Roquan Smith makes a strong case why Ravens QB Lamar Jackson should win NFL MVP
All eyes will be on Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson when the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens square off on "Monday Night Football." Purdy and Jackson have been deemed by many as the top two contenders for the 2023 NFL MVP award. Some side with Purdy on this matter because he has quite […]
All eyes will be on Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson when the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens square off on "Monday Night Football."
Purdy and Jackson have been deemed by many as the top two contenders for the 2023 NFL MVP award. Some side with Purdy on this matter because he has quite the edge over Jackson in multiple statistical categories. Overall, the second-year passer leads the NFL in a multitude of stats, including in passing touchdowns (29).
Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith believes that the race for this season’s NFL MVP should be based on more than just stats. He sees that a player should define valuable to his team in order to be among the serious contenders for the award, which is why he has Jackson as his favorite to take home the honor.
"I think it's real simple," Smith said during a recent appearance on the NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" program. "I think you look at each and every game, an MVP, in my opinion, is a person that truly makes an impact on the team and if you truly take that individual off a team, how would the team actually look? … But if anybody watching the game of football and see the impact that the guy truly makes on the game, play in and play out, how he is extending plays. … It is pretty insane, and I've watched a lot of film this year and I haven't seen anyone that have the type of impact that Lamar has on the game.
"Honestly, I think he's just getting started. He's just tapping into what he truly can be."
Jackson has not been filling up the stat sheet on a regular basis this season. Overall, the one-time NFL MVP award winner currently ranks outside the top five in passing yards, touchdown passes, and passer rating. But as Smith touched on, Jackson has continued to deliver when it has mattered the most this season.
Jackson is set to square off with San Francisco’s No. 2 ranked defense up next, and a crucial showing from him in the contest sure would boost his odds for the NFL MVP award.
