"Lamar Jackson is easily better than Joe Burrow": Emmanuel Acho makes bold claim as Ravens and Bengals sit outside playoff window

The debate of who is better between Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson continues to wage on. Burrow won the latest head-to-head battle against the two-time NFL MVP with the Cincinnati Bengals defeating the Baltimore Ravens 32-14 on November 27. According to NFL analyst Emmanuel Acho, though, there is no debate on that matter.

“It’s easily Lamar Jackson, easily Lamar Jackson because Lamar Jackson is present more often than Joe Burrow is present,” said Acho on Friday (Time Stamp 0:00).

Acho adds that an important element for him is that Lamar Jackson gets his team into the playoffs. The Ravens have made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. Burrow and the Bengals have missed the playoffs each of the last two seasons, though the former first overall pick has suffered through a string of injuries that have caused his team to falter.

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“Can you imagine a world where Lamar Jackson misses the playoffs three consecutive years? That’s what Joe Burrow’s done,” notes Acho (Time Stamp 0:12).

Technically, the Bengals are still in the playoff race, but their margin for error is extremely thin. They need to win out, while also hoping the Pittsburgh Steelers lose at least three of their final four games and that the Ravens don’t win all of their remaining games.

While he believes the debate of Burrow and Jackson is a no-contest, Acho says the playoffs are a different story.

“Playoffs Lamar and playoff Joe, different conversation, but in the regular season, Lamar Jackson,” adds Acho (Time Stamp 0:53).

In the regular season, Jackson leads the head-to-head battle against Burrow 6-2. The two have never met in the postseason, but Burrow has been to a Super Bowl, whereas Jackson’s only been to one AFC Championship Game. NFL analyst and Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner said the San Francisco 49ers would be wise to make a trade for Burrow.

Analytics working against the Ravens

The odds aren’t only stacked against the Bengals to make the playoffs, but Baltimore as well. Before their 27-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the Ravens had a 60% chance to make the playoffs. Now, according to ESPN analytics, that mark is at 30%.

“The season is not over,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Friday.

While Jackson acknowledged the frustration level is through the roof, he seems confident they can do the improbable. He talked about being locked in and how there is no longer any room for error.

Jackson will try to earn a seventh regular-season win against Burrow when the Ravens travel to Paycor Stadium on Sunday.

Edited by Joel Lefevre