Watching as backup Josh Johnson closed out the game, Lamar Jackson frolicked on the sideline like a kid who’d just opened his gifts. After dominating the Texans in a 31-2 win on Christmas Day, Jackson and Ravens might have a few other presents to open in the next seven weeks.
Jackson exploded for a 48-yard touchdown and threw two others to lead Baltimore (11-5) to a crucial win that – coupled with Pittsburgh’s loss to the Chiefs earlier in the day — left the Ravens alone atop the AFC North for the first time in 2024. Now, the Ravens need only to defeat Cleveland (3-10) in the season finale to lock up a second straight division title. And after three wins in 11 days, the Ravens get a week-and-a-half of rest before hosting the Browns.
Delivering highlight after highlight – including a Jackson-esque extended play that ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely and an improvised, 67-yard strike to Mark Andrews — Jackson gave MVP voters plenty to ponder. He leads the league with a 121.6 passer rating and is tied with Joe Burrow (39) for the NFL lead in touchdown passes. Jackson also became the most prolific rushing quarterback in NFL history, surpassing Michael Vick (6,109) for the most career rushing yards at his position. Jackson (6,110) reached Vick’s mark in 41 fewer games.
“See man, that’s just God,” Jackson told Jamie Erdahl on the Netflix broadcast after the game. “God gets all the glory. Man, I’m grateful and I’m thankful. I got a great group of guys with me that’s helping me along in this process, our offensive line, and the King Henry.”
That king, Derrick Henry, had 147 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Hitting the Texans early and often, he finished the first quarter with 86 yards on 10 carries. And, impressively, Henry recorded 309 rushing yards over a five-day span, including 162 against Pittsburgh on Saturday. After the game, Henry after the Texans game left no doubts as to his thoughts on who’s most deserving, Jackson.
“Oh, yeah, he deserves it,” Henry told Erdahl. “He’s been doing this for a long time. It’s only right he gets the third one. Stats prove it.”
Those stats are actually better this season than they were during his first two MVP campaigns. His passer rating in 2024 (121.6) is better than 2019 (113.3) and 2023 (102.7). And with one game remaining, he has more passing yards (3,955) and touchdown passes (39) than he had either MVP year.
The one trophy neither Jackson nor Henry has won, however, is the Lombardi Trophy. Assuming Baltimore beats Cleveland next week, the Ravens are likely the AFC’s No. 3 seed. If that’s the case, Baltimore would host the No. 6 seed in the first round of the playoffs, possibly a rematch with Pittsburgh.
No question, the Ravens are much more dangerous when their defense plays as well as it has over the last two games. On Christmas, Baltimore shut out the Texans. Houston’s only points came on a phenomenal play by rookie Kamari Lassiter, who dropped Henry in his own end zone for a second-quarter safety. That Ravens defense led by a coordinator with a great story, Zach Orr, has allowed just 11.0 points and 254.0 yards over its last three games.
Houston (9-7), which had already locked up a second straight AFC South title, is most likely the No. 4 seed and would host either Pittsburgh, Denver or the L.A. Chargers, depending on NFL results over the next 10 days. The Texans’ season finale next week at home against the Titans could be meaningless in terms of playoff positioning, potentially giving the team the opportunity to rest starters.
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