Felger & Mazz

Felger & Mazz

Felger & Mazz

  • For all the discussion about Mac Jones, his play and his injury, here is something to remember: Lamar Jackson had his way with the Patriots again. And that means Jackson had his way with Bill Belichick.

    Two years after holding Jackson and Baltimore to 17 points in a 23-17 victory at Gillette Stadium, Jackson and the Ravens beat the Patriots 37-26 yesterday with all of Jackson’s talents on full display. The Baltimore quarterback accounted for all five touchdowns in the game, passing for four scores and running for another. That gave Jackson a 2-1 record in head-to-head meetings against Belichick – with a mountain of evidence in the quarterback’s favor.

    To wit:

  • Jackson On The Ground

    FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

    FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

    Yesterday alone, Jackson ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, scoring the final touchdown of the game on third-and-1 from the Patriots’ 9-yard line with three minutes to play. For all the success the Patriots have had over the years containing many mobile quarterbacks, Jackson is obviously a different challenge. In three career games against New England, he has rushed 38 times for 223 yards and three touchdowns. That is an average of 74 yards per game and 5.9 yards per rush. Like everyone else, the Patriots really haven’t had an answer.

  • Jackson Through The Air

    FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

    FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

    Jackson had a career high with 13 interceptions last season and finished behind Mac Jones in passer rating, but he is quickly dispelling any notion that he can’t beat teams from the pocket. While making a number of good throws against the Patriots yesterday, Jackson completed 18-of-29 overall for 218 yards, four touchdowns and one interceptions, finishing with passer rating of 110.3. For the season, Jackson’s passer rating 119.0 leads the NFL. In three career starts against the Patriots, he has completed 68.6 percent of his passes for 630 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions, all good for a passer rating of 107.2.

  • Jackson In The Win Column

    FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    To borrow a phrase from Belichick, stats are for losers. So let’s focus on the wins. Yesterday marked Jackson’s second win in three starts against Belichick, no small feat given Belichick’s career winning percentage (.716) during the regular season. But you know what? Aside from bettering Belichick head-to-head – again, Jackson is now 2-1 – Jackson is also 39-13 during his regular season career as a starter. Among NFL quarterbacks who have started at least 50 games beginning in 2018, that winning percentage (.750) places Jackson second in the NFL, behind only Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (.784).

  • You can hear Tony Massarotti weekdays from 2-6 p.m. EST on the Felger & Massarotti program, and during baseball season from 6-7 p.m. on The Baseball Hour. Follow him on Twitter @TonyMassarotti.

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