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Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
BALTIMORE — This Ravens postseason run is as much about Lamar Jackson’s legacy as it is Baltimore’s aspirations for a Super Bowl.
It’s because Jackson, the one-time league MVP who’s likely to win his second this season, hasn’t found much individual or team success in the playoffs, where legends have stamped their name. It’s the blemish on his resume of greatness. Entering Saturday, he had a 1-4 record in the postseason, where he had just four total touchdowns and seven giveaways.
This season’s divisional-round game was about taking the first steps to changing the narrative. About him meeting the moment of pressure with performance.
“You know I heard that,” Jackson said of the chatter about him in the playoffs. “I don’t even got to hear it. I see it. But it is what it is. I really don’t care about what people say. I’m trying to win day in and day out. Every time I’m on that field, I’m trying to play to the best of my abilities.”
That mission was accomplished Saturday night.
Receiving MVP chants in the fourth quarter, Jackson had four total touchdowns — two receiving, two rushing — to guide the Ravens to a 34-10 victory over the Texans, punching Baltimore’s first berth to the AFC championship game in 11 years. The Ravens will also be hosting the conference title game for the first time in franchise history.
A two-time first-team All-Pro, Jackson put the Ravens on his back throughout the game, kicking into high gear as Baltimore went on a 24-0 run in the second half.
With the game tied at 10 through two quarters, and plenty of opportunities missed offensively, a fiery Jackson was one of the most prominent voices in the halftime locker room.
There was plenty of cussing.
“The team rallies off of him,” running back Justice Hill said. “Whenever he speaks, everybody listens.”
Jackson finished the game completing 72.7% of his passes (16-of-22) for 152 yards and two…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/lamar-jacksons-mvp-worthy-game-leads-ravens-past-texans-into-afc-championship-round
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Publish date : 2024-01-21 04:33:48
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