Lamar Jackson passes Michael Vick for most rushing yards by an NFL QB

HOUSTON – On a day when Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson didn’t feel like he was speeding – even though he was clocked at over 20 mph – the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player added another title: all-time leading quarterback rushing.

Running away with a 31-2 Christmas Day win over the Houston Texans, Jackson ran just enough to pass Michael Vick for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history. With 87 yards Wednesday, Jackson now has 6,110 career rushing yards, one more than Vick’s total.

Jackson broke the record with a 6-yard scramble in the third quarter that set up his 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews.

“It feels surreal, to be honest with you,” Jackson said. “I’m thankful because it’s a record that’s been there for a long time. Michael Vick is one of my favorite players. It’s just crazy.”

Vick held the record for 13 years after he surpassed Randall Cunningham for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in October 2011.

The most impressive part of Jackson breaking Vick’s mark is the speed at which he did it. Vick needed 143 games over 13 years to amass his total, but Jackson broke the record in just 102 games over seven seasons.

“That kind of speaks for itself,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Sometimes I just shake my head and say, ‘That was a really great play. That was a great play.’ I’ve seen a lot of great plays from Lamar Jackson, I told him I’m not just proud of him just because he makes great plays, I’m proud of him making great plays and also for all the things he’s overcome along the way. “

The Ravens (11-5) are one win away from repeating as AFC North champions after Jackson put the game away in the third quarter. With Baltimore up 17-2, Jackson rushed 48 yards to the end zone untouched.

Jackson’s top speed on that run was 21.25 mph, the highest top speed of his career as a ball carrier. Jackson gave a quizzical look as he recounted the speed he measured.

“Too real?” Jackson replied. “I was jogging.”

Jackson overtook Vick in a season in which he has run the fewest times. He was even criticized by his mother after a 24-19 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1 for not running more. Jackson’s average rushing attempts is 8.4 per game. match – the first season he has been under nine carries per match.

On Wednesday, he provided a reminder of how he can beat teams with his legs. He totaled 87 yards on four carries, including the 48-yard touchdown run — the third-longest rush of his career.

Jackson has tallied four rushing scores of 40 yards or longer, which ties Kordell Stewart for the most by any quarterback since 1950.

“I’ve never seen anybody run the ball like Lamar at quarterback — or honestly any position,” Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley said. “The effortless nature of the way he runs the ball and makes these defenders not look as fast as they are, so I’m impressed with everything he does every day.”

It wasn’t a perfect day for Jackson. Earlier this week, he talked about seeing Beyoncé’s halftime show at NRG Stadium. But Jackson was nowhere to be found on the court when the 32-time Grammy winner performed.

“I was locked in,” Jackson said. “I was here in the dressing room preparing for the second half.”