Lamar Jackson is delivering like never before in the passing game. Yet the Ravens quarterback gets far too little attention – a commentary.

The Baltimore Ravens swept the Detroit Lions 38-6 at full throttle in week seven, setting a proper scent mark against one of the league’s in-form teams.

The Ravens defense completely shut down the Lions’ offense around German wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, which had been playing so brilliantly up to that point, and only allowed the opponent’s first points in the final quarter, when the game had already been decided.

The team also had a great day offensively, especially in the passing game. Quarterback Lamar Jackson had his best game of the season by far with 357 passing yards and three touchdown passes and dominated Detroit, which had been hyped by numerous experts as the top team in the league, literally at will.

A demonstration of power by the 26-year-old, who in the offseason, after endless back and forth and a trade demand in the meantime, finally received his long-term contract for five years and 260 million dollars. And impressively justifies his payday.

Jackson is having a tremendous season, as evidenced by his performance in the top game against the Lions. Nevertheless, he is completely unjustly left out of the MVP race and not counted among the top favorites.

Lamar Jackson finally has multiple top receivers

For years, criticism persisted that Jackson was more running back than quarterback and far too reliant on his peerless running game. His passing game would not be worthy of an elite player at the most important position in football.

The franchise took that to heart in the offseason, giving Jackson by far the best receiving corps of his NFL career to date.

Veteran Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie speedster Zay “Joystick” Flowers give Jackson unimagined options that make his game much more diverse and less dependent on his favorite receiving station, tight end Mark Andrews.

Lamar Jackson plays best passing season of his career

Jackson now has no excuses. However, the results so far leave no doubt about his qualities. The Ravens star is putting up significant career bests in completions (71 percent, previous best: 66.1 percent from 2019) and average yards per pass attempt (8.1 yards, previous best: 7.8 yards, 2019).

Jackson is impressively giving the lie to his critics, relying on his strong arm. With just three interceptions so far, he’s playing largely flawless and regularly bangs out highlight plays.

Even more impressive considering number one running back K.J. Dobbins will miss most of the season with a season-opening Achilles tendon tear. Jackson manages to make up for the absence in outstanding fashion, without having to pull the coals out of the fire himself in the running game as he often has before.

With 1,610 passing yards already after seven games, he should improve on his previous best of 3,127 yards from the 2019 season by leaps and bounds – the 4,000 passing yards mark is also realistic for Jackson for the first time.

The playmaker, however, has long since stopped being dazzled by such individual success.

Lamar Jackson and the maturation process

For instance, even a statement win like the one against the Lions is just a snapshot that ultimately can’t be bought either, the 32nd pick of 2018 made it unmistakably clear after the game.

“We’re winning. I don’t have a problem with getting wins, but it’s still just the regular season,” the 26-year-old stated matter-of-factly.

You can clearly see Jackson’s maturing process. Early successes or individual bests are nice, but in the end they’re just wastepaper. Because the truth lies in the playoffs.

And on the biggest stage, the MVP of the 2019 season has not yet been able to even come close to the big time. Baltimore reached the postseason three times with Jackson, only once making it past the Wild Card Round – in 2020’s disappointing Divisional Round exit to the Buffalo Bills.

Lamar Jackson only has the Super Bowl on his mind

Unfortunately for Jackson, a Super Bowl appearance was only in his dreams. A flaw that is reflected in the changed self-image and his exemplary work ethic.

That change has not gone unnoticed by the team. “I don’t even think he’s that happy about the game,” said Head Coach John Harbaugh.

Jackson gives his all to get the most out of himself and his teammates, he said. “When I see him in the locker room right now, he’s not cocky. He’s thinking about the plays he could have had and the plays he can do better. That’s how all our guys are thinking right now and that’s how they should be thinking,” the coach added.

A mindset that speaks for itself. Even the strong start to the season, with a 5-2 record, is no longer causing anyone in Baltimore to rejoice.

That’s because Jackson and the Ravens define their own accomplishments this season only by winning the Super Bowl, MVP-worthy performances or not.