Recent trendlines indicate Johnson is building momentum and has a slight edge in this matchup. He opened the season quietly with no tackles for loss of any kind in the first five games. But in the last five games, Johnson has racked up 3 sacks, five QB hits, and 1 more tackle for loss.
Jackson, meanwhile, has piloted a four-game Ravens win streak since their bye but has done so while working through physical issues. He missed three games with a hamstring injury and eight practices in all this season, including the last two Wednesdays with lower leg tweaks. He was back at practice Thursday from an ankle injury to prep for Johnson and the Jets, but the QB has been vulnerable to pressure this season with an average of 3.2 sacks/game, the most of his eight-year career.
Yet No. 11 knows not to take anything for granted with No. 8.
"When you get back there with a mobile quarterback, especially like Lamar, it's all about changing your stride, coming under control," Johnson said. "A lot of times when he's shaking those guys, they're a little out of control, not great pad level. It's really just fundamental things like that that are on my mind.
"I know a lot of guys, they like to do something they call 'Cage,' just staying in front of him as a defensive line. To me, I think you've just got to throw your stuff and you've still got to go get him. But he's very dynamic in the backfield, very dynamic at extending plays with his legs."
So Johnson just as dynamically is preparing for this game, against a team that the Jets have never beaten in six road games in their history and a QB who in two meetings has thrown 8 touchdown passes to 1 interception against them. And to succeed individually against Jackson, Johnson knows he needs to bring his unit with him.
"I know everybody's focused on the 1-of-11, focusing on bringing this defense to where we believe it can be," Johnson said, no doubt looking for that water bottle rather than some bubbly concoction to keep him focused on Jackson and the other generational QBs ahead on the Jets' schedule. "He's a very special player, but I have all the confidence for the guys in this locker room to get the job done."