OWINGS MILLS, Md. — One thing is clear. It’s Lamar Jackson’s world. We’re all just living in it.
“[I’m] laser focused. Start in practice. In the game I’m locked in,” said the Ravens quarterback.
Jackson was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday for his performance in last Sunday’s blowout win over the Bengals and that now infamous 47 yard touchdown run.
“I watched it. I watched it a lot,” he said. “It’s popping up everywhere so I have to watch it. It's catching my eye sometimes.”
“That run was crazy. It really was,” said Ravens running back Mark Ingram. “He’s just a special talent. He’s never complacent. You got to go into the archives to see something better than that.”
This week brings a much tougher challenge for the Ravens - a battle of division leaders. Baltimore (7-2) hosts Houston (6-3). Like the Ravens, the Texans are led by an MVP candidate quarterback - Deshaun Watson. Like Jackson, Watson can hurt you in multiple ways.
“I see similarities,” said Ravens safety Earl Thomas. “They both use the option type college football game. Especially in gun. Going against Lamar every day, that helps.”
He can run the ball. He’s not running the ball like Lamar Jackson, obviously. Nobody ever has. But he can run. He’s extremely smart and he can throw the ball very well,” said Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith.
“Deshaun Watson is a whole different kind of a guy,” added Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh. “I think he’s playing at the highest level. I think he’s at the top of the heap.”
After a flurry of roster moves there will be some new players trying to get to Watson on Sunday. Among them is Domata Peko. The veteran defensive tackle was signed by Baltimore after two years in Denver and over a decade in Cincinnati.
“It does feel a little weird. Playing with the Bengals for eleven seasons and playing up here, playing these guys twice a year, it does feel a little bit weird,” he said. “But, I’m excited to put this purple and black on. I think I look pretty good in it.”
In other NFL news, free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick is scheduled to hold a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. It will be open for all 32 teams to attend. As for whether the Ravens will be represented Harbaugh said he doesn’t know.
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