Former Colts HC spotlights one way Lamar Jackson and Peyton Manning criticisms “could not be closer aligned”
Lamar Jackson and Peyton Manning comparisons have flown freely from the mouths of NFL analysts this season. In most cases, it has been complimentary in fashion. Simply getting compared to one of the greats is automatically seen as a boost to one's reputation.
However, the comparison now runs deeper, lumping in a type of criticism that some would not want. Speaking on Tuesday's edition of "Get Up," Peyton Manning's former center and former Indianapolis Colts coach Jeff Saturday talked about one undesirable way the two quarterbacks are similar.
"I think for Lamar Jackson and for Peyton Manning, the criticism both of them receive kind of in the entirety of their team," Saturday said (9:49). "No one talks about the team nearly as much. Very few people talk about the starting offensive linemen.
"Very few talk about the defensive coordinator leaving and then putting the defense. It always goes back to wins and losses for a quarterback. Peyton had to hear the same thing. They could not be closer aligned than that."
Most QBs get the benefit of pointing toward other parts of the team as an excuse. However, in the case of the former Indianapolis Colts QB and Jackson, that is no longer the case.
A struggling surrounding unit could make things tougher for them, but there are not many excuses if Jackson were to, for instance, be blown out by any other team in the NFL.
At least, that is what Saturday appears to believe.
Exploring Lamar Jackson's winning ability compared to Peyton Manning's early career
Lamar Jackson still has a long career ahead of him but he is far from being a rookie and the expectations on him have risen. Peyton Manning experienced the same thing. However, both QBs have won consistently but the Baltimore Ravens QB has been arguably more consistent.
Working in his seventh year, Jackson is on pace to avoid putting up a losing season for the seventh consecutive year. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning had two seasons where he finished under .500. He went 3-13 in his rookie season and 6-10 in 2001, per Pro Football Reference. It was his last losing season in the NFL, but as it stands, Jackson has the lead.
If Jackson can remain over .500 for the rest of his career, he will beat Mannings' regular season winning ability. Of course, there is still a long way to go, and the question of whether he should call it quits at the correct time, but Lamar Jackson has bragging rights over Manning when it comes to consecutive winning seasons to start a career.