By Joe Schiller
Lamar Jackson ran off the turf at Century Link Field on Sunday to MVP chants. It's fitting considering coming into Sunday's game, it was Russell Wilson who was talked about as the MVP front runner. He hadn't thrown an interception and led the Seahawks to a 5-1 record.
But Jackson is "1-of-1," according to Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, and there isn't a more dynamic talent than the 22-year-old quarterback right now.
Jackson rushed for 100 yards for the second straight game, as the Ravens used a dominant second half to beat the Seahawks on the road 30-16.
He finished just 9-of-20 for 143 yards through the air, but drops and a wet afternoon limited his stat line. Still, Jackson made impressive throws, including a 50-yard bomb to Miles Boykin on the team's first drive. It led to Justin Tucker 25-yard field goal, one of three on the day, to give Baltimore an early 3-0 lead.
The Seahawks answered with a 7-yard touchdown catch from Tyler Lockett and a 34-yard field goal from Jason Myers to take a 10-6 lead. The Seahawks dominated for much of the first half, but a big play from one of the Ravens' newest additions swung the momentum back in Baltimore's favor.
Newly-acquired cornerback Marcus Peters picked off Russell Wilson and returned it 67 yards for the touchdown. It was a textbook play as Peters baited Wilson to throw to receiver Jaron Brown and Peters made him pay.
The Ravens dominated the second half and held the Seahawks to just one field goal. Facing a 4th-and-2 late in the third quarter, John Harbaugh elected to go for the first down after asking Jackson. The Ravens ran a QB power and Jackson barreled his way into the end zone from eight yards out.
Jackson's touchdown gave the Ravens a 20-13 win, and they never looked back.
Marlon Humphrey added an 18-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown to seal the win, and it was one of the most impressive victories under Harbaugh.
If you would've said the Ravens would be 5-2 heading into their bye week, I'd be ecstatic. That's where they're at, and they'll have a week off before a huge home game against Tom Brady and the Patriots in Week 9.
