Lamar Jackson: ‘I’m trying to win a Super Bowl’

Lamar Jackson didn’t gloat about his mind boggling performance or his MVP candidacy after the Ravens embarrassed the Rams 45-6 at home on Monday Night Football. Jackson had bigger things on the brain. “I’m trying to win a Super Bowl…I’m not worried about MVP,” Jackson told reporters.

It was another signature night for Jackson as he showcased his exhilarating cocktail of effective play-action passing and elusive running. Jackson threw for 5 touchdowns on 169 yards and rushed for another 95 yards, while Mark Ingram added 111 on the ground. The Ravens defense had no trouble with a stymied Rams offense led by the extra stymied Jared Goff who threw two interceptions and misfired all night.

But the night was defined by Jackson’s virtuoso performance. The Rams defense was left stunned by his shiftiness, instincts and sheer command of the field. Rams safety (and order Raven) Eric Weddle was burned by Jackson and the Ravens multiple times, including a run where Weddle was flattened by a charging Ingram. When asked about the sensational quarterback, Weddle said, “We got our faces peeled off.”

The Ravens are not alone, though this win had an extra dose of electricity. Baltimore has now won seven straight and is currently the no 2 seed in the AFC behind only New England.

Jackson’s electrifying run is starting to become cemented in the NFL’s history books. On Monday night, Jackson became the first player to eclipse 3,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in his first two seasons. He also became the first player in NFL history to throw four touchdowns and rush for 50 yards in back-to-back games.

Jackson cares little for individual records; his mind is on reaching a Super Bowl. Which begs the ultimate question: Can this Ravens team make it to Miami if they have to play in an AFC Championship in Foxboro in January? Conventional wisdom would say no simply because of the Pats’ recent string of home playoff magic. (Their last home playoff loss was coincidentally to the Ravens in 2012.)

But the Pats, even with their top flight defense, are just like everyone else: they have no idea how to defend the multitalented force that is Jackson.

Next week the Ravens host the 49ers in the NFL’s game of the year. Perhaps that will be a Super Bowl preview as Jackson hopes.