Chapter 1024: 1023 Focus Duel
It’s been a full ten months, but no one can forget the classic battle between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens last season. Even looking back after the entire 2018 season ended, that match was undoubtedly one of the strongest gas of the season.
The teams fought fiercely into overti, and the Kansas City Chiefs secured a thrilling victory with a final wave, hence building their confidence as a strong team.
Last season was an important turning point for the Baltimore Ravens—
Flacco’s unexpected injury turned out to be the opportunity for the team to burn its bridges. The young quarterback Jackson seized the chance and shone with infinite brilliance.
In the off-season, Flacco left Denver in disappointnt, while Jackson confidently stepped up to take over the team, bringing a new life to the Baltimore Ravens.
Here, it was not just the handover of the starting quarterback from one generation to another, but more importantly, the Baltimore Ravens, who had always relied on defense, were quietly transitioning towards an offensive team.
In 2017, Harbaugh seriously considered this move. At that ti, Flacco still possessed the capabilities of an excellent quarterback, so the team needed a top-notch running back to achieve a balance between passing and running, hence Harbaugh set his sights on Li Wei.
Unfortunately, it didn’t co to fruition in the end.
Rather than saying Harbaugh lacked the courage to take decisive action, it’s more accurate to say the timing wasn’t right.
Great things cannot be achieved without considering the right timing, location, and human harmony, none of which can be lacking. Instead of forcing a position prematurely, it’s better to wait for the right opportunity amid choices.
Two years later, Jackson smoothly stepped up, and Harbaugh completed the transition with a push all in good ti, the entire transition was exceptionally seamless.
Although Harbaugh still lants missing out on Li Wei, the Baltimore Ravens are also heading in the right direction, losing at the east and gaining at the mulberry.
Last season, the Baltimore Ravens nearly completed their transformation.
Human calculations can’t beat divine calculations, they encountered the fully explosive Los Angeles Chargers led by Rivers, stopping at the wild card ga, missing the chance to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs.
This off-season, the Baltimore Ravens’ strategy has clearly shifted:
Wide Receiver. Running Back. Guard. Quarterback.
The shift in team focus is evident from their draft strategy.
Harbaugh is building a whole new team around the cornerstone quarterback.
The heavy responsibility falls entirely on Jackson’s shoulders.
As a prodigy, Jackson’s physical fitness and athletic talent are unquestionable; he has shown through his actions that he might be the most outstanding top quarterback in terms of raw qualities the league has seen in a decade. The only thing that might hinder Jackson is the Achilles’ heel of all young running quarterbacks—
Passing.
Look at the Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton.
Four years ago, he was unstoppable, earning the nickna “Superman” with unrivaled physical qualities. He not only won the regular-season MVP but also led the team to the 50th Super Bowl, becoming montarily unrivaled.
However, his poor passing accuracy was fully exposed in the following seasons, only shining brilliantly for a single peak season, and now he blends in with the crowd.
So, what about Jackson?
In the new season opener, Jackson proved through his actions that his greatest weapon is not physical talent, but learning ability.
Indeed, last season, Jackson relied entirely on physical confrontations. His passing accuracy, defensive reading, and offensive tactical organization all appeared crude and simplistic.
However, this off-season, Jackson endured hardship, painstakingly honing his passing skills, and made a stunning impact in the season-opening ga.
So were curious, with Li Wei’s terrifying numbers in week one of the regular season, why did the league’s Offensive Player of the Week still go to Jackson?
The answer lies in Jackson delivering a near-perfect pocket quarterback ga.
20 completions out of 17 attempts, 324 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions.
Pass completion rate of 85%, quarterback rating of 158.3.
In the ga against the Miami Dolphins, Jackson delivered an impeccable performance, perfect in every aspect.
Precisely because of this, Jackson beat Li Wei to win the Arican League Offensive Player of the Week.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Harbaugh has also achieved the balance of passing and running.
Running back Ingram, who was suspended for four gas last season due to using performance-enhancing drugs, fell into controversy and hit rock bottom. In the off-season, he transferred from the New Orleans Saints to the Baltimore Ravens, bearing a heavy burden. Not only fans, but even within the league, people looked at him differently—
As professional players who advocate fair competition and clean gas, how could they look at him the sa way?
Under pressure, in the first ga of the new season, Ingram delivered a beautiful performance with fourteen carries for 107 yards, also scoring two touchdowns, in no way inferior to Li Wei.
From passing to running, Harbaugh has finally built the excellent offensive lineup he envisioned.
Now, the upgraded Baltimore Ravens are about to face the two-ti defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. There is no doubt that this is the absolute focus of the league.
Last season, Lamar Jackson, inexperienced but invincible with youth, stirred a storm in the league, becoming a rising star.
This season, Lamar Jackson demonstrates his most valuable trait—
Growth.
This young man consistently studies and researches inside and outside the field, showing incredible transformation within just one off-season.
Season opener, stunning debut.
When Cam Newton can pass? When Russell Wilson possesses height? Or when Peyton Manning can run with the ball?
What would that look like?
Jackson provides a vision, a concept that stuns the entire league.
Explosive! Explosive! Explosive!
Complete frenzy inside and outside the NFL.
Last season, Mahos burst onto the scene, showcasing unparalleled talent.
However, Mahos’ high interception numbers still reveal his greenness, with room for growth; plus, Reed’s conscious guidance to avoid Mahos holding the ball and running, leaving this aspect of pressure to Li Wei, limiting Mahos’ physical contact.
In so way, Mahos’ performance wasn’t as explosive.
Until now.
Jackson is simply comparable to a legendary ultimate weapon, bursting onto the scene, realizing all the ultimate fantasies about quarterbacks on him—
20 pass completions out of 17 attempts, 324 yards.
These numbers not only an Jackson is accurate in passing but also possesses strong arm strength, easily handling long and short throws; combined with running ability, he can cover the entire field and create secondary passing opportunities.
Perfect!
The kind that is flawless, a combination of Mahos and Li Wei.
Moreover, Jackson is still growing.
This year’s Jackson might have a higher ceiling than last year’s Mahos, potentially challenging the extre benchmarks set by Li Wei in the past two seasons.
During the off-season, when people looked forward to the new season, “Mahos VS Jackson” was a highly anticipated matchup for new-generation quarterbacks; however, at that ti, these views were slightly conservative, hesitating to easily assert that Jackson could keep up with Mahos’ level, rely hopeful.
Who would have thought, Jackson not only kept up with Mahos’ level but even showed signs of surpassing Mahos, astonishing everyone.
This just got interesting.
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