The Ravens put together one of the most impressive regular-season campaigns in NFL history last season, but it was erased with a one-and-done playoff exit, and the team’s quarterback has made it clear that he wants to ensure they can go further in the future.
Lamar Jackson was electric in his sophomore season, torching defenses with both his arm and his legs, which resulted in him edging out Patrick Mahomes for MVP honors. Still, though, he looked mediocre at best in the team’s disappointing Divisional Round home loss to the Titans, and was awful in the first half. Jackson is now 0-2 in the playoffs in his career, and he clearly wants to get that monkey off his back.
Jackson opened up to Peter King of NBC Sports about his outlook for the team’s future, having been a one-and-done in the playoffs in consecutive years.
“I think about it a lot, to be honest with you,” Jackson said. “That’s where I wanna be. That’s when everything gets … crucial. It’s tough. I remember (former NFL running back) LeGarrette Blount DM’d me on Instagram. He was like, ‘You know, playoffs is different from regular season.’ I’m like, ‘Nah.’ But it is, because it’s win or go home. And I’m tired of going home. I just can’t wait to get back in that same spot and perform at a whole ‘nother level.”
Jackson clearly appears motivated to lead his team to his first career playoff win, but actions speak louder than words, so we’ll believe it when we see it.
