The Baltimore Ravens are still confident that it’s only a matter of time before quarterback Lamar Jackson leads them to a Super Bowl victory, even after another disappointing loss.
Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard shared his belief on Monday, saying, “It’s inevitable. He’s going to win a Super Bowl, and I want to be a part of it. It just sucks that it hasn’t happened yet.”
Jackson, the only player to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award twice without reaching a Super Bowl, has faced setbacks in the postseason. The Ravens’ 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday dropped Jackson’s playoff record to 3-5.
Sunday’s game was tough for Jackson, who threw an interception in the first quarter and lost a fumble in the second. However, after halftime, Jackson nearly orchestrated one of his best comebacks.
He threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely, bringing the Ravens within two points of the Bills at 27-25 with just 1 minute, 33 seconds left. But on the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt, tight end Mark Andrews dropped a pass that would have tied the game.
Ricard, feeling for his quarterback, said, “I personally feel bad for him because he deserves it just because of how great of a player he is. He deserves to be considered one of the best quarterbacks. He already is, but I know everyone considers championships as the standard, and he’ll get it one day.”
Ricard likes to compare Jackson to former NFL star Peyton Manning. In their first seven seasons, both Jackson and Manning won multiple MVP awards but had 3-5 playoff records. Manning eventually won two Super Bowls. Ricard is confident that Jackson will follow the same path: “There’s still time. He’s still young. He’s definitely going to [get] one at some point.”
At 28 years old, Jackson could become the youngest player ever to win three MVP awards. The announcement will take place at the NFL Honors show on February 6.
This past season, Jackson had one of his best statistical years, becoming the first player in NFL history to throw more than 40 touchdown passes and fewer than five interceptions in a season. He finished with 41 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Despite his success in the regular season, Jackson has struggled in the playoffs. He has yet to win back-to-back postseason games and, since entering the NFL in 2018, his 11 turnovers in the playoffs are the most in the league during that period.
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers acknowledged Jackson’s frustration after the loss, saying, “Oh, he’s mad. He’s mad for sure. We know our team. We know what we’re supposed to do and we know the only way that we can’t do what we want to is what we did yesterday. So I already know how he’s feeling.”
