is about that. A true MVP in this league is somebody who is willing his team to victory, however it may be, through leadership, through statistics, through player execution. That’s what you want.”

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin had an article this morning that ranked the top five finalists for tonight’s MVP presentation, and had Jackson atop her list, as well.

The NFL Honors ceremony is tonight at 9PM, and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is the overwhelming odds-on favorite to win MVP this season at -10000 (odds by @ESPNBet).

The other finalists are: Dak Prescott, Josh Allen, Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey.https://t.co/k9ezyFso0t

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) February 8, 2024

“Despite his volume of runs diminishing this season, which undoubtedly had a positive effect on his durability (the quarterback started a career-high 16 games and only sat for the regular-season finale when Baltimore rested its starters), Jackson still led the Ravens and all quarterbacks in rushing,” wrote Cronin. “His command and control of Baltimore’s offense reached new heights in his sixth season when his passing acumen, vision and feel made him one of the league’s most electrifying quarterbacks.

It’s important to remember that this was Jackson’s first season under new Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, and while the dud the offense laid in the AFC Championship Game still stings, things will most likely only improve as the pair grows together going into next season.

Even under the hamstring of being with a new system and playcaller, Jackson appears to be sailing to this award, and Cronin cites the Dolphins game as his “MVP Moment.”

“Jackson likely locked up the MVP in a Week 17 win over Miami when he threw for five touchdown passes, posted a perfect passer rating and helped the Ravens clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC,” she wrote. “The 56 points the Ravens scored were their second most in franchise history, trailing only the 59 that Jackson and Baltimore posted during his 2019 MVP campaign.”

The Baltimore Sun’s Childs Walker wrote an interesting piece, discussing the Ravens’ place in history — or, rather, infamy.

Count the 2023 Ravens among the 10 best teams not to make the Super Bowl

“Aaron Schatz created defense-adjusted value over average — DVOA — as a means of measuring team efficiency relative to competition, and by his reckoning, the Ravens are the second best team since 1981 not to make the Super Bowl, behind only the 2010 New England Patriots,” wrote Walker.

“The best indicator of a championship team is big, dominating wins, and the Ravens had a series of big, dominating wins, but not against bad teams, against good teams,” Schatz explained, via Walker. “Also, they were tremendously well-balanced — good at passing and running, good against the pass and the run and good on special teams. There are not a lot of teams in history that have been top eight in all five.”

Walker ranked the Ravens as the fifth-best team to not win a Super Bowl, wedged between the 1998 Minnesota Vikings who finished with a 15-1 mark, and the 12-2 1970 Vikings.

Yuck.

Also of note:

Is Justin Madubuike a Top 10 Free Agent? | Sports Illustrated

Former Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy played a part in AFC Championship Game win over Baltimore Ravens #NewsBreak https://t.co/KXufBsaier

— Kevin Agee (@preachingterp) February 8, 2024

Kardashian, 43, and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., 31, are reportedly “getting serious,”

Although Kardashian is a heavily publicized reality television star, socialite, the source added, “Odell’s personality is much more private.”🤔💯#NRGAmShowUG #NRGRadioUG pic.twitter.com/JLBUOEpYcR

— NRG RADIO UG🇺🇬 (@NRGRadioUganda) February 8, 2024

Patrick Queen's 2023 film was as fundamental as it was spectacular and multiple. Sacks. Brutally efficient picks to clear the way for teammates. Or just solid Run fits.
Queen did it all in his 4th season in Baltimore.#Ravens #RavensFlocck #BaltimoreRavens pic.twitter.com/04fw5LpBNN

— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) February 6, 2024

2024 Offseason Blueprint: Baltimore Ravens | Pro Football Focus