The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is filled with "villains on both sides" as Mike Tomlin put it. Lamar Jackson is still waiting for his chance to become one. Seven years into his career, the Ravens quarterback has more NFL MVP awards (two) than he does victories over the Steelers.
Jackson takes a 1-3 mark as a starter against Pittsburgh into Sunday's showdown at Acrisure Stadium. Asked if the lack of success — and in some ways, opportunity due to happenstance — in one of the NFL's most heated series bothers him, Jackson nodded. “Yes, definitely,” he said.
“But I get a chance to go up against them this year, so I’m good, right now.” Actually, Jackson might be better than that. The 27-year-old leads the NFL in quarterback rating and touchdown passes while masterfully running the league's most potent offense.
Jackson appears to be at the height of his considerable powers, one of the reasons Tomlin, the league's longest-tenured head coach, has referred to him as “Mr. Jackson” repeatedly this week. “He's a challenge,” Tomlin said.
“He's a challenge in all circumstances.” Except, it seems, when the Steelers (7-2) are on the other side of the field. Pittsburgh has largely succeeded where so many others have failed.
Jackson's next rushing touchdown against Pittsburgh will be his first. He has managed just four scoring passes while getting picked off seven times, though veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward isn't sure his team ha.