The 2023 NFL schedule release marks the final major event before a few months break until training camp. Before it’s time for summer vacations, we have you covered for all of the latest schedule release reactions. That includes the big winners and losers from how the schedule is structured.
After analyzing the Baltimore Ravens‘ early-season slate of games, there’s no question that star quarterback Lamar Jackson is a big winner. Jackson could return to his MVP level of play and change narratives with his new surrounding cast.
Lamar Jackson Is a Schedule Release Winner
Life is good for Jackson following the last few weeks. He signed a five-year, $260 million deal shortly after the Ravens signed star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and then drafted receiver Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Jackson’s new offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, has also been clear that he needs to lower the “burden” on Jackson in order to make the Ravens’ offense better and keep him healthy.
For as painful as Jackson’s holdout from signing long-term with Baltimore was, he was successful in strong-arming the Ravens into modernizing their offense. Jackson enjoyed incredible success in Greg Roman’s run-heavy scheme, but when Baltimore fell behind, having only one credible receiver in tight end Mark Andrews exposed the unit. The passing game saw less success over the last two years as the run game slowed due to injuries to Jackson, J.K. Dobbins, and Ronnie Stanley.
Keeping Jackson healthy and reducing the strain on his legs was something both Monken and Jackson talked about. Monken said, “He has a unique trait…you want to take some of that [strain] off the player as best you can.” Jackson talked about running less as well, saying, “Let me throw it. If something’s not open, then I just do my thing.”
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The offseason additions have had Jackson buzzing about his new opportunities. He jokingly stated he wants to “throw for like 6,000 yards with the weapons we have.” While that number won’t happen, the additions of Beckham, Flowers, and Nelson Agholor dramatically bolster a group that had shown some promise with Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay before they suffered injuries.
Jackson’s never had the opportunity to show his highest ceiling as a passer. Often maligned as a passer despite completing 63.7% of his career attempts at an impressive 7.4 yards per attempt, Jackson has to flip the narrative that has always been there throughout his career. He has to lead a Super Bowl-caliber passing game that leads to postseason success.
The 26-year-old has already shown he can reach the highest of regular-season highs, as Jackson won the NFL MVP award in his second year. However, his rushing totals have dipped every year since, and he’s missed five games in each of the last two years. As the Ravens’ passing game stalled as they relied more on a faltering supporting cast, criticism rose.
Jackson Can Enter the MVP Race Early
The big takeaway from the Ravens’ schedule is how friendly the first eight weeks are. Baltimore has the 21st-ranked strength of schedule, and the structure of when those tough games do come is favorable. If Jackson can leap out to a fast start with Beckham and Flowers proving ready to contribute on Day 1, he has MVP potential in 2023.
The Ravens’ Week 1 matchup against the Texans, Week 3 against the Colts, Week 6 battle in London against the Titans, and Week 8 visit to Arizona each bode extremely well for Jackson. Houston, Indianapolis, and Arizona each have new coaching staffs and are rebuilding with three of the weakest secondaries in the NFL. Baltimore can take advantage of the normal disorganization that comes with first-year head coaches and young rosters.
The lack of star-level talent in each opposing secondary is a significant factor as well. Houston has Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre but is otherwise vulnerable. The Colts and Cardinals don’t have a single quality starting cornerback between them.
Jackson can dominate these matchups.
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The in-between games offer marquee matchups that can be to the Ravens’ advantage as well. Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh are each breaking in new starters across their defense, with the Bengals being extremely young throughout their secondary. The Lions had the fifth-worst scoring defense in the NFL last year and did little to help the unit this offseason, so that Week 7 game is another terrific opportunity for Jackson.
We can’t expect Jackson to become a high-volume, league-leading passer simply based on a system change and the addition of talent. But if he can be the more efficient and still explosive version that he showed in 2019 and 2020 while increasing the volume of throws by 20%, Jackson can put all doubts to rest that he’s not only a top-five playmaker at the position but also a top passer.
If that happens, Jackson has the chance to lead this Ravens team to the Super Bowl in 2023 and collect an MVP trophy while he’s at it.
