Following the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the NFL playoffs, tight end Mark Andrews’ critical bobble of a touchdown pass has reignited criticism aimed at quarterback Lamar Jackson for his post-season performance.
During the Tuesday evening episode of SPEAK on Fox Sports, NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin did not hold back in his assessment of the seven-year veteran. He pointed out that Jackson now holds a 3-5 playoff record, suggesting that turnovers are a significant factor in his team’s struggles.
The three-time Super Bowl champion believes that while Lamar is a talented quarterback, he won’t reach the status of a “Super QB” until he resolves his turnover issues.
Allen, who owns a playoff record of 7-5, has also posted impressive statistics with 3,122 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and four interceptions over 426 attempts throughout his playoff career. In comparison, Jackson has recorded 1,753 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions from 241 attempts across his eight playoff outings. Additionally, Allen boasts a playoff passer rating of 101.5, while Jackson sits at 84.6.
The Ravens have faced a fair share of misfortunes, with Andrews’ missed opportunity being a prime example. Despite having nine players selected for the Pro Bowl this year—a league-high—the reality is that Jackson’s turnovers were equally detrimental to the team’s efforts. In what turned out to be a close game, every offensive possession was crucial.
It’s clear that Lamar shouldn’t bear the entire burden of his team’s shortcomings. Yet, he still carries a considerable amount of responsibility. Irvin’s comments may indeed hold weight, and Jackson acknowledged this during a recent press interaction.
In his post-game press conference, Jackson openly admitted that his two turnovers were “costly,” taking accountability for his mistakes. He pointed to a failure to identify the safety coverage as the reason behind his first-half interception, although he demonstrated marked improvement in the second half. Unfortunately, other teammates also struggled to perform in crucial moments of the divisional round game.
Looking ahead, Jackson is expected to remain among the NFL’s elite passers, and the Ravens are likely to return to the playoffs next season. Fans can anticipate some roster changes during the offseason. Regardless of who stays or goes, it’s clear that should the Ravens strive for a Super Bowl title soon, Jackson will be leading the charge.
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