ExtremeRavens Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Is Lamar Jackson “quarterback-y” enough yet? The superlatives for the Ravens’ leader flowed as freely and sweet as the celebratory nectar of not just a 10th victory in the past 11 games, but a 56-19 dismantling of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium. With the win, Baltimore won the AFC North, clinched the conference’s No. 1 seed and secured the first-round bye in the playoffs and home-field advantage throughout the AFC title game. At the nexus of all of Baltimore’s successes, against the Dolphins and against the rest of the NFL this season, was Jackson. Six days earlier, Jackson threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 45 yards and led Baltimore to a 33-19 bullying of the NFC-leading San Francisco 49ers on Christmas night. Afterward, Ravens coach John Harbaugh called it an “MVP” performance. Sunday, Jackson torched Miami, completing 18 of 21 passes for 325 yards and five touchdowns (along with 35 rushing yards). “He played a perfect football game in terms of the passing game,” Harbaugh said in the afterglow. “He was on point.” Harbaugh might’ve sounded hyperbolic, but he was accurate. Jackson finished with a perfect quarterback rating (158.3). It was the third time he has done so in his career, tying him with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Kurt Warner and Ben Roethlisberger. Hall of Fame company. And who was the last quarterback to have a perfect passer rating and more passing touchdowns than incompletions in the same game? All Jackson had to do was look in the mirror. He did it against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019. And against the Dolphins earlier that same season. That’s also the last time he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, when he joined Brady as the only unanimous choices in history. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson reacts at the conclusion of the game against the Miami Dolphins during an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson makes a completion against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, #8, scrambles for yardage as Miami Dolphins linebacker Duke Riley (45) pursues during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)The Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Lamar Jackson throws a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens fans shout for quarterback Lamar Jackson who enters to practice during pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates tight end Charlie Kolar catching his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Dolphins. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar is congratulated by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar is congratulated by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks at a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Ravens win over the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, congratulates Charlie Kolar on the sideline after the tight end scored his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar sprints onto the field after the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson, right, runs back a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Trenton Simpson picks up a Dolphins fumble in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens Melvin Gordon III, top, dives into the end zone over Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott for a touchdown n the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, runs against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 David Long, right, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill runs for 41-yards against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III runs for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Zach Sieler, top, strips the ball from Ravens running back Gus Edwards for a fumble in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa slides into a bunch of Ravens in the 4th quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill, left, catches and runs for 23-yards against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Duke Riley in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Melvin Gordon III pushes through for a gain in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker adds the point after try to the board as outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Miami Dolphins defensive back Elijah Campbell watch during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards looks for a hole as he picks up yardage in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Justin Madubuike , top, sacks Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh, left, and Justin Madubuike celebrate after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a 25-yards pass for a first down against Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Musical group All Time Low perform during halftime of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Baltimore Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of the Miami Dolphins. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce drags down Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who throws the ball away to avoid being sacked during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill breaks free for a 41-yard run in the 4th quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman catches a deep pass from Lamar Jackson before dropping the ball against the ground in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby upends Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce reacts after stopping Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Dolphins during the second quarter Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)\\tpbalhc\\ applauds the team offense against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith ruturns an interception between Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers catches a pass by quarterback Lamar Jackson for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts when replays show that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made a successful catch against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, top, wrestles the ball away from Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson for an incomplete pass in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronald Darby, left, upends Dolphinsxe2x80x99 Jeff Wilson after a catch in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Ronnie Stanley, right, celebrates teammate Isaiah Likelyxe2x80x99s touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown in front of Dolphinsxe2x80x99 DeShon Elliott in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 75-yards touchdown against the Dolphins in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), taking the rest of the game off with wide receiver Zay Flowers (4), celebrates with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) who connected with tight end Charlie Kolar for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Ravens defenders celebrate in the end zone following an interception by Ravens Geno Stone in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), taking the rest of the game off with wide receiver Zay Flowers (4), celebrates with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) who connected with tight end Charlie Kolar for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)With the game in hand, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and wide receiver Zay Flowers react after quarterback Tyler Huntley connects with tight end Charlie Kolar for his first career touchdown during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Ravens fan Shawn Means holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Year\xe2\x80\x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard takes a selfie with fans following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens fan Keon Fisher holds up a stadium edition of the Baltimore Sun following the Baltimore Ravens 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Ricard, right, catches a 4-yards touchdown pass against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh holds a newspaper that reads "AFC\'s Best" during an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson (30) holds the football, celebrating his interception of a Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa pass with cornerback Ronald Darby (28) and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (95) during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)A Ravens fan holds a sign declaring quarterback Lamar Jackson the NFL Most Valuable Player during Sunday's game against the Dolphins. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) gets sacked by Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens fans react to an interception of a pass by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones (98) and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike celebrate a sack by outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (right) of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, behind, during the fourth quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore. The Ravens became the AFC North champions, securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 56-19 drubbing of Miami. