Facing off against the Baltimore Ravens and their exceptional offensive duo would strike trepidation into any opposing defense. With two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the formidable Derrick Henry teaming up, the Ravens boast one of the most formidable backfields in the league.
Lamar Jackson: A Dual-Threat Sensation
Lamar Jackson has frequently been lauded as the best dual-threat quarterback in the league, potentially even the best in history today. His versatility on the field is evident through his impressive statistics. In 2023, during the second of his two NFL MVP seasons, Jackson recorded 26 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, securing a touchdown-to-interception ratio that ranks fourth-best in the NFL during that span.
Jackson’s prowess is not limited to passing. The quarterback has accumulated over 750 rushing yards in each of his first five NFL seasons from 2019 to 2023. This unique combination of passing and rushing expertise adds an unpredictable dynamic to Baltimore’s offense, making them difficult to defend against.
The Dominance of Derrick Henry
Complementing Jackson’s versatility is Derrick Henry, whose downhill running style has become the stuff of legend. Defensive players readying themselves to face Henry know what awaits them. As Micah Parsons succinctly put it, "Toughness. Step up. Ain't no other choice. Derrick Henry's going to come downhill, like it or not. So it's not like a matter of are you going to stop it. It's just, are you going to do it or not. I know I'm ready for the matchup."
When combined with Jackson's skill set, Henry's sheer power creates a multi-faceted offensive threat that keeps defenses constantly on their toes.
Kamara's Commanding Performance
Adding to the list of extraordinary performances is Alvin Kamara, who recently rushed for an impressive 115 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries against the Dallas Cowboys. In the same game, Kamara amassed a total of 180 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns, showcasing his ability to dominate both as a rusher and receiver.
Defensive Struggles and Challenges
On the defensive side, the Dallas Cowboys have faced their own set of challenges. Osa Odighizuwa's defensive grade of 45.6 places him 91st out of 115 defensive tackles, while teammates Mazi Smith, Linval Joseph, and Jordan Phillips each have grades of 28.9, 31.7, and 29.6 respectively. These numbers reflect a struggle within the defense to effectively counter the opposing offenses they face.
Micah Parsons' Tenacity
However, not all is stagnant on the Cowboys' defense. Micah Parsons stands out as a bright spot with 14 quarterback pressures, the third-most in the NFL. His relentless pursuit of the quarterback is noteworthy, especially considering that he faced double-teams on 35% of his pass-rush plays in 2023, the highest in the league among edge rushers.
Addressing the challenges of handling multiple roles and expectations, Mike Zimmer acknowledged, "Maybe I tried to use him a little bit more in a lot of different things... It may have affected some of the other players and asked them to do too many things this week." Parsons himself understands the expectations placed on him, stating, "The expectations is like I'm the person that's gonna get the slide, I'm the person that's going to get the majority of the chips and the double teams… So it would be shocking to me if you were to limit me because I would think [it] would be the worst thing."
For Parsons and his teammates, the emphasis is clear—defense requires a collective mindset. "At some point, all 11 [on the field] got to have the same mindset, and that's just toughness," Parsons emphasized.
With offensive talents like Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Alvin Kamara leading their teams and defensive stalwarts like Micah Parsons holding the line, the NFL continues to offer compelling narratives and electrifying performances each week. The balance of power on the field remains in constant flux, driven by the talents and tenacity of these remarkable players.