The Monday after a loss is never fun, especially one so baffling in a game that the Ravens really should have won.
Lamar Jackson marked a few NFL milestones for the umpteenth time in his career, making highlights with his legs and his arm.
Despite the loss, Lamar Jackson had a ridiculous game:
◦ 1st player w/ 300 pass yds, 3 pass TD, 100 rush yds and a rush TD in the same game
◦ 1st player w/ a pass TD and a rush TD of 75+ yards in the same game pic.twitter.com/HoAlalgiBY— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 18, 2022
There really isn’t anyone else in the NFL who puts together performances like this with the regularity of Jackson.
Lamar Jackson gained +77 rushing yards over expected on his 79-yd TD run, the most RYOE on a play since the start of last season.
Jackson reached a top speed of 20.48 mph, the 3rd-fastest speed of his career.#MIAvsBAL | Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/CzvwWdUgMh
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 18, 2022
He looks like the fastest player on the field at any given moment, but his receivers actually clocked in a hair faster on Sunday.
Fastest plays by a ball carrier in the NFL this season
Devin Duvernay 21.6mph (103 yd TD)
Rashod Bateman 21.48mph (75 yd TD)via @NextGenStats @Ravens have absolute BURNERS pic.twitter.com/XynEjkHWPI
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 18, 2022
We knew Duvernay had this kind of speed with his kick return prowess, but seeing Bateman really floor it to put that touchdown away is a great reminder of how complete of a receiver he is.
Of course, with all of these records and milestones is the sobering reminder of a loss that was historic in its own right.
The Ravens became first NFL team in 12 years to lose a game in which they led by 21 or more points in the 4th quarter.
From 2011-22, teams were 711-0 when leading by 21 or more points in the 4th quarter, according to @ESPNStatsInfo.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 18, 2022
Oof. Not the kind of record you want to be setting.
Not including the final Hail Mary, the Ravens ran 10 plays where they needed one yard for a first down or touchdown. They converted three of them.
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) September 18, 2022
Oof again. And this is especially concerning for a team that’s supposed to have a vaunted run game. Ideally, 1 yard should be all but automatic.
Leave it to Lamar, though, to demonstrate some sportsmanship and/or pull of another incredible troll job by congratulating the Dolphins on Twitter.
Good shit @MiamiDolphins @Ravens we gone bounce back 😈💜🖤 pic.twitter.com/APHXST0iT3
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) September 18, 2022
His comments after the game were certainly closer to the company line, with a felt bucket hat(?) in the background.
"We're not going to let this define us." pic.twitter.com/HyNml40Ca5
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 18, 2022
But after another game of putting the offense on his back, is Jackson playing his way into his desired guaranteed contract?
Lamar Jackson every Sunday pic.twitter.com/HsKciJXCCg
— alex the con artist (@alexthewhatever) September 18, 2022
That condition is a tricky one to navigate, so it makes sense that it’s taking so long to get a deal together.
But I always like to remember one this: the Ravens paid this man…
JOE FLACCO BABY pic.twitter.com/p3jfrUWMIn
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 18, 2022
And he is still eating W’s to this day!
