With the recent news that the Baltimore Ravens are likely moving on from Joe Flacco this offseason, rookie Lamar Jackson is taking center stage as the team's quarterback of the future.
On Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jackson flashed his potential with a spectacular run:
Lamar Jackson showing shades of greatness
(via @Ravens) pic.twitter.com/2i31cNUNxc
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 16, 2018
Avoiding the sack was one thing. Evading multiple defenders in the process of running for the first down was another.
Jackson took the reins at starting quarterback back on Nov. 18 after Flacco had gone down with a hip injury. The first-year signal-caller has had an up-and-down start, coming into Sunday's action with 687 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 58.4 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 79.9, but it is his ability to use his legs to throw defenses off-kilter that has the Ravens salivating.
The 21-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Louisville, was selected by Baltimore in the first round (32nd pick overall) of the NFL Draft back in April.
Jackson had a tremendous junior year at Louisville, throwing for 3,660 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 picks while rushing for 1,601 yards and 18 touchdowns.
While he definitely seemed raw at draft time, Baltimore loved his potential and saw him as the perfect successor to Flacco going forward.
The Ravens came into Sunday's action with a record of 7-6, holding on to the second and final Wild Card spot in the AFC. They are also right in the thick of the AFC North race, as the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers entered the weekend with a record of 7-5-1.
After doing battle with the Buccaneers Sunday, the Ravens will head on the road to take on the Los Angeles Chargers next Saturday before concluding their season by hosting the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 30.
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