Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson reminds everyone that he is still a top weapon

Lamar Jackson reminded NFL viewers of his ability to play another country when he took over the game for the Ravens.‘ 35-10 outing for the Bills in Week 4. The reigning league MVP remains one at the quarterback position.

Jackson completed 72% of his passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 54 yards and a score. And we got a good look at what Jackson and running back Derrick Henry can do as a full-time tandem, with the running back rushing for 199 yards and a touchdown.

Jackson ranks 9th in the NFL with a 102.3 passer rating. He is also No. 9 in rushing with 308 yards.

“He’s the best weapon in football,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of his quarterback.

Jackson made a move in MVP odds this week, jumping from +1500 to +800, matching another big mover in Sam Darnold.

Let’s take a look at my top five heading into week 5.

1. Sam Darnold, The Vikings
Current MVP odds: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)

The quarterback of one of the two remaining undefeated teams continues to play at an incredibly high level. He threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 4 win over the Green Bay Packers.

The play-action game remains Darnold’s friend in Kevin O’Connell’s scheme. According to Next Gen Stats, Darnold is averaging a league-leading 12.8 yards per play attempt. He also leads the league with 11 passing touchdowns and a 118.9 passer rating through four games.

2. Lamar Jackson, Crows
Current MVP odds: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)

One reason for Jackson’s early success is that Baltimore’s offensive line did a good job of protecting him. He’s only been sacked four times, and according to Next Gen Stats, he’s been pressured at the lowest rate of his career this season (25.6%).

Pocket cleanliness led to Jackson taking better care of the ball, with just one interception in four games.

3. Baker Mayfield, The Buccaneers
Current odds for MVP: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)

Just another top performance from Mayfield last weekend. He threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa Bay’s Philadelphia Eagles, earning Mayfield the Tom Brady LFG Player of the Game award.

Mayfield and the Bucs had success when he got the ball out quickly. According to Next Gen Stats, he has the second-most completions (58), most yards (532) and most touchdowns (5) in pass rushes this season (2.5 seconds or less) — all without throwing a touchdown on those passes.

[Related: Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game Baker Mayfield shows Bucs in good hands at QB]

4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Current MVP odds: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total)

Kansas City is still undefeated, but Mahomes has yet to perform the best we’ve come to expect from the best player in football. He also turned the ball over, with at least one interception in his first four games.

His five interceptions are the third most in the league and the most he has thrown in the first four games of the season. And with Kansas City star Rashee Rice out for a long time with a knee injury, Mahomes will have to keep winning.

[Related: Six WR trade targets for Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs after Rashee Rice injury]

5. Josh AllenQB, Debts
Current MVP odds: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)

I view Allen’s performance against the Ravens as a minor hiccup in what is expected to be an MVP-worthy season for Buffalo’s do-everything QB. The Bills averaged just 4.1 yards per play in the humbling loss at Baltimore.

However, this week, Allen faces another tough game on the road against a tough Houston Texans defense. He may need to make more plays like this.

Honorable mention: CJ Stroud, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Brock Purdy, Jayden Daniels

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, including Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers of ESPN and Seattle Seahawks of the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.

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