OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With each passing week, game and highlight reel play the national love for Lamar Jackson grows.
Following Sunday’s 41-7 take-down of the Texans, Lamar is firmly considered the front-runner for NFL Most Valuable Player.
Just like all season his head coach doesn’t expect all the attention to go to Jackson's head.
“He’s done a great job of that and I’ll be absolutely expecting him to continue to do just what you’re talking about,” said John Harbaugh during his weekly day-after-game press conference. “The whole team, we have a lot of work to do.”
What we’re talking about is Lamar and the Ravens (8-2) staying even-keel.
They are the hottest team in the NFL, owning a six-game win streak.
They are blowing out teams on offense. Jackson passed for four touchdowns on Sunday and rushed for 86 yards. Mark Ingram caught a pair of TD's, Gus Edwards ran for a touchdown and his first 100 yard game of the year.
“Gus made two great runs during the game that were popped, once in the first, once in the second half. So, he played a really great game,” said Harbaugh. “Of course, Mark played a great game. Both those guys got game balls after the game for setting the tone the way they’re running the ball.”
On defense there was pressure all day against Deshaun Watson. The Ravens produced seven sacks, forced him to fumble and throw an interception.
It was finally a huge day statistically for that side of the ball.
“Nothing is different,” remarked Harbaugh about the pass rush. “We just got [to the quarterback].”
Now the Ravens get the Rams (6-4) next Monday night in Los Angeles. Over the last decade eight of Baltimore’s ten Monday night football games have been on the road.
“We’ve been everywhere on Monday night. It’s like Johnny Cash. We’ve been everywhere, man… on Monday night. Just not in Baltimore. Everywhere but Baltimore,” said Harbaugh.
Looking ahead to to the Ravens' next home game, which is on Sunday December 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, there was some thought it could be flexed to a later start time. The league announced Monday that will not be the case. That game will remain a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
