BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson's Ravens will face the Texans on Saturday afternoon in an AFC Divisional Playoff game.
Jackson also faces the specter of the 2019 season.
You remember Jackson's 2019 season, right? In his first full season as an NFL starter, he was unstoppable. He won league MVP honors and the Ravens went 14-2 and made the playoffs. The Titans then defeated the Ravens 28-12 at home, ending the season on a high note.
Four years later, Jackson will win his second MVP award in the coming weeks. The Ravens are 13-4 and the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
No player is under more pressure than Jackson this weekend as the Ravens prepare for another home playoff game. He is 1-3 in the playoffs with seven turnovers in those four games. He hasn't played in the AFC Championship Game yet, let alone the Super Bowl.
For many, the memory of the 2019 season will remain with Jackson until he proves he can win in January. As for Jackson, he said these days he's much more than that.
“2019 is over,” Jackson said. “We talk about it all the time. We always end up talking about it, but no. It was just my first full season. [starting] It was my second year in the NFL. But it's a different mindset, a different group. However, I feel that everyone around me is different. ”
Jackson just turned 27 years old. He has a record of 58 wins and 19 losses as a starter. Individual honors have piled up for him since his time at Louisville, where he won the Heisman Trophy. He is a three-time first-team All-Pro selection. He silenced the critics who didn't think he was a “real” quarterback.
All that remains for Jackson is to win a championship.
It starts Saturday with a visit from an upstart Texans team. Everything is gearing up for these Ravens to go to the Super Bowl. The Texans have a new coach and a new quarterback and should be happy just to advance to the divisional round. The Chiefs and Bills feel weaker than they have been the past four years.
The Ravens revitalized themselves in the offseason, but Jackson agreed to a five-year, $260 million contract extension in April, a month after requesting a trade. With the addition of Todd Monken as offensive coordinator, Jackson and the Ravens' approach has changed. Jackson had more freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage and had success running the offense.
Jackson set a career-high in passing yards with 3,678 and contributed 29 total touchdowns while throwing just seven interceptions.
Ravens teammates say Jackson is focused on winning a title.
He's been “the same from the moment I stepped in here,” wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said. “His eyes are on that prize. His approach, if anything, seems more focused and entrenched than ever before. He's a leader and he's the heart of this team.” and soul.”
Ravens safety Geno Stone said Jackson told the team he wanted to bring the Lombardi Trophy to Baltimore.
“Then I know [Jackson] “When he got drafted, he said he always wanted to bring a Super Bowl here, so I think that's what he's strived for throughout his career,” Stone said. “He loves all the accomplishments he's had as an individual.” [and] Like everything, he's always preaching about how he wants the Super Bowl. ”
Looking at the quarterbacks remaining in the playoffs, there is one player with nothing left to prove (Patrick Mahomes) and three players in their first or second year as starters (C.J. Stroud, Block・Purdy, Jordan Love), and two pioneer projects. There weren't a lot of expectations (Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff).
Then there's Jackson and Josh Allen. They are two of the top quarterbacks of this generation, but they haven't won a title. Those are the two quarterbacks that will be putting the most pressure on us this weekend. However, it feels like Jackson is under even more pressure as expectations for the team have increased.
Jackson has lost twice in the divisional round. A win this time could change his legacy and put to rest the specter of who he was in 2019.
