At 27 and still in the prime of his career, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is already on Canton’s doorstep.
It was evident on Thursday night when he walked across the stage at the 13th Annual NFL Honors to accept The Associated Press’ MVP award for the second time, edging out Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy.
He is the youngest two-time MVP since the merger, beating out Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who will play in his fourth Super Bowl on Sunday night.
Jackson has established himself as a top-five quarterback. Still, he is one of the most scrutinized players in the league. His loudest critics will constantly highlight his lack of success in the postseason.
And they have a fair point.
Jackson has a 2-4 postseason record, with his most recent loss coming at home against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. He also has a 75.7 quarterback rating in those six postseason games.
There’s no denying Jackson has struggled in the biggest games. But that shouldn’t keep people from appreciating a generational talent.
At his best, Jackson is one of the toughest players to defend. Sometimes he looks like a create-a-player on Madden. From his spin move against Cincinnati in 2019 to throwing five touchdown passes against Miami in December, Jackson’s career is filled with jaw-dropping moments.
There’s a reason Baltimore’s matchup against Houston in the divisional round was ESPN’s most-watched NFL game ever, playoffs or regular season, dating back to 1987.
Before Jackson arrived in Baltimore, the franchise had made one postseason appearance after winning Super Bowl XLVII. Since Jackson became the full-time starter in 2019, the Ravens have made three playoff trips and twice finished with the AFC’s best regular-season record.
He continues to find different ways to elevate his game and prove the naysayers wrong.
When he was drafted 32nd overall in 2018, there were questions about whether he could be a starting quarterback in the NFL. He turned around and put together a 58-19 record as a quarterback.
When there were questions about his ability as a passer, he finished the 2023 season with the highest completion percentage (67.2%) and the most passing yards (3,678) of his career.
Yes, Jackson has to improve in the playoffs. He knows that, too. It’s worth mentioning once again that he’s only 27. Former Colts and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning didn’t win his first Super Bowl until his ninth season in the league, when he was 30.
Jackson is one of the best shows in the sport. Don’t let a postseason resume prevent you from enjoying it.
Where’s love for Branch?
The Detroit Lions’ rookie defensive back played a major role in the franchise’s success.
Yet he didn’t receive the recognition he deserved. Branch, a second-round pick in the 2023 draft, wasn’t named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team. And he didn’t receive a single first-place vote for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. deserved the latter award. But for Branch to fall short of the PFWA All-Rookie or finish fifth in the Rookie of the Year voting is questionable. Branch played like a top-two rookie throughout the season. It started in Week 1 when he recorded a pick-six in the season opener against the Chiefs. In Week 3, he recorded 11 tackles (three for loss) and two passes defended against the Falcons. From there, Branch was a consistent player in the Lions’ secondary and deserved more praise.
Is Purdy more than a game manager?
Outside of Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and which songs Usher will perform at halftime, Purdy will be one of the biggest storylines in Super Bowl LVIII. Throughout the season, Purdy has been considered a game manager and someone who has benefited from head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme and the talent around him.
But will a win over the Chiefs on Sunday change the narrative? An argument can be made he’s already done that. Throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns shouldn’t be taken lightly. Neither should Purdy’s performance in the NFC Championship game when he completed 13 of 16 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown to overcome a 24-7 halftime deficit and beat the Lions.
Purdy, the final pick in the 2022 draft, is not going to make electrifying plays like Jackson, Allen and Mahomes. But he is the perfect fit for Shanahan’s offense and has proven that he can make big-time plays in pressure moments.
Purdy leading the 49ers past Kansas City could potentially wash away the game manager label that’s attached to his name. But for the ones who have been watching him closely, he’s clearly more than that.
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