How Lamar Jackson can find playoff success that’s eluded him

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Earlier this season, Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin made a pitch for Lamar Jackson and his teammates, including Patrick of the Kansas City Chiefs in last season’s AFC Championship Game. – Showed footage of Mahomes.

Mahomes yelled “calm, calm, calm” during the fourth-quarter huddle. “I want everyone to be done with this, but I want some calm.”

Martin’s message to Jackson? Championship teams are emotionally and mentally prepared to win the toughest games.

Jackson has won as many NFL Most Valuable Player awards (two) as he has postseason games. In a year where he posted his best statistical numbers by becoming the first player to record over 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards in a season, Jackson faced a distinction that speaks to his dominant regular season and playoff disappointment. I am doing it. There is only one NFL MVP who has never won a Super Bowl, much less reached the Super Bowl.

Helping Jackson overcome his playoff struggles and reach the Super Bowl has become the franchise’s most pressing priority. Among quarterbacks who have started at least five games since 2018, Jackson has a regular season record of 70-24 (.745), fourth-best in the NFL, but a postseason record of 2-4 (. 333), tied for worst. In the playoffs, Jackson has as many turnovers (six interceptions, three lost fumbles) as touchdowns (nine).

When Baltimore takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday’s AFC Wild Card Game (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video), the Ravens will rely on Jackson’s upgraded supporting cast to avoid unlikely mistakes and improve on past We’ll see if he learns how to take advantage of postseason experience. Set your sights on his final goal.

“I get too excited,” Jackson said, recalling what he learned from this past postseason. “That’s it. I’m too anxious. I see things before they happen. I’m like, ‘Oh, I need to calm down.'” But as I’ve gotten more experienced, I’ve found a way to balance things out. ”

When asked about Jackson’s mindset going into the playoffs, tight end Mark Andrews said, “He’s locked in. He’s completely locked in.”

The Ravens have tried to ease the pressure on Jackson by strengthening the players around him. Over the past three drafts, Jackson has seen Baltimore strengthen its offensive line by adding Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum and rookie starting right tackle Roger Rosengarten. Jackson has his first Pro Bowl wide receiver in Zai Flowers, but his use as a pass catcher is questionable after he injured his right knee in the final game of the regular season.

Baltimore’s biggest addition was signing free agent running back Derrick Henry. His 1,921 rushing yards are the 11th-most in a season in NFL history. His strong presence, especially late in the game, was intended to strike fear into defenders and provide some relief to Jackson.

“Now, Lamar doesn’t have to be Superman,” Ravens radio analyst and Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson said.

There is only one The postseason game Jackson still remembers: last season’s AFC Championship game, a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs.

“It was right there,” Jackson said, hinting at a Super Bowl appearance. “But my mind is focused right now. That’s the situation at the moment.”

Jackson’s biggest mistake in that game was an unusual one.

With the Chiefs leading 17-7 in the fourth quarter, Jackson moved Baltimore to the Kansas City 25-yard line before making a risky throw to Isaiah Likely, who was one step behind a swarm of defenders, targeting the tight end. . By the time the underthrown pass reached the end zone, Riley was surrounded by three Chiefs players and Jackson’s throw was intercepted.

“I think the last few years he was pushed and tried to play in the postseason,” Woodson said. “And usually, in any sport, when you’re trying to play, they usually don’t come. You let them come to you.”

Jackson averaged one turnover every 82 snaps during the regular season. In the playoffs? 1 turnover every 45 snaps.

In Baltimore’s 2020 regional round loss to the Buffalo Bills, Jackson threw a pick-six to cornerback Taron Johnson for a 101-yard return. He only threw one other pick-six in his career, and that came on a deflected pass against the Cleveland Browns in 2023.

“We have to try not to make mistakes,” Jackson said. “The game was won by fighting turnovers and keeping the ball under your control, moving the ball down the field and getting first downs. … Obviously, that’s how you win games.”

