'Like LeBron,' 'MVP' - Ravens laud Lamar Jackson after 5-TD night - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — In making the case for a third NFL Most Valuable Player award, Lamar Jackson is apparently a triple threat now.

In addition to throwing five touchdown passes and rushing for 52 yards Monday night, Jackson showed off his latest skill — lead blocking for Derrick Henry in the Baltimore Ravens' 41-31 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the Ravens ahead by 16 points (34-18) in the fourth quarter, Jackson saw Henry switch directions and ran upfield to push All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. out of the way to help Henry to a 39-yard gain.

«Lamar is the ultimate competitor,» Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. «He lays it all out on the line every game. [He's] just really awesome, and he's the best. He's the MVP.»

For the first time this season, Jackson has catapulted himself to being the betting favorite for NFL Most Valuable Player, according to ESPN BET. Jackson's odds are now +275, which puts him ahead of Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes (+475).

Jackson, 27, would become the youngest three-time NFL MVP. He previously won in 2019 and last season.

But Jackson, who's the only two-time MVP to not reach a Super Bowl, wasn't interested in discussing his individual accomplishments after the game.

«I'm chasing something right now,» Jackson said. «So each and every game is going to be the same thing for me. Every game, I'm trying to win.»

Jackson once again took over the game in leading the Ravens (5-2) to a fifth straight victory. Trailing 10-0 in the first quarter, Jackson led Baltimore on six straight scoring drives, which resulted in 34 unanswered points. During this run, Jackson threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashod Bateman and then connected with Andrews for a 4-yard touchdown on fourth