Lamar Jackson's Dazzling Plays Missed by the Baltimore Ravens Faithful

For Baltimore Ravens fans, Lamar Jackson’s career has been defined by moments that seem to defy physics—scrambles where he evades three defenders, 40-yard runs where he outpaces entire secondaries, and improvisational passes that turn broken plays into touchdowns. These “dazzling plays” aren’t just highlights; they’re part of the Ravens’ identity, symbols of the team’s creativity, resilience, and ability to turn chaos into victory. But in recent seasons, as injuries and defensive schemes have limited Jackson’s mobility, those moments have become fewer and farther between. For the Ravens faithful—who once held their breath every time Jackson took off—this absence has left a noticeable void, a longing for the electrifying brand of football that made Jackson an MVP and turned Sundays at M&T Bank Stadium into must-see events. Lamar Jackson's Dazzling Plays Missed by the Baltimore Ravens Faithful explores the most beloved of these plays, why their absence stings, and how they continue to shape the fan experience even as Jackson’s style evolves.

Lamar Jackson's Dazzling Plays Missed by the Baltimore Ravens Faithful begins with the play that still tops every Ravens highlight reel: his 47-yard rushing touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 AFC Divisional Round. With the Ravens trailing 7-0 early, Jackson took a read-option handoff, darted to his left, and found himself surrounded by three Chiefs defenders. What happened next was pure magic: he reversed field, outran linebacker Anthony Hitchens to the right sideline, and then accelerated past safety Tyrann Mathieu for a touchdown that sent M&T Bank Stadium into a frenzy. The play encapsulated everything fans loved about Jackson—his vision, his speed, and his ability to turn a broken play into a game-changer. It also cemented his 2019 MVP season as one of the greatest in Ravens history, as he became the first quarterback to rush for 1,200 yards and throw for 3,000 yards in a single season. “That play against the Chiefs? I still watch it once a week,” said Mike, a Ravens season-ticket holder since 2018. “It’s not just a touchdown—it’s a reminder of what Lamar can do when he’s at his best. He made football feel fun again, like we were watching something no one else in the league could pull off.”

Lamar Jackson's Dazzling Plays Missed by the Baltimore Ravens Faithful shifts to another fan favorite: his 37-yard “escape and score” against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 of 2020. Trailing 17-14 in the fourth quarter, Jackson dropped back to pass, only to have Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap collapse the pocket. Instead of scrambling out of bounds or taking a sack, Jackson spun away from Dunlap, darted through a gap between two linemen, and then outran the entire Bengals secondary to the end zone. The touchdown gave the Ravens a 21-17 lead and secured a playoff spot, but for fans, it was the manner of the play that stuck—Jackson’s calm under pressure, his quick reflexes, and his refusal to give up on a play. That season, Jackson rushed for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. “That spin move? I’ve never seen a quarterback do that,” said Sarah, a Ravens fan who runs a popular team blog. “Most quarterbacks would have taken the sack, but Lamar? He turns a disaster into a touchdown. Those are the plays we miss—the ones that make you jump out of your seat and yell, ‘Did you just see that?’”

Lamar Jackson's Dazzling Plays Missed by the Baltimore Ravens Faithful delves into the reasons these plays have become less frequent in recent seasons, starting with the ankle and shoulder injuries that have sapped Jackson’s explosiveness. A left ankle sprain in 2022 and a right shoulder strain in 2023 forced Jackson to adjust his style—he now slides earlier to avoid hits, avoids deep scrambles, and relies more on his arm than his legs. Defenses have also adapted, deploying “spy” linebackers whose sole job is to shadow Jackson and prevent him from scrambling. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns have used this strategy effectively, limiting Jackson to just 4.1 yards per carry in 2024—down from 6.2 yards per carry in 2019. For the Baltimore Ravens faithful, these changes have been hard to watch, as the player who once seemed unstoppable now looks more cautious, more constrained. “It’s not that Lamar is bad now—he’s still a great quarterback,” said James, a fan who has attended every Ravens home game since 2019. “But those plays? The ones that made us feel invincible? They’re gone. And I miss them. They were what made being a Ravens fan special.”

Lamar Jackson's Dazzling Plays Missed by the Baltimore Ravens Faithful explores the emotional impact of this absence, as fans grapple with the loss of a style of football that felt uniquely theirs. For many Ravens fans, Jackson’s dazzling plays weren’t just about winning—they were about pride. In a city with a rich sports history, Jackson’s ability to do things no other quarterback could do made the Ravens stand out, turned casual fans into diehards, and gave the city a reason to celebrate every Sunday. When those plays stopped coming, it wasn’t just a drop in production—it was a loss of identity. Fans now find themselves replaying old highlights on social media, arguing about “the good old days” on fan forums, and clinging to the hope that Jackson will one day rediscover his old form. For the Baltimore Ravens, this nostalgia has become part of the fan experience, a reminder of how much Jackson has given the team and the city. “Lamar’s plays weren’t just for him—they were for us,” said Jennifer, a lifelong Baltimore resident. “When he ran for that touchdown against the Chiefs, I felt like we’d won something together. Now, when I watch him play, I find myself waiting for that moment—and it never comes. It’s a little like losing an old friend.”

Lamar Jackson's Dazzling Plays Missed by the Baltimore Ravens Faithful wraps up with how these missed plays have reshaped fan expectations and what the future holds. While Jackson has adapted to become a more traditional pocket passer—he’s thrown for a career-high 3,400 yards in 2024—fans still hold out hope that he’ll one day return to his dynamic ways. Some have even started a petition to “Free Lamar,” urging the Ravens to design more plays that let him run. Others have accepted that Jackson’s style has evolved, but they still cherish the memories of his dazzling plays, passing them down to younger fans who never got to see them live. For the Baltimore Ravens faithful, these plays will always be part of the team’s legacy, a reminder of a time when Lamar Jackson made football feel like magic. “I know Lamar can’t play forever like he did in 2019,” said Mike, the season-ticket holder. “But I’ll never forget those plays. They’re why I’m a Ravens fan. They’re why I’ll keep watching every Sunday. Because even if he never does it again, I’ll always have the memories—and that’s enough.” As Jackson’s career continues, one thing is clear: his dazzling plays may be missed, but they’ll never be forgotten. They’re etched into the hearts of the Ravens faithful, a permanent part of what it means to love Baltimore football.