The change in Jackson’s play from the regular season to the postseason is one of the most dramatic in the league. According to ESPN Research, his QBR from the regular season (67.4 points) to the postseason (53.2 points) has dropped by 14.2 points, making him the second-best QBR since 2006 behind Carolina Panthers veteran Andy Dalton. This is a high number.

In Jackson’s first playoff game, the 2018 Wild Card Round, he committed three fumbles against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the 2019 divisional round, he had two interceptions against the Tennessee Titans. We lost both games.

“when [Lamar is] “At his best, he’s playing free,” Linderbaum said. “So I don’t think he needs to feel pressured or pressured. I think he’s at his best when he’s having fun and it’s great to get him into that state of mind. It’s our job.”

Jackson’s highlight making Because of the play, he and the Ravens have to watch TV. The current NFL MVP has been error-free and has played a near-perfect regular season.

He threw four interceptions in 2024, with three coming off the receiver’s hands and one when the receiver didn’t finish a route. In past MVP seasons, Jackson threw six interceptions in 2019 and seven in 2023.

“His mind is on another level,” Martin said. “What he sees, what he thinks, what he predicts, and how he acts on it, is another year ahead.”

Jackson became the first player in NFL history to have at least 40 touchdown passes (41) and fewer than five interceptions (4) in a season.

“Every game, his will, his fight, he strives for perfection,” Andrews said. “His will to win games and accomplish his goals, to want to be him, to be Lamar, and to get better at it week in and week out, it’s just incredible.”

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson credits Jackson with controlling the offense and limiting mistakes by getting everyone on the same page.

“Lamar’s awareness is not talked about enough,” Johnson said. “His God-given abilities allow him to accomplish things that most people can only dream of. That’s why many people think he improvises. But in many cases this is not the case.”

On Saturday, Jackson faces his biggest challenge of the postseason with the Steelers, a team that has historically forced mistakes. They are the only team on which Jackson has thrown more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (8).

Jackson, who is 2-4 against Pittsburgh, had his best game last month, throwing for 207 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-17 win over Pittsburgh. Despite this, he could not celebrate. His last interception of the season came in the fourth quarter against his team, when he had trouble communicating with wide receiver Rashod Bateman and his route was cut off.

“I was mad until the end of the game,” Jackson said. “That’s a lie, I’m still angry. Game.” [is] It’s over, it’s still hot. ”

When the Ravens won their second consecutive AFC North title in Week 18, Jackson did not wear a celebratory hat and T-shirt like many of his teammates. Inside the locker room, he wasn’t happy with the final drive because of what Ravens coach John Harbaugh called “some personnel issues.”

“He’s a competitor,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a fighter. He’s one of a kind. There’s no one like Lamar Jackson.”

Jackson’s number seven Playing in the Super Bowl is the last box to check during the season. But that’s been the case for many quarterbacks.

Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre didn’t reach their first Super Bowl until they were 27 years old. Jackson celebrated his 28th birthday on Tuesday.

It took Peyton Manning and Drew Brees nine seasons, until they were 30, to reach their first Super Bowl. By the time Manning reached his first Super Bowl, he had won two NFL MVP awards.

“Experience is important in a lot of situations, and he’s got a lot of experience in the playoffs,” said Marty Morhinweg, Jackson’s first offensive coordinator in Baltimore. “Playoff games are different than regular season games, so he has that experience. And I expect Lamar and the Baltimore Ravens to win some Super Bowls in the near future.”

Before the start of this season, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta recognized Jackson’s “urgency.” DeCosta said Jackson was in tune with his teammates and coaches in practice.

“You can really tell that this player is very focused on this season and working really hard to get a ring,” DeCosta said in August.

At the start of training camp, Jackson recalled what he said when Baltimore drafted him with the last pick of the first round in 2018: “They’re going to get a Super Bowl out of me. Trust me on that.” spoke.

“That’s what I said and I meant it,” Jackson said. “This is the highest level of the game we play. We have to compete like champions. That’s what I want to be labeled as a champion.” [I don’t] I just want to be labeled MVP here and there. I want to be a champion. ”