2023 MVP vs MVP Runner-Up as Jackson visits Prescott

If you’re a fan of elite QB play, Sunday’s matchup between the Ravens and Cowboys is the game for you. A battle between the 2023 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and MVP runner-up Dak Prescott. Both quarterbacks are coming into this matchup following disappointing home openers, and poor offensive play from their respective teams. The Ravens can’t afford to repeat their blunder from last week and risk the chance of falling to 0-3, a hole that seems nearly impossible to climb out of in this conference and division. Dallas had question marks regarding their legitimate chances at being contenders in the NFC East. Another performance similar to the one they displayed in Week 2 would spell trouble for Prescott and company.

Jackson’s Path to Victory

When looking at the box score from the Ravens’ Week 2 loss, Jackson’s numbers are slightly underwhelming. The tape shows a bit of an upside, however. The two-time MVP showed an ability, and willingness, to step up in the pocket on multiple occasions, despite the Raiders pass-rush getting serious pressure throughout the game. His ability to step up and deliver passes, utilizing his front foot to get the needed zip on the ball, has led to great numbers through the intermediate passing game. On passes of 10-19 yards past the line of scrimmage, Jackson is 12 of 17 for 225 yards and 2 TD heading into Week 3. Zay Flowers’ ability to get open, as well as the progress he’s made since last year, has helped Jackson and the Ravens passing game rank fourth in the NFL to begin the season.

Defenses have been reluctant to blitz Jackson early on. Through two weeks, Jackson has faced the lowest blitz percentage of his career. That blitz rate of 21% has contributed to the efficient start in the passing game. Opposing defenses’ hesitation to blitz has given Jackson the third-highest time to throw in the NFL (3.13 seconds), despite the well-documented struggles along the offensive line. The ability to sit and allow the plays to develop has granted Lamar running lanes when things break down. When facing four or fewer pass rushers, Jackson leads all quarterbacks in scrambles (12) resulting in 104 yards on the ground. I believe all Ravens fans can agree, they don’t want to see their franchise QB leading the team in rushes. However, seeing Jackson take advantage of open run lanes, and using his lethal dual-threat ability, could lead to success for the Ravens offense against Dallas Sunday.

Dak Prescott is just two weeks removed from receiving a $240 million contract extension, ending the latest ongoing drama in Dallas. The Cowboys made Prescott the NFL’s highest-paid player, with the hopes of finally bringing a Lombardi back to Big D. Dak’s first game in front of the home crowd, following his historic payday, was anything but memorable. The start of the 2024 season has been underwhelming as a whole for last season’s MVP runner-up. Prescott is no stranger to slow starts, but in a season with so many expectations, the Cowboys can’t afford another mediocre performance Sunday against the Ravens.

Preventing Prescott from getting back in stride begins up front for Baltimore. Baltimore’s pass rush is struggling to get free rushers to the quarterback to begin the season, gaining just one unblocked sack and five unblocked pressures so far. Scheming ways to get rushers open, and disrupting Prescott’s rhythm, can limit the Cowboys’ big play ability. An area of potential success for Dak if given the time, would be exploiting the Ravens struggles in the play-action passing game. The Ravens are the only defense that has given up a completion on 100% of the play-action passes they’ve defended, for a disappointing 13/13 for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Similar to the first few games under Mike Macdonald, the Ravens are seeing growing pains under new Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr. Baltimore’s defense has allowed a league-high 14 explosive pass plays, along with the second-highest explosive passing rate (19.2%) over the first two games. With Ceedee Lamb out wide for Dallas, Prescott has a true number-one receiver, capable of creating those explosive plays over the top, but it relies on the Dak getting the ball to his playmakers. On three attempts to Lamb on vertical routes in Week 2, Prescott went 0/3 with an interception, an area Dallas could look to improve against a struggling Ravens secondary.

Getting to Dak and limiting the big plays in the passing game could be a true gameplan to victory for the Ravens in Week 3.

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