Lamar Jackson of the Ravens is set on acquiring the prize: “At this moment, I must win a championship.”
Lamar Jackson rarely engages in nostalgic thoughts, but while analyzing film to prepare for the Ravens’ Week 15 matchup with Jacksonville and focusing on Jaguars corner Darious Williams, he couldn’t help but recall his rookie season in 2018.
Williams, an undrafted free agent who joined the NFL, was a member of Jackson’s Baltimore rookie class.
Additionally, Hayden Hurst, Orlando Brown Jr., DeShon Elliott, Bradley Bozeman, Anthony Averett, and Zach Sieler were among those who have ceased their careers with the Ravens after at least two seasons.
Lamar Jackson had the following realization as the Baltimore Ravens prepared to face the Houston Texans during the AFC divisional round on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET): “The present is the greatest opportunity.”
“I recall entering the building alongside every single one of those lads.” At this moment, Gus [Edwards], Mark [Andrews], and I are all alike. There were so many of us. Man, it was truly incredible.
We are no longer confined to the same locker room; they are currently dispersed throughout the league.
Regarding his 2018 Ravens pick class, Jackson remarked in an earlier conversation with The Athletic, which was released on Friday morning, “It’s insane.”
“I took a step back and realized, ‘Damn, I’m aging.'” “At this moment, I must win a championship.”
One of the rationales behind my insistence is that I must secure victory. Time is not advancing in my youth. “At this time, it is most advantageous to secure victory.”
Jackson accumulated 3,678 passing yards, 24 receiving touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 102.7 passer rating in 16 starts during the regular season.
He also completed 67.2 percent of his passes. On the ground, he amassed 821 yards and five touchdowns.
This season, Baltimore exhibited the most effective rushing attack along with one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL.
The Ravens achieved a league-high average of 156.5 rushing yards and ranked fourth in the NFL with 28.4 points per game on the ground.
They allowed only 301.4 total yards (sixth), 191.9 passing yards (sixth), 109.4 rushing yards (14th), and 16.5 points (first) per game on defense.
With a 13-4 record, the Ravens secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Notable achievements encompass crushing defeats at the hands of both the Miami Dolphins (56-19) and Detroit Lions (38-6), a road victory over the San Francisco 49ers (33-19), and a season-sweeping sweep against AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals.
Since the Baltimore Ravens selected Lamar Jackson in the final round of the first round for the 2018 NFL Draft, the team has undergone significant change.
The favorite for MVP reflected on the number of former teammates who have since left the NFL throughout six seasons, which made him realize how quickly his career is passing.
“I recall entering the building alongside every single one of those lads.” At this moment, Gus [Edwards], Mark [Andrews], and I are all alike. There were so many of us. Man, it was truly incredible.
They have dispersed throughout the league at this moment, and our locker rooms are no longer the same. “It’s insane,” Jackson told The Athletic.
The sentiment of nostalgia supported the notion that No. 8 does not possess an eternity to secure a Super Bowl victory.
Jackson is 27, which is not exactly young, but he is not the youngest quarterback in the history of football.
“I took a step back and realized, ‘Damn, I’m aging.'” “At this moment, I must win a championship.”
One of the rationales behind my insistence is that I must secure victory. Time is not advancing in my youth. “Winning it now is preferable,” Jackson advised.
The Ravens appear to have their greatest opportunity to win it all this season. Jackson is delivering an outstanding performance in which the team dominates all three phases.
Jackson’s teammates have observed that he is now under additional pressure to win, which has caused him to play with tension.
The quarterback set new records for passing yards and completion percentage with 3,678 yards, 8.0 yards per attempt, and 29 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
Jackson is aiming for something much more significant than his 2023 regular season accomplishments, which will likely earn him an additional NFL MVP award.
Moreover, he recently became a first-team All-Pro as well as was invited to his third Pro Bowl.
“He is fixated on that prize.” Regarding his approach, he appears more intent and determined than ever before. “He is the team’s leader and its beating heart,” said receiver Odell Beckham III.
His career-long deficiency has been winning playoff games; if he wishes to qualify to represent the United States in Super Bowl LVII from Las Vegas, he will need to revise this narrative. In four postseason contests, he has committed seven turnovers for a record of 1-3.