Divisional round win would put Lamar Jackson one step closer to rectifying legacy
The 2023 NFL regular season was great for the Baltimore Ravens and their quarterback Lamar Jackson. As with all great quarterbacks, the postseason is where legacies are cemented or crumble. Lamar Jackson needs to transfer his regular season play into the postseason beginning with a win today over the Houston Texans. Currently, Jackson has a 1-3 […]
The 2023 NFL regular season was great for the Baltimore Ravens and their quarterback Lamar Jackson. As with all great quarterbacks, the postseason is where legacies are cemented or crumble.
Lamar Jackson needs to transfer his regular season play into the postseason beginning with a win today over the Houston Texans. Currently, Jackson has a 1-3 playoff record and has not played in a playoff game in over three years, since 2021, when he and his Ravens lost to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
For context, Jackson suffered a few season-ending injuries in that timespan that hindered him from fueling Baltimore to the postseason.
What does a win mean?
A win versus the C.J. Stroud-led Houston Texans means everything for Jackson's legacy.
- Improving his playoff record.
- Ensuring the Ravens host their first AFC Championship Game since 1971.
- Getting the opportunity to defeat either Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen to advance to the Super Bowl.
There is a lot on the line for the Ravens' star quarterback and soon-to-be-two-time MVP. Could this be Jackson's "Drew Brees year"? It is very possible. What is the "Drew Brees year" you ask? Well, Brees had a 1-2 playoff record in his first three games.
In the 2009-2010 season, he broke through the floodgates. Brees went into the 2010 playoffs and won all three of his games on his way to defeating Payton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl.
Jackson has a chance to do the same. Hosting a divisional playoff is where it begins. On his home turf with his amazingly supportive fans in the stands. These are the moments where the story of a career changes in the middle of the read.
Jackson's sad postseason numbers
In four postseason games, Lamar Jackson has a passer rating of 68.3 with 900 passing yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions. Jackson has been sacked 19 times during this span.
Yes, this game means everything for one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The other day, I wrote about Jackson's development into one of the best intermediate passers in the NFL.
Without star tight end Mark Andrews, who has been his security blanket since the two joined the Ravens. Jackson has enough weapons to attack this Texans' defense. Second-year tight end Isaiah Likely has filled Andrews' shoes admirably.
Adding rookie dynamo WR Zay Flowers and the wily, yet still explosive veteran Odell Beckham Jr, Jackson can get the job done and advance one more week into the postseason.
Who wins this game?
I believe this is the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson's time. With everything I mentioned earlier in this piece that is on the table and up for grabs. I do not expect a loss for the Ravens.
Jackson has been locked in all season, in a way we have not seen prior. I believe that laser focus continues. He has heard the weird narratives from media talking heads. Remember his response to NBC's Mike Florio after defeating the San Francisco 49ers?
Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens win today as he continues to defeat the labels and narratives placed on his name.
