On Football delves into the most significant narratives in the NFL on a weekly basis.
In a recent game, Lamar Jackson exhibited his unselfishness as he noticed Derrick Henry maneuvering, quickly darting forward to clear a path for him. Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, stepped up as a lead blocker, tackling All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. This pivotal moment occurred during a 39-yard play that ended with Henry being forced out of bounds. Jackson, who threw five touchdown passes and showcased a series of spectacular plays, solidified his reputation as a team player with this action.
Derrick Henry praised Jackson’s attitude, noting, “It’s unbelievable that a quarterback of his caliber can be that selfless while blocking downfield for a teammate.” Henry expressed admiration for Jackson’s focus on helping others score rather than worrying about his own stats. “He’s incredible. I truly believe he’s the G.O.A.T.,” Henry added.
While Jackson may not have the same number of Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady, his leadership qualities and competitive spirit place him among the best in the league. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh underscored Jackson’s competitive edge, stating, “I’ve seen many great competitors, but Lamar stands out. He may just be the greatest. It’s remarkable.”
In their recent matchup, the Ravens were ahead by 16 points with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, leading to Jackson’s decision to proactively aid Henry rather than step back. Jackson expressed his motivation, “I just want to get him in the end zone. I got you.”
Following an 0-2 start, the Ravens, now with a record of 5-2, are focused on securing a Super Bowl title after last year’s deep playoff run. Jackson affirmed, “I’m chasing something, so I’ll maintain the same intensity every game. My goal is to win.”
Henry has been an excellent asset for Baltimore, contributing to their NFL-leading rushing average of 210.9 yards per game. He currently leads the league with 873 rushing yards and tallied 10 touchdowns—eight via rushing and two through receptions.
Running backs are experiencing a resurgence, showcasing better performance this season. As an overall, NFL teams now average 246 rushing yards per game, the highest number through the first seven weeks since 1990. The rushing yards per attempt average stands at 4.53, the highest since 1970. Interestingly, despite this resurgence in effectiveness, teams are not increasing their rushing attempts significantly; the average is merely up by less than one carry from last season.
Despite the resurgence, running backs like Henry are often compensated significantly less than wide receivers. Henry inked a two-year, $16 million contract with Baltimore, while 37 wide receivers earn more annually than him, despite his significant contributions on the field, as he leads in touchdowns and yardage in comparison.
On another front, the San Francisco 49ers are struggling this season, challenging the trend of teams bouncing back after Super Bowl losses. They currently hold a 3-4 record, hindered by injuries to key players, including Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, while the status of Deebo Samuel remains uncertain. This has led to inconsistency that places them just behind Seattle in the NFC West.
Quarterback Brock Purdy found himself under pressure in a recent game against Kansas City, where he was intercepted three times in what was a rematch of the Super Bowl. The 49ers now face a demanding schedule, with upcoming games against teams boasting winning records, including a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football.” The Cowboys are also navigating their struggles but are coming off a bye week, adding further challenges for San Francisco.