Duo Ranked: Jackson and Harbaugh Key To Postseason Success
Historically speaking, it’s nearly impossible to win a Super Bowl without having elite talent at quarterback and head coach.
Heading into his sixth NFL campaign at age 26, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has arguably the best talent around him yet. Baltimore signed veteran wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor in free agency and drafted receiver Zay Flowers in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. With new offensive coordinator Todd Monken calling the plays, Jackson has joked that he may throw for 6,000 yards.
Jackson's best season came in 2019 when he was the unanimous MVP and the Ravens finished with the best record in franchise history at 14-2. Now healthy, there's no reason to believe Jackson won't be one of the more productive quarterbacks in the NFL this season.
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John Harbaugh is in his 16th season as Baltimore's head coach. The 2019 NFL Coach of the Year has led Baltimore to a playoff berth in 10 of his 15 previous seasons and won the franchise's second Super Bowl in 2012.
Together, Harbaugh and Jackson have one playoff win and are on the hunt for more. Sports Illustrated ranked the Ravens tandem as No. 2 collectively; a combination of Jackson's No. 8 ranking and Harbaugh at No. 4.
Both Harbaugh and Jackson are firmly in the top 10 of their lists, and it’s realistic to make the case each should be in the top five," SI writes. "However, while Harbaugh has a Super Bowl ring, Jackson has only a single playoff win on his résumé. At some point, the Ravens should break through, but will it be this year? The offense is in new hands as coordinator Todd Monken takes over, and his influence could be the tipping point."
Harbaugh and Jackson have a chance to carry their positive preseason momentum into the regular season when they host the Houston Texans and No. 2 overall selection C.J. Stroud in his first NFL start. The Ravens are massive 10-point favorites and have never lost to the Texans in Baltimore, an impressive streak the team would like to extend.
Unsurprisingly, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid topped the poll as the league's best duo, as the only combo to have won two Super Bowls together.
