In the Ravens' commanding 34-10 win against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round, Lamar Jackson, widely regarded as the MVP front-runner, delivered a spectacular performance, silencing critics who had previously questioned his playoff capabilities.
Postgame, Jackson addressed the noise surrounding his playoff struggles, stating, "You know I heard that. I've seen it, I don't even got to hear it. I see it. But it is what it is. I don't really care about what people say. I'm trying to win."
The game saw a competitive first half, with Houston managing to keep the score tied at 10-10. Jackson faced relentless pressure from an unusually aggressive DeMeco Ryans defense, resulting in three sacks and just 23 net passing yards by halftime.
Undeterred by the early challenges, Jackson exhibited resilience in the second half. He orchestrated four consecutive scoring drives, covering distances of 53, 93, and 78 yards. Jackson accounted for scores on each trip to the end zone, showcasing his dual-threat abilities with 152 passing yards and an impressive 100 rushing yards.
This remarkable performance not only secured the Ravens' victory but also etched Jackson's name in the NFL record books. He became the first player in league history with two or more passing touchdowns, two or more rushing TDs, 100 or more rushing yards, 100 or more passing yards, and a passer rating exceeding 100, according to NFL Research.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh commended Jackson's consistency, stating, "I thought Lamar was gonna play great, but he's played great all year. Just now, it's more important than ever. He's been locked in from Day 1. That's his term, and we've all kind of ran with that. He's directed this whole thing."
In this pivotal playoff victory, Lamar Jackson not only silenced critics but also solidified his position as a key force in the Ravens' pursuit of postseason success.