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          Lamar Jackson scores rushing, throwing TDs early vs. Lions

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterOct 22, 2023, 01:37 PM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson accomplished something he had never done before -- producing a rushing and passing touchdown in the first quarter.

          On Sunday, Jackson ran untouched for a seven-yard touchdown to cap a 75-yard opening drive and give the Ravens a 7-0 lead over the Detroit Lions.

          On the Ravens' second drive, Jackson once again converted in the red zone. On third-and-three, Jackson bought himself six seconds of time by scrambling before finding Nelson Agholor for a 12-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

          All week, Baltimore heard about its struggles in the red zone, where the team went 1-of-6 last week. In the Ravens' first home game in a month, Jackson helped punch the ball in on their first trip inside the 20-yard line.

          This was Jackson's fifth rushing touchdown this season -- all in the red zone. His five rushing touchdowns inside the 20-yard line are tied with Jalen Hurts for the most by an NFL quarterback this season.

          The key play of the opening drive was Jackson's 46-yard pass to Zay Flowers. It's the second-longest pass completion of the season for Jackson, who connected on a 52-yarder with Flowers in Week 2.