BALTIMORE — In main the Baltimore Ravens to a 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, quarterback Lamar Jackson clinched his fourth AFC North title and put the ending touches on a record-setting common season.
But, not like lots of his teammates, Jackson wasn’t sporting the hats and T-shirts that celebrated the Ravens’ newest division title.
“I’m very pleased with my group,” Jackson mentioned. “We battled and we obtained the job finished, however the job is undone.”
The Ravens (12-5) secured the No. 3 seed and can host a playoff recreation subsequent weekend both in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson stays within the dialog to win a 3rd NFL Most Valuable Player award however teammates say he has been solely speaking about what it is going to take to succeed in his first Super Bowl.
“I’m targeted on the wild-card recreation, I’m not going to mislead you,” Jackson mentioned. “I’m cool with what is going on on right this moment. I’m cool, do not get me fallacious. But my thoughts’s on one thing else.”
By placing collectively his finest statistical season, the reigning NFL MVP wrapped up one of the vital outstanding common seasons by a quarterback.
Jackson grew to become the primary participant in NFL historical past to amass 4,000 yards passing and 900 yards speeding in a season. He additionally set a league benchmark by turning into the primary to throw over 40 landing passes and fewer than 5 interceptions. Jackson completed with 41 landing passes and 4 interceptions.
“He’s simply one in every of a sort. There’s no person like Lamar Jackson,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh mentioned. “He’s within the locker room, and he isn’t pleased in regards to the final drive … he needs every part to be good, every part. That’s why these numbers are the way in which they’re, due to who he’s.”
Baltimore confirmed its resiliency this season. The Ravens needed to rebound from an 0-2 begin and overcome the passing of offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, who died of a coronary heart assault 11 days earlier than the season opener.
Then, coming into Week 15, Baltimore trailed Pittsburgh by two video games within the AFC North race with 4 weeks remaining. The Ravens had a 28.8% likelihood of overtaking the Steelers for the division title, in response to ESPN Analytics.
Baltimore beat the percentages by successful its final 4 video games, outscoring its opponents 135-43.
“There are males on this locker room that can do something to win,” Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews mentioned. “Take care of ourselves and be able to go each week, each recreation. We’ve obtained true professionals on this locker room. No matter the schedule, regardless of the day we play. That’s what we’ve, a bunch of ballers.”
Jackson now leads the Ravens into the postseason for the fifth time. He guided Baltimore to the AFC Championship Game final season, when the Ravens misplaced 17-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
But Jackson’s struggles within the playoffs — he is 2-4 within the postseason — shall be a significant storyline all week.
Asked what Jackson’s mindset shall be within the playoffs, Andrews mentioned, “Locked in. Completely locked in.”
