Cam Newton Giving Lamar Jackson a Pass for Missing the Playoffs Doesn’t Sit Well With Fans

Cam Newton believes that Lamar Jackson was let down by his Baltimore Ravens teammates in the week 18 defeat and throughout the season by failing to win enough games without him.

Cam Newton Giving Lamar Jackson a Pass for Missing the Playoffs Doesn’t Sit Well With Fans

Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton (inset) (Image via IMAGO)

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Cam Newton refrained from placing blame on Lamar Jackson for the narrow loss of the Baltimore Ravens to the Pittsburgh Steelers on the final day of the regular season. Instead, he claimed that Jackson’s teammates could have stepped up to provide better support for the two-time league MVP.

A win was enough to not only secure playoff qualification but also win the AFC North for the Ravens. Newton claimed that Jackson played his role perfectly. He made the right throws and took the correct decisions during the game.

The Ravens’ season came down to one kick. Unfortunately, the kick went wide right, leaving Baltimore fans and players shell-shocked. Without mincing his words, Newton pinned the blame on the rookie kicker for the loss in a recent segment of First Take on ESPN.

This is what was told to me early in my career: a quarterback is only as good as his kicker.

Cam Newton’s attempt to shield Lamar Jackson backfires

Jackson threw 11 completions on 18 attempts for 238 yards (61.1%), threw 3 touchdowns (two touchdown passes to Zay Flowers and one to Devontez Walker), and one interception (in the third quarter). He helped the Ravens score 24 points and almost won the game on the final drive.

Cam Newton Giving Lamar Jackson a Pass for Missing the Playoffs Doesn't Sit Well With Fans
Lamar Jackson (Image via IMAGO)

The defense, meanwhile, allowed Steelers 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers to orchestrate three touchdowns (one receiving, one rushing, and a scored one using the tush push move). They also conceded 9 penalties, resulting in a loss of 130 yards.

Jackson had chances to avoid the game from being decided on a shootout. Sure, he played better than most days of the season, but it was his and the coaches’ responsibility to wrap up the game instead of relying on a rookie kicker. Here are some of the reactions from fans:

Analyst claims Lamar Jackson doesn’t want John Harbaugh back as the Ravens head coach in 2026

The Ravens went 2-2 to start the season. Jackson missed the following three games due to injury. The Ravens lost two of the three games before Jackson threw four touchdowns in his comeback game against the Dolphins. In the end, they had to rely on the Cleveland Browns to keep their playoff hopes alive. It came down to the wire in Week 18, but the Ravens’ luck finally ran out.

FS1’s Nick Wright argued that head coach John Harbaugh failed to save the Ravens’ season while Jackson was away on rehab. Even when he came back, the Pro Bowl signal caller lacked sufficient support to win games.

Lamar Jackson does not want John Harbaugh back…when he is asked…it was ‘I am not even going to give a superficial public vote of confidence.’ Because he doesn’t have one.

During the post-game presser, reporters asked Jackson to comment on Harbaugh’s future in Baltimore. The “devastated” and “furious” Jackson was so caught up in the game’s outcome that he couldn’t give a proper answer.

You are asking me about next year!!! I am so caught up in what just happened tonight. I can’t focus on [Harbaugh] right now… I am stunned [by the result]. I am still trying to process it.

For the second year in a row, the Ravens’ season ends on a mistake that wasn’t down to Jackson. In the 2024 AFC Divisional Playoff against the Buffalo Bills, All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews missed a golden opportunity to score a touchdown, bringing the Ravens’ playoff run to an abrupt end.

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