Comparing Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield's Stats Since NFL Debut Heading Into Sunday
By Jerry Trotta
The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns are heading in polar opposite directions ahead of their Week 3 matchup on Sunday.
John Harbaugh's team is fresh off giving the world-beating Chiefs all they could handle at Arrowhead, while Freddie Kitchens' squad continued to display incompetence on the offensive side of the ball in a Week 2 loss at home versus the Rams.
Another captivating storyline heading into this weekend's clash, however, is the quarterback duel between Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield. Why? Because when you consider the noise surrounding the two Heisman-winning gunslingers as they entered the NFL, they couldn't be diverging more sharply.
If Lamar Jackson does this on Sunday:
— Ben Rosen (@Rosen) September 23, 2019
Pass #1: Throws an INT
Pass #2: Throws an INT
Pass #3: Throws an INT
Pass #4: Throws an INT
Pass #5: Throws an INT
Pass #6: Throws an INT
Pass #7: Throws an INT
Pass #8: Throws an INT
he'd still have a better QBR than Baker Mayfield does.
Yes, you read that correctly. No, it's not a misprint.
Jackson, the player that a profusion of scouts and pundits advised to convert to a wide receiver because he allegedly didn't have the arm to become a pro QB, would still have a higher quarterback rating than Mayfield -- a No. 1 overall pick that pundits predicted to have a remarkable season in the Browns revamped offense after his promising rookie cameo -- if he threw eight consecutive interceptions.
If you compare their last 10 games in the league, however, Jackson's passing stats are almost identical to Baker's. FYI, Lamar's rushing log isn't included in the graphic.
Baker Mayfield got a lot of hype this offseason as the next great QB.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 23, 2019
But Lamar Jackson has been every bit as efficient as Mayfield in his last 10 starts. pic.twitter.com/iDUUXLoZS9
For his career, Baker has completed 62.5% of his passes while throwing for 4,530 yards 30 touchdowns to go along with 19 interceptions. He owns a 7-9 record.
Lamar is completing 60% of his attempts and has thrown for 2,064 yards, 13 TDs and 3 INTs in a much smaller sample size. He's rushed for 867 yards and 6 scores and owns an 8-2 record overall.
The Browns, everybody's AFC darling to make the playoffs, are suddenly 1-2 and fading fast, and Mayfield's inability to raise the bar is a main reason why. Conversely, the Ravens are 2-1 and emerging as a genuine threat to challenge the likes of Kansas City and New England in the AFC because of Jackson's maturity.