Despite having already won the NFL MVP award twice, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has not lived up to those expectations in Playoff games, as he has been unable to lead his team to the Super Bowl. However, in the regular season he continues to be a threat and a lethal weapon for the Ravens, thanks to his ability to be both QB and running back at the same time.
That Lamar Jackson is the one the Dallas Cowboys will have to face this coming Sunday at AT&T Stadium to try to avoid a 1-2 record and see their Playoff chances strongly compromised.
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This is why Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy made headlines on Wednesday as he discussed the team’s preparations for a pivotal Week 3 matchup against the Ravens. Coming off a tough 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Cowboys have their backs against the wall. With the team’s defense struggling and confidence low, McCarthy knows they’re in for a serious challenge, especially with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson leading the Ravens.
While the Cowboys are 1-1, the pressure is on Baltimore to avoid a dreaded 0-3 start, which historically doesn’t bode well for playoff chances. McCarthy, on the other hand, seems to be pulling out all the stops to prepare the Cowboys, even revealing what he calls a “secret weapon” to help them prepare for Jackson’s unique skill set.
Who is McCarthy’s secret weapon?
Enter Trey Lance. Yes, the same Trey Lance who threw five interceptions in his preseason finale. McCarthy has tapped him to simulate Jackson’s dynamic play in practice, giving the Cowboys defense a chance to get a feel for what they’ll be up against on Sunday.
“He’s dynamic, No. 1. We feel really good about what Trey can give us there as far as running those scout team reps,” McCarthy said. He admitted that Lance won’t be able to perfectly imitate Jackson, but hopes his mobility will offer the defense some insight into what’s coming.
But let’s be honest-comparing Trey Lance to Lamar Jackson is a stretch. Jackson is one of the most electrifying players in NFL history, especially as a dual-threat quarterback. Lance, while athletic, simply doesn’t measure up. The numbers speak for themselves: Jackson has already rushed for 167 yards in just two games this season, averaging 8.0 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Lance has managed 235 rushing yards in his entire career, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
It’s not that McCarthy’s idea is completely misguided-it’s just that no one can truly replicate Jackson’s combination of speed, field awareness, and decision-making. As one commentator put it, “Comparing Lance to Jackson is like preparing for the PGA Tour after a successful round of mini-golf.” It’s just not the same.
So while McCarthy is hoping this strategy will give the Cowboys an edge, no one should be surprised if it falls flat on game day. We’ll see how well Trey Lance’s imitation of Lamar Jackson holds up on Sunday.
