Sunday’s beatdown of the Miami Dolphins was a statement for all the NFL to hear.
KINGS OF THE NORTH AND THE #1 SEED ‼️ pic.twitter.com/wz4TRZRpJJ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 31, 2023
The Ravens were fresh off a road win against the Niners, a game in which they’d silenced a good number of doubters but were once again facing a tough opponent. The Dolphins entered the game with an identical 11-3 record, also vying for the AFC’s #1 seed. You would think, given the result of the game in San Fran less than a week prior, that the narrative around national football media would carry a little more respect for the Ravens going into this one, but it seems that the Christmas Day game escaped their memories and faded away with the Ghost of Christmas Past.
The Ravens and Lamar Jackson were on the receiving end of a lot of skepticism and hot takes, maybe none more glaring than this since-deleted gem from Fox Sports Radio.
Lamar Jackson in the FIRST HALF:
🏆 12/14
🏆 255 passing yards
🏆 3 passing TDs
🏆 158.3 PERFECT passer ratingI love “QUARTERBACKY” is trending @MonseBolanos sup? pic.twitter.com/8obIwd9T5I
— TERRENCE MURPHY COMEDY (@terrencefunny) December 31, 2023
Richard Sherman also seemed to have developed irreconcilable cognitive dissonance when talking about the stats as they relate to Lamar Jackson.
Richard Sherman on Lamar Jackson
“If he had his numbers that he had the MVP year then we would be shouting from the rooftops he’s the MVP of the league”
Richard Sherman on Jalen Hurts
“You just can’t look at the stats and say well who has the best stats”pic.twitter.com/AIQ9V8tgAa
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 27, 2023
So, how did Lamar Jackson respond? Was his performance “quarterbacky”? Was the ever-important box score going to be enough???
OBJ DOING OBJ THINGS!
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/KMNdsQUM34
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 31, 2023
Lamar Jackson averaged +1.13 EPA per dropback against the Dolphins, the 3rd-most by a QB in the NGS era (since 2016).
The top 3 games by EPA per dropback in the NGS era all belong to Lamar Jackson (min. 14 attempts).#MIAvsBAL | #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/40YioEKe7J
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 31, 2023
Quarterbacky pic.twitter.com/PEOoZx8mPn
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 1, 2024
With high stakes on the line, Miami gave this game everything they had, and Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense shredded them. Baltimore maintained pressure from the opening kickoff to the final whistle, something that the Flock has been clamoring for the past few seasons, and it did the heart good to see it. More than that, though, I want you to see how Lamar himself reacted to the big win.
You have to admire this. It’s not over until it’s over. There will be time to celebrate later. Nice catch B’more Grinch! https://t.co/MDbTuu9hZc
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) December 31, 2023
"I feel great. But there's a lot of season left for us. We're locked in." @Lj_Era8 reacts to clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC and winning the AFC North. | @CoppinStateUniv pic.twitter.com/LMi3lvQY8Y
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 31, 2023
Lamar Jackson with one of the coldest postgame interviews you will ever see:
“I’m locked in. I’m locked in.” 🥶 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/WZXTLWEluZ
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltimoree) December 31, 2023
I couldn’t love that mentality more if I tried. You can see it in his face and hear it in every answer: Lamar doesn’t care at all about individual accolades. He would trade in his MVP trophy and any future consideration for another until the end of his days if it would help the Ravens reach their final goal: February football.
“We’re not saying nothing less, and nothing more: Make it to February. We need to be playing in February."
With their throttling of the Dolphins, the Ravens got exactly what they deserve. An opportunity to rewrite their 2019 ending. https://t.co/pQGR4fHCaE
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 1, 2024
From top to bottom, this team is locked in. They’re playing their best football at a time when they’re going to need it. They’ve earned a few weeks of rest to recover some guys who are banged up. Everyone is showing up when their number is called, from the rookies to the vets…
HISTORY MADE BY @ZayFlowers …
AND STILL COUNTING❗️ pic.twitter.com/28sYYgPiH5
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 31, 2023
Kyle Van Noy's 8 sacks this season are a career-high
He didn't join the Ravens until week 4 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PcOBEGDnQa
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) January 1, 2024
Something special going on in Baltimore 😈 pic.twitter.com/ZbDqbiRw6C
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 1, 2024
…and even guys who had struggled but were called upon when the team really needed a strong performance.
Ben Cleveland vs. the Dolphins
26 pass blocking snaps
0 sacks allowed
0 pressures allowed— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) January 1, 2024
The Ravens are all business right now, and it shows. They’ve felt the sting of last-second losses and seasons ending in letdowns, and they’re hellbent on not letting them happen again. For the AFC, the road to the Super Bowl runs through Baltimore. If anyone else from the conference wants to get there, they’re going to have to want it more than these Ravens, and I don’t think there’s a soul on earth that wants it more than those guys in black and purple.
One Response
Living every minute. Loving what you do, Growing and becoming better every day.
It appears that Lamar has grown and become a much better leader. More mature and focused. It doesn’t hurt to have a mentor like Todd around either. It appears to be a special relationship.
While these things could be said about Lamar, I think it could be said about many of the players. The coaching staff has really helped coach up these players and helped them grow and improve.
We’ve seen how players have improved their approaches to the games and attitudes about the team play. Thanks to the coaching staff and the team leaders.
Stay focused and enjoy the journey.