Another Victory Monday? Another Victory Monday!
Let’s not take these for granted, Flock. This is now the 11th time we’ve gotten to celebrate a victory this season, and we’re one of only two fan bases that can say that (a third can join tonight). The Ravens also became the first AFC team to clinch a playoff spot!
The Ravens have officially punched their postseason ticket pic.twitter.com/0huO9afQdY
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 18, 2023
They did so via a rather convincing victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, 23-7. While this game lacked the drama and heroics of last week’s walk-off punt return by Tylan Wallace, there were still fireworks. Most of them were provided by, of course, Lamar Jackson.
Tonight marked the 12th time the @Ravens' Lamar Jackson started and his team rushed for 250+ yards.
It was also the 22nd time Jackson outrushed the entire opposing team by himself.
Both of those are the most by any NFL starting QB since QB starts were first tracked in 1950. pic.twitter.com/oQ5rxhFGjq
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) December 18, 2023
OMG @Lj_era8 @DaGorilla4
📺: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/b4mNXvDZzG
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 18, 2023
This play…we as #Ravens fans/analysts/observers see something like this every week basically. But you can’t underestimate the level of devastation it can cause an opponent. Smoot this week. Donald last week. They get worn down psychologically. Jags were kind of done after this. https://t.co/Lgji4i7uJs
— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) December 18, 2023
Dev said it well here. We take this kind of thing for granted. We shouldn’t do that! Lamar is amazing. Appreciate the greatness, y’all.
The news wasn’t all good, unfortunately. The Ravens lost one of their home-run hitters, RB Keaton Mitchell, to a nasty looking knee hyperextension. John Harbaugh later confirmed that Mitchell will miss the rest of the season. You hate that for the young buck, who was really making a name for himself and becoming a fan favorite. Full and speedy recovery, Keaton!
Around the league, the Ravens didn’t get quite the level of help to which we’ve become accustomed over the past few weeks (that run of luck was bound to come to and end, of course). The Miami Dolphins dismantled the lowly New York Jets to remain a game back of Baltimore for the AFC’s top seed and lone playoff bye, while Joe Flacco led a furious comeback to keep the Browns sniffing around the Ravens heels in the AFC North.
Cleveland got a taste of Flacco Magic too. Let’s be honest: Browns fans are used to THIS ball being caught:
HOLY OH MY GOD pic.twitter.com/l6fbNhvmW8
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
Darnell Mooney, come ON, bruh.
Cleveland is still two games behind the Ravens, and finish up AT Houston, hosting the Jets, then AT Cincinnati (who also refuse to die). Bottom line: Even with a loss in San Francisco on Christmas night, if the Ravens continue to take care of their business in their two remaining home games, the AFC #1 seed is theirs. That’s the goal.
The next time our squad takes the field, there will be a huge trash bag full of wrapping paper in the corner, the kids will be fighting because someone got one more present, 12 hours of egg nog will be coursing through us, and we parents in the Flock will likely be struggling to keep our eyes open because we’ve been awake since the crack of dawn.
So enjoy your week, Ravens Fans! The countdown is on.
