Pundits say playoff setbacks don’t diminish Jackson’s talent
Lamar Jackson’s career thus far has been defined by the joy of historically stellar regular-season performances and the agony of devastating playoff losses.
After the Ravens’ loss to the Bills, two experts emphasized that the latter should not take the Bills lightly.
“Football at the highest level can be brutal, and this heated clash between two gritty teams and two exceptional quarterbacks ended in a horrific flop,” Michael Silver of The Athletic wrote. “Andrews, one of the best tight ends in the NFL and Long Jackson’s most reliable target, dropped a short pass while falling toward the pylon in the right end zone, robbing Baltimore of the game-tying two-point conversion.
“Worst of all, the exaggerated narrative surrounding Jackson’s postseason slump has been kept alive for at least another year, and perhaps much longer.”
Silver praised Jackson for his strong performance in the second half after the Ravens trailed 21-10 at halftime.
“In those situations — on the road, in bad weather, without an injured Pro Bowl wide receiver (Zay Flowers), against a formidable opponent with another MVP-level quarterback — if Jackson were to play for even a moment, If he doesn’t win the honor)” Josh Allen for the second year in a row will be the reason) is in his comfort zone — quarterbacks who ‘don’t do well in the playoffs’ will regress,” Silver wrote. “Jackson has grown, and we have to appreciate his resilience.
“I’ve seen some great things from Jackson in his seven-year career, but not all of them were in the regular season. … For me, the second half of Sunday was right up there with his most impressive accomplishments. He locked in and led the Ravens.” They scored two touchdowns and one field goal in four possessions, but they didn’t score because Andrews fumbled the ball after catching a 16-yard pass from Jackson inside Bills territory. That was when I left. ”
Good Morning Football’s Peter Schrager had a similar view.
“Soccer can be really cruel sometimes,” Schrager said. , scored an unbelievable touchdown when he needed it, and Mark Andrews dropped that two-point conversion. ”
While Jackson hasn’t led the Ravens to a Super Bowl championship thus far, Schrager notes that Hall of Fame quarterbacks Peyton Manning and John Elway had a long history in the postseason before ultimately winning two Super Bowls apiece. He pointed out that he had experienced some hardships.
“Lamar just entered Year 7 of his career. Instead of putting down the statement that Lamar didn’t win or won’t win, let’s put this to rest for a second,” Schrager said. “We’re in a different era now, the age of social media where everything has to be now…Let’s slow down.
“Lamar Jackson will be back in the playoffs, I truly believe that. Then he’ll get a chance to write the script next year.”
