Week 6 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Lamar Jackson blew the lid off last week with 62 rushing yards, 442 passing yards and four touchdowns in a comeback win over the Colts on Monday night. We’ve been waiting for an MVP-caliber game from Jackson, and it showed up in Week 5. He now has two consecutive games with over 300 yards passing, after having just two previous such games in his career. He’s also still on pace for 1,159 rushing yards.
Lamar has a tough matchup against the Chargers this week, who rank fourth in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. However, he’s too good to even consider sitting. He’s averaging two touchdowns per game with only three turnovers so far this season. Expect a high-scoring affair, and we have him ranked as a top-five option. Start him.
Week 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Lamar Jackson had a quality outing last week against the Broncos, throwing for 316 yards and a touchdown, adding 28 yards rushing. It was a nice game for the Ravens, who were able to stymie the Broncos’ offense and essentially play conservatively in the second half. Jackson didn’t turn the ball over, and was able to connect with Marquise Brown on a long touchdown after some drops the previous week.
This week, Jackson faces a Colts defense that ranks 19th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. He’s a must-start every week, but especially so in a nice matchup against a team that has struggled on both sides of the ball. Let’s hope he gets back to his prolific rushing production this week, and we have him ranked as an elite option in all formats. Start him.
Week 4 at Denver Broncos
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were largely held in check against the Lions last week, but Lamar still managed 287 yards, a touchdown, a pick, and an additional 58 yards on the ground. The rushing production continues to supplement his passing during “off” games, which is one of the reasons he’s such an excellent part of fantasy rosters.
This week, Jackson faces a tough Broncos defense that shut out the Jets a week ago. The Broncos currently rank fourth in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks, so fantasy managers should soften expectations a bit. That being said, Jackson’s rushing ability should keep him in QB1 fantasy numbers, so he remains a must-start, regardless of matchup.
Week 3 at Detroit Lions
Lamar Jackson threw a pair of interceptions last week in a close win over the Chiefs, but he turned in a great fantasy day anyway thanks to 107 yards and a pair of late touchdowns rushing. He also threw for 239 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling game. Jackson continues to have QB1 potential every time he steps on the field, and he looks well on his way to a third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season.
This week, Jackson faces a Lions defense that ranked dead last in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks last season, and just gave up huge numbers to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Expect another big day from Jackson through the air and on the ground, and he should be in contention for the overall QB1 in a great matchup. Start him.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Lamar Jackson turned in a solid enough outing against the Raiders on Monday night with 235 passing yards and a touchdown to go with 86 yards on the ground. The concerning part was the three fumbles he had – two lost fumbles – which is not something the Ravens can have happen if they’re going to be contenders this year. Still, Jackson’s ability to cushion his fantasy output with consistent rushing production makes him a must-start each week.
This week, Jackson faces a Chiefs defense that ranked 19th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks and allowed 321 yards to Baker Mayfield last week. Jackson doesn’t actually have a great history against the Chiefs, with just two total touchdowns – one rushing and one passing – against them in two games since 2019. Still, the Chiefs should keep the Ravens throwing the ball and they’ll be looking to rebound after a heartbreaking overtime loss in Week 1. Start Jackson regardless of matchup.
Week 1 at Las Vegas Raiders
Lamar Jackson had a “down year” in 2020 but still finished 10th among quarterbacks in fantasy points per game. This year, he should benefit from additions to the passing game, even if one key addition – rookie Rashod Bateman – is starting the season on IR. Jackson’s ability to add tremendous rushing production after two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons on the ground makes him a high-floor fantasy option with QB1 potential.
The Raiders struggled defensively last season, ranking 20th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks and giving up the third-most total points per game. They made some additions and should get some natural progression – and better health – from their incumbents, but this still looks like a quality matchup for one of the most dynamic players in the game. You drafted Jackson to be your QB1, don’t hesitate to bank on that to open the season.
Fantasy Upside
Lamar Jackson was technically a bit of a disappointment last season as the QB9 in total fantasy points scored – QB8 in fantasy points per game – based on his draft position as the QB2. If that’s what constitutes a bad fantasy season for him, sign me up. Jackson has just 7,085 passing yards over the past two seasons as a starter, but he also has two straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards rushing. In his “down year” in 2020, he accounted for 33 touchdowns – including seven rushing – and threw just nine interceptions. The Ravens added Sammy Watkins and first-round receiver Rashod Bateman to the roster and brought OT Alejandro Villanueva over from Pittsburgh and OG Kevin Zeitler from the Giants to shore up the right side of the line. With a fantastic rushing floor, the sky is the limit for Jackson.
Fantasy Downside
A quarterback who has averaged 11.2 rushing attempts in his two full seasons as a starter should always be considered a bit of an injury risk, but he’s been remarkably durable thus far in his career. Anecdotally, Jackson seems to do a pretty good job protecting himself, often running out of bounds or shielding himself from big hits. Still, the amount of hits he takes is going to be the primary downside with him. Any downside he gets from the Ravens finishing dead last in pass attempts since he took over as the starter is outweighed by his rushing production.
2021 Bottom Line
Jackson is somehow sneaking under the radar after his “down” year and it’s a great time to pounce on him. He has a legit shot at the QB1 spot and he’s available in the late fourth round as the QB4 in 12-team leagues right now. It’s hard to imagine him as a fantasy sleeper, but with the upside he has as a rusher and with potentially massive improvements in his weapons, he could be a steal at his current ADP.
Week 17 at Cincinnati Bengals
Lamar Jackson had a quality game against the Giants last week, throwing for only 183 yards, but tossing a pair of touchdowns and adding 80 rushing yards. Jackson needs 92 yards in the season finale to record his second-straight 1,000-yard rushing season, and he’s accounted for 30 touchdowns this year – 23 passing and seven rushing – making him a quality weekly starter.
To finish the season, Jackson gets to face a hot Bengals team that has won two in a row, but just gave up big numbers to DeShaun Watson, and ranks 19th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. Jackson should be able to finish the season strong and his rushing production gives him a high floor in championship tournaments. Start him.
Week 16 vs. New York Giants
Lamar Jackson had 243 yards, three touchdowns and a pick last week against the Jaguars, and he added 35 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Even though Jackson’s numbers haven’t been where they were a year ago, he still has 828 yards rushing on the season, to go with seven touchdowns and 21 passing touchdowns. He has six passing and four rushing touchdowns over his last three games and the Ravens are in the midst of a win-streak as they make a playoff push.
The Giants have actually been really solid on defense this season, and they rank eighth in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. So it’s not a great matchup for Jackson, but he should still be able to put up quality air and ground production. The Browns just dispatched the Giants with ease and expect another lopsided affair. We have Jackson ranked inside our top-five this week and he should be active in all formats.
Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Lamar Jackson returned to his 2019 form on Monday night against the Browns, throwing for 163 yards and a touchdown, but adding 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. It was a great performance, and a badly needed victory as the Ravens try to stay in the playoff mix.
The Jaguars rank 24th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks, so Jackson should theoretically have a field day against this defense. His dual-threat ability and the efficiency he showed last week make him a must-start each week, and in a great matchup, he should especially be active in this one. Start him.
