BALTIMORE – Lamar Jackson entered Sunday’s game with a 24-4 career record as an NFL quarterback and as the reigning league MVP in his first full season as a starter.
It might not be fair to refer to the Pittsburgh Steelers as unimpressed by the Baltimore Ravens’ superstar. But they certainly are unfazed.
The Steelers defense limited Jackson to one of the worst outings of his career Sunday, an element that was critical in a 28-24 victory that kept them atop the AFC North.
Observers across the league might have raised some eyebrows watching Jackson complete less than 50% of his passes (13 for 28) while fumbling three times (losing two) and throwing two interceptions.
The 46% completion percentage was the second worst for Jackson in his 29 career starts. Jackson never had lost two fumbles in a game, and three overall fumbles tied a career high. The two interceptions is something he topped only once — in his only other meeting with the Steelers.
Coupled with his three-interception outing Oct. 6, 2019, at Heinz Field, in only two games against the Steelers Jackson has thrown five of his 13 career interceptions and dropped five of the 27 fumbles.
“The turnovers,” Jackson said, “I feel, are the reason we lost the game. I put that on me.”
¡PICK SIX!
Robert Spillane intercepta a Lamar Jackson y anota el primer touchdown del partido
Steelers 7-0 Ravens#NFLxFOX pic.twitter.com/4IcXR0R4GF
— FOX Impacto NFL (@FOXImpactoNFL) November 1, 2020
The first turnover came 46 seconds into the game. Jackson’s throw was picked off by Robert Spillane, who stepped in front of rookie receiver James Proche on a third-down pass and went untouched into the end zone to give the Steelers a 7-0 lead.
Jackson’s second turnover didn’t give the Steelers points, but it prevented the Ravens from scoring. On a second-and-goal from the 8, Bud Dupree rushed from Jackson’s right side and swatted the ball out of his hands. Vince Williams fell on the ball.
Your drive ends NOW‼️@Bud_Dupree | 📺 CBS 📱https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/eClfEghs55
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 1, 2020
Jackson’s third turnover led to a Steelers touchdown when rookie linebacker Alex Highsmith intercepted him at the Ravens 21. the Steelers scored two plays later.
Jackson’s final turnover of the day was the most excusable because it came at the end of an unsuccessful fourth-down run after which the Steelers were going to take over possession anyway.
“(Jackson) played hard. He made a lot of plays,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “The turnovers, obviously, were disappointing.”
Jackson was lucky it was not far more disappointing. In addition to another fumble Jackson recovered himself, Joe Haden had an interception overturned by replay during the final 2 minutes of the first half.
“Just hold onto the ball, that’s all,” Jackson said of his ball security issues. “Been doing a great job at it all season. Just got to do better when we’re playing against a rival team.”
First career pick for Alex Highsmith who got hit in helmet and no call pic.twitter.com/9HlrDdptOZ
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) November 1, 2020
The Steelers, in a small sample size, seem to be an antidote for Jackson. In 29 career starts, has 14 zero-turnover games, 11 one-turnover games, a pair of two-turnover games and two games in which he had three or more turnovers.
Each of those has come in his lone two starting outings against the Steelers.
Those gaffes cost Jackson the game Sunday, even if he was pretty good otherwise: two touchdown passes, 16 yards per completion, 65 rushing yards.
What strategy did Jackson think the Steelers deployed to contain him?
“It was the usual,” he said. “They didn’t do anything specific and did exactly what we’ve seen on film.”
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Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at cadamski@triblive.com or via Twitter .
Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL
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