RAVENS
Lamar Jackson’s quest for first Super Bowl
Although the Ravens quarterback continues to play at MVP level and helped his team to the playoffs several times since 2018, that one ring is still missing.
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson in 2018 with the 32nd overall pick. That same year, he took over for Joe Flacco as the Ravens’ starter and helped take them to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they lost in the Wild Card Round to the Los Angeles Chargers, 23-17. That was the beginning of a postseason saga of disappointment for Jackson and the Ravens.
Jackson’s quest for the Super Bowl
It’s quite rare for an NFL rookie to have much success in the playoffs, so the Ravens’ loss in the first round wasn’t too shocking, even if it was a close game. But why haven’t they had postseason success since then?
2019-20 season
In his second year in the league, Jackson led the Ravens to a 14-2 record and clinched the AFC top seed. He won the NFL MVP award, finishing the season with a passer rating of 113.3, 3,127 yards, 36 touchdowns, and six interceptions in just 15 games. He led all quarterbacks in TD passes, QBR (81.10), and total touchdowns (43). Unfortunately though, after securing the bye week in the first round, the Ravens lost in a massive upset to the Tennessee Titans, 28-12, in the Divisional Round. Jackson finished that game 31-of-59 for 365 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, and rushed 20 times for 143 yards. He became the first NFL player to throw for over 300 yards and rush for over 100 yards in a playoff game. Still, they were sent home.
2020-21 season
In 2020, Jackson went on to set more records. In Week 14, he set the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback, when he rushed for 124 yards against the Cleveland Browns. He left that game before the 4th quarter and the Browns ended up with the win after making a comeback with Jackson on the sidelines. By the end of the regular season, he had become the first quarterback to have multiple 1,000+ rushing yards in a single season. The Ravens finished the season 11-5 and got their revenge on the Titans, when Jackson won his first playoff game 20-13 to go on to the Divisional Round. Unfortunately, it ended there as they lost 17-3 to the Bills.
2021-22 season
2021 was a bad year all around for the Ravens, who suffered their first losing season since 2015, finishing with an 8-9 record and last in the AFC North after losing Jackson to a season-ending ankle injury in Week 14. Clearly his presence makes a difference.
2022-23 season
In 2022, the Ravens finished the season at 10-7 and second in the AFC North, making it to the postseason once again. However, Jackson was not able to play in that game due to a knee injury which he suffered in Week 13. The Ravens lost 24-17 to the Bengals in the Wild Card Round.
2023-24 season
Now, Jackson is out to prove that he can go all the way. After finishing the regular season at 13-4 and the AFC top seed, they got the bye week for the Wild Card Round. And last week, they won a convincing game against the No. 4 Houston Texans, 34-10 in the Divisional Round. Jackson is the top MVP candidate this season, he’s healthy, and this Ravens team dominates on all sides of the ball, with one of the top defenses in pass-rushing. Jackson finished the regular season with career highs in pass completions, completion percentage, and passing yards. In the game against the Texans, he was responsible for all four touchdowns, passing for two, and running for two.
The Ravens will have the privilege of hosting the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium once again this weekend, as they take on last year’s Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. If they win, Jackson will be going to the Super Bowl for the first time in his career.