Steve Young Drops Honest Assessment on “Uncanny” Lamar Jackson and Ravens’ Running Game Before AFC Championship Game vs. Chiefs

The Baltimore Ravens are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game this weekend. They will be meeting each other after about 3 years, marking their 13th meeting in the league. And ahead of this game, 49ers‘ former quarterback Steve Young shared some important insights about the Ravens and their QB, Lamar Jackson, emphasizing his real need on the road to the Super Bowl.

The Ravens are coming off an easy win over Houston Texans 34-10 in their last divisional game. Whereas, on the other hand, the Chiefs are coming off a 3-point victory over the Bills. And now, as the two will be facing off against each other to reach the Super Bowl finale, Young has a message for the Ravens and Jackson in this crucial time.

From one quarterback to another: Steve Young shares what Lamar Jackson needs to develop

In the latest episode of the Rich Eisen Show podcast, the Hall of Famer Steve Young talked about Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. He highlighted the significant change with Jackson entering the AFC Championship game, especially since it’s the first time Baltimore is hosting it since 1970. Steve pointed out that the Ravens used to rely heavily on a sophisticated running game, which was effective in the regular season but struggled in the playoffs.

He emphasized that to win Super Bowls, a team needs a sophisticated passing game. Young mentioned, “They kept leaning into what Lamar is great at. What he’s great at is that quickness and that ability to make people miss. It’s uncanny. But what I was saying is you cannot get to a Super Bowl unless you develop into a sophisticated passer of the football, that’s how you get there, you can still put the Superman cape on like these other guys, but you have to have this.”

Young expressed that the Ravens’ didn’t initially focus on this aspect, lacking talent at wide receiver and the necessary philosophy. However, Young also added praising Jackson, “I really tip my cap to Lamar because he just craves what I just talked about. He craves to be that guy and there might be some shortcomings as he develops, but right now he looks exactly what I described three years ago. What he could be is a guy that’s unbeatable because he can do it all.”

Read more: NFL Playoffs Flashback: Five Legendary Moments From the Historic San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers Rivalry

According to Young, Jackson is a unique player. Now, this exceptional player is set for the battle against another calculated player, Patrick Mahomes. who is ‘patient yet ‘accurate’ with his decision-making.

Here’s a take on Lamar Jackson vs Patrick Mahomes!

Patrick Mahomes recently played his first postseason game away from home and performed exceptionally well, demonstrating why he’s considered one of the best quarterbacks. In the game against the Bills, the Chiefs braved the chills, and Mahomes threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns with a high completion rate (73.9%). Mahomes, a two-time MVP, has extensive playoff experience, reaching his sixth consecutive Conference Championship game.

On the other hand, Jackson, a year younger than Mahomes, is on the road to win his second MVP. He secured his first playoff win last week with an outstanding performance, accumulating 152 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and four touchdowns. Despite Mahomes’ mobility, Jackson is known for his exceptional running ability, having more weapons at his disposal, especially if top tight end Mark Andrews returns from injury.

But again, the Chiefs don’t have a home-field advantage in the upcoming Championship game. Moreover, the National Weather Service predicts what’s expected to be less-than-ideal damp conditions. The teams last clashed in 2021, with Jackson leading the Ravens to victory with a point. A similar close matchup is expected by the fans on Sunday, January, 28 at 3 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium. Who’s your favorite?

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