Lamar Jackson passer rating: How Ravens QB made history with flawless display vs. Dolphins

If there were ever any doubts over who the league's MVP was in 2023, Lamar Jackson put them to rest on Sunday. The Ravens starlet set off rockets all about the pitch, matching a career-high with five touchdowns as Baltimore vanquished the Dolphins to take control of the top spot in the AFC.

It was another glittering performance in a season filled with them for Jackson. And although a great many of Jackson's impressive displays have happened without the fanfare of Sunday's contest, Week 17 was different. For not only was Jackson impressive. But he was also perfect.

Jackson posted a perfect passer rating of 158.3 on Sunday, becoming one of just four quarterbacks to hit that mark in 2023.

MORE: Lamar Jackson sews up case for second MVP with 5-TD showing vs. Dolphins

How did Jackson do it? Here's what you need to know about Jackson's eye-catching showcase vs. the Fins.

Lamar Jackson passer rating vs. Dolphins

Jackson completed 18-of-21 passes for 321 yards and five scores on Sunday. He didn't turn the ball over, all of which proved vital as he hit the much-vaunted 158.3 passer rating mark on Sunday.

It's the third time Jackson posted such a stat line. The last two came during the 2019 season, one of which also took place against Miami. In that game, as well, Jackson surpassed the 300-yard mark and threw five touchdown passes.

Jackson joined exclusive company with his showcase. He's now one of five players to record three perfect passer rating games in his career, alongside Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger. He's done so in significantly fewer games, too.

Most games with a perfect passer rating in NFL history
(min. 15 attempts)

Lamar Jackson 3
Tom Brady 3
Peyton Manning 3
Kurt Warner 3
Big Ben 3 pic.twitter.com/J27q0s7aPo

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 31, 2023

It gets better for Jackson, though. Passer rating is a marker limited by artificial constraints. If those limits were removed, Jackson's showings in his two best days against the Fins would rank better than that of any other post-merger hurler.

Dorktown: Lamar Jackson! pic.twitter.com/MBCHds5KAX

— Secret Base (@secretbase) December 31, 2023

MORE: Updated NFL standings, playoff picture Week 17

What is a perfect passer rating?

A player reaches a perfect passer rating when they leave a game at 158.3. The only criteria to qualify for a recorded perfect passer rating game is to attempt at least 10 passes.

A formula was concocted to come up with such a number. However, it's a bit complex. Here's how it works:

1. (CMP/ATT - .3)*5
2. (YDS/ATT - 3) *0.25
3. (TD/ATT)*20
4. 2.375-((INT/ATT)*25)

If any of the previous four numbers exceed 2.375, the number is rounded down to 2.375. Any negative numbers are set to zero.

MORE: NFL playoff picture, standings through Week 11

Those four separate numbers are then added up and divided by six. That new number is then multiplied by 100 to get the passer rating.

To achieve a perfect passer rating, there are certain thresholds that have to be met. The completions/attempt (completion percentage) has to be at least 77.5 percent. The yards per attempt have to be at least 12.5 yards per attempt. The touchdowns per attempt have to be a minimum of 11.875 percent. There have to be zero interceptions. 

If all four of those criteria are met, a player can achieve a perfect passer rating. How did Brock Purdy do it?

1. CMP/ATT: 85.71 percent
2. YDS/ATT: 15.3
3. TD/ATT: 27.7 percent
4. INT: 0

Lamar Jackson MVP odds

Jackson is undoubtedly the frontrunner for this year's MVP. Sunday's showing was simply the cherry on top, not just for the masses, but also the sportsbooks.

Below is a look at the MVP race, according to Caesar's.

Lamar Jackson stats 2023

Jackson has enjoyed a marvelous 2023, tossing 24 touchdowns to just seven interceptions while pouring in 3,678 yards through the air. He's added a further 821 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

It's a season that somewhat pales in comparison to his MVP-winning 2019 season. That year, Jackson left defenders strewn across the pitch with his running ability. 2023 has been a different story entirely, however; Jackson has been the crown jewel in Todd Monken's new offense.

Jackson's throwing the ball more than ever before. It's been a welcome sight to the masses, who have gotten a chance to see Jackson shine inside the pocket. He's completing 67.2 percent of his passes and averaging a career-best 8.0 yards per completion.

Here's a look at the numbers behind Jackson's overall numbers from 2023: