UPDATE: Lamar Jackson Responds to Playoff Criticism with Four Touchdowns

For much of the first half on Saturday night, Lamar Jackson was kept in check. Even when he got to the end zone in the second half,

there was no stopping him.

Jackson sprinted into the tunnel behind the Ravens end zone following his fourth touchdown in the team’s 34-10 divisional playoff

rout of the Houston Texans.

“It was that simple—I just saw it, and I was off to the races,” Jackson laughed.

Jackson had a 1-3 postseason record going into the game. It was the final straw that Jackson’s critics had left.

With a stunning performance, he dispelled that notion and advanced the Ravens to their first AFC Championship since 2012—and

their first in Baltimore since the 1970 Baltimore Colts.

For Jackson, it was a historic night as he became the first player in NFL history to record 100 passing yards, two touchdowns

throwing, two running touchdowns, and a 100 passer rating in a regular season or postseason game.

“He just played like he was crazy,” Head Coach John Harbaugh remarked, predicting a huge postseason performance from Jackson.

“I had high expectations for Lamar’s performance, but he has exceeded them all year long. It’s more crucial than ever right now. From

the beginning, he has been confined. We’ve all taken that word as our own.”

When asked about individuals who had questioned his postseason performance, Jackson acknowledged that he had heard the

criticism. He didn’t clap back, though.

“It is what it is, really. Jackson declared, “I don’t really care what people think.” “I’m attempting to succeed every single day. My goal

each and every time I step onto the field is to give it my all. Those people are on a different squad, although they used to have our team

number. We simply need to maintain our focus on what is ahead of us, as I have been saying.”

In the postgame locker room, Jackson accepted a game ball from Harbaugh without showing any emotion or saying anything. By

halftime, he had said enough.

After the offense managed just 10 points at halftime and ended on a negative note with back-to-back sacks, Jackson lit it up with a

filthy conversation. Jackson wasn’t thrilled that he was under so much pressure for the whole of the first half.

Devin Duvernay’s 37-yard kickoff return to start the second half sent the Ravens close to midfield. The Ravens offense scored three

touchdown drives in a row in the second half, seemingly building on that momentum.

With two more touchdown throws from Jackson totaling 28 yards and a touchdown run of 15 yards, the Ravens were soon back in the

lead and would never look back.

“At the beginning of the second half, we were right there. After that, Lamar very much took control, according to Texans head coach

DeMeco Ryans. He performed several amazing plays, and we were unable to stop him.

“I give Lamar credit. He wrote several excellent plays. That’s probably the reason he’s the MVP. He wrote several excellent plays. No

plays were made by us. That’s the ultimate conclusion.”

The next offensive drive by the Ravens covered 93 yards in 12 plays. Jackson started it off by passing Rashod Bateman across the

middle for 21 yards. On fourth-and-1, he took a nude bootleg keeper for a 14-yard gain before hitting tight end Isaiah Likely for a 15-

yard lob touchdown ball, in which Jackson pretended to be a runner.

With a 14-point advantage and the way the Ravens defense was performing, the game was all but over at that point. Jackson ensured

that he did not let up by leading another lengthy scoring drive, primarily with the running backs and offensive line in tow, and

finishing with an 8-yard touchdown run.

“Lamar is a magician,” claimed Zay Flowers, a wide receiver. “It seems as though you will see him there and there in the end zone. I

shall henceforth refer to him as a magician since you can never be certain of his whereabouts.”

He may even be hiding in the tunnel at times.

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