Facing the Baltimore Ravens and their dynamic offensive duo of two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the formidable Derrick Henry would strike trepidation into any defense. Jackson has been lauded as the "best dual-threat quarterback in the league and in history, today." His performance has backed up this acclaim, especially during the 2023 season.
Lamar Jackson's Stellar Performance
In 2023, during the second of his two NFL MVP seasons, Jackson recorded 26 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. This impressive feat led to Jackson's touchdown-to-interception ratio ranking fourth-best in the NFL during that span. Jackson also consistently demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities by accumulating over 750 rushing yards in each of his first five NFL seasons from 2019 to 2023.
Offensive Tandem and Defensive Struggles
Jackson's prowess is complemented by the powerful running game anchored by Derrick Henry. This lethal combination presents a significant challenge for any defensive squad. Adding to the complexity, Jackson is known to have faced double-teams on 35% of his pass-rush plays in 2023, the highest in the league among edge rushers. Micah Parsons, who has 14 quarterback pressures—third-most in the NFL—aptly notes, "The expectations is like I'm the person that's gonna get the slide, I'm the person that's going to get the majority of the chips and the double teams… So it would be shocking to me if you were to limit me because I would think [it] would be the worst thing."
On the defensive front, the Dallas Cowboys have struggled at times, as underscored by Alvin Kamara's recent performance against them. Kamara rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in a clash against the Cowboys, amassing a total of 180 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns in the same game. These figures highlight the vulnerabilities within the defensive lineup, raising critical questions about their ability to contain such dynamic players.
Defensive Metrics and Implications
Osa Odighizuwa's defensive grade of 45.6, placing him 91st out of 115 defensive tackles, is indicative of the challenges faced on this front. Fellow defenders Mazi Smith, Linval Joseph, and Jordan Phillips haven't fared much better, with grades of 28.9, 31.7, and 29.6 respectively. These statistics call attention to the areas requiring significant improvement if the defense hopes to be more effective against high-powered offenses, like that of the Ravens.
Defensive stalwart Micah Parsons, who has faced the highest number of double-teams among edge rushers, offered insights about the necessary mindset for such matchups. "At some point, all 11 [on the field] got to have the same mindset, and that's just toughness," Parsons stated. He added, "Toughness. Step up. Ain't no other choice. Derrick Henry's going to come downhill, like it or not. So it's not like a matter of are you going to stop it. It's just, are you going to do it or not. I know I'm ready for the matchup."
Coaching Strategies Under Scrutiny
The coaching strategies also come into sharper focus, as adjustments and tactical decisions are critical when facing prolific players like Jackson and Henry. Reflecting on recent gameplay, Mike Zimmer acknowledged potential over-strategizing: "Maybe I tried to use him a little bit more in a lot of different things... It may have affected some of the other players and asked them to do too many things this week." This introspection underscores the delicate balance coaches must strike between deploying their star players effectively while maintaining overall team cohesion.
In conclusion, the Ravens' dynamic offense, led by Lamar Jackson, and the formidable challenge posed by Derrick Henry present an unparalleled test for any NFL defense. With Jackson's stellar stats, constant strategic pressures, and the undeniable physical game brought by Henry, defenses must continuously adapt and rise to the challenge. As Micah Parsons aptly summarized, the game boils down to a shared mindset and collective toughness—a non-negotiable approach in the high-stakes theater of professional football.