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Lamar Jackson is looking to finish his fifth playoff stint with a win at the Super Bowl in New Orleans as Ravens quarterback. Jackson has yet to reach a Super Bowl, an achievement in itself. The Ravens lost in the AFC Championship Game last season but never got that far during their other excursions.
Jackson’s postseason play hasn’t been as intense as his regular-season games. Jackson said his recent performances have been because he was too amped up, and he believes he has a better handle on things in his seventh postseason start.
Lamar Jackson has learned the importance of maintaining emotional control during high-stakes games
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has learned the importance of maintaining emotional control during high-stakes games. “I’d just be too excited,” Jackson said after Tuesday’s practice. “That’s all. Too antsy. I’m seeing things before it happened, like, ‘Oh, I got to calm myself down.’ But just being more experienced, I’ve found a way to balance it out.”
Jackson, the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, will play the Pittsburgh Steelers in a wild-card game, looking to end his postseason disappointment and never reach the Super Bowl in his six previous seasons. Jackson’s problem is turnovers, with six interceptions and three fumbles in six playoff starts.
“You got to try to be mistake-free,” Jackson said. “The game’s won with the turnover battle and keeping the ball in your control, moving the ball down the field, getting first downs, putting points on the ball. Obviously, that’s how you win those games.”
Jackson avoids recalling early playoff losses due to his youth, focusing on the 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game last season. “That’s probably the only playoff game I do think about,” Jackson said. “It was right there. But my mind, I’m focused now, though. It is what it is at this point.” And when asked what he thought about that AFC Championship Game, he replied, “We lost it.”
Lamar Jackson is celebrating his 28th birthday with a goal as he entered the league at 21. Despite winning two MVP awards and setting several NFL records, postseason success remains elusive for both Jackson and the Ravens. Jackson’s recent 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game remains a haunting memory for the Ravens, despite their successful season and preparation for the playoffs.
“When you get that close and see all your dreams fall apart?” Jackson said, per the Ravens’ site. “We put up 10 points. Actually, I look at it like we only put up seven points as an offense. I don’t even count the field goal, because we didn’t finish that drive like we wanted either. We drove the ball, but we didn’t punch in. It’s time to punch it in this year.”
Also Read: Aaron Rodgers shared an emotional post as a tribute to Davante Adams on Instagram after the Jets’ Week 18 win
Jackson is the only quarterback in NFL history to have four perfect passer rating games, with at least 15 passing attempts. In 2024, he set multiple career-high marks in passing and became the all-time leader in quarterback rushing yards.
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