With an advantage over the Jaguars, the Ravens secure the first playoff spot in the AFC.
The Baltimore Ravens have earned the first spot in the AFC playoffs. On Sunday, Baltimore topped the Jacksonville Jaguars 23–7, which guaranteed them a spot in the playoffs.
Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos failed on Saturday, which made it possible for the Ravens to win and move on.
Lamar Jackson and his team did their job, and Baltimore is return making the playoffs over the fifth time in six years and the second year in a row.
“We’re very enthusiastic about that,” declared coach John Harbaugh after the game. “That’s the first thing to do.” That’s where we want to start. Then we’ll move on.”
Jackson had a great game. He led the team in rushing with 97 yards and threw for 171 yards as well as a touchdown. He didn’t realize how important the win was until after it was already over.
“I didn’t know that we won the playoffs,” he stated. “All I want is to win.” It’s my goal to get there. One game that a time is what I’m after. But I’m thankful for it. I’m thankful for the chance.”
“Let’s just take it one game at a single time,” he told NBC. “I’ve never won in this stadium before.” I lost last year and here in college. We had a rough win, but we did it done.
Jackson’s 26-yard pass to Isaiah Certainly right by the offensive line in the third quarter was the best play of the game. He got out of Dawuane Smoot’s try to sack him.
“That’s just God,” Jackson said when questioned how he got out of Smoot’s bag. “I want to make something happen.” That defensive end is great; it felt like the playoffs when we played them. “Thank God.”
But it wasn’t all good for the Ravens. In the fourth quarter, youngster Keaton Mitchell hurt his knee very badly and had to leave the game. Mitchell lost his balance after being struck, which made his knee buckle in an incorrect way.
After the game, Ravens quarterbacks coach John Harbaugh told press that Mitchell is likely out for the remainder of the season because of what he called a “serious knee injury.” Mitchell gave a thumbs up as he was taken off the field.
The Jaguars have lost three games in a row and are now 8-6. They are tied for first place in the AFC South via the Colts from Indianapolis and the Houston Texans. Trevor Lawrence threw a score while completing 25 of 43 passes over 264 yards.
But Lawrence lost a fumble twice during the game, including one very important one in the fourth quarter.
Doug Pederson, the head coach of the Jaguars, told reporters after the game that Thomas had been put through the concussion procedure.
Pederson said that Lawrence got the concussion on an incident in the fourth quarter, but he was still able to finish the game.
The next game for the Ravens is on Christmas Day at home against the San Francisco 49ers. The next game for the Jaguars is away at the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay.
The Ravens (11-3) scored a touchdown, making it four wins in a row. They are now one win away from clinching the No. 1 seed and having the advantage at home all through the AFC playoffs.
The Jaguars (8-6) lost three games in a row, all of them against AFC North teams. They are now tied for first place in the AFC South with Nashville. A lot of Jacksonville’s problems were caused by mistakes they made themselves.
Trevor Lawrence lost the ball twice in the most recent loss, including one during the fourth quarter that pretty much sealed Baltimore’s eighth win in its last nine games.
The Ravens may have paid a high price for this one. He threw for 171 yards and ran for 97 more. Seventy of those yards went to Likely. Mitchell enjoyed 73 before he got hurt, and Edwards scored 58 on the ground.
Keaton Mitchell, a potential rookie running back, hurt his left knee early in the fourth quarter and had to be taken out of the game right away.
On replays, his knee was bent in a weird way while he was running. When he rode off on a cart, he gave a thumbs-up sign.
Ronnie Staley, the starting left tackle, and Marcus Williams, the free safety, were also hurt and had to leave the Ravens. Even with the losses, Jackson, Edwards, Likely, as well as a great defense were able to win.
Lawrence passed for 264 yards, and his touchdown pass to Jamal Agnew from 65 yards out gave the Jaguars life after the first half ended with no points. But the Ravens came back with a play that didn’t make sense.