NFL world reacts to Lamar Jackson's incredible escape job, pass to Isaiah Likely vs. Jaguars: 'HOW???'

Dan Treacy

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NFL world reacts to Lamar Jackson's incredible escape job, pass to Isaiah Likely vs. Jaguars: 'HOW???' image

Lamar Jackson spent this portion of the season on the sideline in each of the last two years. The Ravens found out Sunday night just how much of a difference the former MVP can make in critical December games.

Jackson made an impact with his arm and his legs in Baltimore's "Sunday Night Football" battle with the Jaguars, and on one play in particular, he utilized both in a way very few quarterbacks can.

Jaguars DT Dawuane Smoot had his arm wrapped around Jackson on a play late in the third quarter, but the Ravens quarterback put an incredible move on Smoot to seamlessly wiggle out of his grasp. With the 275-pound Smoot bearing down on him a second time, Jackson flung the ball 40 yards through the air and found Isaiah Likely at the Jaguars' 5-yard line to set up what would be a touchdown two plays later.

The pass went into the books as a 26-yard completion, but Jackson was backed up 14 yards behind the line of scrimmage by the time he let the ball fly.

As unbelievable as the throw was, the catch by Likely was equally as impressive. The second-year tight end was sandwiched by two defenders as he made the grab, but he somehow held on after going up and pulling the ball out of the air. 

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The play left only one question on the minds of everyone watching at home: how did that happen? In fact, even the players on the field were wondering how Jackson pulled it off. Smoot, who surely believed he had a sack initially, shook his head in disbelief as he asked Jackson how he did it.

Pat McAfee found himself in disbelief as well after Jackson's escape job.

ESPN's Dan Orlovsky, who spent parts of a decade in the NFL, called Jackson "as fun a football player to watch" as he's ever seen.

The numbers don't quite add up to what some other quarterbacks have done, but can Jackson position himself as a legitimate MVP candidate in the final weeks of the season? A Week 16 matchup with betting favorite Brock Purdy is a prime opportunity for him to make that case.

Whether he's the MVP or not, Jackson and the Ravens have come a long way from where they were in March, when the quarterback admitted he requested a trade after contract negotiations stalled. With a massive deal in hand and his health intact, a championship is suddenly a realistic goal.

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.