Lamar Jackson, Ravens offense are lethal in Todd Monken's scheme

A major reason why the Ravens are 2-0 is quarterback Lamar Jackson has been absolutely brilliant through the air and on the ground. Jackson has a 74.5% completion rate, which is No. 2 in the NFL behind Josh Allen at 76.9%. If Jackson keeps completing passes at this high of a clip, it'll easily surpass his career 63.7% completion percentage.

Jackson's always been a great playmaker, but there's a chance that new offensive coordinator Todd Monken can take Jackson and the Ravens offense to new heights. Monken, who won back-to-back national championships as the Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator, has had more diversity in the scheme and is running more three-receiver sets.

Make no mistake, the Ravens are still a run-heavy team, but they've added new wrinkles that allow Jackson great opportunities in play action and RPO (run-pass-option) looks. Per PFF, the Ravens have had run fakes on 37.7% of their pass attempts with Jackson going a staggering 16-for-19 for 167 yards. Further, Baltimore is averaging 26 points per game this season, up from 20.6 points per game in 2022.

It's not just Monken's scheme that's turned the Ravens offense back into a dangerous one, it's Monken's ability to listen to his playmakers. For example, Monken's all for Jackson sending him plays, even putting some of Jackson's ideas into the playbook. It's Monken's offense, but it's also a partnership between him and their franchise QB to get the most production on offense possible.

“I’ve been sending him plays of stuff I’ve been seeing, and he’s been putting them in practice, and they’re working," Jackson said in August. "I’m glad he’s listening to me, man.”

The Ravens are atop the AFC North at 2-0, as the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are both 1-1 and the Cincinnati Bengals at 0-2. A lot can change between now and the end of the season, but the Bengals have major issues along the offensive line and Joe Burrow's not fully healthy, and the Browns and Steelers both have deficiencies on offense that they might not overcome.

This could be the Ravens' year, not only in their division but in the AFC as well. The Chiefs, Bills and Dolphins all could give them problems in the playoffs, but through two weeks, it feels like Baltimore can beat anyone with their brand of bully ball. And they can thank Monken for reinvigorating that mentality.