In July, about a week before the Ravens’ training camp began, coach John Harbaugh told Lamar Jackson that he thought the quarterback could be better.

Better than Jackson was last year, when he won his second NFL Most Valuable Player award. Better than any other quarterback in the league. Better than any other quarterback league history.

“The vision that we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become, be known and be recognized as the greatest quarterback to ever play in the history of the National Football League,” Harbaugh said in mid-July. “It’s the vision. This will happen because of Lamar, his work ethic and his brilliant talent, because of our commitment to this team effort together, and by the grace of God and the good will of God. This is how it’s going to happen. And I believe it as we have already seen.

Harbaugh’s grand vision came to life. Heading into Sunday’s AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson isn’t just the prohibitive favorite to repeat as NFL MVP. He’s also better than last year in almost every area. Weaknesses turned into strengths, and strengths turned into superpowers.

Jackson has been “intentional about playing as well as he can in all areas,” Harbaugh said Monday, and his development in coordinator Todd Monken’s offense has almost made his game bulletproof. Jackson is elite under pressure and when not under pressure, elite in the shotgun and under center, elite on throws outside the numbers and inside the numbers.

“Everything is slowing down,” he said last month of his growth, and defenses haven’t yet caught up. The Ravens have the best offense in the NFL, with no close runner-up; the gap between them and Washington’s second in command in DVOA, FTN Adversary-Adjusted Effectiveness Metricis bigger than the gap between the Commanders and the 14th-ranked Philadelphia Eagles.

“Obviously we’re not perfect,” wide receiver Rashod Bateman said Wednesday. “We won some and we lost some. But I really think we showed our ability to beat anyone.

Jackson’s adaptability is key to the Ravens’ skeleton. His all-around development since last year has made him one of the most productive passers in the NFL (2,669 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and two interceptions) in almost every scenario imaginable. Here’s a look at how Jackson has improved against a range of coverages, with certain types of throws, in various game situations and against pressure – and how those gains compare in recent NFL history.

Blankets

During his first six seasons in Baltimore, Jackson I sometimes had difficulty handling stares under high pressure. Even last year, he wilted against “Cover 0” (man-to-man with heavy pressure and no deep defenders), going 13 of 27 for 90 yards, according to TruMedia.

This year, with better control of the offense and another year of chemistry with his receivers, Jackson had answers for each defensive call. Among the dozens of quarterbacks who have attempted at least 20 passes against specific coverage in a season since 2020, Jackson ranks in the 83rd percentile against coverage 0 in expected points added per pass attempt, in the 89th percentile against cover 1, the 92nd. percentile relative to coverage 2, the 97th percentile relative to coverage 3, the 99th percentile relative to coverage 4, and the 100th percentile relative to coverage 6.

Last year, Jackson ranked above the 90th percentile against just one look: Cover 2 (94th).

Types of throwing

Jackson can make all kinds of throws.

Need something quick? THE The Ravens’ rejuvenated screen game has been one of the best in the NFL, and Jackson’s EPA per attempt on throws delivered in 2.5 seconds or less this season ranks as the highest for a qualifying quarterback since 2020. He is also in the 100th percentile on short throws (0-9 yards downfield). .

Need to wait for something to develop? That’s good too. The elusive Jackson ranks in the 96th percentile for pass attempts completed at least four seconds after the snap and in the 62nd percentile for passes of at least 20 air yards.

Need something near the sidelines? Jackson has the arm strength and accuracy to help. He’s in the 100th percentile for throws outside the numbers, while remaining as ruthless as ever in the middle. (Yes, he’s also in the 100th percentile for throws between the numbers.)

Game situations

It doesn’t matter where Jackson is. He found ways to make the Ravens passing game work.

On throws from inside the pocket, he’s been in the 100th percentile among qualifying quarterbacks since 2020, up from 48th last year. On throws inside the red zone, he is in the 99th percentile, up from 60th last year.

Play-action remains a cheat code for Jackson (100th percentile), but he’s now also the elite drop-back without false points (100th percentile).

The arrival of running back Derrick Henry also energized the Ravens’ under-center passing attack, elevating Jackson’s EPA per attempt from the 80th percentile to the 93rd.

Under pressure

Unsurprisingly, Jackson dominated without pressure or blitz, ranking in the 100th percentile in both categories this season.

But Jackson also took the heat. He ranks in the 99th percentile when pressured, a notable improvement from his 2023 mark (75th percentile), and in the 99th percentile when blitzed, a much more dramatic turnaround (38th percentile).

Jackson’s pressure relief has fueled his increasing effectiveness. Last year, according to Pro Football Focus, defenses converted 18.2 percent of Jackson’s pressures into sacks. Today, they only convert 11.7%, or the 95th percentile. Jackson’s overall dismissal rate this season is just 4.3%, a career low and one of the best marks in the league.