Lamar Jackson, the current NFL MVP, gained another title to his resume on a day when he didn’t feel like he was running at his best, despite being clocked at nearly 21 mph: the all-time leading rushing quarterback.
Jackson rushed just enough to pass Michael Vick for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history as the team easily defeated the Houston Texans 31-2 on Christmas Day. Jackson now has 6,110 career running yards, one more than Vick’s total, after gaining 87 yards on Wednesday.
In the third quarter, Jackson shattered the record with a 6-yard scramble that led to his 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews.
“It feels unreal, to be honest with you,” Jackson remarked. “I am appreciative because that is a long-standing record. One of my favorite players is Michael Vick. That’s really awesome.
The most remarkable aspect of Jackson’s accomplishment is how quickly he broke Vick’s record, which he held for 13 years after he overtook Randall Cunningham in October 2011 for the most rushing yards by a quarterback. Vick needed 143 games over 13 years to reach his total, but Jackson did so in just 102 games over seven seasons.
“That kind of speaks for itself,” said John Harbaugh, the coach of the Ravens. Sometimes I simply say, ‘That was a really amazing play,’ and shake my head. The play was excellent. I’ve watched many of Lamar Jackson’s outstanding plays. I expressed my pride in him. I’m proud of him for more reasons than just his outstanding plays. He has overcome many obstacles along the way, and I’m proud of him for all that goes into creating amazing plays.”
After Jackson put the game away in the third quarter, the Ravens (11-5) are just one victory away from winning the AFC North again. Jackson ran 48 yards to the end zone untouchable as Baltimore led 17–2.
On the run, Jackson’s top speed of 21.25 mph was the best he had ever reached in his ball carrier career. When he was informed of the speed he had recorded, Jackson looked curious.
“For real?” Jackson answered. “I was jogging.”
In a season where he has run the fewest times, Jackson passed Vick. After a 24-19 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on December 1, his mother even chastised him for not running more. For the first time this season, Jackson has fewer than nine carries per game, with an average of 8.4 attempts per game.
He reminded everyone on Wednesday that he can use his legs to outscore teams. On four carries, he gained 87 yards, including the third-longest rush of his career, a 48-yard touchdown run.
For the fourth time since 1950, Jackson has tied Kordell Stewart for the most rushing touchdowns of 40 yards or more.
Related Post-Time: 2024 Hawaii Bowl Picks, College Football Predictions Based on a Proven Model, USF vs. San Jose State
Ronnie Stanley, an offensive tackle with the Ravens, remarked, “I’ve never seen someone run the ball like Lamar at quarterback — or honestly any other position.” “The effortless nature of the way he runs the ball and makes these defenders not look as fast as they are, so I’m impressed by everything he does every day.”
For Jackson, the day was not ideal. He mentioned going to NRG Stadium to see Beyonce’s halftime concert earlier this week. However, when the 32-time Grammy winner took the field, Jackson was not there.
“I was locked in,” stated Jackson. “I was in here in the locker room preparing for the second half.”