A two-time NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson has yet to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl, a fact that provides his detractors with ammo.
Critics often point to Jackson's playing style as a reason why he can't get over the playoff hump, suggesting his dynamic running ability withers in the big moments in the postseason.
During an interview , Jackson dismissed any critics, including slights from former players.
"I mean, I'm motivating myself because I know what I want to do at the end of the day," he said. "Those guys have their time. I really don't care what the criticism is, what the critics say because at the end of the day, I just came off a season-ending injury the year before and we made it all the way to the AFC [Championship Game] in a new system. So, it's nothing to be down on myself, my teammates or anything like that because we made it far and further than the years we've been. We haven't been to the AFC [Championship Game] in a long time…
"We've just got to keep going. God's will, we'll be there because that's our goal. We criticize ourselves more than anyone else. So, what people say on the outside, that's just their take. They can believe in what they want to believe, but we know what we want, we know what we're striving for. So, that's all I can say about it."
After generating his second NFL MVP in 2023 and leading the Ravens to the AFC's No. 1 seed, Jackson shined in the Divisional Round against Houston, scoring four total touchdowns while completing 16 of 22 attempts for 152 yards and adding 100 rushing yards. Against Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game, he compiled 272 yards passing with a touchdown and 54 yards rushing, however, an interception and lost fumble spelled doom for Baltimore as they fell in a low-scoring affair.
The AFC Championship Game was the furthest Jackson has taken Baltimore in the postseason. As always, quarterbacks receive too much of the credit when things go well and the overwhelming share of the criticism for losses in the most team-centric sport in America.
Jackson will once again attempt to silence the naysayers in 2024 when the Ravens kick off the season in 15 days -- a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game, this time in Kansas City.
