Vic Fangio on facing Lamar Jackson: 'Only other player that's been like him in the last 50 years is Michael Vick'

Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio knows he's preparing to face a different challenge in Baltimore on Sunday.

Fangio noted that he's faced dual-threat quarterbacks in the past, including this year, but there's nothing like going against Lamar Jackson.

"Yeah, fair share mobile quarterbacks? Yes. Then there's Lamar Jackson," Fangio said on Thursday, chuckling, via the team's official transcript. "He's unlike anybody else. The only other player that's been like him in the last 50 years is Michael Vick. He's a tremendous player. Kudos to Ozzie (Newsome) and Eric (DeCosta) for picking him. Thirty-one other teams that passed him by are kicking themselves. He's really improved over the years. Dynamic with the ball. Good passer. He makes their offense go."

Jackson's improvement as a passer this season and willingness to keep the pass alive have made the Ravens offense much more difficult to deal with for defenses.

Baltimore and Jackson have shined against the top teams, generating six wins of 14-plus points against teams entering the game with a winning record in 2023 (the second-most by any QB since 1950 behind Tom Brady in 2007 -- seven such wins).

Jackson has generated 4,143 offensive yards in 2023, sixth-most in the NFL, including leading all QBs with 786 rush yards. Ranking fourth in the NFL at 7.7 yards per attempt underscores that Jackson hasn't been a nightmare for defenses only with his legs this season.

Jackson ranks third in the NFL in yards per carry (5.5) and fourth in the NFL in pass yards per attempt (7.7). If he keeps up that pace, he'd become the fifth QB since 1970 to rank in the top four in both YPC and YPP. Others: 2015 SEA Russell Wilson, 2012 CAR Cam Newton, 2012 WAS Robert Griffin III, 2010 PHI