- ESPN analyst Bart Scott drew the comparison between the two duos during this morning’s edition of ‘Get Up’
- Lamar Jackson had yet another imperious performance against the Bengals, last night, as the Ravens defeated Cincinnati 35-34
- Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are currently 8-0 in the AFC West this season
Lamar Jackson is the best footballer in the world, right now. At least according to ESPN’s NFL analyst Ryan Clark. And after yet another devastating performance by the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, in their scintillating 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, last night, it’s a nearly impossible argument to counter.
Jackson continued to make his case for this year’s MVP award (which would be his third, having already taken the award in 2019 and 2023) by completing 25 out of 33 passing attempts for 290 yards and four touchdowns against Cincinnati in the Thursday night game. Although things could have gone very differently for Jackson and the Ravens as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase put on a pair of performances for the ages, albeit in a losing effort.
On this morning’s edition of ‘Get Up’ on ESPN, Ryan Clark enthused about Jackson’s form this season, labeling the 27-year-old QB the planet’s greatest player, but caveated his praise by stating that Baltimore’s phenom will be watching the Super Bowl at home due to the Ravens’ defence not being watertight enough, unlike the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes.
“I’m gonna be honest. Let’s take away history and only focus on this season. He’s the best player in the world. To me, that includes Patrick Mahomes. That includes Joe Burrow. That includes any other non-quarterback that you want to talk about in this conversation.
“It’s only about winning a championship for Lamar Jackson right now, and based on his play? It’s a no brainer that they have everything offensively to do it. But if your defense can’t stop a nosebleed, then you don’t have a chance to beat a team like the Kansas City Chiefs who have a Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs who have a defense.
“And what makes me nervous is Lamar Jackson wins his third MVP. We know this season he’s the runaway best player in the world, and he’s still at home watching with us on Super Bowl Sunday because of a defense that’s inept.”
With Clark mentioning Mahomes, who has three Super Bowl titles and two NFL MVPs to his name, Bart Scott couldn’t help but draw a comparison to another titanic rivalry between two all-time greats; Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
“Right now, Lamar Jackson is Peyton Manning and Patrick Mahomes is Tom Brady.”
Brady, of course, would stockpile Super Bowl rings during his time with the New England Patriots under the leadership of Bill Belichik, while Manning would earn a reputation as a Hall of Fame level QB, albeit without a Super Bowl title to his name until his ninth season in the NFL, when his Indianapolis Colts overcame the Chicago Bears at Super Bowl XLI, in 2007.
Brady had three rings on his hand before Manning won his first, and would end his career with seven from 10 Super Bowl appearances, while Manning would add a second title (from four attempts) in his final season, as his Denver Broncos overcame the Carolina Panthers in 2015. Manning, however, would eclipse Brady in MVP awards, bagging five to Brady’s three.
Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, meanwhile, are both tied on two MVPs apiece. Although the Kansas City QB also has three Super Bowls to his name. Will the Lombardi trophy be in the future of Lamar Jackson, however? Only time will tell.
(h/t Sports Illustrated)