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)The Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Lamar Jackson throws a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard celebrates his 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Year\xe2\x80\x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard and quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrate a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard celebrates his 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Year\xe2\x80\x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Patrick Ricard scores a 4th quarter touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on New Year\xe2\x80\x99s Eve at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, left, shows the AFC\xe2\x80\x99s Best headline newspaper to Rashod Bateman, right, after beating the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium.Ravens head coach John Harbaugh shows the AFC\xe2\x80\x99s Best headline newspaper after beating the Dolphins 56-19 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen, #6, watches inside linebacker Roquan Smith haul in an interception of a Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa pass during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith returns an interception past Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr., #23, and wide receiver Braxton Berrios during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers reacts after a touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, #4, cuts behind a stumbling Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., #3, hauls down a pass just yards from the end zone as Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou defends during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, #80, dives to the pylon, scoring a touchdown in front of Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott (21) during the second quarter of an AFC matchup of NFL football in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone dragging Miami Dolphins DeShon Elliott for a touchdown in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver ..Rashod Bateman dives for a pass but was unable to make a catch in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens running back Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter Sunday against the Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)The Baltimore Ravensxe2x80x99 Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Justice Hill catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald is with Roquan Smith before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is on the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald looks on before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)The Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh runs on the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Eric DeCosta, executive vice president and general manager of the Baltimore Ravens during pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Still unable to play because of an injury, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews chats with fullback Patrick Ricard during pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Nursing an injury, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews watches pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout poses for fans during pregame for an AFC matchup of NFL football against the Miami Dolphins in Baltimore Sunday Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice seen during player introductions before an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)Show Caption of Expand Now he’s poised to become the 11th player to win the award twice, at just 26 years old and in the sixth year of his career. “It’s like watching a video game, bro,” Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet said. “Every week, he does something and it’s like, ‘really?’ I played against him in Pittsburgh. I’m glad I’m on this side now. I don’t have to chase him around.” The only difference between Jackson and a video game is that what he does is real, and it manifested itself in several ways Sunday, much the way it has most of the season. Last year against Miami, Jackson put on an epic and historic performance, racking up 437 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, including a highlight reel 79-yard scoring run. Then the Ravens’ defense disintegrated, choking away a 21-point fourth-quarter lead in a 42-38 loss. After the disastrous outcome, Harbaugh said the team had to “own” the collapse, and that how his players responded would be the story. Jackson eventually got hurt and missed the last six games of the season, of course. The story this time was that there wouldn’t be so much as a whiff of a comeback, thanks to a largely dominant defense that was without two main contributors, All-Pro-level safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Brandon Stephens, and because of the play of Jackson, who seems to grow by leaps and bounds by the week. The 2019 NFL MVP all but locked up another one with his first-half performance alone Sunday, completing 12 of 14 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the first 30 minutes to stake the Ravens to a 28-13 lead. The signature moment in a season full of moments came when he let fly a 33-yard bomb down the right sideline to a streaking Odell Beckham Jr., the three-time Pro Bowl selection who Baltimore wasn’t even sure could run when they signed him a one-year, $15 million deal before Jackson signed his own $260 million deal in the offseason. It was the kind of poetry Baltimore has longed for from its wide receivers and has gotten more and more as the season has worn on, from rookie Zay Flowers, to veteran Nelson Agholor, to Rashod Bateman, to Beckham. Much of it traces back to Jackson. “We were on the same page, I got the signal, he threw a dot,” said Beckham, who made a diving, over-the-shoulder grab on a perfectly thrown ball and dragged his second foot in bounds as he tumbled out of bounds at the 1-yard line. “I expect myself to make those plays, I think everyone here does. To me, it felt like it was just a normal catch.” And to many, it looked like just another normal performance from Jackson. All afternoon, fans chanted “M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!” just the way the Ravens had in the locker room in Santa Clara, California, after the victory over the 49ers. Jackson was immune to them and kept pouring gas on the fire, lighting up Miami with two more touchdown passes in the second half. “[I was thinking,] ‘We need to finish this game.’ I’m not really paying attention to the chants,” he said. “Last year, the score was looking like that at halftime and stuff like that and [in the] third quarter. Then, those guys started making plays, and we didn’t do anything, but the only thing on my mind was to finish the game, and today, we did.” And with it finished off any lingering questions about whether he should be the MVP. With one game remaining in the regular season, Jackson has thrown for a career-high 3,682 yards and 24 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He has also completed a career-best 67.2% of his passes. And he’s the best player on the best team, one that has been besieged by injuries, from running backs J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell to tight end and security blanket Mark Andrews. Importantly, Jackson has been at his best in the biggest games, too, with Sunday just the latest given what was at stake. “It was very important,” Jackson said. “We had a lot of guys banged up, nicked up with injuries, [and] guys who couldn’t play. We had guys who stepped up [and] knew the situation, and they played lights out [in] all phases.” No one more so than Jackson. “Ain’t no argument,” said tight end Isaiah Likely, the recipient of two of Jackson’s touchdown passes, including one on fourth-and-7. “You go out every Sunday and you tell me somebody better than 8.” Added backup quarterback Tyler Huntley: “I just see how he’s locked in every play every second of the day. He don’t take no plays for granted. He don’t let a play go by where he’s not trying to get the best out of it. You’re damn sure right [he’s the MVP].” Fullback Patrick Ricard, who caught the last of Jackson’s touchdowns on the day, hauling in a 4-yard pass on a play that he said the Ravens have been working on for weeks, agreed. “He’s clearly a quarterback,” Ricard said. “He makes the plays with the throws. OK, because he can run the ball pretty well he’s not quarterback-y? I don’t get it.” Neither do LeBron James or Ray Lewis. “Quarterbacky huh!?!? NAAAAHHHHH!! H.I.M.,” James posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Looks real ‘quarterbacky’ to me,” Lewis wrote. None of them need to worry, because anyone who watched Sunday, and this season, gets it now. View the full article Quote
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