PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has his worst career quarterback rating against the Steelers (66.8). Has a losing record (2-4) against them in his career, but he’s improved since their last matchup in October of 2023.
Jackson has already matched his touchdown passes from last year, leading the NFL with 24. Jackson also for the first time in his career leads the league in yards per attempt (9.3) and quarterback rating (123.2). The second highest rated starting QB after Jackson is Joe Burrow at 108.1, as an aside Russell Wilson is 105.9.
Jackson still runs it, he is averaging 5.9 yards-per attempt and 54.9 yards-per-game. Over 30% of his rushes have ended up in a first down, better than anyone in the top 25 in rushing yards.
It may be why Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin refers to him as ‘Mr. Jackson’.
“I see continual evolution in him,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “I’ve seen that since they drafted him. There’s always a component of his game that is moving forward. I think it speaks not only his talent, but his approach to business and their approach to business.”
“He’s got a unique skill set. He and they always appear to be evolving in terms of maximizing that skill set. I have a lot of respect for that.”
He also has the league’s leading rusher in Derrick Henry. As Tomlin put it, you don’t have to go back to Henry’s glory days with Arthur Smith in Tennessee, all of those spectacular highlights he is matching with Baltimore.
At receiver Jackson has Zay Flowers (third in the AFC in receiving yards), Rashod Bateman at 74.2 yards-per game. He still has tight end Mark Andrews with five touchdowns this year and joined by Isaiah Likely with 24 catches and three TD. Baltimore traded for former Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson, even though he hasn’t done much yet.
Tomlin’s curiosity with Jackson started back leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft. The Steelers still had Ben Roethlisberger, but he wanted to see Jackson at Louisville for strategic purposes.
“Sometimes when I see talent, forget whether or not we are interested in it, I try to get close to it in the draft process just so I’m not surprised by it,” Tomlin said. “That’s the mentality I had regarding him.”
Tomlin went to dinner with him the night before the Louisville Pro Day just to see what he was about. Now he’s turned into the best player in the league.
There has been good history against Mr. Jackson. Last meeting the Steelers won 17-10 holding him to no touchdowns and 236 yards on 38 attempts. The 2024 Mr. Jackson has thrown for 280 or more yards in six straight games and started the season with a double-double—273 passing yards and 122 rushing yards at Kansas City.
Tomlin said Mr. Jackson is a challenge in all circumstances. Can Tomlin’s defense step up against him again?