Going into the NFL Draft, and throughout his first couple of seasons, Lamar Jackson and his style of play has been highly debated. Could he get the job done? Why would the Baltimore Ravens adhere to this college like offensive style? Lastly, is it sustainable?
That last question has stuck out, now more than ever. With an everchanging NFL style on offense, the Ravens have done well to accommodate to Lamar Jackson. He has enjoyed a fabulous start to his career, and it can still continue to grow. Today, we will focus on the misconceptions of the Baltimore running game, while focusing on Jackson. How can the Kansas City Chiefs attempt to stop the attack on Monday night? We plan to find that answer at the end.
- Buy, Sell, Hold: Could Kansas City Chiefs Have Top Ten Defense?
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Restructure Contract, Reset QB Market
- Chiefs Down Jaguars With Strong Defense In Ugly Win
- Handicapping Hal’s Week Two NFL Picks
- Chiefs Vs Jaguars: Fascinating Recent Trends To Monitor
Buying And Investing
For so many NFL teams, establishing the run is easier said than done. There are multiple units who struggle to gain consistency. That may be due to a coach’s decision, or the unit is seemingly not good enough to get the job done. There also has to be a commitment made by the coaching staff and players to buy in. While Baltimore has long found winning success as a team, they were able to stay afloat and elongate their team lifecycle when catering to Jackson.
When Joe Flacco was constantly injured, it allowed the Ravens an opportunity to explore their options. Drafting Lamar in 2018 was not just a gimmick. And neither is their offensive style. Taking a chance that they did, and being able to hit the reset button on the offense only made the team better. For Jackson, he has entered into a rarified environment, that most quarterbacks never get to experience at the NFL level.
In addition, this investment into the offense itself and Lamar Jackson, is different than most run orientated offenses. We are not watching a triple option team from the college ranks. Overall, this is very much an NFL style of offense. The Ravens do not become dependent on the ground game. Simply, it is a good job of continuing to push forward and evolve, while forcing opponents to adjust and scheme up multiple blueprints.
Spreading The Wealth
It is important to have ample depth at your skill positions. For running backs, it is often stated that they do not matter. Of course, this is suggesting that you can stick any player into that given spot and good things will continue to come. The Ravens utilize this suggestion to keep the opponent guessing. Whereas with other teams, there are clear cut roles in which runners fill.
The trio of Mark Ingram, JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards are all built and play similarly. Moreover, this group is all given much more freedom than most backfields. When I say that, people may think about snap counts and touches. Not so much. In fact, Ingram never reached 20 touches in a game last year. The fact of the matter, is no one is being leaned on. By staying fresh, these runners have a greater opportunity to cash in. And for Lamar Jackson, he is the best dual threat quarterback in the league. Having the confidence and trust from those players makes life much easier for Baltimore’s decision makers.
-
Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Maximizing On Strengths

Piggybacking off of that last paragraph, the Ravens could have just been content with their rush attack entering 2020. But somehow, Ohio State’s Dobbins falls into their lap in Round Two of the 2020 NFL Draft. This makes life and decision making more challenging for opponents.
With adding another piece to the puzzle, defenses are forced to account for more than they already had to. How does this affect Lamar Jackson? For one, this opens the door up for even more opportunities for him to produce. The Ravens also benefitted by Dobbins being a schematic fit. Jackson can continue to go about his business, just as he would with Ingram or Edwards. As a result, the good teams in the NFL stay good by reinforcing their strengths and not allowing good players (Ingram, Edwards) prevent them from taking even better players (Dobbins).
Statistical Evidence
The final aspect surrounding Lamar Jackson and the running game that I wanted to touch on involves injuries. The aura amongst quarterbacks with running abilities, is that they are going to get hurt too often to see or stay on the field. This could not be more false.
Thanks to Sports Info Solutions, I was able to find out this set of data. Quarterbacks get hurt more on knockdowns (1 out of 67.3 plays), sacks (1 out of 92.5 plays) and scrambles (1 out of 91.7 plays), than they do on designed runs (1 out of 236 plays).
How is this possible? As a runner, players are more aware of protecting themselves. Quarterbacks also have the benefit of being highly preserved by certain penalty calls. On the other hand, defenders have a much more difficult time setting up hits and angles against quarterbacks who run, especially Lamar Jackson. When quarterbacks stand in the pocket, there is a greater abundance of chaos happening with blockers and collisions they cannot see coming.
What Can Kansas City Do?
The easy answer, is that the Kansas City Chiefs must employ more than one way to attack in the game plan. Stacking the box and getting home may suit this Chiefs team well. Based off of speed and instincts from Tyrann Mathieu and others like Damien Wilson, Kansas City can spy Jackson if they feel comfortable. This test of the running game from Baltimore will hopefully lead to learning points and future success later in the season, win or lose on Monday night. Kansas City will need to answer Lamar Jackson’s bell.
Be on the lookout for our game preview podcast and article that will drop on Saturday. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Ep 167: Discussing Buddy Parker With Hall of Fame Voter Paul Kuharskyby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2023 at 1:23 am
Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Paul Kuharsky joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Some Initial thoughts on Ohio State vs Notre Dameby LandryFootball.com on September 21, 2023 at 10:00 am
Have the season’s first few weeks revealed how No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 […]
-
A Film Room look at this Miami Dolphins teamby LandryFootball.com on September 20, 2023 at 11:00 pm
For the second straight year, the Miami Dolphins are 2-0 after the […]
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 303: Ambiguous Situations in Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on August 29, 2023 at 2:47 pm
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Ep 182: Week 2 Instant Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 1:52 am
The Green Bay Packers lost a close 25-24 game at the hands of the Atlanta […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 9-20 - The Southeast Florida Prospect Showcase & the Hurricanes Training Campby Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 3:00 pm
The Hurricanes have won all 3 games at their prospect showcase this past […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Farby Charlie Saunier on September 20, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Far Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-19 - Connor Bedard is HIM!!!by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Breaking down Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks games at the Tom Kurvers […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-18 - 2021 draft, Shane Wright, training campby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 3:00 pm
A look back at the 2021 Draft, Shane Wright update, Camp primer Learn more […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: SCS WTF?by Charlie Saunier on September 18, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: SCS WTF? Learn more about your ad […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
-
9/14 - Aaron Rodgers And The AFC East, Vikings at Eagles Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John further discuss the Aaron Rodgers injury and the impact on […]
-
9/12 - Jets Stun Bills; Aaron Rodgers Injuredby Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John discuss the (likely) season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Patriots at Jets - Bills at Commanders - Panthers at Seahawksby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
-
Philadelphia 76ers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep. 278: Clayton State University Head Men's Basketball Coach Vince Alexanderby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
-
Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Dudsby Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
-
Titans at Browns - Colts at Ravens - Broncos at Dolphinsby Broken Controller Media on September 20, 2023 at 4:15 pm
-
Chargers at Vikings - Saints at Packers - Texans at Jaguarsby Broken Controller Media on September 20, 2023 at 3:02 pm
-
Full Press MMA - 9-20 - Could the DWCS produce another Champ?by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "NFL Picks"by Boot 2 The Face on September 7, 2023 at 1:59 am
Boys are back talking CM Punk firing, AEW All Out, WWE Payback and picking […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
Ep 182: Michelle McCoolby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're looking at the career of Michelle McCool. A teacher by […]