BALTIMORE — In leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 35-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, quarterback Lamar Jackson clinched his fourth AFC North title and put the finishing touches on a record-breaking regular season.
But, unlike many of his teammates, Jackson wasn’t wearing the hats and T-shirts celebrating the Ravens’ recent division title.
“I’m very proud of my team,” Jackson said. “We fought and accomplished the mission, but the mission was undone.”
The Ravens (12-5) have earned the No. 3 seed and will host a playoff game next weekend against either the Los Angeles Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson remains in the conversation to win a third NFL Most Valuable Player award, but teammates say he was just talking about what it would take to reach his first Super Bowl.
“I’m focused on the wild card game, I’m not going to lie to you,” Jackson said. “I’m comfortable with what’s happening today. I’m relieved, don’t get me wrong. But my mind is on something else.”
By compiling his best statistical season, the reigning NFL MVP concluded one of the most outstanding regular seasons by a quarterback.
Jackson became the first player in NFL history to accumulate 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards in a single season. He also set a standard for the league by becoming the first to throw more than 40 touchdown passes and fewer than five interceptions. Jackson finished with 41 touchdown passes and four interceptions.
“He’s one of a kind. There’s no one like Lamar Jackson,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s in the locker room, he’s not happy with the last trip… He wants everything to be perfect, everything. That’s why these numbers are the way they are, because of who he is.”
Baltimore has shown its resiliency this season. The Ravens had to bounce back from an 0-2 start and overcome the death of offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandres, who died of a heart attack 11 days before the season opener.
Then, entering Week 15, Baltimore trailed Pittsburgh by two games in the AFC North race with four weeks remaining. The Ravens had a 28.8% chance of passing the Steelers for the division title, according to ESPN Analytics.
Baltimore overcame the odds by winning its last four matches, outperforming its opponents 135-43.
“There are guys in this locker room that will do anything to win,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “Let’s take care of ourselves and be ready to go every week, every game. We have true professionals in this locker room. No matter the schedule, no matter what day we play. That’s what we have, a group of ballplayers.”
Jackson is now leading the Ravens to the postseason for the fifth time. He led Baltimore to the AFC Championship Game last season, when the Ravens lost 17-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
But Jackson’s struggles in the playoffs — he’s 2-4 in the postseason — will be a major story all week.
In response to a question about Jackson’s mentality in the playoffs, Andrews said: “Contained inside. Completely closed.”