Enjoy watching Lamar Jackson at the height of his powers

This will likely be the last Vikings matchup against the Ravens until 2025

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By Sam Ekstrom

EAGAN — Maybe it’s karma for years of Fran Tarkenton dusting other teams with his one-of-a-kind scrambles, but the Vikings have developed a reputation for being on the wrong end of highlight reels for great mobile quarterbacks.

First, it was the sneaky-speedy Steve Young who left a trail of Vikings scattered across the field following his 1988 touchdown run that has become part of the NFL Films canon.

Fourteen years later, Michael Vick brought back memories of Young’s run with a 46-yard overtime walk-off at the Metrodome.

In 2012, rookie Robert Griffin III delivered one of his greatest Washington highlights with a 76-yard game-clinching touchdown to beat Minnesota.

Five years after that, Cam Newton helped give the 2017 Vikings one of their only three losses of the season with a 61-yard run in the closing minutes.

Sunday in Baltimore, Lamar Jackson has a chance to create more highlights at Minnesota’s expense. Vikings fans should root for a W if they care about the 2021 team’s welfare, but they should also appreciate the rare chance to watch Jackson face their squad. After all, the games involving your team are the ones you remember most.

Jackson began his career at age 21. Barring a serendipitous crossover in scheduling that pairs the Vikings and Ravens in the 17th game of the year at some point, Sunday will be the only time the Vikings face Jackson until he’s nearly 29. That’s a shame.

“It seems like there’s one Lamar Jackson right now,” said offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, “and he’s one of the best athletes in the free world.”