As the Vikings have prepared to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday — a tall task that starts and stops with trying to contain superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson — they have leaned heavily on a secret weapon in practice.
That would be journeyman running back Cam Akers.
Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (31) picks up some yardage in the fourth quarter of a NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Though most people know him for the position he currently plays, Akers was an incredible quarterback once upon a time at Clinton High School in Mississippi.
His stats will forever be the stuff of legend in his home state. He was the 2016 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior after throwing for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns, and rushing for 2,105 yards and 34 touchdowns. The numbers were astounding by the time he graduated, as he had passed for 8,140 yards and 78 touchdowns, and rushed for 5,103 yards and 71 touchdowns.
That dual threat ability has served the Vikings well this week in practice as they’ve had Akers occasionally line up in the shotgun as a way to mimic some of Jackson’s unique abilities. As he went over some of his reps, Akers bashfully admitted that he threw an interception to edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel.
“They were telling me who to throw it to, so take that with a grain of salt,” he added with a smile. “It wasn’t like I was just back there throwing it up.”
The process of preparing for Jackson has extended far beyond simply having Akers take some snaps here and there. It’s been a total team effort as the Vikings have tried to put together a game plan to stop the perennial MVP candidate who has proven to be virtually unstoppable.
“It’s a huge test for us,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. “They’ve got one of the most dynamic players probably ever.”
That’s not even hyperbole when analyzing Jackson, 28, and his singular skill set.
He’s been able to blend accuracy and athleticism unlike anybody the NFL has ever seen, throwing for 21,132 yards and 180 touchdowns, and rushing for 6,353 yards and 34 touchdowns so far in his career. He also boasts a 103.5 passer rating, which currently ranks as the best career mark of all time, and has completed 65.2 percent of his passes.
Not bad considering some scouts believed Jackson would never make it as a quarterback at the highest level.
“What I think Lamar has done at such a high level to become one of the best at the position in the NFL is make the throws in rhythm accurately,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He’s an elite thrower of the football.”
As somebody who grew up in Florida less than an hour away from Jackson, safety Josh Metellus has a different perspective on his rise up the ranks. He has seen Jackson go from a prospect oozing with potential to the face of a franchise who will eventually wear a gold jacket.
“He’s one of one,” Metellus said. “There’s only so much we can do to get ready for him.”
Lamar Jackson, quarterback de los Ravens de Baltimore, se dispone a lanzar un pase ante los Dolphins de Miami el jueves 30 de octubre de 2025 (AP Foto/Rebecca Blackwell)
It helps that the Vikings have already gotten some experience going up against mobile quarterbacks. They were recently torched by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who regularly escaped pressure before launching the ball downfield, then by Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who scrambled for big gains without much resistance.
“They were able to extend plays,” Metellus said. “That kind of screwed us (up) a little bit.”
That’s a big part of Jackson’s game, so the Vikings have done everything in their power to make sure they’re ready for it. To prep for the possibility of him creating off schedule, for example, O’Connell has waited to blow the whistle this week in practice until long after he usually would.
“Just to make sure the guys on the backend are plastering coverage and understanding that some of the big plays that they make are not how they were drawn up,” O’Connell said. “We’re going to have to be as good as we’ve been against this challenge.”
The position players that Jackson gets to throw to understand the assignment whenever he’s able to buy himself some time. It turns into backyard football from time to time, and when that happens, that’s when the Ravens are at their most dangerous.
“It’s about disruption,” O’Connell said. “It’s about getting him off the spot. The player that gets him off the spot is more than likely not going to be able to always make the play. Who’s the next guy there?”
As much as the Vikings prepare for it, however, it’s inevitable Jackson is going to break contain at some point. It’s about minimizing the damage when he does something special with the ball in his hands.
“You can’t stop him,” Metellus said. “It’s more about limiting his explosiveness.”
It helps that the defense is operating essentially at full strength. It’s not a coincidence that the return of Van Ginkel last weekend unlocked something in the Vikings that helped them upset the Detroit Lions on the road.
“There’s a calmness when we’ve got all our guys out there and we’re healthy,” linebacker Blake Cashman said. “We can trust that everybody is going to be in the right spot as it pertains to our assignment on the play call.”
That has been on display from the defense time and time again this week in practice as rookie quarterback Max Brosmer or veteran quarterback John Wolford have also done their part to get everybody ready for what Jackson brings to the table.
“I have to do my best to emulate a little bit of what he does,” Brosmer said. “His pocket awareness and the way he moves around.”
Luckily for the Vikings, they’ve also have had Akers in their back pocket, which has helped them better prepare for Jackson to some degree.
“It’s been fun giving them a look and getting some work in,” Akers said. “Just doing my part to help the team.”
Related Articles
Max Brosmer is helping J.J. McCarthy be at his best for Minnesota
Vikings vs. Ravens: What to know ahead of Week 10 matchup
The Loop NFL Picks: Week 10
This veteran journeyman has been the unsung hero for the Vikings
Vikings star Andrew Van Ginkel calls out ‘dirty play’ by the Lions
Leave a Reply