Michael Lombardi – A look ahead to Week 8 in the NFL:
Lamar Jackson won his second MVP award last year for his outstanding play. In 2023, he was so dynamic in his running and passing, he helped the Ravens gain the number one seed in the AFC. Unfortunately, they lost to the Chiefs at home, ruining their season and all hopes of winning the Super Bowl. Many believed the Ravens abandoned the run game too early, which was true, and they seemed desperate when they fell behind, which is also true. Losing can cause reality to set in, which occurred in Baltimore. Even though they were heartbroken with the loss, the Ravens doubled down on their run game and added Derrick Henry. When Henry is in the backfield, he is impossible to ignore, as his ability to run over the opponents or run away from them can ignite the offense. heading into NFL Week 8, Henry has made the Ravens’ offense better; he has reinforced their identity. However, his largest contribution has been improving the MVP’s numbers. Yes, after winning two MVPs in past seasons, Jackson is playing at a higher level than ever before.
When asked about Lamar Jackson this season, Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said, “He’s gone from a run-first quarterback to a pass-first quarterback that can make plays… They pretty much opened the whole passing game up to him.” The numbers back up Schwartz. Jackson is not slightly better in some of the main statistical areas; he is significantly better. His touchdown percentage has risen from 6.1 to 7.6. His yards per attempt has gone from 7.7 to 9.1. His success rate has increased from 47.5 to 52.7, and his QBR from 64.7 to 74.4. Adding Henry takes the pressure off Jackson and allows him to throw the ball effectively, and now the Ravens’ pass offense is explosive and not dependent on playing from in front.
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I realize the current NFL is anti-paying running backs. This isn’t because of their lack of importance but rather because there are more backs in the open market. This devaluation doesn’t diminish their importance, especially in the spread attack. Most everyone believes the receivers make the spread when, in reality, the strength of the spread lies with the runner’s talent. If the back can run with power, inside and out, the defense must account for their talents in their plan, trying to load the box and go lighter in coverage.
This opens the passing game for the quarterback. It also creates horizontal spacing in the defense, which occurs when teams play the Ravens’ offense. This spacing allows wider lanes for Lamar to run, resulting in 455 yards. 49.2 percent of the yards gained by Jackson on the ground have come from his quarterback scrambles, as noted by Schwartz. Jackson isn’t “one look and take off running” any longer. He is more patient and seems to understand he doesn’t have to make all the plays. In the passing game, the ball isn’t always going to Mark Andrews, as now Zay Flowers and others contribute.
What has been most impressive about the Ravens is their offensive line, which has improved over the season. Losing their well-respected line coach, Joe D’Alessandris, this summer was heartbreaking for the team. He was one of the best in the league. George Warhop has come in and helped settle the line, improving their ability to play with good pad level and toughness. Once again, Henry makes a huge difference in the improvement. The line understands he is one step away from breaking a long run, so their effort level and intensity are high on every play. Lines feed off the run, and Henry’s big play running is fueling improvement in Jackson and their offense.
NFL QB Ratings
TOP FIVE
1. Lamar Jackson – Finally, an offense that fits his skill set.
2. Jared Goff – He belongs in the MVP conversation based on the last four weeks. Only 15 incompletions over that span.
3. Jayden Daniels – Showing each week that the week before wasn’t a fluke. The dude is for real, and they will need him to play to beat the Bears.
4. Joe Burrow – Despite having a bad offensive line and not much of a running game, Burrow has been dynamic. He will have to play his best this week against the Eagles.
5. Josh Allen – He has to carry the Bills, and he can.
BOTTOM FIVE
28. Bo Nix – Showing signs of improvement, still a long way to go.
29. Gardner Minshew – Too many turnovers offset his good plays.
30. Anthony Richardson – He’s so inconsistent and so talented. He needs to show signs he can operate an offense for 60 minutes.
31. Bryce Young – Returns to the starting lineup. He is in a tough spot with an offense lacking fundamentals and skill talent.
32. Will Levis – What more must he do to prove he isn’t getting better? When he has more time to throw, 2.5 seconds or more, he has thrown five interceptions. Ouch.
2024 NFL Week 8 Power Ratings
Detroit is a complete team, from offense to defense because of their ability to control both lines. They beat up on their opponents, which is why after playing the Lions, teams are 0-5 in their next game. The Lions physicality is hard to handle—and unless teams practice with a high degree of physical toughness they will struggle to recover.
- Detroit
- Baltimore
- Buffalo
- Green Bay
- Minnesota
- Kansas City
- Denver
- Pittsburgh
- Chicago
- Washington
- Houston
- LA Chargers
- Tampa Bay
- Indianapolis
- Cincinnati
- Philadelphia
- Seattle
- NY Jets
- San Francisco
- New Orleans
- NY Giants
- Arizona
- Cleveland
- Atlanta
- LA Rams
- Dallas
- Las Vegas
- Miami
- Jacksonville
- Tennessee
- New England
- Carolina
Hall and Oates Play: I Can’t Go For That
Everyone is excited to see the Miami offense return to its old form now that Tua will return as the starter under center. Everyone assumes they will become explosive again, even though in Week 1 when everyone was healthy, the Dolphins struggled to move the ball on a bad Jaguars defense. The only way a team can improve is to practice, and with Tua missing a month of practice, it’s hard for me to imagine that they will be explosive overnight. Yes, I know the Cards’ secondary is bad and looks like a prime target for the Fins offense. I still believe the cobwebs are not easily shaken off. When I have this level of uncertainty, it’s best for me to cue Daryl and John and let them sing.
NFL Line of the Week
Seattle had a nice win last week against the Falcons, dominating the game from start to finish and playing their best on defense. This week, it gets much harder to face Josh Allen and the Bills at home. The line has stagnated at 3 all week, with not one inch of movement in any direction, which is strange. The Bills are healthy and appear to be making their push toward winning the AFC East. Why hasn’t this line moved to 3.5, as the Seahawks don’t have DK Metcalf for the game? My numbers favor the Bills by 5, so there is great value on Buffalo.
Enjoy the games.
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