Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up before a 2024 AFC divisional round game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: AFC Divisional Round-Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
(Baltimore, MD) – This year was supposed to be different for the Baltimore Ravens. In previous seasons, once-promising campaigns were cut short for the Charm City fans, largely as a result of injuries to superstar QB Lamar Jackson. But on Sunday – despite being the favorite, and playing at home – the Ravens again saw a season end in crushing fashion, with a healthy Jackson under center.
And, adding insult to injury, many fans are looking at Jackson askew – and casting blame his way. That’s somewhat justified, given an egregious end zone interception in the 4th quarter that ultimately put Baltimore’s comeback hopes out of reach. Jackson’s frustration was visible, as he angrily ripped off his helmet using both hands and slammed it to the ground along the sideline.
Postgame, Jackson elaborated on his emotions: “I’m not frustrated at all. I’m angry about losing. We are a game away from the Super Bowl. We’ve been waiting all this time, all these moments for opportunity like this and we fell short. But I feel like our team, we going to build this offseason, going to get right, get better grind and try to be in this position again — but on the other side of victory.”
It wasn’t supposed to happen like this for Baltimore. Hosting the AFC Championship game for the first time in the franchise’s 28 years in Baltimore, the Ravens did not resemble the high-powered and efficient offense that averaged 33.9 points per game during the regular season. In fact, Baltimore is now the first team to ever lose a conference championship game while holding their opponent to 17 points or less, according to stats gathered by ESPN.
Jackson elaborated further, concerning his anger at the loss: “We’re mad. Offense, we didn’t put nothing on the board. We scored once. That’s not like us. We drove the ball down the field. That’s cool. But we got to put points on the board. But I feel like my team just angry, not frustrated, we just angry. We know how hard we worked to get here.”
It was Jackson’s first time playing in an AFC Championship game. For his career, he’s 2-4 in postseason play. While he’s the presumptive favorite to be named NFL MVP, his play on Sunday hardly resembled what Jackson routinely put on tape this past season. His late interception continued a trend to date for Jackson in the playoffs. During the four playoff losses he’s been a part of, the Ravens have averaged just 10.5 points. Jackson’s thrown just 4 TDs against eight turnovers. During the loss to the Chiefs, he went just 1-of-6 for 7 yards passing with two sacks on third downs.
Head coach John Harbaugh encouraged Jackson not to dwell on the loss: “I told him to stand up tall. He’s had a great season, his performance today was all heart. He fought, he went out there and gave everything he had. So I don’t think that’s anything that I’d be disappointed in.”
Teammate Odell Beckham Jr., who finally got himself a championship ring two seasons ago as a member of the LA Rams, feels for Jackson: “There’s certain moments that define you, and this is just one that’ll be in his career. The greats have all been through tough times and I don’t think this is going to stop him from wanting to get to his ultimate goal. If anything, he’s going to work even harder. … He wants it bad. I had never seen somebody so locked in and just in the flow and in that era, I just felt like it was his time. And like I say, sometimes things happen in life and it doesn’t go the way that we planned and it’s just about what do you do from here.”
Linebacker Patrick Queen, who’s been with Baltimore since being drafted in 2020, draws inspiration from the team’s QB – despite his being a member of the defense. “Honestly, what hurts me the most is that I wanted to get him the recognition that he deserves. It’s a team sport, but that guy was the main guy I was playing for, honestly,” Queen explained. He lamented the missed chance to play in the Super Bowl: “This was his opportunity to be able to write some of that stuff off and move on to the next thing.”
Right now, with the sting of Sunday’s loss fresh, Ravens fans may be too busy smarting and licking their wounds to be asked the question. But do they believe? Will the (soon to be) two-time MVP ever win a Super Bowl?
One thing is for sure: Lamar Jackson won’t go hiding. And he’s not giving up his goal of winning a Lombardi. As far back as when he first entered the NFL, on draft day in 2018, the fleet-footed QB out of Louisville made that much clear: “They’re going to get a Super Bowl out of me. Believe that.”
