Lamar Jackson is looming large in MVP candidate Josh Allen’s rear-view mirror.
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback ran for 87 yards in a 31-2 demolition of the Houston Texans on Christmas Day.
GettyJackson hit the top speed of his career over Christmas[/caption]
His 6,110 yards on the ground are the most of any quarterback ever – one clear of Michael Vick.
“It feels unreal, to be honest with you,” Jackson said after taking the record. “I’m grateful because that’s a record that’s been there for a long time.
“Michael Vick is one of my favorite players. That’s just dope.”
Two-time MVP Jackson’s festive display included an untouched 48-yard dash to the end zone.
He hit 21.25 mph on that run – the highest top speed of his career – and seemed to suggest he was capable of even more.
“For real?” he said with a quizzical look when told of the stat. “I was jogging.”
Jackson has thrown for 3,955 yards and 39 touchdowns this season, adding 852 yards and four scores on the ground to highlight his status as a dual-threat monster.
Vick surpassed Randall Cunningham for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in 2011 and held the record for 13 years.
He took 143 games to hit the mark, Jackson needed just 102.
“That kind of speaks for itself,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. “Sometimes, I just shake my head and say, ‘That was really a great play. That was a great play.’
GettyJackson is making his case for a third MVP award[/caption]
“I’ve seen a lot of great plays from Lamar Jackson. I told him I was proud of him.
“I’m not just proud of him just because he makes great plays. I’m proud of him for all the things that go into making great plays and also for all the things he’s overcome along the way.”
Jackson is tied with Kordell Stewart for the most 40-plus yard rushing scores from a quarterback since 1950.
Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley thinks the man he protects is one of a kind.
“I’ve never seen someone run the ball like Lamar at quarterback – or honestly any other position,” he said.
“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.”
The Ravens are in a race with the Buffalo Bills for the No.2 seed in the AFC.
They need the New York Jets to do them a favor and win against Allen’s side on Sunday.
Jackson, who can go joint-third in the all-time standings with another award, and Allen are the bookies’ favorites for MVP.
But despite a relative off-season by his own high standards, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is starting to his his stride.
He toppled a tough Pittsburgh Steelers‘ defense before Jackson tormented Houston.
It might be too late for the individual award, but the Bills and Ravens will know the road to the Super Bowl likely goes through Kansas City.
At 15-1, the Chiefs have secured the No. 1 seed and Andy Reid now has plenty of time to cook up a few surprises for the postseason as he eyes a historic three-peat.
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