Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had what was likely the best game of his rookie campaign against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16, completing 12 of 22 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown in a 22-10 Ravens win.
Of course, defending Jackson is not easy.
The first-year signal-caller is not even really known for his arm; he is renowned for his ability to run the football, as evidenced by the 695 rushing yards and five touchdowns he racked up in just seven starts this season.
Chargers defensive back Derwin James knows all too well the troubles of defending Jackson, as he not only played against Jackson two weeks ago, but he battled him three times in college:
“They're going to run it right at us,” said James, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. “We know that, and we have to be ready to play, ready to get off blocks. “You just have to play rules football, and you need every hat to the ball. It's not like a normal game where you're like, ‘OK, he's going to make the tackle.' He might cut it back, so we need you.”
In addition to his rushing totals this season, Jackson has thrown for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions while completing 58.2 percent of his passes and registering a passer rating of 84.5, so a big key is obviously containing Jackson on the run, as his numbers as a passer are not great.
But, clearly, holding Jackson down in the ground game is easier said than done.
The Ravens will host the Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Sunday afternoon.
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