Lamar Jackson Changing Own Playoff Narrative With Ravens Super Bowl Push

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson faked a handoff to his right, turned to his left, and followed left tackle Ronnie Stanley's block into the end zone for an eight-yard, game-icing score against the Houston Texans on Saturday. And then he kept running. The All-Pro QB leapt through the photographers gathered under the goal post and straight into the tunnel in Bo Jackson fashion.

There was no stopping Jackson, Lamar that is, this weekend—even when he crossed the goal line—a notion the Texans became all too familiar with in the second half.

Jackson scored four touchdowns, including three after halftime, in top-seeded Baltimore's 34-10 Divisional Round win over No. 4 seed Houston inside M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game with the win, which was only the second in five career postseason games for Jackson.

That fact wasn't lost on him. And criticisms of his previous playoff performances weren't, either.

"You know I heard that," Jackson said regarding the narrative that he doesn't perform well in the postseason. "I've seen it, I don't even got to hear it. I see it. But it is what it is. I really don't care about what people say. I'm trying to win. Day in, day out, every time I'm on that field, I'm trying to play to the best of my ability...Like I've been saying, we just have to stay locked in on what's ahead of us."

This season's presumed MVP entered the playoffs with a 1-3 career postseason record. And across those four contests, the sixth-year pro wasn't up to his Pro Bowl standard, scoring a combined four touchdowns compared to seven turnovers committed. Jackson had never before escaped the Divisional Round. And in 2019, when he won MVP and Baltimore earned the conference's top seed, the Ravens were upset in their playoff-opener to an AFC South team at home.

History didn't repeat itself this weekend. But Ravens fans may have been nervous briefly.

Houston, led by rookie phenom C.J. Stroud, was locked at 10-10 with Baltimore going into halftime after a punt return touchdown and a relentless pass rush that sacked Jackson on back-to-back plays near the end of the second quarter. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh described the mood of his team's locker room at the break as "edgy.'

Jackson, meanwhile, had some words for his teammates. And they weren't pretty.

"A lot of cursing," the QB said.

"I hear the message, not just the [curse] words," Stanley added postgame with a smile. "I know what he's trying to say. He's a very competitive player. He wears his heart on his sleeve. We all know what he wants, and that's just to win."

Whatever combination of profane words Jackson put together did the trick. Baltimore scored 24 unanswered points over the final 30 minutes of play. The Ravens' top-ranked defense pitched a second-half shutout, while Jackson and the offense put together four consecutive scoring drives, including touchdown marches of 55, 93, and 78 yards.

The 27-year-old signal-caller, after disappearing into the tunnel following his fourth and final score of the night, became the first player in league history with two-plus passing touchdowns, two-plus rushing scores, 100+ yards on the ground, 100+ yards through the air and a 100+ passer rating, according to the National Football League (NFL).

"We were on our heels there to start the second half," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said postgame. "Then Lamar pretty much just took it over. He made some exceptional plays, and we couldn't get him down. Credit to Lamar...That's why he's the MVP."

Added Harbaugh: "I thought Lamar was gonna play great, but he's played great all year. Just now, it's more important than ever. He's been locked in from Day 1. That's his term, and we've all kind of ran with that. He's directed this whole thing."

Jackson's stellar day propelled the Ravens into the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2012 season. Baltimore won the Super Bowl that last time around. And to get back, the Ravens will have to beat either the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills at home next weekend—when Baltimore hosts the conference championship for the first time in 53 years.

Seemingly the last point Jackson's detractors could hang over his head was the QB's lackluster playoff history. But that narrative has been shattered. And now the AFC Championship Game awaits.

After that? Well, Jackson isn't looking there yet.

"We've got to finish," he said. "Still in the playoffs, not in the dance yet. I'm looking forward to next week. I'm not even thinking of the Super Bowl until we handle business."