BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson concluded an impressive regular season with a performance that might be described as routine, yet it was pivotal in securing two NFL records and helping the Baltimore Ravens clinch their second consecutive AFC North title.
Jackson finished the game against the Cleveland Browns, where the Ravens triumphed 35-10, with 16 completions on 32 attempts, totaling 217 yards and tossing two touchdowns. He also contributed by rushing for 63 yards.
While his statistics may not have been extraordinarily flashy, Jackson played a crucial role in steering the Ravens to victory, marking their fourth division title in his seven years as a starting quarterback.
“Some of the plays he made, especially on key third downs, showcased his ability to escape pressure and deliver the ball down the field,” remarked Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. “It poses a challenge when he’s able to make throws from the pocket, as well as when he extends plays with his mobility.”
Throughout the season, Jackson has displayed versatility whether it’s weaving behind the line, sprinting for yards, or executing mind-boggling throws while on the move. His performance this year has resulted in some remarkable achievements.
He is the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 900 yards within a single season. Prior to this, no player had achieved both 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards; Jackson has raised that bar significantly.
Moreover, his 12-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews in the second quarter further solidified his legacy, as it made him the first quarterback ever to surpass 4,000 passing yards while also achieving 40 touchdown passes with four or fewer interceptions in a single season.
Jackson’s season statistics closed with 4,172 passing yards, 41 touchdown passes, and 915 rushing yards. Despite these achievements, Jackson humbly noted that his successes were a collective effort.
“That’s a testament to all my teammates,” Jackson stated. “It’s not solely on me; I do my part.”
He becomes the third Ravens quarterback to surpass 4,000 passing yards in a single season, joining Vinny Testaverde, who accomplished this feat in the 1996 season, and Joe Flacco, who set a team record with 4,317 yards in 2016.
As Jackson eyes the future, he aims to join Trent Dilfer and Flacco as the only Ravens quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl. The path toward that goal commences next weekend, with the Ravens hosting a wild-card playoff game.
While reaching this point is commendable, Jackson is aware of the need to elevate his game, particularly in light of his 2-4 postseason record.
“We’ve accomplished what we set out for so far, but there’s still more work to be done,” Jackson reflected. “I’m satisfied with today’s outcome, but my focus is on achieving greater things.”
Copyright @2024 | USLive | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection | [privacy-do-not-sell-link]