Buffalo Bills Star Reveals Key to Slowing Down Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson
When you think of the Baltimore Ravens’ offense, the first name that comes to mind is Lamar Jackson. Since becoming the Ravens’ starting quarterback in 2018, Jackson has transformed the team into one of the most dynamic and unpredictable offenses in the NFL. His unique combination of arm strength, pinpoint accuracy, and elite speed has made him a nightmare for defensive coordinators. But for those tasked with stopping him, the key question remains: how do you slow down a player who can beat you both through the air and on the ground?
In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, stopping a dual-threat quarterback like Jackson requires more than just athleticism and individual skill. It takes discipline, preparation, and an understanding of his tendencies. One player who has a unique perspective on this challenge is a star from the Buffalo Bills—one of the few teams to have consistently found success in limiting Jackson’s impact in recent years.
Understanding Lamar Jackson’s Game
Before diving into how the Bills’ defense plans to stop Lamar Jackson, it’s important to understand what makes him so dangerous. Jackson’s skill set is unlike that of most quarterbacks. While he certainly has the ability to make pinpoint throws, it’s his legs that set him apart. Jackson’s combination of vision, agility, and raw speed allows him to avoid tacklers and take off for long runs, breaking the traditional quarterback mold.
The Ravens often design their offense around Jackson’s ability to run the football. The team’s running game is built on zone-read options, where Jackson has the option to hand the ball off or keep it himself. The Ravens’ offensive line is elite at creating running lanes, and when Jackson decides to run, he’s often able to gain significant yardage. The threat of Jackson running opens up numerous options in the passing game as well, as defenders have to honor his legs and can get caught out of position when he drops back to pass.
However, Jackson is far from a one-dimensional player. He has evolved as a passer since entering the league and is capable of making deep throws as well as accurate intermediate throws. The addition of dynamic receivers like Mark Andrews at tight end and Hollywood Brown at wide receiver has allowed the Ravens to stretch the field vertically, making them even more dangerous on offense.
Given this multifaceted threat, how can defenses slow down Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense?
The Key to Slowing Down Lamar Jackson: Discipline and Containment
One of the key figures in the Buffalo Bills’ defensive game plan for slowing down Lamar Jackson is cornerback Tre’Davious White. White, who is regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, has faced Jackson multiple times during his career, and he knows the challenges that come with trying to stop a player like him.
“It’s all about staying disciplined,” White said during a recent interview. “Lamar is going to make plays. That’s what he does. But you can’t get caught out of position or you’re done. He’s so elusive, and if you start chasing him or get caught peeking into the backfield, he’s going to make you pay.”
Discipline, according to White, is the most important factor when facing Jackson. Defenders must maintain their responsibilities and never let their guard down. That means defensive linemen need to stay in their rush lanes, linebackers need to be ready for both the run and the pass, and secondary players need to avoid biting on play fakes or underestimating Jackson’s ability to make accurate throws downfield.
The Bills’ defensive coordinator, Leslie Frazier, has designed his defensive schemes around keeping Jackson contained without overcommitting to one area. The defensive line’s primary objective is to collapse the pocket but to do so without leaving open lanes for Jackson to escape. It’s not enough to simply sack Jackson—defenders must ensure that he doesn’t break free for a big run.
In addition to containment, Frazier has emphasized the importance of forcing Jackson into passing situations where he may not be as comfortable. When the Ravens are forced to rely on Jackson’s arm rather than his legs, the defense has a better chance of minimizing his impact. That’s why the Bills often look to stop the run early and force Baltimore into predictable passing downs.
Key Defensive Strategies
1. Contain the Edge:
One of the most important parts of defending Lamar Jackson is ensuring that the edge is contained. When Jackson gets outside of the pocket, it’s almost like the defense has lost control. He’s a much more dangerous player when he has the freedom to either run or pass from the perimeter. The Bills defense focuses on keeping Jackson in the middle of the field where he’s easier to corral.
Edge rushers like Von Miller (acquired by the Bills in 2022) are tasked with not only pressuring the quarterback but also maintaining lane discipline. Their goal is not to break the pocket but to push Jackson toward the middle, where teammates can help finish the play. Defensive ends are taught to squeeze the pocket from both sides, ensuring that Jackson doesn’t have the space to escape to the outside.
2. Use Linebackers as Spy:
The Bills have employed a strategy used by many teams when facing mobile quarterbacks—using a linebacker as a “spy.” This means that one linebacker will shadow Jackson throughout the game, mirroring his movements and preventing him from escaping for long runs. Players like Matt Milano, a key linebacker for the Bills, are perfect for this role. Milano is fast, instinctive, and has the ability to read the quarterback’s eyes while staying with him in the open field.
Milano’s job is to make sure Jackson doesn’t get a free run to the sidelines or downfield. The spy technique isn’t about blitzing Jackson or disrupting his passing lanes; rather, it’s about ensuring that Jackson has to make a quick decision and doesn’t have the luxury of taking off for big gains.
3. Mix Up Coverage:
Against a quarterback as talented as Jackson, it’s essential to keep him guessing. The Bills often switch between man-to-man and zone coverage to make sure Jackson can’t lock in on a particular receiver. When Jackson is in the pocket, the defense wants to disguise its coverage and create confusion. The Bills have a deep secondary, with players like White and safety Jordan Poyer, who are capable of both tight coverage and reading the quarterback’s movements.
The key is to mix up coverages in a way that forces Jackson to be patient. He thrives when he can rely on his legs and create opportunities on the fly, but when he’s forced to sit in the pocket and read multiple coverage schemes, his success rate drops.
4. Force Jackson to Play from the Pocket:
As mentioned earlier, Jackson is at his best when he’s able to make plays outside the pocket. The Bills’ defensive strategy revolves around containing Jackson and keeping him in the pocket. This doesn’t mean that the Bills won’t apply pressure—they still want to get after Jackson with their pass rush—but the goal is to limit his ability to escape and create off-schedule plays.
By keeping Jackson in the pocket, the defense forces him to make more traditional throws. While Jackson is capable of making spectacular throws on the run, his accuracy tends to dip when he’s forced to make throws from a clean pocket. The Bills aim to rush Jackson in a way that forces him to make those throws under pressure, which could lead to mistakes.
5. Limit the Running Game:
The Ravens’ offense is predicated on the threat of the run, not just by Jackson but also by the running backs. By stopping the run early and often, the Bills can take away some of the play-action opportunities that Jackson thrives on. When the Ravens become one-dimensional, their offense is much easier to predict and defend.
The Bills focus on stopping the inside zone runs and preventing Jackson from gaining yards on read-option plays. This requires a strong front-seven performance, especially from the defensive tackles and linebackers. By neutralizing the running game, the Bills can force Jackson into passing situations where they can increase the pressure and look for mistakes.
