Even though the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns are in the same division, there’s a gulf in quality between the two teams and the main reason is 2x NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. On Saturday, Jackson once more provided a glimpse as to why many compare him with NBA legend Steph Curry.
The Ravens were up by 11 at the start of the second half and on the first drive of the restart, Jackson showcased something magical. He completed three of three passes for 51 yards to lead his team near the Browns 30-yard line by hitting tight end Mark Andrews.
In the following attempt, Jackson snapped the ball, checked his pass, and threw a dart aimed at wide-open receiver Rashod Bateman inside the Browns’ end zone. The 27-year-old was so confident that the pass would reach Bateman that he turned away and faced the camera while everyone celebrated the touchdown- just like Steph Curry.
Lamar Jackson makes a case for his third MVP title
Before the season finale against the Browns, Jackson was stranded on 39 passing touchdowns for the season. Before the Bateman touchdown, he found Andrews for a 12-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.
Lamar Jackson (Image via IMAGO)
The two scores took Jackson’s tally to 41 passing touchdowns, which is his best ever (five more than in 2019, when he won the first of his two league MVPs).
In addition, he set up running back Derrick Henry for a couple of scores, three minutes apart. The first one was a short handoff for a two-yard walk-in, and minutes later, Jackson set Henry off for a 43-yard defense-splitting run, his second of the night.
Jackson ended the game with 16 completions for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns along with 9 carries for 63 yards. He ends the 2024 campaign by completing 316 passes for 4172 passing yards (most in his career), 41 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions. Additionally, he ran 139 times with the ball for 915 yards and scored 4 rushing touchdowns. According to ESPN research, Lamar Jackson became the first player in history with 4000+ passing yards 40+ touchdowns, and 800+ rushing yards in a single season.
That’s all my teammates you know. That’s not [only] just me. Because when we are practicing cause I am trying to get better. We gotta the look team, giving us great looks. Those guys have been assigned a lot… Got my tight ends doing what they doing, running backs, offensive line, receivers that’s why it’s a team effort, it’s not just me.
With the win over the Browns in week 18, the Ravens secured the AFC North title and the third seed behind the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
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Ishan Misra is a journalist with FirstSportz who covers NFL and college football. He has published over 1000 articles.
Ishan's obsession with the football began watching Tom Brady lifting his sixth Super Bowl beating the Rams. Since then he has been hooked to the nitty gritty of the Gridiron.
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Ishan Misra
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