In today’s NFL, few things match the magic Lamar Jackson can create when he scrambles in or outside of the pocket. He is, quite simply, a wizard with the ball in his hands who lets few broken plays die at first blush. The Detroit Lions learned this in devastating fashion during their litmus test game with the Baltimore Ravens.
With Baltimore already up 7-0 after an emphatic opening scoring drive, Jackson had his Ravens seeking more rather quickly. Not even Aidan Hutchinson — who had multiple shots at Jackson — would stop him on the below third-and-short, where Jackson created at least seven additional seconds for himself.
With that kind of time, it’s no wonder Nelson Agholor eventually came wide open:
.@Lj_era8's pocket presence is so impressive.
📺: #DETvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/iTs8HMaXlh pic.twitter.com/SqFouzT1Hu— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023
If that play seemed routine even for someone like Jackson, it assuredly wasn’t. According to Next Gen Stats, Jackson created 9.24 seconds on the throw — the longest time to throw on a touchdown pass in seven years:
Lamar Jackson's time to throw of 9.24 seconds on his 12-yd TD to Nelson Agholor is the longest on a touchdown pass since Week 14, 2018, and the 3rd-longest in the NGS era (since 2016).#DETvsBAL | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/7rjx6NdiSd
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 22, 2023
It’s plays and overall performances like this — Jackson has been actively tearing apart the Lions all afternoon — that make it clear the superstar quarterback is en route to another potential MVP campaign. Any part of his resume and highlight reel probably starts and ends with this scrambling touchdown.
This is how Twitter reacted
When he’s good, he’s really damn good https://t.co/SOHRLIXVCt
— Imisi (@ImisiAda) October 22, 2023
unreal athleticism https://t.co/YCso2d59Lc
— Molly Keshin (@mollykesh22) October 22, 2023
MVP game https://t.co/2J1VPoQgTX
— libraman (@_thurt) October 22, 2023
Good lord https://t.co/STFsmVED5m
— Jakku (@jakkuxd) October 22, 2023
Howwww did Lamar Jackson get out of that and still keep his eyes downfield to find Agholor??
Jackson is making Detroit pay for not getting home with the pressure.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) October 22, 2023
Poetic, Lamar Jackson.
Nice snag Nelson Agholor. #RavensFlock
— Zach 𝟚𝟛 Weiss (@TheTriumphant23) October 22, 2023
What a start by Lamar Jackson! Insane play to get that passing TD to Nelson Agholor. Holy smokes.
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) October 22, 2023
Wow. Lamar Jackson kept that play alive forever behind the line.
Result: TD pass to Nelson Agholor
Great play.
— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) October 22, 2023
The magic of Lamar Jackson and avoiding the sack about 100 times and finding Nelson Agholor, 14-0 Ravens
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) October 22, 2023
